Iowa-based stylist Ren Fisher focuses on uniforms, vintage and dressing with intention. (Photos: Anthony Arroyo, vintage photos courtesy of Ren Fisher)
By Rylie Smith
I sat down with Ren Fisher on a sunny afternoon at Saints Rest in Grinnell. She ordered a matcha, although her go-to is two shots of espresso over ice with a splash of heavy cream. She’s dressed in a boxy emerald tee, cotton boxer-style shorts from a sustainable brand and her signature: layers of silver jewelry.
“If I’m not wearing jewelry, I feel naked,” she says. “It’s my uniform. Everything builds from there.”
Fisher is a stylist and vintage collector who has accumulated a big following online and among the local vintage community.
The following Q&A has been lightly condensed for clarity.
How has your personal style evolved to where it is today?
It really has evolved a lot. As a kid, I was homeschooled and I used to change outfits three times a day, no joke. In high school I treated clothes like costume design, with really exaggerated looks. Then I went full hipster, biker vintage, and now I’ve landed somewhere more grounded: military-inspired, lots of menswear, vintage workwear and minimal basics.
What’s your go-to music vibe while getting dressed?
Usually hip-hop, Southern rap or soul. I’ll smoke a cigarette and sip coffee or matcha. I’m trying to quit coffee. Today’s my first matcha day. We’ll see how it goes.
You grew up in Grinnell. Did that shape how you think about clothing?
Definitely. My dad’s side is from Grinnell, my mom’s from Texas, so I grew up around workwear, ranch wear and handmade pieces. My grandma was a seamstress. Both sides of my family were farmers. At the time I didn’t want to dress like a farmer, but now I see the beauty and function in those clothes. I worked at a biker shop and even ran my own vintage store. Farmers would bring in old denim, overalls, Rainer jeans. I was always sourcing at estate sales, handling pieces that were actually worn and mended. Those experiences shaped how I shop and style now.
You mentioned you’re intentional about what you collect, especially when it comes to vintage.
Yeah, I’m obsessed with true vintage. Anything pre-1960s, before synthetic blends took over. The quality is just different. I have military pieces from the 1950s that have been through war and still hold up better than modern clothes. One of my favorite pieces is a pair of Arctic shell parachute pants from the Korean War. A friend found them in a trunk on a local farm.
What’s your most special piece?
My vintage Navajo squash-blossom necklace. It’s all turquoise and silver, probably more than 40 hours of handwork. I found it through a family whose mom collected pieces while traveling the Southwest in the ’40s to ’70s. It’s powerful. In Navajo culture, silver is said to ward off the spirit of poverty. That stuck with me.
Beyond collecting, you also style others. Tell us about your styling work.
I offer one-on-one style bundles that help people build a personal uniform, something that fits their body, energy and lifestyle. I work with clients in Iowa and around the world. Whether it’s refreshing a closet or starting from scratch, I want getting dressed to feel expressive and true to you. Even if you think you don’t care about fashion, you’re still getting dressed every day. Why not feel good in what you put on?
And how can people find you?
Instagram is the best (@renfisher99). I post styling work, vintage pulls and client bundles. Website’s coming soon!
