Saara Pius – a woman who needs no further introduction, as her brilliance and presence is not unknown to almost any Estonian. An actress, a mother, a wife – all with playful ease and great joie de vivre.

Many of her values also coincide with those of the Haruu family, and that is why we are so happy that Saara has found her way to us today! We asked Saara what inspires her style, how to choose clothes with an eye for the average person and what is the basis for making fashion decisions for the little ones in the family? Read more.

Saara, you always look fabulous! How would you describe your style and how did you arrive at your fashion preferences? Is there anyone who has influenced and inspired you in the fashion world?

I’m not quite sure what my style is. It varies from day to day and from season to season.

In the summer, jackets, jeans and sweaters. In winter, boots, jeans and sweaters. Simple and understated! Skirts and heels for special occasions. I can be so elegant and feminine, but the next moment a street urchin in comfortable boots. Depends on the mood and the day!

I tend to pile a lot of different things together, but in the end I can’t combine them, so I just walk around with a few favourite items. Most of the time I wish I had a stylist every day to tell me what to wear and how to wear it.

From the ground up, I have naturally been influenced and inspired by my mother. She had a bunch of heels because they were fashionable at the time and you didn’t wear sneakers. I would secretly try them on and admire them. Her femininity and self-care, self-dressing, has definitely rubbed off on me. I need some time to get ready and get myself ready. Of course, with children, I’ve also had to learn to do everything in a hurry. More or less…

Since I went to primary school, where there was a school uniform, I guess there were some influences. There was always a theme of very low heeled shoes and of course skirts. Nowadays, fashion is more uniform. Women can find all the clothes they want in the men’s world. Everything is unisex .

But when it comes to the fashion world, I haven’t had any particular influences. I think I discovered fashion as such very, very late. Maybe it’s only in the last 7 years that I’ve been following what’s going on more closely. Since I’ve had two children during this time, there has been a lot of confusion and self-discovery in my wardrobe in relation to body changes. It’s only now that I’ve developed an understanding of what works for me and what doesn’t. I’m still inventing!

Going online, browsing magazines and scrolling through e-shops is so time-consuming that it’s a bit nerve-wracking. So I don’t really try to keep up with every new fashion trend. I dress as comfortable and as suits me. There’s no need to wear something that doesn’t suit your body type at all – even if it’s horribly fashionable at the time. Fashion comes and goes. Style is timeless and enduring, you just have to find it.

What have been your biggest fashion successes so far? Do you have any funny stories to share about it?

I can’t think of any. It’s like when I started my independent life, the whole time I was at university I was in one big fashion slump. But theatre school and hipster grunge style just seemed to fit. Coloured socks, weird dresses, heels and a red leather jacket. Uhh…

Sometimes I tend to overdress. I dress too festively for an event that isn’t so festive and vice versa. Once I went to a fashion house for a day event where they were showing a new collection. But I was dressed so normally that when I arrived and saw all the important people dressed up at 12 noon and looking mega cool, it was a bit strange. I don’t know if it’s a fad now, but it was weird!

How do you choose your clothes? Do you consciously make eco-friendly fashion choices?

I would certainly like to make more environmentally sustainable choices. Everyday clothes are already very much that. I always want more quality. Cashmere, silk, merino wool, high quality quilting and cotton – wonderful!

I also appreciate people who can keep a capsule wardrobe. I’m not that good at it, unfortunately. But as my wardrobe is also full of performance clothes, cashmere and merino wool are not my best on stage. In that case, I’ll have to look for things from the world of fast fashion in the meantime – sad as that is.

I mostly choose clothes by the fabric, if it’s a tangibly good and comfortable fabric, that’s good. As I’m petite and wear a small, many brands are often out of the question for me. I know that their size 34 is big for me. But that rarely happens. For example, Zara or Ivo Nikkolo trousers are often all long and a bit wide for me. What often happens is that I need to shorten or narrow down a lot of clothes at home.

But I do have some established brands where I know I can get my clothes. I’m obviously quite modest and don’t look for very extravagant things. That appetite is something I realise on stage. I don’t buy frightening things and I don’t chase expensive brands. Of course, I keep an eye on Estonian fashion. Sometimes I also go to flea markets, as I often look for things for my children there. Sometimes I get something for myself, but I have noticed that I rarely wear things from flea markets.

It’s getting colder – how to dress warmly and comfortably, yet stylishly, this winter? What are your tips?

As I’m a big cold thief, I tend to walk around like a Michelin when it’s cold. I’d rather go for warm than fashionable. Sometimes I look at some street fashion pictures and admire those who wear heels, a miniskirt and a beautiful coat with their fronts spread wide, but the reality in Estonia is that for 8 months of the year I mostly wear one and the same big, thick, half-length “sleeping bag” as I jokingly call these jackets.
Whether they are stylish or not, I have no idea and don’t really care. If there’s a car commute from one place to another, I can use a nicer coat or a more fashionable jacket for a bit.

Indeed, it is important to stay warm and healthy! Speaking of family and fashion, how do you choose clothes for the little ones in the family? What are the main things you look for when choosing clothes for them?

Whenever we have a shoot with the kids or a commercial/magazine shoot where the stylist dresses the kids, they are so cute and beautiful. My heart immediately goes, why don’t I bother to dress them in such a stylish way every day. But of course they are pretty and beautiful to me anyway, no matter what I wear!

I really don’t see any reason to buy them horrible new clothes all the time. After all, they’ll outgrow them in no time, and besides, most of the clothes we fortunately get here and there from people we know. I also spend a lot on recycling and marketplace. For some it’s commonplace, but when a blouse costs €100, I’m left speechless. For children, it’s important that the clothes are comfortable, and weatherproof. They probably wouldn’t be willing to put on any baggy jeans and coats that don’t keep water or warm.

We couldn’t agree with you more! But tell us – what are your 2 go-to outfits or accessories that you always have on hand and can easily style with other items?

Very well fitting and fitted jeans and a good quality sweater. These are my must haves!

What is the oldest item in your wardrobe? Why this one? Do you still wear it today?

The oldest is probably an evening gown from the 1940s that I wore to a presidential reception. I still sometimes admire that dress. The fabric is so special and also the knowledge that it is handmade. I’m sure it’s relatively unique.

But when you think about which piece of clothing has been in my closet the longest… to be honest, I can’t really say, I’m a pretty frequent shopper and I’ve sold a lot of my clothes at flea markets. I don’t have any sentimental things directly either – I don’t associate myself with things.

Your favourites from the HARUU selection are:

I’m currently wearing a merino chiffon hat and scarf everyday in the cold weather – I love it so much! Practical and warm. I always adore Haruu’s kimonos too. When people wear them, it’s instantly beautiful to look at.

How nice to hear! Finally, what do you think makes a person truly beautiful and outstanding?

A beautiful and outstanding person is one whose eyes sparkle. Someone who is very committed to doing things they love. Someone who, in addition to work, finds time for rest and for themselves. Someone who is kind, warm, polite and a good person. Someone who looks after themselves and smiles! Smile!