Self-expression has always been important to Larsen Thompson. Spending her childhood in and out of dance classes—she first rose to prominence when a video of her teenage self dancing to Beyonce’s “Run The World (Girls)” went viral—the actress and global Pandora muse found herself drawn to anything creative from a young age. “My mom owned a boutique when I was growing up, so I had this amazing fashion education from the age of four,” recalls Thompson. “All these Hollywood actors would come into her store and she would dress them in the coolest pieces. She would encourage me to choose my own outfits for school, letting me pick whatever unique combination I was drawn to. She taught me that fashion should be about experimenting and expressing who I am.”

But like many of us, Thompson’s journey to feeling comfortable with her sense of style has been a long and winding one. Here, she shares the style secrets she lives by.

1. Reliable basics are the foundation of a wardrobe

“I used to think I needed a million different T-shirts, dresses and pairs of shoes. Now I’ve realized that a few essential pieces are all you need to create a great wardrobe. The secret is the accessories—it’s all about how you create a different moment by adding a belt, a bracelet, a purse or some colourful sunglasses.

“No wardrobe is complete without black, white and grey T-shirts, a pair of classic blue boyfriend jeans and a pair of comfortable yet fashionable sneakers. I love heels, but I’ll always be a sucker for sneakers!”

2. Style should be all about letting your personality shine through

“That’s what my mom always taught me, and it’s what drew me to the Pandora Moments collection. With so many charms to choose from, the collection really encourages me to express what makes me unique. I grew up dancing, so my Pandora dancing-queen charm holds such a special place in my heart. I’ve just recently started singing, so I wanted to get a microphone charm that would always remind me of what an exciting moment in my life this is. I’m also a family-oriented person, so my family tree charm is really important to me.

“What I like most about the Pandora charm collection is that it can be worn in so many ways. Of course, I love stacking up my bracelet with charms, but I’ve also been experimenting with adding them to my belt, to my earrings and to my keys. It’s such an easy way to have fun with fashion.”

3. Sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone

“I’m really inspired by people like Zendaya and Rihanna. They’re not afraid to take risks with their style. I no longer dress to impress others—I choose outfits that I feel comfortable in and make me feel most like myself. This mentality helped me get off the trend cycle, so my style has become more sustainable. Vintage shopping has become part of my routine because I love hunting out these unique pieces that nobody else has. I’ve also started shopping from small businesses I find on Instagram. I recently got this amazing hand-crocheted sweater from a seller on there. I love that it’s one of a kind.”

4. Find your unique look

“A red lip is becoming a real trademark look for me. It started out when I was on modelling shoots as a teenager. Because of my red hair, makeup artists would often do minimal makeup and a red lipstick. On days off, I was often too busy to do a full face of makeup myself, so I started simply brushing up my brows and adding a bold lip colour. It lifts my mood and makes even the most basic of outfits feel more put together. In fact, when I wear a great red, people don’t even notice my outfit—they just notice the powerful shade I’m wearing. I love that.”

Find your individual style with Pandora