Mindy Kaling Doesn’t Really Care If Her Outfit “Looks Good”

A scene out of our best-friend dreams, Flare reporter Maureen Halushak went to brunch with Mindy Kaling for her cover story; they shared overpriced eggs and "bacon for two." Conversation topics included The Mindy Project and criticism it's received, the similarities between Mindy Kaling and Mindy Lahiri, and the struggle of finding a stylist that lets the star wear what she wants — not what looks best on her body.

The sartorial chatter quickly gave way to a more serious kind, and they touched on Politico's suggestion that these aspects of a woman's persona detract from her boss status. "I thought that Politico article was very incorrect in many ways," Kaling told Flare. "The assumption that you’re seen as weak if you have any interests outside of professional ones... That’s not what any real person is like. But, it’s become the new 'Are women funny?'" You heard her. She doesn't need to pick between professionalism and style savvy: She can meet with Fox execs wearing Opening Ceremony if she pleases.

Kaling has a penchant for clothes, and she knows her Kenzo from her Zero + Maria Cornejo — her Instagram feed proves as much. She once told R29 that if she could build an app, it would "probably [be] a walk-in closet." (Mindy gets us.) To Flare, she name dropped some of her favorite brands: "Miu Miu, Missoni and Peter Pilotto for statement dressing," and "Rag & Bone, Vince, Opening Ceremony, and Emma Cook for everyday." While she may talk the talk, Kaling doesn't sugarcoat the obstacles of being a non-sample-size starlet. "If you love fashion and you’re not skinny and something fits you, most stylists are like, 'That’s great for you,’ and it sucks." But, with the help of stylist Hayley Atkin, Kaling gets to follow her heart's desire — which, in her case, means Prada dresses (as seen above).

Kaling doesn't conform to the idea of dressing exclusively for what makes you look taller, slimmer, and more polished. She wears what she loves and feels beautiful in, and that's something we can get behind. And, so is the funny gal gracing another well-earned solo magazine cover. She certainly has the style savvy to land her a glossy spread, and the stand-up-for-yourself smarts that truly make her a role model.

This fall, there's only more Mindy to look forward to. She'll be delivering another seaon of The Mindy Project; her second memoir, Why Not Me?; and, an awesome cover story that further proves her boss status. Read the rest of the interview over at Flare. (Flare)