Brit It girl Alexa Chung has been hailed by Chanel’s creative director Karl Lagerfeld for her beautiful, modern style.
Combining of-the-moment trends, like balayage tresses (dark roots and lighter ends) and it-bags, with vintage dresses and simple shoes Alexa has a very unique London take on a modern look. Alexa pulls off an effortless, street look by dressing down dramatic pieces and mixing high street with haute couture. Think designer mini dresses with loafers or flats, or high waisted pants/ skirts paired with a simple t-shirt and understated accessories.
Alexa is known for pairing denim shorts with brogues and socks, her affinity for striped sweaters and rocking a boyfriend blazer to full capacity. The schoolboy chic style is made feminine with a Chanel handbag and a cocktail ring. If you’re emulating Alexa’s look, start with classic understated accessories, make it playful with a fun and feminine tailored print dress, and end with minimal make-up, a long fringe and messy bob haircut and some intentionally mismatched jewellery.
Britain’s favourite new princess Kate Middleton is a style icon in her own right. Last week, a high street dress she wore when meeting First Lady Michelle Obama sent the company’s website into meltdown after fashionistas stormed the company’s online store to emulate the princess’ style. It goes to show that you don’t need to spend a fortune to achieve elegance and class. E
ven when she was just “waity Katie” Princess Kate was always known for her classic, conservative look (well, except for that see-through dress she wore in the university fashion show that apparently won Will’s heart). You don’t need a fairy Godmother to look like this princess, it’s all about an array of trench style winter coats (in single colours), jeans paired with knee-high boots and a cardigan for day wear, shift dresses (with capped sleeves and nothing low-cut) and muted tone ballet flats or low heels. Finish the look with long layered, natural tone hair – blow-waved never straightened – and barely there make-up.
Following the DUIs, rehab stints and shameful reality television career, Nicole Richie has bounced back, finding a look that works for her new image whilst also maintaining that rock n’ roll edge. Gone are The Simple Life days of coloured hair streaks, short-shorts with cowboy boots and bra-revealing outfits, now it’s all about boho-chic. Sure, Sienna Miller may have done it first, but Nicole Richie has enjoyed more longevity as a style icon, and even post-babies continues to be envied by the masses.
Boho chic is a pretty easy look to pull off, it’s very versatile and very comfortable. Invest in plenty of patterned (and plain) maxi dresses, mix and match them with sandals (roman, gladiator), and even ballet flats. For cooler days, throw a denim jacket over the top, and a scarf (if the patterns of the scarf and dress clash, even better).
Aviator style sunglasses work well, but really any kind of sunglasses add an element of cool: Wayfarers or oversized fashion specs are also celeb faves. Nicole Richie is pint-sized, so when wearing evening dresses, jeans or shorts she’s a big fan of skyscraper heels, especially to dress up a casual Californian shorts and t-shirt combo. For day-wear go skinny jeans, heels and simple long, hip-skimming tops, paired with scarf/bandana, and a really good bag. Hair works in any colour, but long ’70s styles, braids and messy tresses gives an overall edgy look.