Do you ever scan the pages of a fashion magazine or look at a fashion blog, see your favorite celebrity and think, “She looks amazing, but I could never wear something like that”? I know I do, and rightfully so. With stylists and major events to attend, celebrities get the chance to take some major fashion risks that some of us might feel uncomfortable sporting at Johnny O’s on a Thursday. For the bolder among us, by all means, rock that courageous outfit, but for the milder, here are some ways to translate hard-to-wear celebrity style into something more simple.
Head-To-Toe Menswear
It’s funny how Angelina Jolie looks flawless in a full-on pantsuit, but if you tried to wear that, it would look seriously out of place. It’s not an easy thing for anyone to make such a boyish shape look glamorous and sophisticated, so don’t worry if you can’t pull that off.
To ease into it, try a blazer. In black or navy blue, a blazer is the perfect piece to throw on over a cute patterned tank (Pitaya’s has lots!). Complete the look with skinny jeans and ballet flats or your favorite pair of wedges. Not only does the blazer look cute, but it also functions as a way to stay warm on those freezing walks to the bar.
Metallics
If wearing a metallic dress makes you feel like a Hershey kiss wrapper, you’re not alone. Stepping out in something shiny automatically attracts a lot of attention, and attention can be great, but maybe not always in the UW-Madison social scene. The solution is to start simple and see just how much shine you can handle.
First, try a metallic clutch with a simple outfit. Let the bag be the attention grabber. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, try a metallic top with black skinny jeans and black wedges. The shirt will stand out, but the outfit won’t be overwhelming so you won’t become the disco ball at the frat party.
Shorts and Heels
When someone like Blake Lively steps out in shorts and heels, she looks classy and put together. Maybe it’s because she has legs for miles, but it’s also because she knows how to make the look work. The key is to balance the outfit.
First off, make sure the shorts are a good fit. If they’re going to be the focal point of the outfit, you want to make sure they’re not skin-tight and are a tasteful length. Heels lift and lengthen your legs, so double check that your shorts still work with them.
Second, start with wedges. Yes, celebs somehow pull off shorts and sky-high pumps, but that is no easy feat, especially in a college town. Wedges will make the outfit a bit more comfortable and keep it from getting risqué.
Lastly, choose your top wisely. Something a little loose like a blouse or a flowy tank compliments the look and keeps it elegant. Perhaps throw on a cropped jacket or (hey #1) a blazer. This look is great for a warm night as long as it’s done right.
Next time you’re envying a celebrity look and wondering if you could pull it off, just give it a try. Modify it, make it more you, but don’t be afraid to test it out. If you don’t like how something looks, at least you can say you took a fashion risk. You never know, maybe people will be looking at your outfits thinking, “She looks great. I’d love to wear something like that.”
Fancy another tip or two? Email your questions to Sydney at smmann@wisc.edu and transform your run-of-the-mill look into an attention-grabbing getup on State Street.
