Most desired celebrity looks - and how to get them!

As an image consultant, one of the ways that I go about this is by determining what styles a client admires is by turning to celebrities. I often ask the question: "Which celebrity's style do you admire most?" Kelly Ripa seems to be a celebrity that is frequently chosen and with good reason. She is a mom, TV personality, spokeswoman, wife... she has to be a million different things at once, yet she always seems to look good while doing it. Here are 3 outfits that I think are worth imitating, how you can achieve the look, and why it looks as good as it does. 

We all love Kelly's style because she looks put-together and stylish, yet age-appropriate. Her clothes show personality but don't overwhelm her petite frame. 

                         

Look Number 1:

This look works for Kelly for a number of reasons. I love the fact that her outfit consists of three pieces. I call this my "3 pieces rule" - you will always look more put together if you are wearing 3 pieces, rather than 2. By adding a jacket, the look is already more pulled together and sophisticated. 

While I am not a huge fan of capris (because they can shorten the appearance of your leg), Kelly pulls it off by adding a small heel. She makes up for the "lost" length by adding a bit more height with her shoe.

Another reason I chose this outfit is because it is fun but practical. It would be easy to put together and throw on, yet it still looks like she put some effort into it. These pieces could all make numerous different looks - making your wardrobe go even further. 

SO! Where can you find this look and how can you make it work for you?

On top, she is wearing a simple black blazer. I like the idea of a cotton-polyester blazer. It's not your typical work blazer in the sense that is is more casual, more versatile, and gives a more "hip" look. It is also more comfortable! You can find one at Nordstrom.

Her capris in a light-grey wash also help give the look a little attitude. The pair I have chosen here is from a website called www.shopstyle.com. They have a great selection of similar capris. Just make sure that you pay attention to the rise. Notice that the rise on Kelly's jeans is more of a mid-rise than a low-rise. That helps tremendously in adding to the illusion of more height. 

Finally, we have the shoe. Kelly doesn't use her shoes to dress the outfit up but rather uses her shoes to flatter her height. Her shoes don't stand out, they just accentuate the rest of her outfit. There are a number of different shoes that you could choose from. I have selected a pair that are fairly low-heeled, making them practical and easy to wear, yet cute and fashionable. You can find them at www.whatnext.com. Now all you need to do is add you own flare of simple jewelry and a cute tee and you have a great look!

                                                                                    

 Look Number 2:

This is classic Kelly Ripa style. She can be seen wearing flare-leg jeans rather frequently. Many petite women ask me if they can wear flare-leg/wide-leg jeans or if they will make them look shorter. Kelly pulls off the look perfectly. By adding a small heel, she helps to bring together an effortless and classic look, while helping her legs look much longer than they actually are.

First, let's look at the jeans. Because of the small flare (we aren't talking bell-bottoms here!), it creates a nice, feminine line. I have chosen a pair of Mother flare-leg jeans. Again, I love these pants because they have a bit of a higher rise, a nice stretch to the fabric, and are put together in a way that creates a smooth silhouette. 

Next, she adds a crisp white button down to add to the classic appeal of this look. You could use any white button down. You can find a great selection at stores such as Nordstrom, J Crew, The Limited and Ralph Lauren (among many others). The key is to find one that darts in to complement your body. You don't want it to hang on you - you want it to show off you shape without being too body-hugging.

Finally, this look appears so pulled together because she does a nice job of mixing brown and black. I love her little brown jacket and a simple black scarf. The colors stay neutral and classic yet it adds a little flair. I like the idea of a semi-casual brown leather jacket. (I found this one at www.bestbelstaffoutlet.com but you can find some cute ones at Express, as well as many other stores). 

Look Number 3:

This look is an easy-breezy look that would flatter many body-types. She is wearing a bit of a flowy (almost boxy) top (which can look disastrous) but she balances it out well with a nice small-flare leg jean. Notice that the pattern on her top is pretty small - which matches her small frame. You always want to opt for patterns that are similar in size to your size. I chose a Marc by Marc Jacobs top for this outfit. You can find this brand at most major department stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue as well as a number of local boutiques. 

The jean she is wearing is again a mid-rise, flare-leg jean that she complements with a small heel. I have chosen a pair of Not Your Daughter's Jeans here. I love this brand because they flatter almost every body type and have a great variety of styles and sizes.  

Finally, I love how Kelly accentuates this otherwise simple outfit with a colorful purse that compliments the rest of the look. There are so many different purse options and I don't recommend shelling out hundreds of dollars for a bright, colorful purse. There is a time and a place to spend some money on an investment bag but as far as colorful bags go, I think it is better to save your money. 

I have chosen a bag from Banana Republic. While I chose a blue version, there are so many different colors that you can play with - choose one that will accent your closet the best!

                  

Now that you have some idea of how to achieve this simple, yet stylish look, get to shopping! But remember, if it doesn't fit, then if won't look good! We are often so quick to latch on to certain styles that we don't stop and look to see if they actually complement our bodies. No matter how trendy or fabulous an item of clothing is, if it doesn't flatter you, it won't look good!

Happy Shopping!

As always, don't forget to visit my website at www.kristingolden.com or stop by my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kristingoldenimageconsulting to stay up to date on the latest news from Kristin Golden Image Consulting!