Style (Tips) by Lauren Conrad
Have you read Style by Lauren Conrad yet? Brandon got it for me and allowed me to open it for my Christmas Eve present. (He had seen this blog post and remembered I wanted it!)
It’s not a huge book, nor is packed with particularly ground-breaking information, but it’s beautifully laid out and has some good tips and insider info from her and her stylists.
Here’s the thing about Lauren Conrad’s style: it’s completely attainable. That’s why millions of women look to her as a style icon, not because she’s particularly “out there” or innovative, but because she dresses in a chic, casual, easy-to-replicate, classic way. Her style isn’t intimidating, either. She dresses expensively and has a formidable team of stylists, but when you see her walking down the street, you always wonder if maybe she got her top from H&M. Maybe you noticed this, too: when she was on The Hills, the other girls had their own unique style, but everyone seemed to subtly adjust their looks based on whatever trend Lauren went for first.
There’s a section in her book called “Lauren’s Go-To Pieces” (page 13, if you want to check it out for yourself), and I scanned in a few shots of her accompanying her go-to pieces (above) and have laid out below some affordable options if you care to start the building blocks of your closet based on her recommendations.
1. BLACK MINIDRESS / BB Dakota Minidress, $79
2. BLACK HEELS / Steve Madden Platform Heels, $99
3. SKINNY JEANS / BDG Skinny Jean, $29 (from $49)
4. MAXI DRESS / ASOS Jersey Maxi Dress, $51.72
5. T-SHIRT / Madewell Pocket Tee, $10
6. TANK-TOP / Forever 21 Bow Tank, $18
7. OVERSIZED SWEATER / American Eagle Slouchy Cable Knit, $50
8. BOOTS / Steve Madden “Candence” Boots, $100
Have you read this book? What did you think?
Easiest summer outfit ever—and completely chic too. I wear versions of this all summer long. (Plus, there is nothing more flattering than a slightly oversized buttondown.)
- Old Navy Camp Shirt, $25
- American Eagle Shorts, $35
- CLASSIFIED Sandals, $17
- Delias Georgia Hobo, $25
Leggings are my new favorite thing to wear when I travel. Granted, I don’t look this put together when I’m on the road, but there’s no harm in trying!
- Chilli Pepper Slouchy Sweater, $43
- LA Made Leggings, $35
- French Connection Scarf, $28
- SM Gianna Flat Boots, $80
- Under One Sky Quilted Satchel, $32
- BKE Sunglasses, $12
Wrap skirts bring to mind the “skorts” of the 90’s, but they have more of an updated length and a tulip or bubble shape. Cute! I love how Lauren paired her skirt with a tucked in shirt and belt. One of my favorite combinations!
Shorts are tricky. Especially dressy shorts. One wrong move and you’re plunged from chic to awkward. LC must have a fantastic stylist, because this falls right between dressy and casual perfectly. If you swapped out the heels for a pair of sandals, you could just as easily wear this to brunch.
- Sparkle & Fade Shorts, $48
- Arden B Tank, $39
- Forever 21 Peeptoes, $21
- RGB Crimson Nail Polish, $14
The best thing about this outfit is that it’s work-friendly, if you work in a more creative environment—the skirt might be a little too short otherwise! The blazer helps pull it all together, and how fun is the bright lipstick?
HauteLikeCouture posted this pic yesterday and I knew I had to do a Steal Her Style post on it! It’s rare to see a lounge outfit so cute that you could just throw on some sandals, grab a tote bag and head out the door straight from bed.
(Plus, I have a weakness for LC. I don’t care how bad LA Candy was or how much she rubbed the wrong way on The Hills sometimes—I’d be her friend in a hot second, not gonna lie.)
These MTV reality show girls really know how to dress, despite their utter lacking in interpersonal relationship skills.
This outfit strikes the perfect balance between fun and serious/flirty and sophisticated. In other words, something that can translate well from day to night—if you work in a more casual workplace. Add some tights during the day for modesty and strip those babies off once the sun goes down.
- Forever 21 Lace Skirt - $26
- Wet Seal Boyfriend Blazer - $33
- Old Navy Ruffled Buttondown - $26
- White House/Black Market Peeptoes - $50
Steal Her Style : Leather Leggings
Leather leggings are hard to pull off, but worth the risk if you can pull it off in as cute a fashion as Ms. Conrad. I added a blazer to this look since the air is getting a bit chilly. Here are some affordable pieces you can grab to copy her look:
- Leather Leggings - Hue for $30
- Polka Dot Top - Forever 21 for $11
- Blazer - Spiegel for $50
- Pumps - Michael Antonio for $47
