Be InStyle: Create your own Look of the Day
InStyle magazine is one of the rare fashion magazines that offer a website worthy of your time. Lucky’s is okay, Teen Vogue’s is horrendous and don’t even get me started on Allure’s website.
But, InStyle has some great online features, like the Hollywood Hair Makeover (so much fun) and Hot Finds.
My favorite feature is Look of the Day. Readers can vote for their favorite of 5 different looks, while seeing what InStyle has chosen as their pick. This section is updated daily, with five new looks to view, and their archive features thousands more.
Although InStyle offers places where you can find and purchase items from the Look of the Day, I find their suggestions a little pricey. So, I’ve taken some recent “Looks” and found inexpensive ways to make it your own.

Natalie Portman in Derek Lam. I think Natalie looks adorable in this outfit: it’s age-appropriate AND weather-appropriate, with the tights and long-sleeves.
If you can afford something a little pricey (upwards of $200), the Betsey Johnson dress from Urban Outfitters is perfect. If you want something a bit more budget-friendly, Urban Outfitter’s also sells a great shirt dress by Lux for $48. ASOS has a pair of platform pumps similar to Natalie’s that come in red and hot pink and are only about $50 U.S. If you live in Great Britain, then they are quite a steal at 25 pounds.
Don’t forget to add a pair of black opaque tights!

Rachel Weisz in Alexander McQueen. I like the play on colors and neutrals that Rachel wore here, and the belt really accentuates her waist. Corset belts are probably on their way out, especially after seeing the light and airy fabrics for Fall 2008, but have no fear: if Rachel can wear it and get Look of the Day, so can you.
This Forever21 metallic dress has great pleats on the front, which will really flatter most body types. Everyone can use a little extra flattering in the midsection: even Rachel Weisz. The wide red belt from ASOS would look good worn a little bit high on the Forever21 dress. Make sure you cover the waist seam, whether it’s at the natural waist, above, or below, with the belt. Add a pair of hot red shoes, like these from Michael Antonio at CutesyShoes. Or for a brighter red, these Nina shoes (reminiscent of Reese Witherspoon’s infamous yellow dress at last year’s Golden Globes) should do the job nicely, and for under $100, reasonably.

Anne Hathaway looks so pretty in a tough-and-sweet combination. I like the contrast of the frilly, almost ballerina-like skirt with the tough biker jacket.
Copy Anne’s style with a voluminous skirt like one of these from Victoria’s Secret, Delias or American Apparel. My personal favorite is the American Apparel skirt, simply because there it’s available in a plethora of colors and is easy to dress up or down. Try the bomber jacket below from TopShop. I liked that it had a vintage, worn-in look. Pair these things with Madden Girl’s $40 t-strap pumps from ShoeMall, and last, but not least, a sculptural clutch from Target.

Charlize Theron in Thomas Wylde. Charlize looks comfortable AND chic in this photo. I love how her outfit blends a bit of high-fashion style and low-maintenance ease. This is something every woman could wear and look equally good in, and luckily the pieces she’s wearing are fairly basic (i.e. easy to find at a cheaper price).
If you don’t already have one–and you probably do–get a shrunken jacket or blazer. The Gap is a great source for these. For a trendy, comfy blouse like Charlize is wearing, Forever21 is an invaluable source for cheap and straight-off-the-runway styles like the white shirt below. The Delias skinny jeans I recommend come in multiple inseams, including 36” for all you fellow tall women, and a 32” for all you midgetors—I mean petite women.
Add a knit cap, like this one, from Forever21 and some black flats, and you have an outfit that can take you almost anywhere.

Rachel Bilson in Jenni Kayne. Can Rachel Bilson ever look bad? I really don’t think it’s possible. I keep waiting for some sign that she (or her stylist) is slipping, but she continually wears outfits that I want to wear, dammit! But, since I can’t afford Jenni Kayne, I’ll have to improvise and do a bit of hunting.
This Lux tulip skirt from Urban Outfitters is the closest thing I could find to Rachel’s Jenni Kayne version without spending over $100 or sacrificing good taste for Vegas-showgirl-style metallics. Pair it with this buttondown oxford from Forever21 (less than $20, too) and a classic pair of black pumps by Kenneth Cole Unlisted for $40 and you have a Rachel-worthy outfit, in my opinion.
Which look is your favorite? Any suggestions on where to find pieces similar to what these ladies are wearing?
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