Jennifer Aniston looks a-a-a-mazing here. Cool and comfortable; chic and elegant. I never thought khakis could look so streamlined!

Steal her look for less:

Shoes: Bettye Muller “Katy” Grey Espadrille Wedge at Shirise

Belt: Women’s AE Square Basic Leather Belt – American Eagle Outfitters

Tank: Banana Republic Petite pima cotton tank: sleeveless tops OR Ann Taylor Modal/Cotton Ribbed Tank with Satin Trim

Khakis:  dELiAs Whitney Low-Rise Chino OR Vena Cava boyfriend khakis

To Jessica Alba…

…there aren’t many places these lightweight accessories haven’t been spotted. Even Rachael Ray has donned a jaunty scarf, though that didn’t work out so well for her.

You won’t see me sporting a scarf this summer. I get the arguments for: it’s an easy way to add color and pattern to an outfit. (Believe me, I went through a scarf phase about 10 years ago because I thought they were a professional way to add pizzazz to a suit. I had a very elaborate way of tying the fabric, that in retrospect, made me look like I had been decapitated and was trying to keep my head tied to my body through a small square of fabric and sheer force of will.)

Yeah, yeah, it’s versatile and can be balled up and thrown in a bag. Though I don’t quite buy the argument that a wispy piece of see-through fabric can offer any defense against full-force air conditioning. In my mind, a more substantial wrap or light jacket offers the same portability AND better insulating potential.

But here is my main argument against the scarf trend:

Gorgeous girl, cute tank. But the scarf…just no. If it’s hot enough to wear sleeveless and spaghetti straps, you don’t need to add any extra fabric around the neckular region. Has your neck ever been shivering cold while the rest of your body was sweltering? I rest my case. I would have loved to see this top paired with a colorful chunky necklace instead.

But I’m willing to be proven wrong. Do you sport a summer scarf? What do you like about the look? Is this something you’d like to see on your man, or are you saving this trend all for your own?

• This mock-croc purse from F21 echoes the feel of Mrs. Longoria-Parker’s, but at a drastically cheaper price point.
• For petite women, it’s heels, heels, heels, all the time. Try some sky high platforms like these.
• Watch out for over-enthusiastic air conditioning in the summer and keep some of your body heat with a cashmere scarf.
• This melon-colored dress is light, airy and good to wear on this long, humid summer days.

• Copy Heidi’s platforms-with-jeans look with these navy sky-high platforms. I love the jeweled accent on the peeptoe.
• White camisoles are indispensable for layered looks. Wear this one like Heidi, underneath a vest.
• Forever 21 has this great sweater vest that echoes Heidi’s look pretty well. I like the white stripe at the bottom.
• Finding the perfect pair of high-waisted jeans requires a bit of trial and error, so I found three different options from Urban Outfitters. This pair has a lighter wash and a cuffed bottom.
• I like the wash of this denim. The two-button detail at the top makes for a more flattering fit too.
• This is the most expensive of the denim for this look, but the lighter wash and wider hem bear the most resemblance to the jeans Heidi wore.

• Start out with a great pair of wedges, like these by Madden Girl. They’re only $59 and come in brown and black. Stick with brown for this outfit.
• If you don’t already have a pair of distressed jeans circa about 2005 when Ashley Olsen made them popular, pick up this pair from Alloy. They come in petite and tall inseams, and have plus-size sizing.
• This Forever 21 blouse is soft and pretty, but with a bold, flirty color.

• I love this Roxy maxi dress. Because I’m so tall, I’m afraid that wearing a maxi dress will even further elongate my body. I’m willing to risk the potential giantess-ness for this lovely dress, though.
• Nicole Richie paired her maxi dress with platforms. Try these red ones from Target.
• If you’d rather forgo the platform look (or if you are a giantess), these earthy sandals from Forever 21 should do.

See you next time!

Ashley Olsen, in particular, seems to have had a more varied fashion history than her sister Mary-Kate. While MK, as she’s known to her plethora of fans, evolved early into the boho chic style later made into a nationwide phenomenon, her sister Ashley dappled in everything from sexy, designer work-like attire, to ripped jeans and flip-flops. Sporting a more muted color palette than MK, she rarely ventured out in anything more adventurous than varying shades of blue.

However, it’s the admirable way that Ashley makes every style work on her figure to its most flattering degree, as well as the ability to carve out her own style niche in a world of celebrity stylists (Rachel Zoe, anyone?) that makes her an icon to women my age, as well as fashion designers, other celebrities, young girls and magazine editors.

Perhaps the best thing about Ashley’s style is that it’s monstrously easy to copy at a low price-point. She doesn’t wear flashy labels–except occasionally on her handbags–and well-tailored, crisp separates seem to be the norm in her wardrobe. You could probably go into your own closet and pick out something similar to what she wears everyday without having to buy anything new. She shies away from prints as a general rule, and sticks with easy-to-copy basics: either platform heels or sandals, denim (wide-leg or skinny), a plain, well-fitted t-shirt and a versatile jacket. Most of her style individuality is reflected in her accessories: handbags, jewelry and shoes, and occasionally headgear (remember the Prada turban?)

It’s a great road map for starting to build your own individual style. She never looks fussy, as evidenced by the fact that her hair and makeup are either way over- or underdone depending on how formal her clothing is. And, she always wears clothing that fits perfectly, or doesn’t fit perfectly, depending on the proportion she’s going for.

If you can’t seem to find that perfect balance that Ashley seems to have effortlessly achieved, there are a few inexpensive items you can incorporate into your wardrobe to give her looks a spin.

In this photo, Ashley looks casual, comfortable and age-appropriate, but not like she’s going to the movies. This look is just enough to translate into a date, casual Friday at the office or some other business casual event. By altering the shoes, you could completely change the way this look is perceived. Instead of heels, wearing flat sandals, for instance, could take the other separates into a day of shopping, a lunch date, or class.

This buttondown from Forever21 is only $15.50, and certainly echoes the color and cut of Ashley’s shirt. Roll up the sleeves like she did for a more worn-in feel.

I have a pair of black skinny jeans, and I have to say, they are one of the most versatile items in my closet. I dress them up with heels, dress them down with flip-flops in the summer to go to the movies…it makes getting dressed so easy. I like this slim pair from Urban Outfitters, which is an excellent source for mid-range priced denim. If you’re tall like me, try Alloy, Delias or the Gap for longer inseams.

It’s a little too cold yet to wear open-toed platform sandals like Ashley, so try a more covered-up pair like these, from Forever21.

This is the quintessential college-girl/weekend/errand running outfit. It’s not too dressy and it doesn’t look like Ashley tried too hard. With her hair pulled up and the shirt untucked, this is something I could see myself wearing every day.

Snap up this shirt from Old Navy right now. It’s on sale for $6, and is probably going fast. If they don’t have your size when you go to order, try Urban Outfitters for similar styles.

Ankle boots are a staple wardrobe piece for the Olsens. This pair from Isaac Mizrahi for Target look pricier than they are, and I like the subtle platform in them.

You can’t copy Ashley’s style without a huge, luxe-looking handbag. Urban Outfitters has great ones for less than $60. If you want a designer look-a-like, try Shopsueyboutique.com.

To complete the look, a delicate gold necklace adds a bit of character.

Ripped jeans have gone out of favor with the general populace, but I still love the casual, edgy look of them. For a lazy weekend, there’s nothing better, and as Ashley shows, they can really look quite nice provided the rips and tears aren’t too obnoxious. Try this pair from Abercrombie & Fitch. They are destroyed just enough, without looking sloppy.

This faux-leather bomber is only $30 from Target, but looks so great. It’s one of those pieces you don’t need to wear much else with: it’s a statement on its own. Plus, you have to love the fact that it is faux leather.

Finish with this pretty handbag from Forever21.

Sometimes I just don’t feel like dressing up at all. No cute flats, no boots, no heels, no “statement jacket.” This outfit is great because Ashley still looks put-together, but not fussy.

This parka from Topshop is good for the colder weather we have right now, but still maintains a stylish look (read: it’s not too North Face).

If you don’t have a pair of Converse already, some great places to look at Urban Outfitters, the Gap, Zappos.com and Piperlime.com.

Ashley and Mary-Kate wear scarves to their best advantage. It’s good to think of scarves as an added accessory, not a cold-weather item, so they become a part of your outfit, rather than something that looks tacked on and not coherent to whatever else you are wearing.

I like this linen one from Forever21 because, one, it’s less than $10, and two, you can wear it throughout winter and into spring because of the light fabric.

As every Olsen fan knows, a big handbag is a must. It finishes off your look and can hold, well, anything (even an extra pair of shoes).

This oversized tote from Urban Outfitters should do the trick.

Whose style do you like more: Ashley’s or Mary-Kate’s?

I’ve taken three of Rachel’s distinctive looks and come up with affordable, look-a-like pieces you can buy and wear without maxing out multiple credit cards.

The LBD (”little black dress”) is something that every woman—no matter what she tells you—has at her disposal, awaiting a chubby day, a bad day, a rainy day or the ever-popular, “I’ve got nothing to wear day,” which is exceedingly common in my own home.

A LBD can be elegant, but can also translate just as fast to plain-old boring. How many times have you put on a black dress and added accessories or sweaters or switched up your handbag to try (try so hard!) to look different?

The best mode of action, as Rachel displays effortlessly here, is to pair your LBD with flowing hair, minimal jewelry and standout shoes. Yellow, red, purple or perhaps a color-blocked pair of pumps, but whatever you do, don’t wear black shoes with a black dress to any sort of fun party, because really, it’s not a funeral. It’s not.

Copy Rachel’s LBD look with the following (inexpensive) items:

Or, if you want to add a shoe that’s a bit more expensive:

If a LBD really isn’t your thing, nothing will do but a shocking color. Although Vogue and all the rest suggest adding bits of neon to your everyday wardrobe this season, I say to be a bit more cautious and try a color that stops just short of highlighter-esque.

The great thing about a colored dress is that, one, you won’t need to wear much jewelry, and two, your shoes don’t need to be spectacularly amazing, because really, who will be looking at your feet in a dress like Rachel’s? Color also works great because it’s nearly seasonless: pink looks just as great in the winter as it does in the spring, because whereas the former promises of spring-like colors to come, the latter seems a reflection of the current seasonal change. Genius!

Copy Rachel’s look this way:

Or, for the more daring:

And, don’t forget shoes!

Rachel demonstrates below how fashionable, sexy and party-ready does not always have to equal a dress. On the contrary, I believe that there are many party occasions where trousers should be worn in lieu of dresses. In a post-ice/snow storm world, perhaps. Or during the longest and most rainy downpour of the year.

In cases such as that, pants are a fantastic solution. I love how Rachel has mixed up casual pieces with more dressy ones, making this outfit suitable for a date, visit to a museum, art gallery, theatre, restaurant…this outfit could, quite literally, go anywhere. It’s youthful, but not too young, and still elegant enough to get you into the most snobbish of restaurants (provided you flash a lovely smile at the door).

Here are some inexpensive ways to get this outfit right:

The hat is a crucial element:

As are the shoes (please make sure they are at least complimentary to the hat in some fashion):

And to finish it off, wide-leg trousers and a little cashmere cardigan:

Happy shopping!