Charlize | Alexa | Louise | Olivia

One of the big tips I give people when they hire me for personal styling is to pick a celebrity style icon and use them as a guide when you shop. Someone who’s just a little bit gutsier than you, whose style makes you think “Oh, I wish I could wear that!” But there’s a trick to it, or you’ll risk turning into a serious fashion victim.

Don’t just go for the girl whose style you love – sadly, it’s not that simple. Besides loving their style, you want to pick someone with coloring like yours, and with a similar body shape. (Obviously this doesn’t mean the same size, since no actual human being is the same size as someone who’s in movies. But you should look for someone that shares your basic silhouette. If you have curves like Sofia Vergara, you’re never going to love how you look in something Kate Moss would wear.)

The idea is this: if you piggyback onto someone famous whose style you already like, and whose body shape is similar to yours, you can take advantage of all of the tips they’re getting from their pricey personal stylist (not to mention magazine shoots and fashion designers) for free.

Once you’ve picked an icon, you’ll immediately start to notice things you can use. Like the fact that when Karlie Kloss wears distressed denim, it’s always skintight, which is probably because she doesn’t look great in a baggier, boyfriend-style jean. But, maybe she wears crewneck sweaters all the time, and as it turns out, that style is super-flattering on a girl with tiny boobs and narrow shoulders (just like you!). Now you know: more crewneck sweaters.

Pick someone who pushes you out of your comfort zone just a bit, but whose style you love. And then, when you shop, and you find yourself standing in a dressing room, paralyzed by indecision, you can take yourself out of the equation. Instead of buying for you, you can say to yourself, “Is this something Alexa/Karlie/Reese would wear? Would I love it if I saw it on her?”

Do you already have someone in mind? I split my time between Kate Winslet (who is almost impossible to find casual pics of) and Charlize Theron (because she has broad shoulders and long legs…which is definitely where the similarities end). If you’re stumped, spend some time with US Weekly (yes, that’s assigned homework, friends) or Pinterest (you might start with my Inspired Style board…), pick a woman whose style makes your eyes light up, and start paying attention to what she wears. 

And don’t forget to tell me who you chose!

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