Star Style for August: Katie Holmes & Elizabeth Olsen

Two style stars this month?  That’s right!  Because in fashion as in life, you have the most fun when you break the rules.  So this month we honor two sartorial superstars – Katie Holmes, who has spent years in the spotlight with nary a fashion misstep and Elizabeth Olsen, a newbie to the red carpet scene following in the footsteps of her designer darling sisters Ashley and Mary-Kate. 

Katie Holmes
 

At a Dinner for Tiffany & Co in Calvin Klein

Katie Holmes surprises me with chic and elegant outfits like this white ensemble she wore for an event in August. Her white flowy Calvin Klein dress, Jennifer Meyer Necklace, and Lanvin shoes accentuate her beautiful skin and hair. By belting her dress and adding minimal accessories, Katie dons a perfect summer outfit that can be worn to any summer get together. White can be a very elegant color that is great for many different skin and hair colors. Be inspired by Katie and wear your favorite white summer dress with nude accessories for a fun date night or party.  

- Laura Maruszczak

At the Tonight Show in Madewell and Isabel Marant 
At the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Katie give us a glimpse of this fall's hottest trends: neutral knits and red leather. While the bright-colored Isabel Marant leather pant is a bold step towards experimental fashion, she stays true to her classic laidback style by throwing on a camel Madewell sweater and simple loafer-like Prada heels. 

- Dana Jeong

At a Photocall for Jack & Jill in Gomez-Gracia

As a Texan (always and forever!), my own style veers towards statement-making and dramatic.  What I love about Katie is her predilection for the opposite.  She magically manages to make simple silhouettes and colors look extraordinary.  Even with minimal jewelry and nude pumps, she absolutely glowed in this ¾ sleeve Gomez-Gracia dress this summer in Cancun.

- Lauren Stillman

Leaving New York in a Helicopter

I’m all about hats right now. They are really big and can really make an outfit. Let me just say I think Katie Holmes is totally rocking the fedora with the pattern shirt and neutral suede boots. This outfit is so cute and very trendy. Something I could definitely see myself wearing.

  - Emily Giovannini      

Elizabeth Olsen 

At the Sundance Film Festival

With two of the most influential fashion designers as sisters, Elizabeth has come out on her own as a talented actress and star in her own right. Elizabeth dresses chic and simple in outfits that are both comfortable and easy and accessorized well. Early on this year, Elizabeth looked chic in her layered ensemble attending the Sundance Film Festival. I adore Elizabeth's outfit, as this is the time of summer when I crave the colder weather along with cardigans, leather jackets, boots and scarves galore. In her black suede jacket, grey tee, leather pants, and boots Elizabeth knows exactly how to do effortless cool. To add an extra punch to her look Olsen adds a maroon beanie, patterned eternity scarf, a yellow leather satchel and multiple rings. When fall and winter come soon take a cue from Elizabeth's look by adding fun accessories and warm basics to your everyday outfit.

 - Laura Maruszczak 

At the HFPA Luncheon in T by Alexander Wang

As the third one in the family to inherit the fashionable genes, Elizabeth Olsen already seems to know all the insider’s tips to looking stylish in front of a camera. At the Hollywood Foreign Press Association luncheon, her oversized T by Alexander Wang shirt and coral mini are the perfect minimalist combo, but her ethnic knit necklace adds just the right amount of statement to turn the spotlight on her.

- Dana Jeong

 

At a Photocall in Cannes in Elizabeth & James

Elizabeth Olsen has great style so it doesn’t surprise me that I found so many outfits on her that I absolutely love, but this white raschel lace dress from her sisters Elizabeth and James lines is gorgeous and looks fantastic on her. I love lace, wear lots of lace, and because I am a student at FIDM have learned different styles of lace. Raschel lace is a perfect kind of lace for dresses, long skirts and blouses. I love this type of lace because it is perfect for a cute flirty girl outfit.
- Emily Giovannini

At the Cannes Premiere of Martha Marcy May Marlene in The Row

Once again, I’m left pondering how such a simple dress can look so extraordinary.  This dress proves what Ashley and Mary-Kate have said about their ultraluxe line The Row – they pay attention to the fit and quality and details (see Just Jared: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2011/08/24/mary-kate-olsen-the-row-is-not-fast-fashion/ ).  From the daring slit to the blouson style beaded bodice, this dress is perfection on Elizabeth. 

 - Lauren Stillman 

 

LSPR Staff Style Tips: August

Although Fall is quickly approaching, the weather in Los Angeles will still be warm for the next few months. In order to ease the transition from hot to cold, we have assembled three key tips that will help you choose pieces that are guaranteed to keep you cool and comfortable for the upcoming months. 

Color Spectrum Contrast - Taryn Manning in Joy Cioci with a Kelly Locke Clutch

Years ago, I read a color combining tip that stuck with me.  It was suggested that if you were looking for a color that works well with another color, you should opt for the exact opposite on the color spectrum.  For this reason, I’ve always had a particular fondness for seemingly oddball color pairings such as magenta and lime green, red and aqua and orange and cerulean.  At her recent movie premiere, Taryn Manning showcases this color combining art to perfection with her choice of an electric blue dress paired with a contrasting Kelly Locke orange clutch.  I’m dying to try this look myself. 

-  Lauren Stillman

Change things up with Cherry – Beyonce on Harper’s Bazaar UK September Issue 
 This Fall cherry is all the rage. Beyonce demonstrates that in not one but two ways on the cover of Bazaar UK’s iconic September Issue. Rather than settling for a simple red, spice things up with a bluer-based shade, that is sexy and mischevious. Whether you go all out and wear a head to toe cherry look or you add accents of the hue in the form of a killer shoe or handbag, wear this bold color with confidence like the bootyliscious B does.

 -  Andrea Stern

Maxi-mize your Wardrobe- Dianna Agron and Tallulah Willis

August in Los Angeles can be one of the hottest months of summer. As I stare into my closet of clothes, I wait in anticipation to wear my favorite fall clothing including layers of t-shirts, scarves, cardigans, and jackets paired with my favorite vintage boots and jeans in the cool weather. Rather than wear my fall must haves in the burning heat, I dive into my closet and take inspiration from the stars who add color and print to their summer wardrobe and make the heat more bearable and fun. Lately I have been wearing in my maxi skirts including a floral cotton blend and a super comfortable grey blend that can be paired with every kind of top. I love the way Dianna Agron paired a simple ocean blue tee with a white, blue, and grey maxi skirt and white sandals for a day out in LA. To finish off the look she added fun shaped sunglasses and a Rebecca Minkoff purse. Dianna's look is simple and preppy and integrates blues and whites throughout while Demi Moore's youngest daughter, Tallulah Willis wore a printed maxi skirt with vintage jewelry, a v-neck grey tank, and rocker boots for a more vintage look. There are so many ways to wear and accessorize maxi skirts. With a simple tee they are perfect for the summer and can be transitioned into the fall with a pair of flats and a distressed leather jacket.       

-  Laura Maruszczak