Sundance 2010

Every year a few of our favorite indie darlings (and their biz-minded entourage) bundle themselves in their winter best and board a ninety-minute flight to attend a chilly but chic week of screenings, gifting suites, and ski-in, ski-out escapades at the Sundance Film Festival. During the film frenzy, the otherwise laid-back locale of Park City, Utah transforms into an uber posh celebrity stomping ground, complete with a calendar of events that can make even a Weinstein dizzy. Between taking in the top titles like Blue Valentine with Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, watching James Franco make a literary-inspired turn in Howl, or rocking out to Joan Jett in honor of The Runaways, Sundance attendees had to be outfitted for a myriad of invites while their agents rolled calls. Fortunately, while Lionsgate and Fox Searchlight were busy having it out over the Ryan Reynolds toplined thriller Buried, we were easily able to rely on our favorite trendsetters to start the sartorial bidding wars with their fashion-forward cold-weather looks.


 Mia Wasikowska
You may remember this Australian beauty from her heart-wrenching role as a gymnast on HBO's In Treatment, or maybe she's a completely fresh face to you; either way, her down-under style is high on our radar and not to be overlooked! Wasikowska's tomboyish pairing of vintage evening shorts and pilgrim buckle shoes is a uniquely chic choice for running between screenings, and we love how her black anorak offers a hint of outdoorsy spirit that's perfectly appropriate for this mountain clime. Additionally, her sartorial fearlessness to pair burgundy shorts with a red sweater—and a hint of a boater tee—reminds that not only are we excited for her big-screen debut as Alice in Timothy Burton's Alice in Wonderland, we are thrilled to continue to track her singular style! Get a head start by working in a few key Wasikowska-inspired pieces to your existing wardrobe, like a cozy scarf and some evening shorts. We recommend Chan Luu's Luxurious Cashmere Silk Scarf ($195), and St. John's Belted Shorts ($295)—a posh pair that pays homage to Wasikowska's unique color palette.

Kate Mara
While Myriad may have just acquired Josh Radnor's HappyThankYouMorePlease, we, dear readers, have collected some cold-weather clothing tips courtesy of one of the film's stylesetting stars: Kate Mara. The former GOTM appeared winter-ready at the film's debut when she opted for a cozy denim-based ensemble. Her Theory Tolla Leather Jacket ($500) is a nod to one of our favorite outerwear styles—the bomber jacket—while her Belstaff Buckle Boots ($502) give off a vintage vibe that makes them the ideal indie-festival footwear. An added nice surprise are Mara's bottoms which are Forever 21's Classical Blue Jeans ($34.80)—a welcomed, democratic choice of denim! Noting her thrifty choice of blue jeans, we like how she mastered the art of mixing high-street finds with investments piece by opting for a mustard, crocheted Missoni beret.

Michelle Williams
Although Michelle Williams played opposite Ryan Gosling as one half of an unraveling marriage in Blue Valentine, her chosen ensemble for the film's premiere was perfectly pulled together and fashionable to boot. Her boy-meets-girl combo of a winter floral dress and gold-buttoned blazer offers a chic contrast, proving that masculine-feminine relationships can work—and are attainable! Williams' Silence & Noise Strapless Zip Dress ($40) is very wallet-friendly, and can be almost identically styled by adding Bop Basics' Girlfriend Jacket ($182) and a pair of back-zip Malted Barley Boots ($378) from Anthropologie.

Casey LaBow
Casey LaBow attended this year's festival with a turn in Anthony Burns' nostalgic coming-of-age pic, Skateland. Although the film was set in the 1980s, LaBow's style, while noting a vintage influence, is clearly cutting edge. Her nearly all-denim look composed of an H&M Shirt ($34.95), Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Muscle T-shirt ($78) and Ksubi Super Skinny Zip Jeans ($250, 212.334.4690) in Dusted Phoenix, channels the mid-blue hues seen on the spring runways. We also love how she personalized her palette with furry Vintage Tecnica boots and a fun fedora. Take a page from LaBow's style guide, by opting for an oversized denim button-down, like Levi's Chambray Western Shirt ($119) or Victoria's Secret Boyfriend Denim Shirt ($58), and adding equally intriguing accents like Pajar Foxtrot Tassle Tie Boots ($555) and a banded chapeau. We like Brixton's Dapper ($74) version or the Bailey Tino Snap Brim Wool Fedora ($50), both which have a LaBow-worthy bit of feather flair.

Riley Keough
This model/actress has a blossoming career that's worth noting and was one of three ladies featured today who appeared in Floria Sigismondi's The Runaways. Not only was the film a critical darling, but we also think her moody black-meets-floral ensemble garners paramount acclaim! We adore the way she went for high contrast with a forties-style Vanessa Bruno Floral Wrap Dress ($685)—another lovely option would be Ella Moss' Buttercup Short Sleeve Dress ($198)—toughened up with Jeffrey Campbell's silver-buckled Brit Boots ($248). Keough's choice of patterned tights and a Dolce & Gabbana coat further serves to add textural interest to her outfit, while being stylishly practical picks for staying toasty in the snow. While Keough's coat is vintage you can recreate this layered look by opting for a long knit jacket like Nasty Gal's Incognito Cashmere Cardi ($78).

Jessica Alba
Although Jessica Alba gets quite roughed up as a "lady of the night" opposite Casey Affleck in The Killer Inside Me, she attended the film's screening looking perfectly polished. The yummy mummy picked a Where the Wild Things Are X Opening Ceremony Carol Flare Coat ($575)—it's completely faux-fur folks!—which added a lovely glam factor to her casual denim and slouch sock ensemble, while actually serving a purpose: to keep her warm in the Park City cold! Her Prada Harness Strap Rubber Lug Boots ($1080) are equally lust-worthy, yet functional and by opting for Kors Michael Kors Stormy Rubber Engineer Boots ($125), you can snag a similarly covetable pair.

Dakota Fanning
While we realize that actresses are often quite disparate from their on-screen personas, perhaps spending time in the shoes of The Runaways wild child Cherie Currie rubbed off slightly on Dakota Fanning's Sundance style. Her directional pairing of Acne's Supreme Black Cotton Tiered Dress ($299) and Alice + Olivia Cascade Front Blazer ($495) form a rockstar-worthy ensemble that may be all black but is anything but basic! Additionally, we like how she piled on the luxe with a thigh-high pair of black suede Isabel Marant Boots (unfortunately, they're no longer available) and then finished the look with Tom Binns' ToughChic Crystal Silver Skull Necklace ($215, 917.475.1412) and Nina Peter's Cropped Fingerless Zipped Gloves with Studs ($252) for a bit of tough-girl edge. Fanning's hand-warmers may be a bit of an investment for a fun accessory, but you can also channel the same hardcore noir by opting for ASOS' Leather and Suede Fingerless Gloves ($31).

Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart appeared not only as the title character in the Joan Jett biopic, The Runaways, but also proved her acting chops as a streetwalker in Jake Scott's second film, Welcome to the Rileys. Despite her talk-of-the-town status as a delightfully strong actress, Stewart kept her look low-key with Juicy Couture's Tony Military Hood Coat ($298) and Denim of Virtue's Patience 5 Pocket Tapered Leg Jean ($230) in Dusk. Her casually chic ensemble included one of our favorite essentials for spring, the field jacket, which resulted in a perfectly constructed off-duty ensemble!

Malin Akerman
Swedish stunner Malin Akerman had a mighty fine Sundance debut rubbing on-screen elbows with Adam Brody, Katie Holmes and Elijah Wood (among others!) in Gait Niederhoffer's The Romantics. Although the generational comedy was screened as a work in progress, Akerman's Park City attire was a complete and chic snow-bunny look. We absolutely adore her Woolrich John Rich & Bros. Luxury Arctic Parka ($650) in an always crisp-looking navy hue. As for the rest of Akerman's polar-perfect ensemble, it can be easily approximated by opting for similarly striking basics. We recommend snuggling into American Apparel's Unisex California Fleece Raglan ($34), strapping on Rocket Dog's Bubbly Lace-Up Wedge Boot ($153) or Rocket Dog's Hazel Boot ($50) to stay fashionable in the flurries, and finally topping off your look with a pom-pom bedecked beanie like Urban Outfitters Chainlink Slouchy Beanie ($28) or Heritage 1981's Knitted Pom ($8) version.—Liza Kaplan