March Styling Tips

 Whether you like to wear the biggest and bold trends, love a little sleek sophistication, or always go for fabulously feminine looks, today you're in for a treat. Our monthly installment of Who What Wear: Styling Tips encompasses all of these personal style preferences and much more, as we look to fashion favorites like Kate Bosworth, Alexa Chung, and Olivia Palermo for outfit inspiration. Read on for the details about their dressing choices and tricks on how to emulate these notable looks on your own!


Tip #1: Add sheer hosiery in pale colors.
Over the past few months we've noticed a number of fashion frontrunners opting for sheer stockings in the palest hues. Maybe it's a reflection of Alice in Wonderland's influence or perhaps ladies like Kate Bosworth just dig a light-colored leg look, but it's definitely a trend worth trying. Bosworth offered one striking interpretation of said style at a dinner in honor of Vanessa Paradis campaign for Chanel's new Rouge Coco lipstick last month. The actress wore the multi-colored Muslin Silk Dress (price upon request, 800.500.0005) from Chanel's S/S 10 collection, Christian Louboutin cap-toe pumps, and a pair of semi-sheer white stockings. To emulate Bosworth's spring style, simply take a festive, full-skirt frock (Urban Outfitters' Meagan Dress ($68) or Kimchi Blue's Watercolor Dress ($58) are both affordable options) and accessorize with hosiery in light hues, like Topshop's Dobby Spot Tights ($16) or UO's Opaque Tights ($12) in Ivory.

Tip #2: Try two bold patterns in one outfit.
One of the most amazing—and scariest—trends for spring is the mixed-print look. Yes, that's right dear readers: it's time to embrace the clash. If you need some inspiration before daring to dip into the mix, simply take a gander at the lovely Olivia Palermo, who was spotted during London Fashion Week wearing a Topshop Unique Jacket and Graffiti Mini Dress ($250) with a vintage Hermes bag. One suggestion we have for double-print newbies: stick to pieces that are primarily black or navy, as these dark solids are easier for most people to handle. You can try a slightly understated version of The City star's look via Topshop Unique's Shark Print Dress ($310) styled with the simpatico Printed Quilted Silk Jacket ($450) by Rebecca Taylor. Too safe? Try the bold stripe of Vero Moda's Boating Shoulder Pad Blazer ($85) instead.

Tip #3: Transition a LWD with chic neutrals.
While other British hipsters—or should we say Bohemics or Trendizens?—catch our eye from time to time, one effortless tastemaker never fails to impress us: Alexa Chung. The stylish lass reminded us that we can start wearing our LWD now; all that's required are a few neutral pieces. Seen here at the Topshop F/W show in London last month, Chung transitioned a white lace mini dress by pairing it with black opaques and a beige Comme des Garcons cardi. You can do something similar: just find an amazing petite white frock, like the Hook & Eye Sundress ($58) by Pins and Needles or Thakoon's Shadow-Print Smocked Mini Dress ($615). Then add a neutral cardi—we like Bop Basics' Cashmere Grandfather Cardigan ($263) in Sawdust, or J.Crew's Forever Cardigan ($89.50) in Warm Wheat—for a fabulous look!

Tip #4: Contrast two animal prints this spring.
Animal prints are bigger and bolder than ever this season and it's time to start experimenting with them! Take a page from Agyness Deyn's amazing style files and try wearing two contrasting pieces, as she did backstage at Anna Sui's F/W 10 show. The model was snapped wearing a Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Holiday Cardigan ($380) in Leopard Blue with Isabel Marant thermals, a vintage shirt, Ann Demeulemeester boots and Mulberry's covetable Oversized Alexa Bag ($1450) in Oak Shiny Leopard. If you feel like trying an animal-print mash-up, check out a few of our favorite pieces, like the Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Silk and Cashmere-Blend Cardigan ($350), Diane von Furstenberg's Ibiza Cardigan ($245) in Creeping Leopard Fresh, and ASOS' Animal Print Sequin Embellished Jacket ($137). Whatever you pick, just make sure to style it with a bag like Felix Rey's Leopard Bow Mini Messenger Bag ($175) or Alexander Wang's Millie Satchel ($875)—a stellar investment—for maximum effect.

Tip #5: Style your trench with a shirtdress
Right now, we're wildly obsessed with trenches: they're the perfect piece of lightweight outerwear for spring and there are so many cute styles on the market as well. Naturally we flipped when we saw the way Ally Hilfiger wore hers at a JCPenney spring showcase earlier this month. The well-dressed New Yorker slipped on a pale beige I Heart Ronson Trench Coat ($59.99) over a baby blue pinstripe I Heart Ronson Boyfriend Shirt Dress ($34.99) for a totally chic spring look. Definitely check out Hilfiger's exact pieces—so cute, so affordable—otherwise we also like Rag + Bone's Tailrace Shirtdress ($325) and Elizabeth and James' Button Back Shirtdress ($285) in White or Sky, as well as Banana Republic's Classic Trench ($198) in Khaki.

Tip #6: Wear a gray dress with pink lipstick.
By now you've probably realized that there are loads of superb neutrals available for spring. But rather than keeping your beauty look soft too, we think you should go for contrast via a bright pink lip à la Heidi Mount. Use the model, seen here in a Rodarte dress at a Nordstrom and Vogue-hosted cocktail party for the label in New York last month, as your inspiration and pick up a simple gray dress; Nicole Miller's Cotton Metal Dress ($550) and Elizabeth and James' Paloma Dress ($265) are both excellent LGD options. Wear that with a bright lip, like MAC's Tinted Lipglass ($14) in Electric Fuchsia or Giorgio Armani Beauty's Rouge d'Armani Lipstick ($30) in 600 for a perfectly popping look.