Even the most fashionable women obsess about fashion; they've just
figured out the rules that work for them during every decade. "If
you look at people of great style, like Grace Kelly, you see they
developed a trademark," observes design guru India Hicks. Here,
some of the most well-dressed women around share their secrets
for growing into your own style.
figured out the rules that work for them during every decade. "If
you look at people of great style, like Grace Kelly, you see they
developed a trademark," observes design guru India Hicks. Here,
some of the most well-dressed women around share their secrets
for growing into your own style.
IN YOUR 20S
This is the time to experiment, as actress Camilla Belle did with a
winged Valentino for a bash in January. "I'm starting to feel brave
enough to wear things that are outlandish and crazy," says the
23-year-old. Meanwhile, Brit It girl Sophia Hesketh, 25, says
she is taking advantage of her leggy youth to wear "super short
dresses with no tights."
winged Valentino for a bash in January. "I'm starting to feel brave
enough to wear things that are outlandish and crazy," says the
23-year-old. Meanwhile, Brit It girl Sophia Hesketh, 25, says
she is taking advantage of her leggy youth to wear "super short
dresses with no tights."
On the darker side, DJ Leigh Lezark, 25, favors black for her
many nights out.
She plays with fabric and texture, from a sheer Dior top with
a skintight pencil
to a risqué Davidelfin peekaboo skirt with transparent panels.
"I've been
incorporating more lace and feminine silhouettes into my
wardrobe," she says.
many nights out.
She plays with fabric and texture, from a sheer Dior top with
a skintight pencil
to a risqué Davidelfin peekaboo skirt with transparent panels.
"I've been
incorporating more lace and feminine silhouettes into my
wardrobe," she says.
The 20s are fun, but there is a lot to look forward to.
"I'm too young
to be dripping in jewels," says Belle, "but I can't
wait to wear
diamonds and emeralds."
"I'm too young
to be dripping in jewels," says Belle, "but I can't
wait to wear
diamonds and emeralds."
IN YOUR 30S
Roopal Patel, 36, a senior market editor at Neiman Marcus, has sworn
off the voluminous frocks that were once her staples. "They don't feel
feminine. I got rid of all the Empire waists and baby-doll dresses in
my closet."
off the voluminous frocks that were once her staples. "They don't feel
feminine. I got rid of all the Empire waists and baby-doll dresses in
my closet."
Young mom Eleanor Ylvisaker avoids trendy pieces. "I still gravitate
to edgier designers like Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Balmain, but I'm
no longer obsessed with having the look of the moment," explains
the 33-year-old fashion consultant, who by day relies on "my gray
button-down shirt from Rag & Bone, a blue-and-white-striped
Alexander Wang tee, Evisu jeans, and Etro scarves." This spring,
her picks include Proenza Schouler's racer-back tanks and
multicolored tube dress.
to edgier designers like Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Balmain, but I'm
no longer obsessed with having the look of the moment," explains
the 33-year-old fashion consultant, who by day relies on "my gray
button-down shirt from Rag & Bone, a blue-and-white-striped
Alexander Wang tee, Evisu jeans, and Etro scarves." This spring,
her picks include Proenza Schouler's racer-back tanks and
multicolored tube dress.
Patel also has a penchant for tribal patterns. "I have more confidence
wearing bold prints," she says. "I love the idea of wearing a great
safari jacket to the office or a crisp white shirt with leopard-print
wedges."
wearing bold prints," she says. "I love the idea of wearing a great
safari jacket to the office or a crisp white shirt with leopard-print
wedges."
IN YOUR 40S
"What I love about being in my 40s is that I know what suits me,"
says Julie Janklow, the 42-year-old owner of Manhattan restaurant
Sweetiepie, who swears by a uniform of Current/Elliott jeans and
flat-heeled boots mixed with Balenciaga jackets, Isabel Marant
shirts, and vintage Lacoste sunglasses. "It's a matter of finding your
comfort zone," explains Janklow, whose sweet spot this summer
will be Adidas by Stella McCartney separates and a new
multicolored Carlos Falchi bag.
says Julie Janklow, the 42-year-old owner of Manhattan restaurant
Sweetiepie, who swears by a uniform of Current/Elliott jeans and
flat-heeled boots mixed with Balenciaga jackets, Isabel Marant
shirts, and vintage Lacoste sunglasses. "It's a matter of finding your
comfort zone," explains Janklow, whose sweet spot this summer
will be Adidas by Stella McCartney separates and a new
multicolored Carlos Falchi bag.
When she hit 40, model mom Veronica Webb, 45, started to
build a closet of luxe classics like trench coats and black
cocktail dresses. "I depend on those like transportation."
build a closet of luxe classics like trench coats and black
cocktail dresses. "I depend on those like transportation."
Likewise, India Hicks, 42, relies on formfitting basics like Day Birger
et Mikkelsen T-shirts and Stella McCartney ribbed tanks, punctuated
with statement accessories like Paul & Joe studded belts, lace-up
men's brogues, and a camo fedora by Patricia Underwood. "Ever
since wearing that really hideous bridesmaid dress at Princess Diana's
wedding in 1981, I have had an intense aversion to frills," she says.
Most of all, she avoids "in-between lengths" in skirts and shoes.
"I prefer a heel the height of the Eiffel Tower or a shoe as flat as a pancake."
et Mikkelsen T-shirts and Stella McCartney ribbed tanks, punctuated
with statement accessories like Paul & Joe studded belts, lace-up
men's brogues, and a camo fedora by Patricia Underwood. "Ever
since wearing that really hideous bridesmaid dress at Princess Diana's
wedding in 1981, I have had an intense aversion to frills," she says.
Most of all, she avoids "in-between lengths" in skirts and shoes.
"I prefer a heel the height of the Eiffel Tower or a shoe as flat as a pancake."
IN YOUR 50S
Nina Griscom, 55, still has fun with her look, but she's learned what
to avoid. "Sadly, I can no longer pull off that black suede miniskirt
with the fringe that I'd kill to wear," she laughs. Instead, she takes
risks with accessories like Anya Hindmarch's silver snakeskin hobo
bag. For day, "a Lanvin T-shirt dress and Miu Miu flats work better
than a cotton polo dress with sandals, which makes me look frumpy,"
says Griscom, who's swapped stilettos for Christian Louboutin wedges.
to avoid. "Sadly, I can no longer pull off that black suede miniskirt
with the fringe that I'd kill to wear," she laughs. Instead, she takes
risks with accessories like Anya Hindmarch's silver snakeskin hobo
bag. For day, "a Lanvin T-shirt dress and Miu Miu flats work better
than a cotton polo dress with sandals, which makes me look frumpy,"
says Griscom, who's swapped stilettos for Christian Louboutin wedges.
Society doyenne (and grandmother of three) Coco Kopelman, 59,
opts for chic comfort. "I get more mileage out of Chanel jackets
paired with Ralph Lauren jeans, or a white Anne Fontaine shirt with
skirts," she notes. Kopelman mixes high-end pieces with Banana
Republic shells, Vince cardigans, and J Brand black corduroys and
avoids complex footwear. "I love rubber-soled Tod's, ballerina flats,
and Jack Rogers in the summer."
opts for chic comfort. "I get more mileage out of Chanel jackets
paired with Ralph Lauren jeans, or a white Anne Fontaine shirt with
skirts," she notes. Kopelman mixes high-end pieces with Banana
Republic shells, Vince cardigans, and J Brand black corduroys and
avoids complex footwear. "I love rubber-soled Tod's, ballerina flats,
and Jack Rogers in the summer."
Both ladies stick to neutral colors. "Over the years, my skin tone and
hair color have changed," says Kopelman, "so bright fabrics may not
be as flattering, which I discovered when trying on an old raspberry
suit."
hair color have changed," says Kopelman, "so bright fabrics may not
be as flattering, which I discovered when trying on an old raspberry
suit."
IN YOUR 60S+
Marisa Berenson, 63, takes a turn from the eclectic dressing of her
youth with statement-making looks like her white Roberto Cavalli
tuxedo. "There were a lot of things I could wear [in the past] that I
don't now," says the actress, who now cherishes the chance to wear
a fancy frock from John Galliano or a vintage Versace evening jacket.
"I think it's important to keep the glamour in life."
youth with statement-making looks like her white Roberto Cavalli
tuxedo. "There were a lot of things I could wear [in the past] that I
don't now," says the actress, who now cherishes the chance to wear
a fancy frock from John Galliano or a vintage Versace evening jacket.
"I think it's important to keep the glamour in life."
Her style staples include Fendi furs and bags and Manolo Blahnik
flats. When she has to get basic (for example, on her frequent trips),
she packs Ralph Lauren jeans and Donna Karan shirts in black,
white, and gold.
flats. When she has to get basic (for example, on her frequent trips),
she packs Ralph Lauren jeans and Donna Karan shirts in black,
white, and gold.
As author Jamee Gregory enters her 60s, she stays current with
pieces like trousers by Tory Burch, Madewell denim, Wolford
turtlenecks, Gap T-shirts, and Roger Vivier buckle flats. Gone are
the days of anything short and tight. Instead, she wears simple A-line
shifts by Chanel and Michael Kors. She's also put aside her oversize
handbags in favor of more manageable purses like her mini red
snakeskin Dior or Hermès's new pink Constance.
pieces like trousers by Tory Burch, Madewell denim, Wolford
turtlenecks, Gap T-shirts, and Roger Vivier buckle flats. Gone are
the days of anything short and tight. Instead, she wears simple A-line
shifts by Chanel and Michael Kors. She's also put aside her oversize
handbags in favor of more manageable purses like her mini red
snakeskin Dior or Hermès's new pink Constance.
And don't expect to find Gregory dusting off her '80s frocks to
run with the current revival trend. "I wore Lacroix and poufs,
but I wouldn't go there again," she says. "It was fun, but
those exaggerated styles date fast."
run with the current revival trend. "I wore Lacroix and poufs,
but I wouldn't go there again," she says. "It was fun, but
those exaggerated styles date fast."
One style secret all these women agree on is the importance of finding
a talented tailor. "Alter the jacket, the skirt, or the dress so it fits you
perfectly," advises Patel, "and you'll know you look great without
looking in the mirror."
a talented tailor. "Alter the jacket, the skirt, or the dress so it fits you
perfectly," advises Patel, "and you'll know you look great without
looking in the mirror."
And as Kopelman says, when it comes to fashion, you can't go wrong
if you follow these two words: know thyself.
if you follow these two words: know thyself.
