Putting Together Iconic Looks from Women's Fashion

Aug 4, 2010
Susan Caplan

Fashion Styles - Photo by Susan Caplan

In The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style, authors France and Linett explain how pull together a fashion style based on a woman's "mood and personality."

Kim France and Andrea Linett in The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style (Conde Nast Publications, 2008) focus on ten iconic looks that women can return to time and again. These looks aren’t about the fashion trends of the moment but key clothing pieces and fashion accessories that define a clothing style and the wearer’s mood.

Women’s Fashion from the Classic to the Eclectic

Euro Chic – Think ladylike classics punctuated with an eclectic, bold accessory. This is a look that should come off, according to designer Diane von Furstenberg, as “effortless and sophisticated.” Key pieces include an oversized blazer, silk blouse, and a big scarf that can be worn around the shoulder or neck in numerous ways.
Posh Eclectic – Look for vintage or vintage-look items that declare a particular decade or style and then work them together – think 1940’s pin-up girl melded with 19th century gothic. This disparity of looks is held together with items that are super feminine – beaded cardigan, the evening dress worn during the day with a tweed blazer, lace and ruffles.
Bombshell – This luxurious and feminine look comes off with details like seamed stockings and heels, polished nails, pin-up girl lingerie sets. Look for pencil skirts and tailored clothing that creates an hourglass look.
American Classic – Here is timeless, tailored clothing that doesn’t look touched by the latest trend. Menswear-inspired items look feminine (but without the lace and ruffles). If the wearer time traveled through the mid-to-late twentieth century, her clothing style and accessories wouldn’t draw much, if any, attention for looking out of place.

Dramatic Clothing Styles

Mod – Look for a tailored boxy jacket, ankle pants, roomy (not baggy) turtleneck, a-line mini dresses, and dramatic stripes. Outfits should highlight a bold color contrast – go for matte blacks and white whites.
Arty Slick – To carry off this style, skip fashion trends and looking like anyone else; think of how fashion could look in the future. Look for lots of black, asymmetrical hems, sculptural jewelry – one (but not all) pieces in an outfit says “different.”
Rock and Roll – To pull off this look, a woman should think of balancing toughness with slink. Go for a dramatic item or accessory. Start with an item of women’s clothes, like jeans, a boyish biker jacket, feminine tops, ankle boots, and items with grommets, chain or zipper details.

Casual Sophisticated Fashion Styles

Bohemian– A blend of “earthy and flashy” with clothing that features lots of texture – fax fur, silk, beads, ruffles, suede, etc. Some fitted piece act as a counterpoint to the loose and flowing items that are key to this look keeping things chic instead of sloppy.
California Casual – Even when dressed for a formal affair, this woman would fit in if she started walking on the beach, sandals in hand. Emphasis here is on casual and comfortable clothing and delicate accessories. Look for tank tops, mini-skirts, denim cut-offs, and jersey tank dresses.
Gamine – This super feminine “girl-sophisticate” is a balance between sweet and grown up. Counter looking like a little girl with items that are sleek instead of frilly. Skip bows, ruffles and pleats. This look isn’t about being teenage-girl trendy.

A woman doesn’t have to have dozen of items in her closet that fit within each category. Wear a leather jacket with jeans for a rock and roll look, switch to a menswear-inspired white shirt for an American classic look, or exchange it for a peasant blouse to convey a breezy bohemian mood. It’s always important that a woman expresses her own personal style.