How To Dress Like Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad is MTV's sweetheart. She's the kind of shy, overachiever, loyal best friend that'll let you borrow anything from her closet. In which case, jackpot! The girl has style! Whether it's a day at the office or walking the red carpet, Lauren always keeps it chic and classy. She plays it pretty safe, but I think people in everyday life are pretty conservative with their style. Simple style can still be great style. Let's dissect and achieve some of Lauren's most popular looks on any budget.

#1: Business Casual Look
Work clothes can be pretty bland and boring. Realistically, you can't go crazy and wear anything laced, or netted, or too wild and crazy without starting office rumors. So how exactly do you spice up your work wardrobe without having to worry about signing up for unemployment? Well, take a tip from Lauren Conrad herself. She might've worn this outfit for the Letterman show, but you can definitely wear this to work. Here she sports high rise, wide legged, trouser pants, with a ruffled blouse. Simple, cute and conservative. But with that, she adds a cropped leather jacket, and a chunky studded belt to rock out the look just a little, without looking like she's going to jump on a motorcycle with Justin Bobby. She keeps it high end and classy with a small Chanel long chained purse. I love how she wears blue pants instead of traditional black. Black pants with a black jacket is way too predictable. Choosing something as simple as blue pants gives it a little twist -- it shows you know what you're doing and your not afraid of fashion. By the way, if you recognize Lauren's belt, it's the same one Carrie wore in the Sex and the City movie. Sooooo hot!

 

#2: Daytime Look
As I've mentioned so many times before, it's hard to have a cute daytime look. There are millions of paparazzi photos that prove Britney Spears has a hard time finding a cute daytime look as well. Most of us just throw on a t-shirt and jeans...not much thought goes into our outfit after that. Well, keep the jeans. But in order to show you're still trendy even if it's just for a trip to the bank, choose something like this chiffon silk blouse Lauren's wearing. It's figure friendly and very forgiving, and the shoulder cutouts are so hot this year. You see cutouts in swimwear and on dresses, so why not tops? Pair it with straight or skinny jeans, add a pop of color with a bag, accessorize with a long gold necklace, slide on some comfortable flat sandals and you're all set. You can do withdrawals at the ATM in style. Oh and if the paparazzi are snapping shots of you while you're doing that, be sure you cover your face with aviators.

 

#3: Evening Look
Lauren Conrad has been known to go out on the town with Audrina, Brody and the gang many of times. The best part about going out with friends is dressing up for the occasion. Whether you're just having a quiet dinner or you're hitting the clubs, it's all about dressing to impress. How often do you just wear jeans and a cute top? Snoozefest. Try what Lauren's wearing here. It's a simple red, see through tunic with a black belt, black peep toe pumps and a black shoulder bag. I love how she accessorized with a long purple feather necklace. A perfect touch of color and texture making this a more unique look for a night out on the town.

 

#4: Red Carpet Look
Lauren always knows how to keep it simple with a touch of trendiness. It's no different on the red carpet. This mini dress she's wearing is just a simple white and silver dress. But the ultra low neckline and the bottom of the dress being a foil material makes it more fun. This dress is hard to directly duplicate. My advice is to find a white, low sweetheart cut tank top with a silver sequin skirt. That foil look is hard to achieve, but sequins gives the same texture and shine that would give you the same idea. Depending on the occasion, you can pair it with silver sequined shows and give a pop of color with a soft pink sequin clutch. The key to Lauren Conrad's style is to look young, fresh and super fun without being too over the top!

Trendy Spring and Summer Dresses for 2009: Bold Colors and Florals

If your wardrobe needs a little spicing up, there is no better time than the present. This spring and summer, don't be afraid of your grandma's florals. Because honey, they are hot right now! If grandma's flowers are a little too loud for your personal style, I have other suggestions for your spring/summer style that will freshen you up and compliment your personal taste.

1. Cropped Cardigan

2. Shredded Leather Bracelet
3. Silver Pattern Bead
4. Floral Bubble Hem Halter Dress
5. Short Liquid Leggings
6. Jet Heart Cluster Necklace
7. Embellished Multichain Necklace
8. Ruffle Lace Fingerless Glove
9. Charles David Women's Zip Sandal

Where to buy:
Pattern
For pattern, think of southern tea parties. Big floral print in watercolors or small floral print in dark blues and reds. If you want to glam it up and rock it out, do so with lacy gloves, or off the wall jewelry and some patent leather booties. As for the cut of the dress, you can make it sexy with a figure flattering wrap dress or with a silhouette dress. Or cutesy it up with a bubble or baby doll dress. That way, you won't feel like you're 81 years old. For above example: I've paired a halter bubble dress with a crop cardigan, liquid leggings and purple strappy platform shoes. Then I rocked themed the accessories by layering a studded bracelet with a shredded leather cuff, lacey gloves, and layering a black cluster necklace with a multi chain necklace to give it more girth. I don't know about you, but grandma does not wear studded bracelets, laced gloves, or any of the above. This is a great way to modernize the pastel florals.

Some other floral dresses I recommend:
Color
So maybe the mixing of patterns and florals with a million crazy colors just isn't your thing. You can't wear it, you can't pull it off, bah humbug! Well you're in luck because for 2009, it's also all about colors: watercolors, pastels, jewel tones, and any other bold color defines this season's hottest trends. Personally, with my yellow/olive skin tone, I can pull off pastels or hot pinks and oranges like no other. If you have lighter skin with either red or darker hair, go for jewel tones like reds, greens, dark blues. Of course there are a lot of elements to consider to see what color looks best on you. Whatever color it is, choose that color and find a bolder version. If you like soft pinks, try hot pink. If you like blues, go for royal or baby blues. Whatever is the brightest and pops the most is what spring & summer 2009 is all about.

I've chosen some examples below that are solid colors, as well as subtle patterns. That way you can still participate in pattern if you're partial to style somewhere in the middle. A little goes a long way. Check out that orange and white Versace dress. Sophisticated, fun and bold. Yum!

Hottest Swimwear and Bikini Trends for Spring / Summer 2009

The weather has been so beautiful lately and we're finally gearing up for the beach. Summer is almost here! You know what that means. Short shorts, short skirts, sandals, tank tops, tanning and most importantly....your bathing suit. I hope you guys have worked out your abs this year because in 2009, it's all about being flashy. Whether you're sporting bright colors or the cut away bikini, it is all about drawing attention to yourself with a unique swimsuit. Let's take a look at some of the trends shall we?

Big, Bold Colors!
Whether I'm covering the red carpet or giving you the latest trends on handbags and jewelry, this year is all about color! And it doesn't change when you're on the beach either. If anything, your bathing suit can be any wild color or pattern you want it to be. Hot pinks, neons, and light blues are very popular. If you want to do the bohemian look, you can go for jewel tones (green, purple, red, royal blue). Whatever suits your look best, don't be afraid of color or pattern. Go crazy with animal prints, african prints and have fun with it.

 

Monokinis
Ever since Paris Hilton's Carl's Jr. commercial, we've just stayed absolutely in love with the monokini. Who would have thought a one piece could be so sexy? Lucky for us, you can get a monokini everywhere and anywhere for such a great price. You can get some really cute ones at Forever21 for about $22.80. Or even Charlotte Russe for about $27. The only thing about this style is that if your bust is bigger than your bottom or vice versa, it may not fit as well or be as flattering. Definitely try it on before purchasing.

 

One Shoulder Bikinis
This year on the red carpet, we saw a lot of one shouldered necklines on many couture gowns. This is being carried into the summertime and we're showing the one shoulder neckline in our bathing suits as well. Whether you're wearing a 2 piece bikini or a one piece suit, having a one shoulder neckline will be sure to add interest to your summer swimwear.

 

Cut Away Bikinis
A great way to add a little sex appeal to your bathing suit is to utilize the cut away trend. It's super sexy and it can be as subtle or as shredded as you're comfortable with. I love this trend in a simple black and white suit. If you're going subtle with the cut away, you can definitely look into a bold color to sport along with this trend. So hot! Love this!

Replicate Lady Gaga’s Most Recent Look

World Entertainment News Network recently posted this photo of Lady Gaga at her friend and fellow singer Mika's house in London. Here, she's sporting a wide rimmed hat flipped upwards, her body suit with what appears to be a blazer on top, a black bra, a wide black leather belt, fishnet nude stockings, and crazy thigh high laced up tan boots. Her other accessories include an umbrella where it was neither raining or sunny, a black clutch, huge square sunglasses, and black lipstick....she is fashion candy isn't she? I seriously don't know who else could pull this off. It's as if she's going to a Gothic/Rocker Kentucky Derby. Even if you weren't really into this look, you would have to appreciate all the work that not only goes into putting it together, but wearing it all over town. She uses the streets as her runway and chooses fashion over comfort any day and that's why she is the fashion gift that keeps on giving.

But, let's take it down a couple notches. We wouldn't ever really wear anything right off the runway or right off of Lady Gaga. So, let's interpret this outfit shall we?

1. Tatiana Woven Blazer - $14.80
2. Sleek Satin Short - $13.80
3. Lace Sateen Convertible Bra - $8.80
4. Fishnet Stockings - $3.67
5. Lace Up Thigh High Boots - from $59.99
6. Christys' Crown Brim Hat - $74.00
7. Avatar Sunglasses - $5.18
8. Elastic Corset - from $9.99
9. Python Clutch - $14.99

Instead of doing all black, you can pop some color into your bra, the hat, or the clutch. Depending on the occasion, you can even go bold with red patent leather boots or even white boots. If you don't want to do the blazer, a black jumpsuit short would work well with this look also.  Be sure to add a chunky corset belt to finish off the look!