Style Spotlight: Alexa Chung

Though there are a bevy of fashionable young femmes on MTV's airwaves, one girl always gets the lion's share of our attire-focused attention, both on and off the little screen: Alexa Chung. This British-born VJ and host of MTV's It's On With Alexa Chung talk show has quickly ascended the well-dressed ranks to become a fashion industry heavy-hitter with serious staying power for a reason—trust us, we've been following her for years and she's made nary a misstep! Here at Who What Wear headquarters, we constantly find ourselves ooh-ing and aah-ing over her outfits and often slip into giddy reverie regarding this icon-in-the-making's clothing choices. Now that her tomboyish charm and grunge-meets-girly take on fashion has spawned fans on both sides of the pond and she's inspired her very own namesake bag (more on that in a bit!), we couldn't think of a better candidate to star in today's edition of Style Spotlight!



Editing down our picks to just five looks wasn't easy, but, after careful deliberation, we think we have gathered a superior sartorial selection that encapsulates Chung's effortless élan. Topping the list is the outstanding outfit Chung wore while attending the Topshop Unique show during this most recent London Fashion week (above, far left). Though fancy shorts are all the rage this winter, we like how Chung reappropriated a warm-weather favorite—denim cut-offs—for a brisk autumnal evening out. She did so by pairing her vintage indigo Levi's shorts (try the Destroyed Denim Shorts ($28) by Urban Renewal) with Charles Anastase's Three Pocket Double Breasted Coat ($1800). A chic peacoat is a smart investment and a key transitional piece; try Coach's Cambridge Stripe Coat ($998), which is navy blue like Chung's choice, and the absolute perfect length! To finish off the look, she fastened an oversized band pin to her lapel and put on her favorite pair of heels, Chanel's Double Sole Patent Short Boots ($1025, 800.550.0005). Though she's been spotted all over town (and in three of our five photos!) wearing the French fashion house's sleek shoes, we also recommend that you consider Stuart Weitzman's Whoop Bootie ($355) instead to wear with everything you own this fall!

Though Chung may be best known for her quirky tomboy fashion sense, she can pull off a feminine frock like it's nobody's business! Although you'll never see her in a style that is too revealing, she often goes for dresses that are short and sweet or feature long, clean lines. For example, while attending The September Issue premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City (second from left), Chung looked appropriately fashionable given the event (after all, the documentary follows Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, and a fleet of frenzied Voguettes putting together the year's biggest monthly edition of Vogue). Though her lovely long crème dress is a vintage treasure and one of a kind, we do think that Thurley's Out Of The Shadow Silk Dress ($570) is a great contemporary alternative to her ecru evening selection. Chung added a little extra kick by styling her look with those beloved Chanel booties and Louis Vuitton's Savane Flight Bag ($2910, 866.VUITTON)—try Topshop's Pyramid Bag ($160) for another great cobalt selection.

In addition to the amazing outfits our spotlighted subject wears to various after-hour appearances, we wanted to make sure to showcase Chung's on-duty attire as well. It turns out that she is as fabulously attired when her audience tunes in each day to watch It's On! as she is on the red carpet. Seen here after a taping in August (third from left), the It-Brit looked in bloom and on-trend in an unfussy floral dress (an old design she picked up at BA&SH in Paris) and an embellished pair of strappy sandals she snagged a few season's ago in Australia (when we said international style star, we weren't kidding!). Though her exact pieces are not available, be sure to check out Topshop's Pansy Ruffle Shirred Tunic ($55) or their Flower Tea Dress ($90), which would look spot-on with these look-a-like Iman Gladiator Sandals ($61) from Lovely People (we can't tell the difference between these and the originals, and we do this for a living!).

Of course, when not interviewing movie stars and chart-topping singers, she's pond-hoping between native Britain and her adoptive home of Williamsburg for work and play. Ever the stylish traveler, Chung was spotted at the PPQ S/S 10 after party in London (top, far right) wearing Acne's Rita 2 Jacket ($1130). We love the way her furry-collar bomber adds just the right amount of sporty edge to her body-con black dress. We predict that this jacket style is going to be an absolute must-have come winter, so we recommend that you check out Silence & Noise's Sherpa Collar Faux Leather Bomber ($128) now: it's reasonably priced and incredibly cool. Just finish off the look by tying on a great pair of noir flat shoes, like Steve Madden's Brutus Booties ($130), and an amazingly embellished cross-body bag, like Christopher Kane for Topshop's Hard Eyelet Bag ($135), and you'll be prepared for any fashionable event!

The final look in our Style Spotlight features an all-star accessory that was designed with Chung in mind: Mulberry's The Alexa Bag ($1150). Seen here at the famed British tanner's S/S 10 presentation during New York fashion week (bottom, far right), our subject du jour rocked another outfit that proves she is worthy of muse-status. She smartly paired a polka dot top from Yaya Aflalo with black shorts from Re Collection; we think Forever 21's Polka Dot Top ($12) and Topshop's Cutwork Silk Shorts ($70) are two similar alternatives that would also fit the bill nicely. And while the entire ensemble is perfectly adorable, they all play second fiddle to her heavenly handbag—make sure to pick it up when it's available this January, or grab Linea Pelle's Dylan Leather Zip Tote ($495) to sate your satchel appetite until then!

Photos of Alexa Chung, from Splash and Getty Images.