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WWWD: Tips/January

If you, dear readers, are trying to stick to your standard New Year’s resolutions (more saving, less shopping), you’ll be delighted by today’s tips because they’re all about using what you’ve got. While we’re always going to show investment and splurge-worthy pieces on WhoWhatWearDaily.com—because they are beautiful, period—we’re the first to celebrate thrifty styling. So on that note, we have three fantastic tips that remind us all to remix.



Bring new life to your favorite handbag
We flipped out over the Mulberry bag Alexa Chung carried to a Cirque du Soleil performance in London recently. The bag’s body looked familiar (indeed, it’s the classic Roxanne) but the strap was unexpected and interesting. We learned that Chung gave her beloved tote a new look by adding a vintage, Tyrolean ribbon-style strap to the bag. Not only does this personalize a popular purse, it also turns a purse with short handles into an across-body bag. High impact and low fuss—what could be better?

Segue into spring with bright pops of color
Ah, the transitional months! It’s still quite chilly outside, but spring product is popping up in stores and it feels boring to wear your winter duds exclusively. One way to combat these sartorial seasonal blues is to start adding pops of color (a serious spring trend) into your outfits, like Rachel Bilson did on a recent grocery store expedition. Since the F/W 07 season was heavily comprised of black and gray, you can easily update the pieces you already have by adding a bright accessory, like a vividly hued scarf or a purse in a primary color.

Try unconvential combinations to create new looks
At the recent book launch party for Vogue Covers at the Chanel boutique in London, Claudia Schiffer impressed us with her nuanced ensemble. She made three separate pieces (a prim blouse, sexy sequined tank, and classic scarf) work together in an unexpected, yet cohesive, look. The long-sleeved, creamy blouse would look conservative—possibly corporate—on its own at this party, while the deep neckline and sleeveless cut of the tank would have been a bit too revealing. Together the two tops looked chic and interesting, especially with a classic scarf doing double duty as a belt. Take a cue from Claudia and try unexpected pairings for inspired looks!

Photo of Alexa, Getty. Photo of Rachel, INFgoff. Photo of Claudia, Wireimage.
COMMENTS (58)

Love Love Love Rachel's Outfit. I would buy everything she's wearing.

Posted by: RileyK |  2008-05-19 17:56:49

where is rachel bilson's black jacket from?

Posted by: caroline |  2008-02-20 11:32:10

R Bilson's scarf is Jo Gordon. www.jogordon.com

Posted by: akap |  2008-02-14 09:36:46

THANK YOU SOO MUCH AR! MAY GOD BLESS YOU! :D

Posted by: EP |  2008-02-01 18:45:15

Love Bilson's Shoes!!!Any idea where they're from???

Posted by: ari |  2008-01-31 01:27:23

Hey does anyone know where Rachel Bilson's yellow scarf is from yet??

Posted by: j |  2008-01-28 15:59:44

i love rachels scarf , its freashing yp the hole outfit but the blond girls clothes is so deamet boring , uuh ;)

Posted by: Matildaaa. |  2008-01-28 10:37:15

YES PLEASE, SCARF INFO!!!!!!!!

Posted by: j |  2008-01-26 19:25:32

SCARF INFO, PLEASE!!!!!!

Posted by: Blair |  2008-01-26 02:30:30

PLEASE WWWD tell us where to buy Rachel Bilson's yellow scarf- or at least name the designer/brand. PLEASE!

Posted by: Janice |  2008-01-25 21:35:28

The scarf is really bright!

Posted by: agent y |  2008-01-25 13:20:58

SCARF INFO PLEASE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by: B |  2008-01-23 17:01:14

uh, myohmy, just because someone is old doesn't mean they have to wear boring clothes. and you didn't even use the right form of "too."

Posted by: hannah |  2008-01-23 15:46:55

Looking glamorous never gets old! Myohmy, what are you gonna do when you hit thirty? Wear mom jeans and fade into the background? Screw you.

Posted by: Caitlin |  2008-01-23 10:01:41

what i can understand is this alexa chung, Agnis Dyne obssesion. they are a bit washed up to me. theyre are a million girls out there doing street grungy style it's nothing new and nothing to be praised for. they are no Hepburn, no monroe, no sedgwick so stop obsessing and form a new oppinion

Posted by: revolt |  2008-01-23 08:32:05

i think alexa chung is looking effortlessly chic... rachel bilson looks soo good and claudia looks a mess love da skirt and scarf but the rest is not working

Posted by: shukz |  2008-01-23 05:23:49

WWWD,please please let us know where to find the cross body strap Alexa used.It's the only thing that fits us all..along with the scarf, of course!

Posted by: AHC |  2008-01-23 05:20:15

Dear Rosa, NO Current American style icons?: Chloe Sevigny, Jeremy Scott, Marc Jacobs, Dita Von Teese, Kirsten Dunst, Christina Ricci.... *just to name a few, and not delving into the past here either.

Posted by: Winter |  2008-01-22 21:31:35

Just because Rachel and Ashley have the same jacket does not meen Rachel is copying her. Seriously! People are soooo negative, & I'm so over it! Everytime I read those comments I just think of how bitchy it sounds. Rachel looks hot in that rick owens jacket.

Posted by: kate |  2008-01-22 20:39:43

claudia was definately not a good choice. she looks like she's trying to hard by combing to many trends at once. i don't like it at all

Posted by: serena |  2008-01-22 20:27:30

I agree Dee, Alexa looks like every other girl in London, it's such a common style, so Topshop esque, hipster & trendy. She looks so bad imo

Posted by: jj |  2008-01-22 19:58:28

I didn't say anything about Claudia's age. I asked if there were any other stylish (young or old) ladies this site might want to consider posting aside from the same old, same old.

Posted by: J |  2008-01-22 19:34:39

Hmmm...I don't think Claudia is too old to be on this site. I don't think age applies necessarily- isn't it about the clothes?

Posted by: polly |  2008-01-22 19:22:24

Alexa Chung looks so cool. She may be a WWWD darling but at least she's not overexposed like Lindsay, Ashley/MK, and Rachel (enough already! Are there NO OTHER young--hell, OLD-- stylish women who get photographed? UGH! OK! We get it! Yes, she looks good, but moving ON...) Anyway. Where was I? Oh, yes. Claudia could have done with a simpler blouse, but all in all, tres chic. Looks inspired by FW07 Chanel campaign.

Posted by: J |  2008-01-22 18:46:25

i agree with michelle, it seems so effortless on her, WHAT A GREAT SCARF!!!!

Posted by: victoria |  2008-01-22 17:23:32

alex looks fantastic, as does rachel...claudia? she's just to old to be on wwwd. visit my blog myohmygirl.blogspot.com

Posted by: myohmy |  2008-01-22 17:09:37

love alexa chung. you wouldn't know she was chinese at all.

Posted by: jess |  2008-01-22 16:13:12

i know what you guys mean about rachel copying ashley, but for me, on rachel, the pieces come off as more effortless and natural and less contrived. for me, i love the way mk+a dress, but the twins always look like they're posing to me. or like they spent hours thinking of ways to be contrary to other people's looks. like, THEY HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT or they'll lose their personal identity. does anyone else know what i mean? i like claudias shirt combo but not the scarf. rachel's shoes are killer and alexa chung looks gorgeous au natural.

Posted by: michelle |  2008-01-22 16:11:56

I loooooove this look from Rachel Bilson! And that scraf!!! WHERE CAN I FIND THAT SCARF?

Posted by: EP |  2008-01-22 15:48:11

man, i love Claduia. She just brings me back to "the supermodel" days.

Posted by: lolaloves |  2008-01-22 15:22:21

Rachel Bilson's jacket is Rick Owens. The shoes are Mayle.

Posted by: mimi |  2008-01-22 15:18:46

i love rachel's scarf too, but i especially love her jacket (which is the same one MK always wears, i believe). anyone know where it's from?

Posted by: nic |  2008-01-22 14:56:18

rachels shoes and scarf please?? anyone???

Posted by: lala |  2008-01-22 14:26:37

Who are Rachel Bilson's shoes made by?

Posted by: Shoes |  2008-01-22 14:11:00

claudia schiffer what is that thing? alexa chung is wayyy cool.

Posted by: kati |  2008-01-22 13:15:38

I agree - Bilson is pretty much 100% channeling Ashely all of the time. Not that the rest of us aren't. Which makes me wonder...does Rachel log onto this site and others to check out Ashley's latest looks, just like we do? Or just take notice when they cross paths in their amazing little lives? Just a funny little thought. Either, way I still like both of them. But Ashley more, of course

Posted by: Kath |  2008-01-22 12:46:24

I agree rosa, brit sytle rocks. All i was saying is that I don't feel very inspired by alexa's outfits. The dress is nice but nothing special. I think Bilson leads here, but she generally looks amazing.

Posted by: dee |  2008-01-22 12:14:43

i am the only person whos getting fed up with marykate and ashley? surprise surprise, they're wearing something vintage. as much as i love this site i think who what wear should go out onto the streets and get pictures of REAL PEOPLE wearing great clothes, at affordable prices!!

Posted by: lilly |  2008-01-22 12:12:48

Awww what a tease no 411 on what they are wearing.. that sucks that we get a description of how they are wearing their gear but no DEETS..wtf? I want Rachel's shoes.

Posted by: bostonterrier |  2008-01-22 12:10:00

oh wwwd, why can you never ever give us details of said girls outfits? im drooling over Rachel's shoes and Alexa's dress!

Posted by: ski |  2008-01-22 11:46:49

Rachel Bilson is amazing!! if i could trade places with anyone it would 400% be her. I like Chung and Schiffer's outfits, but they look to wannabe-ish, Schiffer more, its just to much going on. Does anyone know about Rachel's scarf i love it???? PLEASE

Posted by: a.b.g.h |  2008-01-22 11:45:14

She is not a "fashion concious london girl". Apart from the olsens and a few decent stars such as Rachel bilson America can take no credit for any style icons. Paris Hilton and the cast of the hills do not compare to Alexa chung,Kate Moss, Sienna Miller,Stella, Agyness and so on.

Posted by: rosa |  2008-01-22 11:30:26

that looks like a guitar strap to me

Posted by: p |  2008-01-22 11:25:00

RB is so not channeling Ashley Olsen! So she's carrying her keys- so what? Lots of us carry keys- c'mon!

Posted by: meg |  2008-01-22 10:59:42

Love Rachel Bilson's shoes! Does anyone know about these?

Posted by: Keri |  2008-01-22 10:39:22

Does anyone know where to find the Tyrolean ribbon style strap Chung is wearing?

Posted by: renee |  2008-01-22 09:52:22

Where is Rachel Bilson's scarf from? Where can I get it?

Posted by: Jordan |  2008-01-22 08:26:30

Alexa Chung is beautiful, I like that she doesn't try to look stylish. London girls have the best style, its all class and no trash.

Posted by: kit |  2008-01-22 07:55:46

Bilson's look is so Ashley Olsen. I mean, every stitch of it, even the hair, the smirk, and visible key. The tee, too...casual and clean, not as grungy as Mary-Kate's...that's sooo Ashley. She's a fan of the Olsen girls. And, she should be, but I won't give her points for it.

Posted by: Vegan Vogue |  2008-01-22 07:44:53

I have to say i dont undrstand the obsession with Alexa Chung...i'm not disputing the idea here, it's kinda sweet. Plus she is on trend with the across-body bag. However in my opinion I feel her style is, a bit blah. She just looks like every other fashion concious London girl.

Posted by: dee |  2008-01-22 05:42:26

I have to say i dont undrstand the obsession with Alexa Chung...i'm not disputing the idea here, it's kinda sweet. Plus she is on trend with the across-body bag. However in my opinion I feel her style is, a bit blah. She just looks like every other fashion concious London girl.

Posted by: dee |  2008-01-22 05:41:51

I have to say i dont undrstand the obsession with Alexa Chung...i'm not disputing the idea here, it's kinda sweet. Plus she is on trend with the across-body bag. However in my opinion I feel her style is, a bit blah. She just looks like every other fashion concious London girl.

Posted by: dee |  2008-01-22 05:41:41

how is it rachel always manages to look amazing? and i love the cross body strap alexa used. i am totally going to try that.

Posted by: katherine |  2008-01-22 05:32:22

i defy anyone to not LOVE alexa chung. she is perfect.

Posted by: sofia |  2008-01-22 01:48:24

Alexa Chung does not look Asian at all.

Posted by: Melissa |  2008-01-22 01:29:34

claudia schiffer always looks like shes trying too hard, and here is no exception--there's way too much going on! and of couse bilson hits the dot again ..love it.

Posted by: j. |  2008-01-22 01:21:05

Mixing and matching is something I have to do all the time now. How did you know I was trying to spend less ;)

Posted by: eye |  2008-01-22 00:28:56

love alexa chung :)

Posted by: anomalous |  2008-01-22 00:25:25

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