I recently reported that Margaret Qualley was in Rome, which admittedly isn't groundbreaking in the least. But she was wearing the ideal outfit to pack for an Italian holiday: a pretty maxi dress and flat shoes. I stand by that reporting, as it’s a classic, simple vacation outfit, but after seeing what Diane Kruger was just photographed wearing in Rome, I’m also here to endorse a completely different kind of holiday outfit.

Sure, a simple black maxi dress is lovely, but Kruger's outfit is elegant in a different, more fashion-person way. It consisted of black flared trousers, a black tunic, and black heeled sandals. The outfit is a smart choice for a European holiday suitcase because it takes up as little room as a maxi dress, it works for a variety of daytime and evening activities, and you can mix and match the two pieces with plenty of other items in your suitcase. Oh, and she looks ridiculously elegant.

Keep scrolling to get Kruger's look for yourself.

Shop Diane Kruger's Holiday Outfit Formula:

Editors disagree with each other on a lot of things (leg warmers, Y2K, quiet luxury, etc.). It's the nature of the subjective world we move in, but if there's one thing everyone in our office agrees upon, it's that COS's tailoring is really, really good. Many of us would even go so far as to say that the brand's best styles—such as the wide-leg trousers that have continued to be released in yet more colourways and finishes over the past few years—are as good as anything designer. In fact, the Scandi label has been undergoing something of a transformation of late, establishing itself as one of the most premium and design-led brands on the high street, so it's no surprise that its tailoring simply has to be impeccable to back up the direction the creative team is taking.

It was fascinating to see the fashion crowds roll into Paris yesterday for COS's latest atelier show and to make note of what everyone had decided to wear from the brand for their appearances. Celebrities and influencers were in attendance for the brand's debut of its S/S 23 line, a collection which will land online very soon). Although there were nuances between outfits and styling ideas, one thing was a very noticeable commonality: the beige blazer.

The beige three-piece suit from the COS S/S 23 Atelier collection.

As a cornerstone for minimal and quietly luxurious style, a neutral blazer is as versatile as they come. Diane Kruger decided to pair hers with a dramatic red balaclava (which also featured on the runway) and a silky slip dress with courts. Italian actress Beatrice Grannò sat next to Kruger in a full beige trouser-suit ensemble. Content creator Xiayan Guo opted for the three-piece suit, Anna Vitiello paired the blazer and trousers with a white bandeau top and glam jewellery, and Zoe Foster chose her oversized jacket to balance out a leather miniskirt.

Keep scrolling to see how everyone wore their COS beige blazer and shop similar versions for yourself.

Style Notes: Kruger looks effortlessly chic in this maxi dress, blazer and court-shoe combination.

Style Notes: The great thing about a three-piece suit is that you just throw on your favourite accessories and go—no styling needed.

Style Notes: An oversized blazer is the perfect foil to super-short hemlines.

Style Notes: COS's wide-leg trousers can work lower or higher on the waist—many of its styles have internal buttons that can help you tighten or loosen the fit.

Style Notes: Use a linen suit as a great evening option by combining it with a strapless top and high heels.

Shop COS Atelier's Suit

See More COS Tailoring

Up next, The Autumn/Winter 2023 Trend Report

"I’m really grateful” is something I hear about a dozen times in various forms during my hour-long Zoom call with Diane Kruger—be it for the unexpected opportunity to spend a year at home with her daughter and fiancé, actor Norman Reedus, during lockdown; the honor of having gowns custom-made for her by close friends like Prabal Gurung and the late Karl Lagerfeld; or the chance to work with "really kick-ass women who are all mothers and working and successful at what they do” in her latest project The 355. The female-led action flick—in which she, along with Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Fan Bingbing, and Penélope Cruz, is put in charge of saving, well, everyone from World War III—is one of six projects in the works for the 45-year-old actress. And if all that (in addition to styling herself into one of fashion’s most prolific dressers) wasn’t enough, she’s also a mom, the kind who wakes up "so bloody early” to take their daughter to school in sweatpants and spends a majority of their time hitting up local NYC playgrounds. In short, Kruger is busy with a capital B. Though, you’ll never hear her complain about it.

The 355, which, after a two-year delay due to COVID-19, comes out on January 7, is a film that holds a special place in Kruger’s heart. That is primarily because it was her first project back after having her daughter. "Making an action film right after giving birth felt so daunting,” says Kruger. "That was my first time away from home—from Norman and the family—and taking a baby to work and [figuring out] how that was gonna work out. So I was very anxious.” The feeling didn’t last long, however. Ultimately, Kruger likened the project to a dream come true. "In my career, I’ve mostly only made films with other men. I’m the girl in a movie, you know? So just to be part of that group [of women] felt really amazing,” she says. "And to be able to have lunch with my 8-month-old … and then go out and kick ass was kind of like the best of both worlds.” 

Though she has starred in male-dominated action projects before, including Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds and the FX series The Bridge, Kruger says The 355 was her first real experience with the genre and her first with a cast primarily made up of women. (Sebastian Stan plays the charming—in the evil way—villain in the movie.) "It’s a different way of making films,” she says. "But it’s very empowering.” Every day, Kruger and her co-stars would warm up with a round of boxing, followed by choreography led by the stunt team, who taught them how to fight and shoot in ways that would look best on film. "You feel like you’re in control of your body, in control of the situation, and it’s really fun,” she says. "It just adds a layer of excitement. Then especially having [it be] girl on girl, I felt [like] it was fun to kick Jessica’s ass. We tried to one-up each other.”

Kruger plays Marie Schmidt in the film, a German intelligence agent with a dark backstory and a certain edginess that the actress, who was born and raised in Algermissen, near Hildesheim, Germany, says is "very typically German.” "She’s very tough and dry and fierce,” Kruger adds, likening her younger self to Marie. "When I was younger, I was definitely a loner. I didn’t like to do stuff in big groups or have a big team around me and, you know, trust a lot of people in my life,” she says. It was during this stage that she left home, first to study ballet at the Royal Ballet School in London and later to pursue a modeling career in Paris when she was just 15 years old. 

Though her career was short-lived, Kruger found ample success in the modeling world, starring in campaigns for houses such as Chanel and Giorgio Armani and walking in runway shows for Yves Saint Laurent, Dries Van Noten, and Marc Jacobs alongside Naomi Campbell and Stella Tennant. Not long after she began modeling, Kruger’s growing interest in acting took her to the Cours Florent, a drama school in Paris. But the contacts she made in the fashion world stuck, allowing her to become one of the few best dressed celebrities in Hollywood who don’t use a stylist. 

"I come from modeling, so I knew a lot of the designers—I know a lot of the designers—so it seemed, you know, easy to just call them and ask them if I could wear one of their dresses,” Kruger says of her decision to stop using a stylist in the early stages of her career. But it wasn’t all a matter of convenience. Rather, Kruger, like so many of us, is a fangirl when it comes to fashion. "I love watching the runways,” she says in an almost giddy way. "I go online, and I see all the collections, [and] I try to look out for new designers. I just love it.” Then, when an occasion arises, she rifles through her saved folders full of sartorial screengrabs, picks a look that she thinks could work, and asks the designer if it’s available. "Sometimes, it is; sometimes, it’s not. But that’s really how it is,” she says. "Sometimes, if it’s a special occasion where a designer would make something for you, that’s really fun because, usually, I call them myself, and I tell them, ‘I would love something in this vein. What do you think?’ [Then,] they make sketches, and you get to choose so many things. It’s like getting married 50 times over.” 

When I liken the experience to a dream, Kruger is quick to agree: "And it still is. That’s never changed. It’s such a joy. And you know, you feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

One of the first times that dream became a reality occurred ahead of her Cannes Film Festival debut back in 2004. "A moment that I really loved … was for Troy way back when, and Karl Lagerfeld, who I was really close with and friendly with, designed [a] dress for me,” Kruger explains. "Karl was kind of notorious for not wanting to dress celebrities on the red carpet. He didn’t care. He just wanted to make nice clothes, [so] he never really made anything for anyone.” Even so, after working with Kruger during her modeling years, Lagerfeld made an exception for her. "I remember being very young … and going into his office, and he said, ‘Well, what do you want?’ and I told him, ‘I don't know. Blue I love and, you know, maybe a little ’50s inspired,’ and he literally [sketched] it in front of me,” she recalls. In fact, she even made adjustments. "[It’s] so crazy, you know? That I requested [something]. Now, when I think back, it’s like the audacity of me to be like, ‘I don’t know. How about this sleeve, Karl?’” Nonetheless, it came out perfect in the end. "Now when I look at those pictures, it feels like a coming-out moment for me,” she says.

There are some occasions where Kruger calls on a stylist, particularly Micaela Erlanger, who works with Kruger’s 355 co-star Lupita Nyong’o as well as Ana de Armas and Meryl Streep. "It’s mostly for time-consuming purposes because I don’t have the time today to wait for the FedEx to arrive with a dress or go to a tailor if I need tailoring,” she says. "It’s like a one-stop shop. So I use [Erlanger] if I have a big tour like The 355 coming up, but if it’s just an event that I want to go to, I most likely would just call the designer myself.” 

But even Kruger—who is seldom left out of any best dressed roundup—wasn’t immune to the sweatsuit craze that lockdown catalysed. "The sweatpants and stuff came out strong,” she says, laughing when I ask if she ever dressed up at home just for the hell of it. "No, no, I think [Norman and I] were comparing what sweatpants we should order.” Almost two years later, though, she’s more than ready to turn it on again. "I think the ritual of getting ready and putting on some makeup and nice clothing is… [There’s] just something about it that makes you feel like you’re giving importance to that time,” Kruger says. Still, getting back to her pre-pandemic and pre-motherhood style isn’t a given now that things are going back to some semblance of normalcy. "I spend every afternoon either on a playground or chauffeuring my kid to and from ballet or whatnot, so [my style] is more basic than it used to be,” she says. "But I have a closet full of beautiful stuff. I gave up my place in Paris a couple of years ago, so [everything has] been in boxes, and they just all arrived, and I’ve been unpacking. I used to be so stylish, and I have such nice stuff, so I told myself literally this weekend that I don’t care. I’m going to pick up [my daughter] in my Prada outfit. I don’t give a damn. I’m doing it.”

Even if she does stay true to her promise to don Prada in the carpool line, it’s unlikely you’ll get the chance to see it, at least not up close. While Kruger can’t necessarily help it if paparazzi follow her and her family around, she’s been adamant about protecting her daughter from the public eye ever since she was born in 2018, specifically keeping her name and birthday from the press. "When my daughter was born, everything crashes in on you,” she explains. "It just feels like you’re responsible for someone else’s life, and they have no tools or weapons or whatever to defend themselves. Not that they’re under attack, but… They should have the opportunity to discover the world as innocently as they can, in my opinion, and not be judged by the way they look or who their parents are or, you know, by a grown man following them around taking pictures.” 

Though a lot about her perspective on fame changed when her daughter was born, that occasion wasn’t the first time that she saw the not-so-glamorous side of the career path she started on nearly two decades ago. "It was a steep learning process,” she tells me. "You can live easily in this bubble, where you’re just around other actors or people in the industry, and you get treated like the next Christ coming because of a stupid movie you made. I think it took me a while to learn perspective on life and who I really am and what I stand for.” According to Kruger, it’s tempting in her industry, especially when you’re young, to surround yourself with what she calls "yes people,” or people who will lift you up for just about anything, even if it’s undeserved. "It feels good, but you just have to grow up sometimes and realise that you’re not that great all the time,” she says matter-of-factly.

It’s that straightforward mentality that’s gotten her this far in her career and, quite frankly, her life. Today, Kruger is looking for a new kind of role, one that’s more diverse, as opposed to always playing the girl in a movie. "I’m too old now to play the ingénue. And not that that was not fun when I was at that age, but now, the spectrum of what it means to be a woman has become larger, and that’s really interesting,” Kruger says. She’s also taking more control over her career and her time, explaining that she now cherry-picks her jobs more than she ever did. She only takes roles that allow her to shoot many of her scenes in a short time period, permitting her to be home as much as possible while still pursuing a livelihood that she loves. "I feel like times have changed for women of my age,” Kruger says, her face lighting up (and not just from the glow of her computer screen) as she says it.

For Kruger, 2022 is full of uncharted territory, but I don’t get the feeling that dodging a challenge is an activity she, like her character in The 355, is particularly familiar with. On the contrary, Kruger is facing the untold facets of her future with nothing but excitement: "I don’t want to miss anything.”

The 355 comes out in cinemas on January 7.

Photographer: Rebekah Campbell

Stylist: Anna Katsanis

Hairstylist: Anthony Campbell

Makeup Artist: Kale Teter

Manicurist: Mamie Onishi

Producer: Erin Abeln

Creative Director: Alexa Wiley

This story was originally published on Who What Wear U.S.

I think Kate Moss has ruined me when it comes to black waistcoats. How could anyone make it look as chic as her? Kate's signature style used to be as simple as throwing one over the top of a T-shirt and denim shorts and maybe tying a scarf around her neck. Sometimes, for extra sassiness, she'd just wear the waistcoat buttoned up with nothing underneath.

Honestly, I could spend hours just looking at Pinterest compilations of her dedication to the garment. Many of us mere mortals, however, didn't quite manage to make it look so cool. Family members and friends alike would ask if you were planning on playing snooker later or whether it was part of a fancy dress costume.

But to those people who poured scorn on the early '00s trend, it's back and genuinely better than ever. While it might be deemed an "ugly" trend in that it's not an easy look to carry off, it's already won me over. This time, however, it's easier than ever to wear.

Kate Moss wearing a waistcoat in 2006.

This year's take on the trend is similar to Kate Moss's classic look. Throw one over a shirt or a loose-fitting dress for an ideal ensemble for spring. Or if you prefer a more tailored look, wear it with a matching suit à la Who What Wear shopping editor Joy Montgomery. You can even wear it with a pair of trousers that clash with the colour of the waistcoat. What I'm saying is that anything pretty much goes. Just wear it with confidence. 

And if you need more inspiration, you can even look to other A-listers for their styling. Last year, Olivia Palermo wore a waistcoat suit with a shirt underneath, as did Diane Kruger. Alexa Chung, ever the early adopter, had worn a waistcoat-and-trouser set back in 2015, and Victoria Beckham also proved she was a lover of this matchy-matchy look back in 2016.

Ready to see the trend and how to wear it right now? Keep scrolling and then shop the edit of the best waistcoats around right now. 

Style Notes: Have a favourite summer dress? Simply wear an oversize waistcoat over the top. 

Style Notes: For preppy styling, wear over a buttoned-up shirt. Add a miniskirt to keep the whole outfit fun. 

Style Notes: Layering a waistcoat over a shirt and skirt looks super chic. 

Style Notes: Mismatching your waistcoat with a pair of tailored trousers looks so much better than it sounds. 

Style Notes: Long live the three-piece suit. 

Style Notes: The outfit that prompted me to start hunting down a similar outfit. The brown shirt, boots and belt are what really bring this look to life. 

Style Notes: Opt for a bold colour and pair with heels. Try Zara for a similar outfit. 

Style Notes: While Alexa ditched the blouse, there's no reason you couldn't go with this ensemble for an evening look.

Style Notes: VB wore this look in 2016, but it still looks chic now. To make it feel more 2020, opt for slightly wider trousers. 

Shop Waistcoats

Next up, the biggest spring/summer 2020 fashion trends you need to know. 

Last year saw the return of the humble hooded sweatshirt, thanks to Vetements and its cult tracksuit and the likes of Kendall Jenner making it a model-off-duty staple. And Diane Kruger just proved that the hoodie is no longer just for teenagers but is the perfect way to add an extra something to your simple tried-and-tested winter outfits.

To grab coffee in Hollywood, Diane Kruger wore a classic winter combo—a checked coat, black skinny jeans and chunky biker boots—but softened it with the hood of her sugary pink sweatshirt poking out over her coat. Mixing a hoodie with smart tailoring like this is an easy way to tap into the athleisure trend without looking messy.

Scroll below to see Diane's excellent coffee-run outfit, and then shop her look below…

On Diane Kruger: Miu Miu Shoulder Bag (£1160). 

We probably don't need to introduce you to Diane Kruger—she of incredible beauty and also exquisite taste. We've admired her style for many years, on and off the red carpet (not to mention the fact she's got a very cool Instagram feed). So what is the secret behind her style? We've thought long and hard about this and believe it's that perfect blend of European chic with a dash of all-American prettiness. While we've always wanted to copy her fashion sense, we'd completely given up on such an unachievable goal. That was until we spotted the item that she wears nearly every time she's on the red carpet—a halter-neck. Believe it or not, the A-lister is more than a little fond of the high-necked dress and it looks super flattering. It gives the wearer the chance to show off their shoulders and elongates the neck, giving the impression of being taller and slimmer. We're not sure we're going to wear another dress style ever again. Click through our gallery to see how Kruger wears the style and the most flattering halter-necks you can shop right now. 

Wearing Michael Kors at the God's Love We Deliver Golden Heart Awards, New York

In Reem Acra at the Vanity Fair Oscar party 2016

In Hugo Boss at the Sky film premiere, Paris

In Prada at the amfAR gala, New York, 2016

In Prabal Gurung at the GLAAD media awards, 2016

In Naeem Khan at the German Film Awards, 2016

Chanel’s haute couture fashion show is always one of the most eventful golden dates of Couture Fashion Week. Fact. From the set thematics to the thousands of hand-sewn sequins on each garment to the hot-topic models who lead the charge on the runway, Karl Lagerfeld knows how to whip up a stylish scene. This season, S/S 16, didn’t disappoint, with its underlying rally for sustainability in fashion and eco-chic essence, which served as a clever juxtaposition to the decadent gowns that wafted over pristine blades of grass. Surprised? Don't be. From casinos to supermarkets to airports, Chanel is expert at tempting eyebrows to raise on the stone faces of its front row.

Notably Chanel's former star model Cara Delevingne sat comfortable front row with her canine BF alongside Diane Kruger, Anna Wintour, and Clémence Poésy (everyone’s favourite Parisienne girl next door). The fashion house is never short of A-listers to showcase the new season collections in a real life capacity.

Who: Cara Delevingne

What: Chanel Haute Couture S/S 16 show

Wear: Chanel couture

Style Notes: P.S. Cara, those boots. Those boots!

Who: Anna Wintour

What: Chanel Haute Couture S/S 16 show

Wear: Chanel couture

Style Notes: The Vogue editor took a style vacation from her signature nude slip-on heels and opted for an elevated pair of snakeskin boots that deftly offset her skirt suit.

Related: Which Chanel Bag Most Suits Your Personality?

Who: Diane Kruger

What: Chanel Haute Couture S/S 16 show

Wear: Chanel couture

Style Notes: Yes, we'll be investing in a tricky pair of lace tights thanks to constant style muse, Diane.

Who: Clémence Poésy

What: Chanel Haute Couture S/S 16 show

Wear: Chanel couture.

The mantle was passed to the next generation of Karl’s It girls: Bella Hadid, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner who served as elegant talking points. The three L.A. girls looked very much at home on the verdant couture catwalk and swapped their yoga leggings for crystal-bead adorned dresses and otherworldly evening wear that few will get their hands on. While couture has notably been much more relaxed this season, it looks like the athleisure spirit has crept into couture.

Gigi Hadid looked confident and utterly elegant in her skirt, trouser and cape combination.

Related: 7 Expert Tips on Commissioning a Wedding Dress

See more from the Chanel Haute Couture show.

Blogger extraordinaire, Susie Lau of Style Bubble Tweeted the large-scale set that opened out its shutters to reveal the fleet of stunning models wearing a palette of nudes, creams and French clay hues.

Long-term best friend of Chanel's creative director, Cara Delevingne has fronted multiple campaigns for the brand but has transitioned her career towards acting. That certainly didn't put the star off from a stylish pit stop.

With Dior showing yesterday and Maison Margiela, Jean Paul Gaultier and Elie Saab up next on the schedule, we've got some more jaw-dropping gowns to come!

Cara courts the cameras like a pro before the show.

Backstage Lagerfeld discussed the ethical future of fashion, while his FROW set to work on illuminating social media with candid shots of Cara smooching her pooch.

Coco would quietly approve, no doubt. All this talk of fashion finery is making us thirsty for shopping, join us over at BrownsFashion.com for a little spree.

Which model inspires you the most? Comment below or take it to Twitter @WhoWhatWearUK!

This time of year always has a way of making style-conscious girls like us feel like our closets need a full-on makeover, when in actuality, all we need is a handful of new styling tricks to try. That’s where ladies like Karolina Kurkova, Cara Delevingne, and Diane Kruger come in. Whether it’s how to dress up a pair of distressed jeans or the best way to ground a girly frock, we could all learn a lesson or two from these outfit experts. Keep reading for inspiration.

Tip: Add polish to a chunky knit with fitted jeans and pointy-toe pumps.

It’s all about proportion here, specifically balancing the oversized fit of the turtleneck sweater with more streamlined pieces below. Larter did precisely that while running errands in Los Angeles last month when she paired Paper Denim & Cloth’s Jay Turtleneck ($271) in Merlot with Isabel Marant ankle crop jeans and sharp grey stilettos.

Reiss Asto Chunky Roll Neck Jumper ($76)

This turtleneck is all work and yes, all play too. Try it with tailored trousers for the office and boyfriend jeans on the weekend.

Stuart Weitzman Power Pointy-Toe Pumps ($350)

Subtle snake-embossed detailing takes these pumps to a whole new level of chic. 

Tip: Ground a fancy dress with leather ankle boots.

Kruger knows how to do feminine glamour on the red carpet, but she can easily imbue her look with edge, too. At The Better Angels photocall during the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this month, she opted for patent leather Chanel boots over traditional heels, which lent a cool-girl touch to her Giambattista Valli fit and flare dress from the Pre-Fall 14 collection.

Tibi Raffia Organza Dress ($575)

Wear this swingy dress now with opaque tights and ankle boots, and then come spring, sub in neon sandals and a cross-body bag.

Zara Leather Ankle Boots ($159)

A low, chunky heel ensures comfortable (and stylish) city jaunts morning ‘til night—what more could you ask for in a pair of boots?

Tip: Try the new silhouette: an oversized, un-tucked sweater + midi skirt.

Your natural inclination may be to tuck your top into your skirt, but Tao Okamoto is offering up a new silhouette for spring: the un-tucked sweater and midi skirt combo. Spotted at the Jonathan Saunders F/W 14 show during London Fashion Week, the model/actress—wearing Jonathan Saunders Pre-Fall 14 and Nicholas Kirkwood Hexagon Pumps ($1065)—exuded a nonchalant femininity we love.

Topshop Knitted V Neck Cashmere Jumper ($190)

We recommend buying up a size with this cosy knit to achieve that strategically undone look.

Love Midi Skater Skirt ($60)

The midi skirt is here to stay, so pick one up in every colour, especially white.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix bold colours for maximum impact.

The quickest way to statement-making results is easy: just combine two vibrant colours, like red and pink. Mustaparta did this at the Miu Miu Spark & Light screening during New York Fashion Week in a Carven sweater and Miu Miu patent leather skirt from the S/S 13 collection, and we can assure you all eyes were on her.

J Brand Auden Scuba-Fabric Top ($195)

This isn’t your average pink top. Touchable neoprene lends cool structure and a modern look.

Reiss Dene A Line Mini Skirt ($210)

You can never go wrong with a jersey A-line skirt—it’s both flattering and flirtatious.

Tip: Dress up distressed denim with a menswear coat and sleek pumps.

You love your ripped boyfriend jeans, but how do you keep them from feeling sloppy? Follow Kurkova’s lead and style them with a tailored coat—in the model’s case, Joe’s Jeans’ Noelle Brocade Jacket ($285)—and sleek pumps, like her Nicholas Kirkwood Zig Zag Printed Suede Pumps ($750).

Mango Wide Lapel Coat ($150)

Think it’s too late in the season to invest in outerwear? Consider this: a black menswear-inspired coat in a seasonless fabric will never go out style, taking you stylishly from one season to the next.

Rag & Bone The Boyfriend Distressed Jeans ($220)

A low-slung fit and perfectly worn-in wash make these jeans simply irresistible.

Tip: Achieve instant chic with a silk blouse tucked into wide-leg trousers.

If your work wardrobe needs a pick-me-up, invest in a pair of pastel-hued wide leg trousers. As seen on actress Cobie Smulders, wearing an A.L.C. blouse (similar style here) and trousers at the Los Angeles premiere of The Lego Movie, the spring hue can instantly pull together your look.

Club Monaco Connor Shirt ($140)

Your work wardrobe is calling and it wants a new blouse! An of-the-moment mint hue makes this silky iteration a top pick.

By Malene Birger Firoza Stretch-Crepe Wide-Leg Pants ($450)

Balance the inherent dressiness of these pants with a tucked-in white t-shirt.

Tip: Let your shoes do all the talking with printed flats.

Sometimes your shoes are meant to be the star of your look, especially when they feature a standout motif. Pared-down separates helped keep Delevingne’s Burberry Prorsum heart-print flats, which are no longer available, in the spotlight.

Forever 21 Retro Polka Dot Loafers ($20)

The best thing about these charming loafers is that they only look expensive—wink, wink!

Carven Printed Satin Slingback Flats ($490)

Carven’s beloved slingbacks get an update with a vacation-ready tropical print.

Tip: Give your work wardrobe a spring boost with a floral pencil skirt.

By now your go-to black pencil skirt is starting to feel tired, which is why we recommend replacing it with a floral version a la Witherspoon. The Wild actress selected J.Crew’s Collection No. 2 Pencil Skirt ($198) in Antique Floral while grabbing lunch in Hollywood, which was the perfect nod to the season ahead.

Nanette Lepore Wipeout Floral Skirt ($298)

A floral-print skirt is a sure way to spiff up your nine-to-five attire.

Michael Kors Floral-Print Pencil Skirt ($945)

If a bright bouquet is not your thing, go for a neutral print instead.

Tip: Take your suit from day to night with a sultry bustier top.

Going sans shirt is one way to take your suit into after-hours territory, and thanks to Cara Delevingne, we now know of another: sub your button-down for a bustier. The model chose La Perla’s Eden Corset ($1664) for the lingerie brand’s London store opening in London earlier this month, giving her look just the right amount of sex appeal.

H&M Tuxedo Jacket ($35)

It’s always a good idea to have a fitted tuxedo jacket on standby. If you don’t already have one, H&M’s version will do the trick, plus the price is right.

Catherine Malandrino Black Label Aidi Busiter Peplum Top ($255)

Skip the dress for your next GNO, and try a semi-sheer bustier top and leather pants combo instead.

Tip: Belt your winter jacket to create a figure flattering silhouette.

It’s amazing what a belt can do for your winter jacket. At the Miu Miu Spark & Light screening, the Editor-In-Chief of Vogue Paris used the accessory to reign in her shearling outerwear, creating a flattering silhouette while also making it appropriate for an evening event.

Minkpink Always and Forever Biker Faux Shearling Jacket ($87)

Lusting after Acne’s $3,000 shearling biker jacket? We found the next best thing for a fraction of the cost.

Everlane The Essential Belt ($40)

Go ahead and file this one under accessory essential.

Wearing a crop top can be intimidating, since you run the risk of exposing too much skin and looking more sophomoric than sophisticated. But there’s a way of styling this abbreviated piece so that it’s polished and ladylike. Just take a look at Diane Kruger’s ensemble at a book signing for Stephenie Meyer's The Host in Los Angeles last month. The actress, who stars in the film adaptation of the novel, paired Carven’s Popeline Shirt ($221) with Vanessa Bruno’s Red Leather A-Line Skirt ($1079, 323.655.5310) from the S/S 13 collection and Christian Louboutin Miyousra Pumps ($865). Curious to see Why It Works? Keep reading for details on how to snag Kruger’s fashion formula.

Earrings: With a look this daring, there’s no need to pile on the accessories. Choose a sleek and simple pair of hoop earrings to temper your ensemble.

Similar Essentials: Argento Vivo Hoop Earrings ($118); Nordstrom Thick Medium Hoop Earrings ($28); Anne Klein Wide Hoop Earrings ($18) in Silver.

Top: When looking for the perfect crop top, a boxy, structured shape is best. An elegant and tailored fit, like Kruger’s, instantly pulls your outfit together.

Similar Essentials: Theyskens' Theory Borty Cropped Leather Top ($425); Topshop Crop Pleat Back Shirt ($70); Dahlia Lace Cropped Blouse ($56).

Skirt: The most important tip to remember? Team your crop top with a high-waisted skirt, as the smart pairing reveals just a slice of skin--not too much, not too little--for a subtly flirtatious vibe.

Similar Essentials: Oscar de La Renta Darted Leather Pencil Skirt ($1999); Joseph Stretch-Leather Pencil Skirt ($795); American Apparel The Leather Mini Skirt ($125).

Shoes: Keep the rest of your look classic and low-key with a pair of feminine heels. Opt for a pair in an understated hue, like Kruger’s neutral pumps.

Similar Essentials: Coclico High-Heeled Sandals ($477); Michele Grimaldi High-Heeled Sandals ($147); Café’NOIR Pumps With Open Toe ($138).