Archive Style Watch By Bridgette Bartlett-Royall and Samantha McIntyre Published on September 19, 2011 12:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email GET MORE STAR FASHION EVERY DAY! People.com FALL’S TOP TRENDS From platforms to plaid, nine ways to rev up your wardrobe this season. Plus easy, foolproof tips from celebrity stylists that will help you dress like a star BLAKE LIVELY in a Tibi dress. ONE BOLD PIECE PACKS A PUNCH Bright Colors Shades are vivid and saturated. Pair them with neutrals to make your wardrobe pop VINCE CAMUTO Ankle pants, $79; vincecamuto.com LOVE ADAM Camp sleeve shirt with tie, $99.90; hsn.com LIPSTICK RED IS RIGHT NOW T&C FOOTWEAR Green-of-the-crop heels, $57.99; modcloth.com CLEOBELLA Cantina cross-body bag, $166; endless.com More Bright Colors ELLISON Botany-professor cape, $69.99; modcloth.com VICTOR FOR VICTOR ALFARO Merino wool turtleneck, $72; bonton.com LALUCCA Pom Pom cross-body/clutch, $195; lalucca.com MISSONI FOR TARGET Ballet flats in purple multi, $29.99; target.com WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET Floppy hat, $58; whbm.com LOFT Patent skinny belt, $24.50; loft.com RACHEL BILSON in an Erdem blouse and pants. WEAR PRINTS WITH COLOR RACHEL BILSON‘S STYLIST NICOLE CHAVEZ SHARES HER TIPS Test the trend Start off with accessories. A bag or shoe is perfect for adding a burst of color. An orange bag is great because it acts as a neutral and goes with everything. Keep it modern Don’t get too colorful! Wear a bold pant with a neutral top or add a great patterned shirt that coordinates with the color of the pants, as we did with Rachel (right). Classic Denim Straight and trouser-cut jeans are figure-flattering, and the darker washes can easily work from day to night SARAH JESSICA PARKER in Rag & Bone jeans. COLORED JEANS LOOK FRESH CHARLIZE THERON in Current/Elliott jeans. DRESS UP YOUR DENIM! JOE’S JEANS Cigarette straight and narrow jeans, $184; joesjeans.com Straight LEVI’S BOLD CURVE ID Classic straight jeans, $78; levi.com YMI Front-pocket trouser jeans, $42.99; ymijeans.com Trouser AMERICAN RAG Trouser jeans in Malibu wash, $54; Macy’s stores nationwide CHARLIZE THERON‘S STYLIST LESLIE FREMAR SHARES HER TIPS! Do more with denim Jeans paired with a blouse, sweater and heels are office-ready. And dark blue or black trouser jeans worn with a black fitted blazer are a fresh take on an evening tux. Denim don’ts Avoid wearing denim with holes. Unless you’re washing the car, they usually don’t work. And make sure the fit is right. Oversize or skintight jeans rarely look good on grown-ups. SUITS Lean silhouettes add sex appeal. Balance with bold accessories ANN TAYLOR Country check jacket, $198, and skirt, $118; anntaylor.com EVAN RACHEL WOOD in a Dolce & Gabbana suit and blouse. ADD A SOFT BLOUSE BY (MICHAEL) MICHAEL KORS Crepe popover tunic, $89.50; 866-709-KORS GAP Slim cropped pants, $35; gap.com LELA ROSE FOR PAYLESS Fulton tassle shootie, $54.99; payless.com METALLICS LIFT THE LOOK SR SQUARED BY SANDRA ROBERTS Mixed media mini bag, $65; endless.com GAP Classic two-button blazer, $73.50; gap.com LAUREN BY RALPH LAUREN Long-sleeve work shirt, $89.50; select Macy’s stores JESSICA SIMPSON Studded satchel, $98; jessicasimpsoncollection.com DANIBLACK “Dillian” lace-up, $195; zappos.com EVAN RACHEL WOOD‘S STYLIST SAMANTHA MCMILLEN SHARES HER TIPS Keep it ladylike Suits should be well cut and shaped to the body. With a menswear look, try a blouse with a ruffle or lace to soften the style. If a suit looks hard and mannish, it’s too much. Experiment with accessories Menswear elements are everywhere-especially on bags and shoes. You won’t look like a man as long as you can see the shape of a woman’s body. Plaid Forget the schoolyard! This season’s must-have plaids are perfect for the office or a date night PAIR YOUR PLAID WITH SEXY HEELS L.L. BEAN SIGNATURE Wool pencil skirt, $129; llbeansignature.com KIM KARDASHIAN in a Parker dress. RACHEL ZOE FOR QVC Luxe hunting jacket, $120; qvc.com AGB Sleeveless belted dress, $100; bonton.com GREAT FOR CURVY GIRLS! L.L. BEAN SIGNATURE Downeaster wool sports bag, $95; llbeansignature.com RED PLAID IS CLASSIC YET MODERN EMMY ROSSUM in a Smythe blazer. EMMY ROSSUM’S STYLIST ILARIAU URBINATI SHARES HER TIPS Keep it modern Plaid is easy to pull off in small doses. A solid top in navy or camel with a plaid skirt is chic. Red plaid is universally flattering. When in doubt, choose a cropped jacket or plaid shirt. What to avoid Details like western-style pockets or stitching make plaid appear hokey and less modern. Also, never wear a plaid top with plaid pants unless you’re a model doing a fashion shoot. Leather Look for pieces, real or faux, with accents like pleating or zippers. Pair with solid colors or soft prints LEATHER IS FRESH WITH JEANS PADMA LAKSHMI in an updated bomber jacket. MAGGY LONDON Sheath with zippers, $148; nordstrom.com ZARA Sheepskin leather jacket, $249; zara.com M BY MARC BOUWER Faux-leather vest, $82.50; qvc.com MANGO Faux-leather pleated shorts, $139.90; mango.com BLACK LEATHER IS SLEEK KATE MOSS in Balmain leather pants. ASHLEY GREENE in a Ferragamo look. ASHLEY GREENE’S STYLIST CHRISTINA EHRLICH SHARES HER TIPS Wear one piece at a time No need to wear head-to-toe leather. Pair a leather skirt or pants with a feminine blouse or structured blazer, or a leather jacket with skinny jeans. Streamline your look Avoid bulky, oversize pieces. You can never go wrong with a classic leather jacket. The best ones mold to your body. Lighter-weight leather is the most comfortable. CLAVA “Carina” mini zip bag, $90; clava.com PATRICIA NASH “Barcelona” saddlebag, $198; macys.com MATT & NAT “Clint” polyurethane bag, $145; mattandnat.com MOSSIMO SUPPLY CO. Cross-body bag, $24.99; target.com Satchels & Cross-body Bags For space and style, there are two ways to go: a smart satchel or a practical cross-body bag ADD A POP OF COLOR ! ZOE SALDANA with a Longchamp “Balzane” bag RACHEL RACHEL ROY Color-block python satchel, $99; rachelroy.com VINCE CAMUTO “Charlotte” suede satchel, $199; vincecamuto.com JUST FABULOUS Philharmonic bag, $39.95; justfab.com MELIE BIANCO Full course-load bag, $84.99; modcloth.com ZOE SALDANA’S STYLIST PETRA FLANNERY SHARES HER TIPS Quality is everything Look at the clasp and zipper and try to fasten and unfasten to make sure you can open with ease. Check for durability, which is key for everyday bags. With messenger bags, make sure the strap is adjustable so it’s not too long or short. EMMA STONE in Brian Atwood pumps. HAVE FUN WITH PRINTS BRIGHTS MAKE A LOOK POP! Kitten Heels & Platform Pumps Smart styles range from neutrals to animal prints to vivid color DKNY Leopard heel, $198; dkny.com CRAFT & BARROW Dawn plaid heel, $54.99; kohls.com ZARA Court heel with cap toe, $79.90; zara.com VICTOR by VICTOR ALFARO Patent pump, $79; bonton.com RACHEL RACHEL ROY Chrissto embellished pump, $120; rachelroy.com MOSSIMO Microsuede pump, $24.99; target.com PAIR DENIM WITH KITTENS! REESE WITHERSPOON in Christian Louboutin heels. EMMA STONE’S STYLIST PETRA FLANNERY SHARES HER TIPS Platforms add drama Platform pumps add height and elongate your legs without causing discomfort. Bright colors, leopard prints and embellishments are new. Kitten heels are comfy Kitten heels look best paired with pants. Choose a color block pair for an unexpected twist. Opaque hosiery looks great with textured styles. Updated by Billie Causieestko