Rarely in flats, with stems for legs and never a hair out place, what draws us to Olivia Palermo is that she’s an “approachable” Blair Waldorf. She’s pretty much the queen of New York– thanks to her role in “The City” as Upper East Side socialite, where she was first introduced to the fashion-obsessed crowd. When usually thinking of reality television shows, what springs to mind is big-lipped, plastic-chested women screaming at each other – “I’m not sure what I did to you but I’ll take a Pinot Grigio.” However, Palermo defies this stereotype and has always remained tasteful, despite being in the realm of reality TV.
But why does Palermo deserve to be crowned our first ever trendsetter of the week? It’s because even in a patent-leather croc effect, ’60s style dress, or in a head to toe camel ensemble, she somehow pulls off the, “I’m not trying… I’m just naturally this amazing and feminine and don’t even look at me I forgot to put mascara on” look. Classic. I can’t tell you how to get that look, but I can tell you why so many fashion enthusiasts venerate her, and then we can all give our best shot at recreating her outfits.
Flowers, feminine prints and spring colors are lost on girls by age 10. But we should all take a hint from Palermo that despite what age you are, incorporating these prints and colors into your everyday wardrobe is definitely still a thing. Her rule of thumb always seems to be to add a pop of one (or a few) of the above to every outfit. You can take this adjustment as slowly as you would like; wear a flowered skirt that nips at the waist and hits right above the knee, or a printed silk blouse with leather pants. If you’re not quite there yet then opt for a bright, structured bag instead. You don’t have to go full-out Olivia Palermo in the beginning, but you’ll definitely feel the urge to once you start incorporating different pieces you see her confidently sporting around the streets of NYC.
My current favorite outfit of hers is knee high boots with shorts, a loose blouse and a color block poncho. This is another thing Palermo should be credited for – her ability to balance structure in a way that highlights her frame. Stuart Weitzman designed a phenomenal boots collection this past season and poncho steals can be found on UK websites John Lewis and Warehouse. Piperlime, an online shopping destination for fashion moguls and shopaholics alike, also has an array of her classic tortoiseshell and circular-lensed sunglasses as well as pointy-toed flats to dress up ripped jeans and a button-down top. If you’re on a tighter budget, browse through the Forever 21 website, or pay a visit at Sunset Place. The store is always well-stocked with vivacious prints, patterns and textured pieces. With regards to a bag that’s a steal, H&M has a $10 purse that comes in a variety of bright colors, and if you’re willing to invest more, Kate Spade and Kenzo have some great everyday bags in an array of sizes.
Basically, don’t be afraid to embrace your inner girly-girl. If balanced well, you can still look as fierce as our queen of the week on the streets.
words_kit pilosof. photo collage_yili wu.