We’ll let you in on a secret: Stars really are just like us.
They have–gasp!–flaws. Their breasts often are too big or too small. Many are much shorter than they appear on screen. Their bodies are likely to be shaped more like pears than hourglasses.
“To the real people out there, they seem perfect,” says Katrina Szish, style editor at Us Weekly magazine. “It’s just that they have learned to use what they have.”
Szish and other Us Weekly editors spill the beans on star fashion in the new book, “Secrets of Celebrity Style.” Szish recently talked about star fashion secrets.
What is the biggest secret of celebrity style?
Learning to dress appropriately to your body type. What works on Charlize Theron doesn’t work on Halle Berry or Britney Spears.
Even with the best stylists and every major designer throwing free clothes at them, some stars still look like fashion victims. How come?
It comes down to vanity–the thinking that “I’m a celebrity, and I can wear what I want and still look awesome.” Once a celebrity gets caught up in that, there’s danger ahead in terms of fashion.
Who has the best style without much input from a stylist?
Angelina Jolie. What she does really well is she stays true to herself. She never looks like she’s dressed up. That’s what gives her an almost soulful personal style.
Who has made the biggest style leap in recent years?
Nicole Richie, hands down. She used to look very trashy. Now she’s the picture of ladylike elegance. She looks like a completely different person.
What’s the best way to look glamorous?
Balance what you’re wearing with your hair and makeup. If you’re wearing a dress with a lot of detail–sparkle, ruffles, ruching–counterbalance that with very simple hair and makeup. If you want to do something a little over-the-top with your hair and if you have an amazing necklace from your grandmother, keep the dress as simple as possible.
What is the biggest style pitfall?
Showing too much skin. The second you look like you’re trying too hard to get attention, you probably are, and you immediately lose style points.
Body-type tips
Katrina Szish, style editor at Us Weekly magazine, which recently released the book, “Secrets of Celebrity Style,” used celebrities to explain some strategies to make fashion work for you.–HOUSTON CHRONICLE.
What is the best strategy if you’re short, like 5-foot-2 Reese Witherspoon (above)?
“Stay clear of big, heavy, clunky platform shoes. They may add 5 inches to you, but they immediately pull you down because it looks like you’re wearing tires on your feet.”
Or if you’re pear-shaped, like Cynthia Nixon (above)?
“Balance is one of the biggest keys. A V-neckline with a slightly body skimming, not body-hugging, skirt is really the best thing. You want to draw eyes to the face and the upper body.”
Or if you’re full-figured, like Queen Latifah (above)?
“The important thing is to not over-accessorize. You want to show off one particular feature. That usually is your face. So a beautiful pair of earrings, a great scarf, a beautiful top, but not all three at once.”
What if you have a small bust, like Debra Messing (above)?
“You can take advantage of ruffles or very unique necklines, like a high-cut halter top. Those are things that just don’t work for women with bigger breasts.”
Or a larger bust, like Salma Hayek (above)?
“It’s very important not to wear high necklines.You want to wear something that’s a V to show off the shape you do have, whether it’s your shoulders or your collarbone or your neck.”
6 ways to dress like a star
– Throw on a jean jacket over a floral dress. Very Uma Thurman.
– Wear silver round-toe shoes with jeans during the day a la Mischa Barton.
– Carry a vintage embroidered bag to breakfast in Cate Blanchett fashion.
– De-Gap a tee with real jewelry. Drew Barrymore gets into coral.
– Sling a jeans-y leather belt over a fluttery dress–a Kirsten Dunst move.
– Wear two contrasting necklaces (for example, wooden and crystal beads) like Sarah Jessica Parker.–“SECRETS OF CELEBRITY STYLE”
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Edited by Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
