The Daily Gamecock

Dress like an icon: Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung arrives for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, February 10, 2013. (Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
Alexa Chung arrives for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, February 10, 2013. (Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

At only 32 years old, fashionista Alexa Chung has already established a place as a popular and sarcastic television host, wrote a book, designed lines of clothing for AG and other brands, become a successful model and rocked the fashion world with her tousled and tomboyish style.

Famous for her daring fashion choices, retro vibe and devil-may-care attitude, Chung’s style is the perfect mix of new and old. Chung’s wardrobe is easy to wear, versatile, comfortable and unique. Here are some tips for adding influences from this fashion it-girl to your closet.

Retro pieces

Chung is famous for her unique wardrobe additions that are reminiscent of an earlier era. She often includes pieces in her look that hark back to the 1960s and '70s, such as short mod shift dresses, striped turtlenecks and kitten heels.

It’s easy to add retro elements to your own wardrobe with a few simple items. Ringer tees are cheap, comfortable and perfect for a groovy 1970s feel. Vintage silhouettes can be achieved by wearing high-waisted jeans or a circle skirt with a button-down tucked in or tied at the waist. Thin neck scarves, round-frame sunglasses and Peter Pan collars can all give a look a retro feel.

Edgy textures and touches

Although feminine and retro, Chung’s style is most notable for its rockstar vibe. Chung effortlessly pulls this off by including edgy textures and touches.

Try pairing an everyday floral sundress with a leather jacket or heeled suede bootie. In winter, an oversized faux-fur coat adds instant glamour. Leopard print pieces and miniskirts in corduroy, denim, sequin and leather also do the trick.

Denim

Perhaps the most prevalent element of Chung’s style is denim. Chung is regularly seen wearing denim overalls, cut-off shorts and button-down miniskirts.

Pair skinny jeans with low-heeled Chelsea boots to copy Chung’s denim look. Change up your denim routine with a pair of flare-leg or bootcut high-waisted jeans for a unique old-school look. Denim rompers, jumpsuits and overall-style dresses are great denim pieces for a night out or an option other than your basic everyday jeans.

Minimal makeup

Chung’s makeup centers on the eyes, with a glamorous eyeliner look. To achieve Chung’s dewy, natural look, first apply concealer over trouble spots and under the eyes. Next, smooth a sheer foundation or BB cream over your skin. Apply a light taupe eyeshadow over the lid and work a chocolate brown shadow into the crease. Finish with a sweeping of peachy blush over cheekbones, a light coat of brow gel and a thin line of liquid eyeliner that finishes with a cat eye flick.

To amp this look up for evening, add bright red or orange-red lip stain and a dusting of sparkly eyeshadow over the lid.

Tousled locks

The final touch to Chung’s signature style is her playful bedhead. It is easy to achieve Chung’s messy, chic hairdo. Simply dampen hair and work in a sea salt spray or curl custard while hair is still wet. Avoid brushes and heat products and let hair air dry, leaving natural waves. To fully embrace Chung’s hairstyle, go to a stylist and ask for choppy, blunt-cut bangs over the forehead.

For fancy occasions, try retro starlet waves, achieved by wrapping medium-sized sections of hair around a curling iron or curl stick.

Be yourself

The main element of Chung’s style is her who-cares attitude and unique closet. Whether wearing shorts on a red carpet, disco dresses or funky graphic tees, Chung always lets her personality shine through her wardrobe and dresses for herself. Whether in designer or thrift store clothing, wear your look with pride like Alexa does and always be yourself.


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