Cha-CHUNG

You know when someone suddenly appears everywhere in the fashion world?  His or her name just starts magically appearing all over the place — it’s just out there, in the fashion ether?  I think it’s safe to say that Alexa Chung, the British model and TV mogul, is just such a person.  I had been working on an Alexa-centered post for the past few days and then — WHAM! — today, in my inbox, Madewell alerted me that her new line for the company had been released.  No better time than the present to feature her in that case.  What I like about Alexa is that she has her finger on the pulse in terms of what girls want to wear now (she’s all over military-inspired looks, leopard prints, and even clogs — trendy, trendy, trendy), but it looks effortless, and always has her own spin.

How to get her peculiarly British brand of cool?  A uniform of layered knits, black tights, chunky footwear, oversized carryalls (“It” bag designer Mulberry has a bag named after her — the Alexa), and the requisite pop of leopard print.  I’d begin with this See by Chloe blush silk dress ($390, Net-A-Porter):

Pull on some opaque black tights ($12.50, Lori’s Shoes) and add a slouchy carryall (Marc Jacobs, $558, Shopbop):

Black, lace-up, lug-soled boots seem to be her footwear of choice (she’d probably favor something like this Tory Burch military boot) — but I think a straightforward black suede bootie is far more wearable ($180, Nine West):

She almost always throws on an unexpected topper — in this case, a grandfather cardigan ($99, J. Crew) or ruched-sleeved black blazer ($125, TopShop) would be ideal:

While on the subject of outerwear, if you’re a true Chung chica, you absolutely need a sporty utility jacket (to be worn with everything).  Chung loves her Barbour coat, but you can get the look for less with Gap’s long anorak in olive ($89, Gap):

Layer it atop a cozy gray cardi (See by Chloe, $395, Net-A-Porter), striped tee ($60, Chance Boutique), and pair of black shorts (Elizabeth and James, $225, Diani Boutique):

Pair with requisite black tights (patterned if you dare!) and some cap-toed flats — she’d probably gravitate towards these Chanels ($575), but you can get the look for less with these TopShop variations ($55, TopShop):

Other options?  A boxy leopard-print silk blouse (T-Bags, $170, Net-A-Porter — P.S. get the look for less with Ann Taylor’s $78 version) worn with cut-off denim shorts (she’s a self-proclaimed denim addict — Joe’s, $98, ChickDownTown):

Add black tights and — because I am not yet on the clogs bandwagon (I know they’re “hip,” but…they’re chunky) — these clog-esque pumps ($129, Dolce Vita):

(I kind of like the look of the sculpted heel — borrowed from YSL, no doubt.)  The Mulberry “Alexa” bag would, of course, be a natural add-on ($1,250, Mulberry), as would this snuggly oversized cardi (Lutz & Patmos, $115, TheOutnet):

Or perhaps this silky blouse in the loveliest of rosy pinks, from her own diffusion line for Madewell ($110, Madewell), paired with a fitted black skirt ($65, TopShop) and some tweedy flats (Marc Jacobs, $340, Bluefly):

Very Alexa when paired with an unexpected cropped denim jacket ($89, Mango), some patterned tights, and this cross-body, be-tasseled bag (don’t you die over it?!  — and it’s affordable, ringing in at $118, Ann Taylor)

No need to be afraid of patterned tights — just check out how chic she looks:

And how comfy-chic would this little sweater dress by Alexander Wang look this fall ($128, Bird)?

Chung would probably wear it over a floral print dress, like this Maje crepe version ($230, Net-A-Porter) and these Chanel-esque captoe pumps ($109, ASOS):

(She is the queen of mixology.)  I could see her just as easily rocking this See by Chloe printed dress ($525, Net-A-Porter) beneath this bulky twill anorak (Phillip Lim, $995, Net-A-Porter):

Now, a few last minute additions to the Chung list.  If you’ve got to go with a clog, I’d go with this Michael Kors version.  It’s properly proportioned and I like the polished gold against the rich black suede ($250, ShoptheShoeBox):

Hm.  She kinda rocks it.  I’m still wary.

If you’ve still not found the perfect leopard accent, this Lanvin mini bag might make you take the plunge ($1,555, Net-A-Porter):

Alternately, this far-less-expensive Ann Taylor leopard clutch is tempting ($138, Ann Taylor), and this Be & D satchel ($995, Bloomie’s) has Alexa written all over it:

Love it!