This post is in honor of my extremely talented baby sister, who is preparing to enter Parson’s School of Design (yep, home to Tim Gunn and “Project Runway”) and become a designer in her own right (look forward to future posts on that development). She counts Kate Moss amongst her most formative influences — and who doesn’t want to take a walk on the wild side every now and then? Her unstudied rocker chic look is even appealing to a generally preppy, ladylike sensibility like my own. Despite the uproar she started in the 90s (and continues to sustain every coupla years) due to her heroin-thin look, you’ve gotta admit that the lady can dress. Who else could make me want to wear leather pants?!
Step one in getting the look (even a modified, toned-down variation)? Invest in lots of black. (My mother is shuddering at the thought, as she always advises her chickadees to wear more color.) Step two? Insist upon a silhouette almost invariably comprised of skinny jeans or black tights, super-high heels, and a shift or voluminous top. For boho-cool daywear, begin with some just-right black skinnies. Mine are from J Brand and fit like a dream (on sale for $131, Bluefly):
Make sure you have an oversized black “doctor’s” bag — Moss is partial to Balenciagas, like this “Arena” style ($1,895, Barney’s):
Although I can totally see her with this fringe-adorned Cesare Paciotti (on sale for $600, Zappos):
Top it off with timeless Ray Bans — like my favorite magpie maven, Rachel Bilson, Moss is partial to the Wayfarer —
Snag your own pair for $145 at RayBan:
You may opt to go the slightly irreverent route, layering a vintage-style graphic tee (Rebel Yell, $84, ShopTheTrend) beneath a black boyfriend blazer (Bop Basics, $190, Shopbop):
Moss would likely top it off with a trilby hat and some unexpected footwear — perhaps fringed booties (check out Minnetonka’s back zipper versions for inspiration — $45, Net-A-Porter), lug-soled motorcycle boots, or some “tough gal” zipper-accented heels. She would be all over these Alexander McQueens ($995, Alexander McQueen):
I pretty much swoon over those shoes — such a well-balanced design — but admit that I don’t think I have the gumption to pull them off. I’m far too feminine in my sensibility to truly sport the head-to-toe rocker babe aesthetic. Some of her less-than-edgy looks are more my speed, including her unexpectedly ladylike styling in this Marc Jacobs collarless jacket:
I’d willingly wear the entire outfit, beginning with a navy-and-white breton shirt (Vince, $98, Piper Lime):
Add a collarless jacket (J. Crew frequently has styles available, like the Dauphine, currently on sale for $99, but this DKNY version is arresting — $325, DKNY):
If you willing to spring for it, this hand-painted tweed Marc Jacobs is TDF (to die for) — on sale for $1,025, The Outnet:
Complete the look with some simple ballet flats. I adore this pair of python-effect white leather Blochs ($185, Net-A-Porter):
The Ray Ban “Cats 5000” are the perfect topper ($135, Ray Ban):
I like the dark-wash skinny jeans she wears above, but Moss is also known for her acid-wash versions —
Test drive with these behind-the-stage-ready Current/Elliotts (on sale for $185, Net-A-Porter):
Add a fitted leather jacket (Juicy Couture, $698, Shopbop) and some skull-print Alexander McQueen flats ($499, Zappos — she was the first to popularize the skull print scarf, which was all.over.the.place two seasons ago):
Of course, Moss’ footwear is about as adventurous as it comes. I mentioned a couple examples of styles she’s been spotted in, but she is essentially responsible for the meteoric popularity of the Hunter wellie boot (after she was seen in her own mud-speckled pair at Glastonbury, the largest open-air music festival in the world, in 2007):
You can find these classics all over the place nowadays for $125, including at PiperLime:
She’s also sported classic hippie-chic mukluks (I picked up a pair by Juicy Couture this past winter and obsessed over them — get your own while they are out-of-season and on-sale for $187 at Farfetch.com) and devil-may-care pirate boots (snag a comparable style by H by Hudson for $365 at Madison LA):
In essence, she is one fearless fashionista. And she can rock it all.
For evening wear, the look begins with black tights — Moss layers them under everything.
I’m partial to Spanx, which truly slim you down and make clothes fit seamlessly ($26, Spanx):
Add a sparkling, uber-mini dress — this Pucci (first below — $1,336, TheOutnet) and this 3.1 Phillip Lim ($416, also TheOutnet) are ridiculously lustworthy:
Of course, Alice & Olivia always carry a sequin-adorned style or two per season ($484, ShopZoe):
And Moss would just as likely be caught in an animal-print inspired version like this eye-catching Charlotte Ronson (on sale for $210, Blue and Cream):
Add some slick pointy-toed pumps, like Moss’ favorite Louboutins — the Pigalle 120s ($595, Net-A-Porter):
I can just as easily imagine her rocking these studded pumps by Luxury Rebel (on sale for $131, Endless):
Then throw on a chunky black cocktail ring — I’m in love with the Boleyn II ring by Megan Greene ($183, Couture Candy):
But this Wendy Mink onyx style lets you get the David Yurman look for far less ($105, Wendy Mink Jewelry):
You can’t go wrong with a little gold minaudiere (Whiting and Davis, $130, Shoes.com):
If you’re fearlessly after the Kate Moss evening-wear look, consider going all out with this big black faux-fur coat (248, French Connection):
Layer it over a slinky, slim-cut black dress, like this affordable T by Alexander Wang find ($105, Net-A-Porter):
Add some platform pumps (my boss owns this pair by Dolce Vita and totally kills in them — $165, Cusp) and a rocker chic cocktail ring (CCSkye, $175, Harmony Lane):
Right on the money.
For evenings out, Moss is rarely without some dangling sparklers — a bit of a departure for the Fashion Magpie, as I obsess over enorma-studs…
These pearl-and-snake TopShop baubles would be perfect ($40, TopShop):
Alternately, these Anton Heunis stunners are just the type of off-the-beaten-track find she would score ($135, Fragments NYC — call 212.334.9588):
The bottom line with Moss, though, is that you can get away with anything — mussed-up hair, mismatched styles, muddied boots — if you have the swagger. Rock it!
Addendum
Any Magpies in the Big Apple? Fly by the Shoshanna Sample Sale Wednesday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Shoshanna Show Room (231 West 39th Street, Suite 422 — between 7th and 8th Avenues). Cash and credit cards accepted.
If you’re into Tucker brand blouses, stop by their sample sale today until 7 pm (Tuesday, June 15) at the Tucker Studio (413 West 14th St, Suite 403 — between 19th and 10th Avenues).
Love the Ray Ban’s…always classic!