I first heard about Olivia Palermo in college – two girls I knew would say to each other “did you braid your hair like Olivia today?” This was back in 2009 when Olivia would rock this adorable side braid, though at the time I had never seen an episode of The City and had no idea who or what they were talking about. Later, while going through my street style/fashion likes on tumblr, I realized that so many of them were of the same person, who coincidentally turned out to be Olivia Palermo and – I started to really pay attention to her.
It helps that she always has perfect hair, an amazing jaw structure, and lithe body, but even her most relaxed outfits are put together. Olivia never looks frumpy or under-dressed. She loves clashing prints, mixing high/low pieces and wearing the right combo of loose and flowy with structured items. Her attitude is “I am a classy lady but I don’t give a sh**.” Her style never seems phased by bad press or hate over her clashing outfits; she just keeps doing what she wants.
Olivia is wearing Hudson Nico Mid- Rise Skinny Jeans in Chelsea, Ann Taylor Meadow Flower Top, Ray-Ban Laramie Wayfarers, Leopard flats from French Sole (similar) and carrying Gerard Darel 24 Hour Woodstock Rafia Bag. Unlike a lot of celebs, her style IS accessible; here she is wearing a white flower top from Ann Taylor, Hudson jeans and leopard flats. It’s an easy combination to copy and a simple every day outfit.
Olivia wore this outfit back in 2011 but it has become one of my favorites. She’s wearing a Reiss Tinkerbeell Oversize Shirt, Mulberry Waders Green Denim Wool Skirt, Charlotte Olympia Purple Matte Roseo Heel Attractive Sandals, with Reiss Lacey Clutch Bag and Wunderkind Cat’s Eye Sunglasses. The animal print accents the neutral colors instead of making her look cheap. And the shoes are sexy and bright, keeping the outfit youthful.
I LOVE THIS. Some people are afraid to clash – she’s wearing two contrasting animal prints but to me it looks natural. The sleeves of this Bensoni Leopard Print dress are slightly sheer and you can see a bit of a tan through them which is similar to the tan in her belt. While the print is loud she evens it out by pulling her hair back into a relaxed but sophisticated bun.
She’s wearing a floral blouse with scalloped floral print shorts, leopard print ballet flat from French Sole (similar), the Gerard Darel 24 Hour Woodstock Rafia Bag. Here is an example of Olivia wearing a flowy top and shorts that are fitted to balance out the shape of the blouse. She’s mixing dramatic prints with close color schemes, with unexpected leopard flats and the very “whatever” looping of her braided belt.
Here she’s wearing Paige Denim Toulouse Verdugo Skinny Jeans in Tumble, a navy peacoat, red suede bag and print heels. She uses navy as her neutral with these standout pants. Another example of her choosing high/low pieces. For Olivia it’s all about if a piece fits with her loud but sophisticated taste.
Her she is in the Mulberry Metallic crepe peplum top (dress version), black skinny pants, and pairs a nude clutch with nude heels. Olivia loves Mulberry! Here, her top stands out in color and texture so she went sleek with black pants and simple nude heels. The top is very structured with a masculine edge but the peplum shape adds flirty femininity.
