Personal style is a journey. It’s a process of evolving and refining your style over time to understand what you like and don’t like. One of the best ways to hone your personal style is to find a few style muses that inspire you. Sometimes those muses can be aspirational like a certain fashion designer or celebrities past or present. Sometimes those inspirational style icons can be an influencer or even someone you know personally.
To translate your muse’s style to your own wardrobe takes time. Here’s the process I use. First, without thinking too much about it, save inspirational images of your style icon that speak to you. Go back later and really assess those images and determine what drew you to it. Was it the way their hair was styled, a certain silhouette, or they way they combined certain pieces? Really narrowing it down to what you like will help you to make more thoughtful and intentional purchases. Our goal here is to build a closetful of pieces you LOVE to wear and fit you well. It’s a work in progress, and you don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe all at once. Slowly and with discernment, make wishlists, select pieces, and try styling them with items you already own.
With these thoughts in mind, I’m beginning a new series on the blog where I’m showing you how to copy the outfits of famous style icons. Think of this as inspiration for your own style (I’ve included outfit formulas to show you the pieces you need to recreate the look.) You don’t to buy everything in an outfit. Try to find pieces in similar colors and silhouettes (for instance, dark wash baggy denim could translate to a more classic dark wash straight leg.)
The first style icon we are finding inspiration from is Dakota Johnson. You’ve probably seen a few influencers copying her style on social media and for good reason. Her style is casual and attainable. I would say she leans toward classic yet cool. She takes basics (tees, blazers, and denim) and elevates them with modern silhouettes. She manages to combine casual and elegant in all her outfits. I also love her bangs, and more than once, I’ve contemplated cutting my own (someone stop me!) In this post, I’m sharing a few of my favorite street style images of Dakota Johnson and recreating her looks with shoppable pieces.
Copy Her Style: Dakota Johnson
Outfit Formula: Tee + Pants + Sneakers + Sweater Over The Shoulders
This look is really simple but also a little eclectic and interesting. She’s combined a few colors here including a warm brown in the textured pants (I think they are corduroy), red in the sweater worn over the shoulders, teal in the sneakers, and navy in her hat. Personally, I’m more of a neutrals girlie so I would stick with maybe two colors max (I like the brown and red combination in particular.) The sunglasses and sweater over the shoulders add elegance to this casual outfit.
Get Her Look
Outfit Formula: Tee + Plaid Blazer + Wide Leg Cropped Jeans + Sneakers
This outfit formula is one we could create with items from our closet. Here, she’s combined a plain white tee, a gray plaid blazer, wide leg cropped jeans, and sneakers. A patterned blazer is nice for added texture, but you could totally swap it out for one in a solid color. I really think the best part about this outfit is the caramel suede bag (an item that is on my ‘to buy’ list.)
Get Her Look
Outfit Formula: Oversized Sweater + Tee + Straight Jeans + Sneakers
This is a really basic combination of a sweater, jeans, and sneakers that she’s updated with a few finishing details. First, she’s added a white tee under her sweater to add dimension. So easy! Second, she’s added a very edgy and modern pair of sunglasses. A few details of note when recreating this look. You can see that her jeans are not cropped but not full length either. They hit the top of the shoe without showing any ankle. Lesson here: tailor your jeans to the right length for you. Also, she’s wearing a sweater that is oversized (see how the sleeves cover her hands.) Buy your sweater a size up to get this fit.
Get Her Look
Outfit Formula: Bomber Jacket + Tee + Cropped Jeans + Boots
One of my favorite ways to upgrade a basic jeans and tee look is to add a cool jacket. In this look, Dakota (we are on a first name basis) is wearing a black tee, retro inspired bomber jacket, cropped denim, and black boots. I actually found this exact jacket here and here if you’re interested. I really like how’s she chosen to wear heeled ankle boots with this. Your first choice might have been a casual sneaker, but the black boots really elevate the whole look.
Copy Her Look
Outfit Formula: Denim Jacket + Sweater + Jeans + Black Combat Boots
Dakota is speaking to me with this denim on denim look. It’s casual and little edgy and great for coldish weather. The key styling points here is that she’s tucked in her sweater to her jeans, and her ankle boots tuck under the hem of her boots without any ankle showing. I often get asked about boots for winter, and these are a great option. I always go up a half size in my winter boots to accommodate thick socks.
Copy Her Style
Outfit Formula: White Button Down + Baggy Jeans + Sneakers
A simple white button down and jeans is a look that should be in everyone’s repertoire. The key here is in the styling. See how she’s opened up the neckline a bit and rolled the sleeves? This makes the button down look more effortless and less stuffy. She’s paired it with some baggy jeans (if these aren’t for you, stick with a straight leg) and some black sneakers.
Copy Her Look
Outfit Formula: Leather Blazer + Straight Leg Jeans + Heeled Boots
Another blazer look! This one featuring a fab leather blazer in a relaxed style. I can’t see what she’s wearing underneath it, but I’m assuming it’s a plain tee (I went with black to match the boots.) She paired the leather blazer with a pair of perfect fitting straight leg jeans in a light wash and heeled pointed toe ankle boots. I love how this outfit works for day or evening.
Copy Her Look
Outfit Formula: Sweater + Baggy Jeans + Black Boots
In this last look, Dakota is wearing a collared red sweater (I’ve swapped it for a plain v-neck) with light wash baggy jeans, and a pair of black boots. This look is slouchy and cool. When styling baggy or full length jeans like this, I prefer a shoe with an elongated toe as opposed to a rounded toe so things don’t look too bottom heavy.
Copy Her Look
Read More:
French Girl Winter Outfits To Copy
My Favorite Sweaters For Women
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