Olivia Palermo‘s style is both enviable and enigmatic: Her ability to mix and match high-end with high street, adopt different styles along the way while always looking almost unbearably impeccable. Maybe that’s because she wears many professional hats (not only the intricately manufactured ones at fashion week and red carpet events) She’s a former reality TV star, model, social media influencer, brand consultant and entrepreneurial founder of website oliviapalermo.com. She’s also the face of beauty brand Aerin, Max Mara off-shoot label MAX&Co, Banana Republic, as well as the latest the digital face of Swiss luxury watch and jewellery brand Piaget.
The 31- year old’s sartorial effortlessness sells out items as soon as she’s snapped sporting them. So what makes this Upper-East Sider so special? We here at GeeQuinn, have attempted to dissect her always composed, elegant and on-point sense of style.
Belting
When it comes to belting Olivia Palermo is a natural born killer. We know it sounds easy, but how does she pull it off so well? Her secret lies in proportions and materials. Case in point the ethereal, floor-skimming summer dress which can be ideal for a walk to the fruit market or at the gallery but not so much for dinner plans or a night out. She cleverly opts for a sleek thin belt around her waist to create structure and definition. Another trick is to choose a skinny cropped jacket, a sleek updo and a bold red lip. Finish your look off with a clutch or one of our Spring/ Summer 2017 favourites: the mini.
Athluxury – Stepping up from athleisure
Let me explain. Whereas we’re still sporting that cropped top and black tights Olivia is, of course, one step ahead of the pack leading with athluxury which according to Vogue means ‘ elegant, country club–ready athletic apparel’. Athleisure may be on it’s way out and Olivia has already jumped on the athluxury waggon.
It was during the Alexis Mabille show during Paris Fashion Week that Olivia proved how a military inspired jacket finished with red velvet cuffs and pockets can look less Britney Spears in Circus and more Princes Diana whilst horse-back riding. She added a riding hat with detailing and oversized trousers with a bright pink stripe going down each leg. If country-club attire is not really your thing – you can tone it down by opting for a plain polo t-shirt, tennis shoes and a matching skirt. A foolproof way to master the art of athluxury.
Going Monochrome
Choosing a full on monochrome look is a favourite trend amongst many. From Kim K and the entire Jenner clan to Chiara Ferragni and Pandora Sykes. But there is a certain artistry into nailing this trend mostly because it can easily go from modern to dreadfully boring and anachronistic. One of Olivia‘s favourite tricks is experimenting with texture. For example, she teamed a pair of black skinny leather trousers with a sheer black shirt, a cashmere black duffle coat with ruffles and black low cut booties. She added a small black band tied around her neck and even went for a smoky eye in terms of make-up. Although the common factor here is the black colour there’s nothing expected here about texture, proportions or style. Give your workwear a kick by pairing your basic collar shirt with a pair of skinny trousers, and focus on the accessories: a skinny scarf, a beaded necklace or statement earrings will make your monochrome look stand out. Throw on a black cape as seen on another beautiful street style snap from Olivia Palermo, or a black leather jacket with high stiletto pumps. You’re now ready for your after work drinks.
The Statement Coat
Sometimes a seemingly safe outfit can be elevated solely by putting on a statement coat. The one that is so bold that can stand out on its own. Olivia Palermo knows this trick well and works it to her advantage. As a permanent resident of Dumbo, New York, she’s well aware that if you have to brace the cold you better do it with style. Last month she was captured wearing a scrumptious navy statement coat with bold white floral embellishments. The shape of the coat was more reminiscent of a knee length jumper made of rich velvet. Because of the volume created on the top part, she juxtaposed the outfit by donning a pair of skinny leather pants and pointy low-cut leather boots. To incorporate her style, go for the oversized, detailed jacket but keep the rest of the outfit in a similar demure colour palette. Choose a skinny silhouette for a balanced outcome. If the voluminous coat makes you cringe, go for OP’s tailored version of a statement coat with bold prints and design. She paired the coat with a short tight skirt, and kitten heels. Again, your statement is the coat so stay away from loud accessories and items that compete against each other and let the coat do the talking.
70’s bell bottoms
As the world is currently drooling over another reincarnation of the 80’s (velvets, metallics, tussles and shoulder pads) Olivia proved that the 70s trend is still thriving. She matched beautifully her navy flared trousers with gold buttons at the hip and a yellow stripe going down each leg. That stripe is not only a slight nod to athleisure/ athluxury but also elongates her legs and gives extra points to her petite physique. She donned her bell-bottoms with a navy jumper with ties and -hello ginormous sleeves- one of the biggest hits of the season. Once again, she chose that skinny scarf for an added Parisian je ne sais quoi elegance that matches both her sense of style but also an air of effortlessness.
Channel your inner 70’s music idol by going for a pair of navy flares, and pair them with a cropped top and navy jacket and a pair of chunky platforms. Complete your look with 70’s inspired paraphernalia such as OP’s favourite: the skinny scarf, earrings and bracelets with feathers, beads and embellishments and a cross body bag with fringes.
Matching Head to Toe – Florals
If you think matching head-to-toe is an archaistic styling method look no further than Olivia Palermo‘s take on florals for inspiration during Paris Fashion week. And yes, mixing and matching is another of her traits but she truly nailed matching her outfit by giving a modern twist. Her blatantly exposed secret is opting for pieces that achieve a degredé effect in similar hues, patterns and proportions. The osmosis of the variety of colours that belong in the same palette results in a well-balanced if not a strikingly effortless outfit. For this wanderlust plethora of blooms she chose French designer Moncler Gamme Rouse, but don’t worry you can try this much more affordable version if you scroll down.
Suit Up (Á la Garconne)
This fashion guru recognises the elegant power of a man’s suit. We’ve caught her on more than one occasion doning this trend for example that white silk pyjama Zara suit that sold out the minute she was snapped wearing it last June. This time, she truly mastered the art of softening rugged, masculine tailoring. Taking cues from Annie Hall, she paired her check Chloé suit with a double-breasted blazer with attenuated bell bottoms, that would make any hippie scream with envy. She traded the masculine tie for a sophisticated skinny scarf that she tied loosely around her neck to the side. She really scored styling points by scraping off the white shirt completely which resulted in a much more feminine, and sexy look.
The Art of Layering
No one can master layers like Olivia Palermo. Whether it’s wearing a slip dress over a plain white -tee, mixing tussles, with fur and a shirt or simply adding a silk khaki shirt over her black top there’s nothing she can do wrong when it comes to layering. You can blame it on the grunge movement of the 90s but the contrast between the romanticism of a floral or silk dress with the ruggedness of a leather jacket and Dr Marten boots was all the rage in the 90s. One of the biggest styling trends of the time which have been adapted to 2017 standards, is wearing your strappy dress or top over a classic white tee. For the bolder ones go for a black bralette worn over your t-shirt. Complete your look with black leather boots, or white tennis shoes and a denim jacket for a summer walk around the city or lunch with friends. If you’re more of a 70’s type of girl, then let your inner hippie shine by donning a faux fur jacket or sleeveless vest over your top. Complete the look with a floor-skimming skirt and flatforms with colourful embellishments. If you’re more of a classic type then there’s no better way to amp up your look than to add a pop of colour. Go for that khaki shirt over a head-to-toe black look taking cues from OP, or try a stripped shirt and make a knot at the end to give definition to your figure. Finish the look with a bag with a rounded handle (which we love for this season as it works both as a bracelet and as a lovely bag to hold all of your everyday essentials).
