Today marks yet another year of sartorial sublimeness, courtesy of British fashion designer, model, and TV presenter Alexa Chung. Aside from gracing the front row at Fashion Week, being a modern muse for the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, and winning the coveted British Style Award, the birthday girl continues to cement her status as one of the best-dressed women of all time – and she’s only 34.
When Chung isn’t schmoozing with her fashion-designer friends Henry Holland and Ashley Williams, she’s working on her eponymous fashion line ALEXACHUNG. Of course, the news of her design debut came as no surprise, as Chung has been collaborating with brands such as J.Crew and AG Jeans throughout the past decade. When her own label debuted in May, the style guru proved that when it comes to putting her signature spin on things, she really can do no wrong. After all, British heritage brand Mulberry didn’t name a bag ‘Alexa’ for nothing…
In honor of Chung’s birthday, Savoir Flair recalls the 15 times that Chung undeniably demonstrated her style-icon status. Browse through the gallery of her best looks, below, and see how we can all learn a thing or two about effortless style.
Keep It Simple
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Chung knows what suits her and, when all else fails, she sticks to her uniform of a simple and girly dress paired with a bold red lip.
Man Up
Don’t be afraid to take your style a little more masculine than usual. After all, girls dress for girls, not boys.
Prints Are Your Friends
Chung usually favors a floral co-ord, but this bold and earthy Christian Dior version works so well because of the simple hair and accessories.
As Is Leather...
…especially when you want to toughen up a romantic shape. Chung uses a studded leather jacket to make an uber-dressy look a little more casual or bring down the “pretty factor”.
Pantsuits = Perfection
Don’t be afraid to give suiting a try. The key to nailing it is to mix a masculine shape with feminine details. Here, Chung opts for pink feathers.
Vintage Is Best
Known for her love of 60s and 70s silhouettes, Chung regularly combines vintage shapes with modern pieces, a trick that stops her ensembles from looking too costume-like.
If in Doubt, Co-Ords
Nothing makes a statement quite like an eye-catching two-piece, especially for black tie – as demonstrated perfectly by Chung with this look.
Layer, Layer, Layer
A true stylist is an expert in layering and understanding proportions. This ensemble is the epitome of that skill.
A Little Embellishment Never Hurt
Don’t be scared to go bold with tinsel, sequins, and embellishment – especially for party season.
Embrace Maximalism
A floor-sweeping hem is the perfect way to make a statement for an evening event, so don’t shy away from length and volume.
Opt for a Total White-Out
If you’re bored of black, try swapping an LBD for a LWD (little white dress), especially for daytime parties.
Dressing Down Is the New Dressing Up
Casual can still be cool for parties; the key to getting this right is not compromising on fabric quality.
Kitsch up Your Accessories
If you don’t like experimenting with your looks too much, accessories are the perfect way to get a little more playful. Tip: Faux fur is fun, but still chic.
Try Some Sheer Excellence
Chung is the queen of staying classy while showing some skin. The key here is silhouette: keep lengths long, and necklines high, if you’re going for peek-a-boo fabric.
