Color-Block With Accessories
No one has got the ladylike preppy-chic aesthetic down quite like Taylor Swift. Nix prints altogether and pick a sweet, pastel collared shift as your foundation and style it with unexpected solids, like peach and golden yellow.
Shop the look: Amalie & Amber dress, $24; newlook.com. Alexander Wang purse, $795; otteny.com. Repetto pumps, $268; repetto.com.
Lighten Up Your Summer Suit
Eschew the usual traditional suit, with its dark colors and structured silhouette. Instead, take a cue from Olivia Wilde and go for a cape-inspired blazer (for extra ventilation on hot summer days) and matching pants in a crisp shade of white.
Shop the look: Zara cape jacket, $129; zara.com. Zara pants, $40; zara.com. H&M tee, $8; hm.com. Ash cross-body purse, $295; ashfootwearusa.com. Asos sandals, $63; asos.com.
Neutralize a Playful Piece
A bright, playful top, like Olivia Palermo's, can be made work-appropriate when it's coupled with structured pieces in muted colors, like a demure ivory midi-length skirt or nude sandals.
Shop the look: M Missoni top, $277; net-a-porter.com. Tory Burch skirt, $193; net-a-porter.com. Cos trench, $225; cosstores.com. J. Crew clutch, $138; jcrew.com. Schutz sandals, $190; schutz-shoes.com.
Commit to a Color Palette
Sarah Hyland stayed true to a very specific color palette when she picked up the blue florals from her skirt and carried it over to her sky blue knit top. We followed in her footsteps and did the same with the color gray.
Shop the look: H&M top, $40; hm.com. Whistles skirt, $240; whistles.com. Furla purse, $148; shopbop.com. Banana Republic pumps, $158; bananarepublic.com.
Elevate a Slip Dress
Alone, a slinky slip dress can run the risk of sartorial scandal. But Sarah Jessica Parker had the right idea and made hers office-friendly when she styled it with conservative pairings.
Shop the look: Mango dress, $100; mango.com. Madewell blazer, $148; madewell.com. Loeffler Randall purse, $475; loefflerrandall.com. Nine West pumps, $60; ninewest.com.
Highlight One Statement Piece
Let one single printed piece bask in the spotlight by coupling it with neutrals. Resist gravitating toward black accents. Try all white, instead, like Reese Witherspoon.
Shop the look: Gap shirt, $50; gap.com. Mango skirt, $50; mango.com. DKNY bucket bag, $348; shopbop.com. Joie sandals, $224; shopbop.com.
Strike a Match
Wearing a matching set achieves the illusion of a jumpsuit without the commitment of wearing a one-piece. Try separates in a safe colors and prints (crazy busy ones tend to overwhelm, especially at the office), like Rose Byrne's.
Shop the look: Tibi top, $298; tibi.com. Tibi culottes, $345; tibi.com. Ann Taylor pumps, $128; anntaylor.com.
