The black side stripes make these khakis cool. Wear them with...

1. Topshop khakis,

2. Topshop slouchy sweater,

3. Accessorize quilted metal clutch,

4. Lorac It Girl lipstick,

5. Alexander Wang Aida heels,

Photo: Melanie Galea/The Street Muse

In my mind, great outfits boil down to the alchemy of proportions (i.e., tight with loose silhouettes). Bianca Brandolini d'Adda nails it in this picture, taken in Milan last fall. Okay, it helps that she's a beautiful Italian aristocrat, but her outfit undeniably exudes effortless chic, from her tousled hair and half-tucked-in top to her peekaboo flats and practical tote. Just goes to show how the most simple outfit can be the best outfit.

It's a fashion week favorite. Here's how to make it work in real life. Wear it with...

Check out the look of jeans to come--this spring. They're anything but basic blue (or red or pink or grey, like we've seen in seasons past). The styles above are by one of my favorite new(ish) denim lines . Unlike your average jeans, these are rendered in vividly graphic patterns, from a kitschy Hawaiian landscape to a bright cherry print. And the amazingly flattering cut means your legs look a million miles long. They hit stores including in mid-February.

The up-to-the-minute stand-in for your old faithful ballet slippers. Wear them with...

This floral is growing on me. Very Celine-chic. Wear it with...

Slick leather sleeves on a classic tweed coat. So chic. Wear it with...

Now here's an easy way to spiff up a basic outfit. Wear it with...

Just snapped up some gorgeous new goodies from website: the, the with the Peter Pan collar, and the (which are definitely rocking a Proenza-ish flair). All perfect for the go-go-go holiday circuit--and post-season, too!

Simple, quietly edgy and incredibly versatile. Wear it with this...