Elle Fanning has recently toppled Jennifer Lawrence as my new favorite street style outfit inspiration celebrity. Elle has been in New York starring on Broadway in the play Appropriate which has been extended through June so I hope this means we’ll see even more of her fashion looks. Her style is most similar to my own for running around the city which is casual yet put together with nice accessories. It’s also easy to take her looks that I’ve broken down and mix and match them.

This post is also dedicated to the reader Deborah who took the time to send me this email message recently, “Ugly boring post with all brown. You can do better than that” with the thumbs down emoji from her iPad. If she had been nicer to me, I might have done a post with color this week. But it’s just another reminder to be kind. This isn’t Substack. You don’t pay for these posts which is why I get to post what I want when I want to. It’s also a good reminder that even the smallest post takes a tremendous amount of time and work to put together. A easy post might take a few hours while a longer post might take months of work researching a subject. It’s easy to judge when you have no idea what goes into them so remember that the next time you decide to send a rude message to someone giving you free content online.

I posted the shirt and jeans outfit on the left that Elle wore on an unseasonably warm November day last year in my Instagram Stories and it was a huge hit. I bought the same Santoni Red Tassel Loafers, as did two of my fashion influencer followers. Neutrals and jeans are a good transitional outfit as we start to move toward warmer weather. But as you see in one photo, she’s wearing colorful sneakers so these outfits are jumping off points. You can use the silhouettes and change the colors or recreate them as is.

I’m starting to wonder if The Row is sending celebrities clothes and accessories for free, do they get a special discount, or are they just rich enough to afford everything the sell. I guess I’m just jealous because I really love Padded Shell Trench Coat from The Row (on the left) that Elle has been seen wearing around NYC. It was sold out last year but it’s back in stock and also comes in black now. It’s also from the men’s collection so you’ll have to check the dimensions to try to figure out your size.

A slightly similar option in the middle is the Cotton Trench Coat with Shirt Collar while the Double Breasted Satin-twill Trench Coat on the right is a bit more dressed up option you can also dress down.

In the photo, she’s wearing this exact Oversized Poplin Shirt on the left which is expensive so other similar options are the Relaxed Oversized Shirt in the middle and the The Relaxed Oxford Shirt on the right.

The exact sweater she has thrown over her shoulders is the Ophelia Oversized Sweater but a less expensive option is the Solid Marin Sweater in the middle. While not a crewneck, the Funnel Neck Pure Cashmere Sweater is a equally luxurious sweater at a great price.

I never wear jeans in the winter since it’s too cold but once it warms up, I love the ease of wearing jeans with a flat shoe or sneaker. I own a the Curvy Vintage Slim Straight Jeans on the left and they are very comfortable. The Kerri Jeans in the middle are your cool girl splurge option. The Classic Straight Jeans on the right are in my shopping bag but I’m mad they are excluded from any discount promos so I’m not buying them out of spite.

The loafers that Elle is wearing in the collage are the Santoni Red Tassel Loafer that I also bought but they are mostly sold out. I took a half size larger if you do decide to go with them but I found other options for you.

The top left Tassled Loafers are very similar to other loafers that Elle has been seen wearing in NYC. The top right are another great tassel loafer style.

If you want to get ahead of the next trend, you can try the Leather Lace-Up Moccasins on the left in the middle row. If they sell out, you can pre-order the suede version here. You could also swap out brown shoes for sneakers like the new Prada Downtown Sneakers.

I’m still loving my Owen Sneakers from The Row but the Taupe Sneakers on the bottom right are very similar and much less expensive.

Elle’s bag from The Row is sold out in that color and style but there is a similar Soft Margaux available, top left. Since it feels like everyone now has a Margaux, it might be time to look at alternatives. Prada just launched there Large Leather Tote Bag with Buckles (top middle) this week and it also comes in black. Ferragamo also has a similar chic Hug Medium Leather Tote (top right).

It’s very hard to find nice leather bags in burgundy and the Gabriela Hearst Leather Tote Bag in bordeaux (bottom left) is a very beautiful option. It’s also available in nude leather. Less expensive option (bottom middle) is the Essential Bucket Tote. It’s not burgundy but the Shopper Bag with Dual Compartment (bottom right) is a great similar sized work bag for anyone on a budget.

I know we are all dying for spring but let’s not forget that it will still be quite chilly though April and sometimes even May. I have been seeing a lot of bare legs during fashion week and I don’t think it looks chic in February. Socks and patterned tights are not only going to keep you warn, I think they look more modern. Bare legs will always remind me of when I moved to NYC and Anna Wintour dictated that we all went out in the dead of winter with bare legs and Manolos.

To keep your ankles warm until the temperature reaches 60+ degrees, try this three-pack of ankle socks or the Cosy Wool Ribbed Boot Socks with your loafers.

Elle wears a lot of cool sunglasses from Jacques Marie Mage so why not try the top Aviator-style Acetate Sunglasses or middle Tortoiseshell Acetate Aviator Sunglasses.

The bottom pair are Oliver Peoples + Khaite Sunglasses.

Elle loves neutrals and a good white trouser. Since we are transitioning into spring, I swapped them out for ivory. You don’t always have to take inspiration literally. You can and should adapt looks you like to your own life.

It’s almost trench season so why not get a jump start on everyone else and get it crossed off your spring shopping list with the top left Double-Breasted Cotton Trench Coat. It will also still be cold enough to need the Handmade Oversized Wool Coat (top missle) that is currently on sale. The Belted Double-breasted Cotton-Gabardine Trench on the top right is a great weekend option.

Try a more elevated look with the Suede Trench Coat on the bottom left. Another great double faced wool option is the Signature Double-Breast Oversized Wool Coat (bottom middle). Or try this Belted Handmade Coat (bottom right) that is also on sale right now.

As for a top, you can wear a white shirt or a off-white knit. The top left shirt is the white Oversized Lightweight Oxford Shirt. Middle top is the white Oxford Tomboy Shirt. Top right is an Oversized Long Sleeve White Shirt.

I prefer knits like the ivory Cashmere Crewneck Sweater or Merino Wool Turtleneck Sweater as layering pieces as we transition to spring since they don’t wrinkle.

One person threw a sweater over their suit one day at fashion week in NYC and many other women followed suit so it was declared a trend. If you grew up preppy, you will know this is something people have done since sweaters were invented. But it is a nice way to add some color to your outfit or a place put the sweater you were wearing when the temperature warms up.

You can’t go wrong with a camel Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (top left) but I love a pop of red with this Recycled Cashmere V-neck Sweater. I just ordered a sweater by Tricot in the same style as this camel Recycled Cashmere Sweater (top right) and will report back after it arrives.

The Cashmere Crewneck Sweater on the bottom left and the Cashmere Crewneck Sweater on the bottom right both come in three different colors. The chunkier Wool Sweater in the middle also comes in brown.

I remember going on a Chanel Beauté press trip to Paris in 2015 and seeing a beauty editor arrive the first morning in ivory knit trousers, sweater, and Hogan sneakers with a navy coat thrown over her shoulders. It’s probably the first time I realized that sneakers can go anywhere if you dress them up.

A similar pair of pants are the Stretch-jersey Wide Leg Pants on the far left. They also come in black.

The second pair from the left are the Twill Wide-leg Essential Pants.

The third from the left are Pleated Wide-Leg Wool Trousers.

The far right pair are the regular leg Essential Pants.

Elle was wearing very white or light shoes with her white pants so I took the liberty of choosing some shoes I thought would work well with the ivory trousers.

The cream Leather Flats on the top left would look great with trousers, jeans, dresses, and skirts this spring. The ivory Embellished Leather Loafers are very similar to shoes Elle has been seen wearing.

I’m really not allowed to buy anymore sneakers but I am really loving all the new styles from Prada including these pale blue Suede Lace-Up Runner Sneakers. The Toteme Sport Leather-trimmed Suede and Twill Sneakers on the second row right are a better alternative to the ubiquitous Adidas sneakers.

The Prada Suede Lace-Up Runner Sneakers also come in navy. I want to look for the white Saint Laurent Grained Leather Sneakers on my next trip to Paris.

For bags, I’d suggest the pale blue Celine Teen Triomphe Bag and the much more reasonably priced Crossbody Bag.

The Khaite Mauve Bag came in an large weekend bag size and a small size but now there is a perfectly sized Khaite Medium Mauve Bag in blue suede and ivory leather for every day use.

I don’t see her wearing that much jewelry so I took the liberty to suggest a few pieces for you.

The Braided Earrings are great if you want something fun without spending a lot. The Flat Link Necklace is also an inexpensive way to add some interest to your neckline this spring. The Crossover Earrings are for those of you who aren’t sure about statement earrings and want to tip-toe into the look.

The top Square-frame Acetate Sunglasses are similar to some of the light colored frames Elle wears.

The second Tortoise Sunglasses look more expensive than they cost.

The fashion forward Aviator-style Gold-tone and Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses look similar to some of the styles Elle wears.

Elle also adds a little stone and grey to her wardrobe.

These are all the perfect weight for chilly spring days and can be paired with any color.

The first is a Virgin Wool Wrap Coat. The Handmade Oversized Wool Coat in the middle is on sale. And the coat on the right is a Jersey Coat for those of you who don’t like wool.

The Solid Marin Sweater (upper left) is similar to the cashmere sweaters from The Row but without the crazy expensive price tag. I have the turtleneck version of the Ribbed Cashmere Oversized Crewneck Sweater (top middle) and I want to get the crewneck version too but I already have a bunch of other pale grey sweaters. I love how soft the Frame Cashmere Crewneck Sweater.

I own the charcoal grey Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (bottom left) because I collect grey sweaters. It’s very soft and great quality for the price. The middle bottom center grey Cashmere Sweater is another chic option. I think a light wool coat or blazer looks chic with a Lightweight Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater (bottom right) worn underneath when it’s still chilly but you don’t need or want to wear a scarf.

I usually wear a white tee under my cashmere sweaters so I don’t have to was the sweaters as often. The ones I like are the Vintage Jersey Classic-fit Crewneck T-shirt and Supima Crewneck T-shirt top row.

The ones I wear most often are the New Day T-shirts from Target, bottom left. They are insanely inexpensive and great quality. They are on sale from their already low price too.

The bottom right Timeless T-shirt is another great option.

As I stated above, I never wear jeans in the winter but it’s going to be warmer in NYC next week so I have to get my jeans situation sorted out. The ’90s Mid-rise Straight-leg Organic Jeans on the left get rave reviews for their fit.

The Khaite High-Rise Straight-leg Jeans are also the cool-girl jeans (second from left).

The Classic Cut high-rise Straight-leg Organic Jeans are a good color to pair with light colored sweaters.

Mille just debuted their new denim collection and the Brooke High Rise Slim Fit Jeans are also a perfect color and weight for spring.

I bought the Brown Suede Loafers but they were just a half size too small so I have to reorder the next size up. I just want one of those super soft pairs of suede shoes that feel like slippers after you break them in. The next pair of loafers below are a Croc-Embossed Penny Loafer that would look great with jeans or trousers. I love the burgundy color of the bottom Leather Loafer.

I’m still dying over all the Prada sneakers including the top Slim Low Top Sneaker and nude Suede Lace-Up Runner Sneakers. The bottom Lace-up Leather Sneakers are your reasonably priced option.

I also saw these Contrast Fabric Sneakers (not pictured) that look almost exactly like a pair I own from The Row.

Perhaps the India Textured-leather Tote from The Row (top) will be the new Margaux.

I love the colors of the Two-tone Textured-leather Shoulder Bag and also on the Large Leather Tote.

This Gold Plated Necklace is another good option to add interest when you are wearing an open neck shirt or a crewneck sweater.

Don’t forget socks to match your grey sweater outfits.

The grey/green sunglasses Elle is wearing aren’t available in the US so why not try the top pair of Grey Sunglasses or bottom pair of Grey Sunglasses.

Or you could try something completely different like the Green Framed Sunglasses.

I know everyone is clamoring for spring fashions so I’ll try to work on some more colorful posts for next week.

Bon week-end !

XOXO,

HC