Rachel Bilson recently proved that a neutral shade is anything but dull at the Diamond Information Center & In Style’s 9th Annual Awards Season Fashion Show Preview. She wore a nude Chanel milkmaid-style frock from the spring 2010 collection that clearly rocked the carpet instead of fading into the background.
Flouncy embroidered asters and a shapely, pleated bodice lend Plenty by Tracy Reese's Pictureshow Dress ($298) a retro yet thoroughly modern vibe. The low-key beige color offsets its feminine, lace-covered styling to make this frock pretty without being too precious.
Hayden Panettiere and Vanessa Hudgens recently hit the red carpet in decidedly demurely colored strapless dresses at an event for Neutrogena's Fresh Faces of Music Benefiting VH1's Save the Music. Their simply styled frocks and lack of loud accessories let their beautiful smiles soak up the spotlight.
If you like Vanessa's dress, then you'll love J. Crew's Cotton Cady Erica Dress in light caramel ($225). This soft-spoken little number has a fitted bodice and is made of a crisp cotton cady with a subtle sheen that can be worn alone or accented with sparkly jewelry, fun-hued or boldly patterned heels, or a brightly colored cardi.
Yves Saint Laurent Edition's Unisex Jersey Tube Dress ($650) recalls Hayden's simple sheath with a look that's bold in its simplicity and sleekness. This slim-fit strapless dress is made of Italian jersey with gathers at the waist for a little extra texture.
Recently Sarah Jessica Parker proved her style prowess yet again—and she wasn't even on the red carpet! By playing with texture (the chunky cable knit of the light gray sweater and the suede of her lace-up heeled booties) and hues (the latte-colored scarf and the winter white belt and jeans accented by a powerful pop of pink), she created the ideal on-trend casual outfit to take her from late winter into early spring with ease and comfort.
Keep the spring chills at bay with Vince's Oversize Cable Cardigan ($335). This cozy camel wrap can be thrown on over jeans and a tee or a flirty spring dress that could use a warmer layer. Belt it or wear it loose.
One of the beauties of Banana Republic's Slouchy Skinny Natural Jean ($98) is that you can wear them way before Memorial Day because they're a great shade of off-white. Another is that these stretchy jeans are a cross between the boyfriend and the skinny, with a relaxed hip-slung fit and tapered leg that bunches at the ankle, which means you can actually eat and breathe while you wear them. Genius!
Solve the age-old dilemma of what to wear between winter boots and summer sandals with Marc by Marc Jacobs' Lace-Up Wedge Ankle Boots ($495). This soft suede bootie with a wooden wedge heel gets just enough of the rock 'n' roll touch with metal grommets punctuating an asymmetrical cuff.
Lo Bosworth showed she supported neutrality—and lollipops—with a cropped bone-toned leather jacket at the Sugar Factory Couture Lollipop Series event in Los Angeles. The sophisticated, understated color cleverly softened the edges of her black high-waist shorts, chain-strap fringed bag and black suede pumps.
Doma's Cropped Leather Jacket ($520) is butter-soft and sweetly styled with slightly puffed shoulders, a gathered detail on the front and back, cropped sleeves and a printed satin lining. The neutral color gives this jacket the ultimate day-to-night, office-to-evening-out versatility.
Night or day, dressy or cazh, chilly or warm, Vince's Leather Drape-Neck Jacket ($995) is the perfect accent to any outfit without screaming that you're wearing leather. Elegantly styled with a wide collar and an asymmetric closure at the waist, this draped-collar jacket is lightweight and luxe at the same time.
Daniel Day Lewis recently made his way through LAX airport in a comfortable yet totally dude-appropriate travel outfit that included a camel button-down shirt over a purple T-shirt, which he topped off with a shiny black leather jacket, shades and a fedora. Clearly, those combat boots were made for walking, but the pale shirt takes just enough edge off his "I'm in a hurry" look.
Gap's Two-Pocket Safari Shirt Jacket ($24.99) is a simple, low-key way to get this spring's utility look without looking like you should be wearing binoculars and a pith helmet. It's a cross between a shirt and a jacket, with a loose fit so you can wear it as a layer while the weather's still cool or on its own when the spring finally settles in for good.