Kate Hudson recently trotted around Soho in an unusual summer outfit — it was Malibu surfer girl up top, urban professional from the waist down.
But somehow, it worked: She paired high-waisted black culottes with Christian Louboutin peep-toe pumps, a sheer white racerback tank, and a pink lace bralet underneath, and topped it all off with some Chan Luu lapis lazuli bead necklaces and gold aviators.
It’s a laid-back look that, with the right jacket or sweater on top, could pass the office test — and it’s easy to pull off. Click through our slideshow to see the many ways to re-create the look.
An Easy Simple Tank
Hudson wears the most basic styling staple — a simple white tank — tucked into high-waisted culottes. Any simple white tank will do, preferably one that fits loosely. These three, from J.Crew and American Eagle, give you the most bang for your buck without compromising style.
Voluminous Culottes
Since they’re so comfortable, the culotte runway trend is relatively easy to pull off for anyone, and they’re surprisingly flattering, too. Try one that hits directly at your waist and is no longer than mid-calf to properly show off your heels.
The Peep-Toe Pump
Peep-toe pumps are a wardrobe Old Faithful — but this season they’re getting more subversive and unexpected. Hudson wore a two-tone Louboutin version, but try any of these, which give you the same effect with a slightly more unusual, high-fashion edge.
A Lacy Bra
The trick for picking a bra you’re going to show off is two-fold: You’ll want one that’s not too eye-catching, and certainly not too sheer. These three options, from Cosabella and H&M, hit just the right note.
Personal Jewelry
The finishing touch to any great look is totally unusual and unexpected jewelry. Hudson wears Chan Luu’s lapis lazuli beaded necklace wrapped once around her neck. Go for a similar vibe with any of these long options, which are perfect for layering and offer a jolt of color on an otherwise-monochrome look.
Aviators
Aviators may be one of the most classic styles in the book, and with good reason: their wide-eye frames protect your eyes from harmful UV rays a little more than most other sunglass styles. For a modern upgrade, try ones with an unusual flair, like Warby Parker’s latest version, or go with the ever-classic Ray Ban version.
A Simple Black Bag
Always seasonally appropriate, a black carry-all bag will get you through work and the weekend. The key is picking a soft shape that’s comfortable to carry under the arm (as Hudson does) and offers a roomy enough interior, so that you can carry a little more than just the essentials, should you need to carry a laptop to work or a bottle of wine over to a friend’s house. All three of these versions — from Zara and Mango — do just that.
