Almost any member of the fashion cognoscenti will tell you that perfection can be found in the outfit. What that looks like, however, can take many forms. Some find wispy tops and statement jackets thrilling, others idealize crisp T-shirts and faded jeans. That’s the great thing about personal style: It demands individuality (and a little fearlessness). Below, fashion insiders like Simon Doonan, Kate Young, and Zac Posen share the clothes — and states of mind — that qualify for the perfect look.
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Rajni Jacques, creative consultant "A perfect outfit has to involve jeans. If there are no jeans involved, the look has to be somethin... Rajni Jacques, creative consultant "A perfect outfit has to involve jeans. If there are no jeans involved, the look has to be something that's complicated and funky.There is nothing more chic than pairing of a high-waisted jean and a silk camisole — this is the not-trying-too-hard outfit. It's so versatile with a sneaker, heel, or sandal.”
Photo: Courtesy of Rajni Jacques
Anna Sui, designer “Anita Pallenberg sets the gold standard for rock-and-roll chic. From her classic '40s dress and Ossie Clark snakeskin jacket ... Anna Sui, designer “Anita Pallenberg sets the gold standard for rock-and-roll chic. From her classic '40s dress and Ossie Clark snakeskin jacket to those green panne-velvet pants from Granny Takes a Trip and her vintage fox-fur coat immortalized in the movie Performance, all these looks would be just as sensational today.”
Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
Bonnie Young, designer "Franciose Hardy in the '60s. She was powerful, intelligent, sexy, and always exuded her distinctive sense of persona... Bonnie Young, designer "Franciose Hardy in the '60s. She was powerful, intelligent, sexy, and always exuded her distinctive sense of personal style. She dared to express herself freely and dressed with a powerful point of view — always glamorous with an edge! That, to me, is 'the perfect look.’"
Photo: Mondadori Portfolio/Mondadori via Getty Images
Cynthia Rowley, designer “The first look of my resort ’17 collection was inspired by the exotic global traveler. The hybrid clash of different cu... Cynthia Rowley, designer “The first look of my resort ’17 collection was inspired by the exotic global traveler. The hybrid clash of different cultural influences creates a look that embodies freedom and far-flung adventures perfectly.”
Marianna Rosati, designer “I love the character Mathilda from the movie Léon: The Professional. This look from the FW16 collection was ins... Marianna Rosati, designer “I love the character Mathilda from the movie Léon: The Professional. This look from the FW16 collection was inspired by her rebellious nature, spontaneous teenage attitude and her sensuality as well. I think the perfect look is when you are able to clearly express yourself through your style.” Photo: Gio Staiano for NOWFASHION/Courtesy of Marianna Rosati/NOWFASHION
Brett Heyman, founder and designer of Edie Parker "You can’t beat Kate Moss for perfect outfits. I own a version of everything she is wearin... Brett Heyman, founder and designer of Edie Parker "You can’t beat Kate Moss for perfect outfits. I own a version of everything she is wearing, but there is something about how she puts it all together that is impossible to replicate. She looks classic, never like she’s trying too hard, but unbelievably cool."
Photo: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock
Jill Stuart, designer “This to me is the perfect look. I love the impact of the graphic paired with an elegant silhouette.”
Photo: DAN & CORINA ...Jill Stuart, designer “This to me is the perfect look. I love the impact of the graphic paired with an elegant silhouette.”
Photo: DAN & CORINA LECCA/Courtesy of Jill Stuart
Kate Young, stylist “Really anything Slim Keith ever wore. Edgy yet classic and always chic, chic, chic!”
Photo: Horst P. Horst/Conde Nast via G...Kate Young, stylist “Really anything Slim Keith ever wore. Edgy yet classic and always chic, chic, chic!”
Photo: Horst P. Horst/Conde Nast via Getty Images
LaQuan Smith, designer "To me, perfection is being able to show a range of hard and soft in a very elegant way. This look is the epitome of ... LaQuan Smith, designer "To me, perfection is being able to show a range of hard and soft in a very elegant way. This look is the epitome of perfection because of its clean lines, glamour and edginess." Photo: Courtesy of LaQuan Smith
Leandra Medine, fashion blogger “I define a perfect look as one you want to emulate head to toe, and that stands the test of time. I've had this ... Leandra Medine, fashion blogger “I define a perfect look as one you want to emulate head to toe, and that stands the test of time. I've had this photo of Katharine Hepburn in a 3-piece suit backlogged for a few years; she's got a perfect crew-neck collar under her vest (it's neither mock neck, nor does it show too much neck to mitigate the effect of the suit's crispness), and the buttons on the vest, though different from those on the blazer, make a strong enough point for me to even notice the differentiation. Finally the white socks catch the crisp long sleeve T-shirt and the black brogues feed into the whole look's masculine aesthetic without making it look too manly — possibly because they're suede.”
Photo: Keystone/Getty Images
Micaela Erlanger, stylist “I think Julia Roberts at the 2001 Academy Awards in Valentino was total perfection.To me that is one of the great mome... Micaela Erlanger, stylist “I think Julia Roberts at the 2001 Academy Awards in Valentino was total perfection.To me that is one of the great moments in red-carpet fashion history. Everything about this look was striking, glamorous, and modern.”
Photo: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images
Michelle Smith, founder and designer of Milly "I'm a firm believer in the statement coat. Whether it’s dressed up with heels or dressed down... Michelle Smith, founder and designer of Milly "I'm a firm believer in the statement coat. Whether it’s dressed up with heels or dressed down with sneakers and a tee, a beautiful statement coat grabs attention and says you're confident, adventurous and fun — which also happens to be sexy!"
Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Smith
Miki Agrawal, CEO and co-founder of Thinx “Jona Sees is my style icons right now. His brand is called Inaisce, and is all about timeless, mi... Miki Agrawal, CEO and co-founder of Thinx “Jona Sees is my style icons right now. His brand is called Inaisce, and is all about timeless, minimalist, black-and-white looks.”
Photo: Courtesy of Inaisce/Courtesy of Miki Agrawal
Nicole Miller, designer “I love a navy-and-white mod look. It always feels fresh! This was my all time favorite runway look, and with Christy Tur... Nicole Miller, designer “I love a navy-and-white mod look. It always feels fresh! This was my all time favorite runway look, and with Christy Turlington wearing it what could be more perfect?”
Photo: Courtesy of Nicole Miller
Rachael Wang, fashion director of
Allure “Angela Davis, a woman who uses her voice to educate, to inspire and to create action, who embraces her... Rachael Wang, fashion director of
Allure “Angela Davis, a woman who uses her voice to educate, to inspire and to create action, who embraces her natural beauty, and who expresses her personality through her appearance without letting it dictate her purpose, is the ultimate icon. I find the images in the '60s, at the height of her activism, to be incredibly inspiring.”
Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
Reem Acra, designer “The Bridal FW16 collection was a very special one and felt fresh. With everyone focusing on social media nowadays I wa... Reem Acra, designer “The Bridal FW16 collection was a very special one and felt fresh. With everyone focusing on social media nowadays I wanted to incorporate accessories such as headphones and bedazzled selfie sticks, making this the perfect modern bridal look.”
Photo: Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images
Sally LaPointe, designer "This look from my spring 2017 collection is perfect in it’s monochromatic simplicity and classic styling. Th... Sally LaPointe, designer "This look from my spring 2017 collection is perfect in it’s monochromatic simplicity and classic styling. This woman is strong. She’s a nonconformist who plays by her own rules while exuding a sophisticated sex appeal.”
Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
Yigal Azrouel, designer “This is the perfect look because it’s chic and feminine. There are architectural elements that meet with modernism... Yigal Azrouel, designer “This is the perfect look because it’s chic and feminine. There are architectural elements that meet with modernism. It’s demure but still allows for some skin to show.”
Zac Posen, designer “I think Jourdan Dunn embodied ‘the perfect look’ at this year’s Tonys. The perfect look is composed of an intelligent woman,... Zac Posen, designer “I think Jourdan Dunn embodied ‘the perfect look’ at this year’s Tonys. The perfect look is composed of an intelligent woman, a glamorous element, and an attitude that shows that you are wearing the outfit and the outfit is not wearing you. The look must frame your personality and the moment you are in.”
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro
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