How to Keep It Classy Like Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern
Getty Images
Reese Witherspoon spent the majority of her days filming Cheryl Strayed’s novel turned film, Wild, in flannels, hiking boots, and messy hair sans makeup. But the actress, along with her co-star Laura Dern, proved that their off-screen looks hardly translate to reality at the Los Angeles premiere of their new movie on Wednesday.
Reese Witherspoon turned heads dressed simply in winter white. The 38-year-old actress wore a Cotton Ottoman dress from Zac Posen’s Spring 2015 collection paired with nude Christian Louboutin heels. A basic up-do, brush of coral-red lipstick, and Harry Winston sapphire earrings only further highlighted her piercing blue eyes.
But Witherspoon, who also produced the film, wasn’t the only one to stun in strapless. The actress posed alongside Dern, who looked nothing less than radiant. Wearing a Safiya red knee-length frock with a waist-defining nude belt, the dress totally gives off the illusion that the 47-year-old actress is sporting a crop trop – a trend that has run rampant on the streets and red carpet alike. Dern, who definitely doesn’t look old enough to play Witherspoon’s on-screen mother, experimented with lilac Fausto Puglisi pumps and funky arm cuffs, a testament to the fact that she's not letting her age define her style by playing around with bold colors, cuts, and accessories.
The two actresses have just as much knowledge to impart off-screen as they do on (but this time, it’s with regard to fashion, not mother-daughter relationships like in Wild). For one, Witherspoon officially debunked the myth that wearing white after Labor Day is the ultimate fashion faux pas. And Dern – with her deceptive crop top/not actually a crop top dress and punchy paired colors – proved that age is just a number, not a style definer. But for those who are still unconvinced, here are ways to ease into the trends.
1. Anchor white with a substantial shoe. A black pump, leather boot, or even black tights always work well paired with white. They never look too heavy or outlandish, but can make a summer staple a winter must-wear.
2. Aim for sturdy fabrics. While white after Labor Day is doable, breezy lightweight chiffons might be impractical. So if you’re going for white, opt for heavier fabrics like wool or tweed. Witherspoon’s structured dress was complimented by an eyelet neckline.
3. Wear it as an accent. While Witherspoon chose to wear a pure white dress, incorporating white into darker, more muted tones is a tried and true way to feature it in your winter wardrobe. Wear it as an accent – like a white coat over a black two-piece suit or a white bag to accessorize a darker ensemble.
4. Proportion is key. Make sure the crop top is paired with high-waisted bottoms (either a skirt or pants work) to raise the bar – and coverage. The crop top should fall at the center of the rib cage – the thinnest part of the body – and the bottoms should lay just above the belly button to maintain decorum.
5. Invest in a nude belt. Wrapping a nude belt around the waist gives the false appearance of wearing a crop top. This is a surefire way to be on trend and conceal the midriff. Dern’s faint nude panel creates just enough drama but maintains modesty.
6. Be stingy with your skin. If you do decide on a crop top, opt for a sliver of skin, as opposed to a similar amount as those Baywatch beauties. If the two-piece is too revealing, you run the risk of making an elegant outfit look distasteful and unrefined.
