How To Do Classic Chic Like Amal Clooney

I’ve never been a huge fan of Amal Clooney’s style on the red carpet. It’s all a little too twee and sentimental?for me – her?Hollywood wave hairstyle, drop earrings and layers of sherbet yellow chiffon (at Cannes last year). But she?pulls off classic everyday chic to perfection. When she dresses for the modern woman she is – a hugely successful international human rights lawyer – she looks perfectly at ease?and utterly confident in her outfits. When she walks the red carpet on the arm of her husband, however, she seems to slip off her fashion pedestal a little.?If she could translate that slick contemporary look she wears so well in her work life to event dressing (and get a more modern haircut!), I’d become a fully fledged fan.

In the image below Amal looks effortlessly chic, without appearing?in any way generic. She’s subtly mixed prints, which introduces personality and individuality to her look. The most stylish women often have a subtle point of interest to their outfit. The texture of this beautiful longline coat and her oversized white bag add a really luxe feel to the outfit. I always think white accessories are so gratuitously indulgent. Women who carry expensive white handbags and wear designer white shoes don’t have to worry about whether or not they’ll get grubby; they can replace them, and in any case, they’re unlikely?to trek around on foot day in day out in all types of weather as you and I do.

Although I’m not a big wearer of dresses, I love this preppy number Amal wore in New York last year. It’s fluid and feminine, but smart and professional too – that can be a tricky balance to strike. I like that she keeps her accessories unfussy, allowing the simplicity and clever detailing of the dress to stand out.?Although Amal has a model-like figure, she never falls into the trap of wearing clothes that are tight rather than tailored. Every piece fits beautifully, every skirt length is appropriate and every neckline suits her shape.

Just as she mixes prints artfully, Amal colourblocks beautifully in the outfit below. Camel and red is?a chic combination.?Soft camel neutralises any brashness that might come from bright red, while?the tan briefcase complements the camel coat, pulling the look together. For me, the shoes are a little bit “tropical” looking. An earthier palette would have worked better, or a simple animal-print shoe.