Credit: BACKGRID; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images


I didn’t know a basic top and jeans could look this good

Credit: BACKGRID; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Credit: BACKGRID; Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Celeb-Inspired Casual Outfits

As a fashion writer, I've learned that the best outfits are often the simplest — as long as they're styled correctly. Hailey Bieber and Mariska Hargitay proved my point recently, stepping out in oversized button-downs and jeans. But recreating those casual ensembles isn’t always as easy as it seems, so I asked stylist and content creator Kimberly Johnson to break down exactly what makes them work.

“People are attracted to the effortlessness and confidence of a really simple outfit,” Johnson says. To nail the vibe, focus on balancing proportions by pairing a loose-fitting top with jeans that have shape and volume rather than a skinny cut, creating a more intentional silhouette. “If you do a really boxy top, you need to have some balance,” she says. 

Ahead, Johnson breaks down Bieber and Hargitay’s looks and shares how to recreate them with Quince pieces

Related: Jodie Foster and Rashida Jones Wore This Comfy Shoe Style That’s ‘Great for Walking’ — Grab 8 Similar Pairs

Copy Hailey Bieber’s Look

Credit: BACKGRID
Credit: BACKGRID

Bella Rigid Straight Jeans

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$60 at Quince.com

While Bieber’s ensemble looks like something she just threw on, the carefully balanced proportions and curated accessories she selected tell a different story, says Johnson. With a baggy top like Bieber’s button-down, straight yet relaxed jeans, similar to this Quince pair, make her appear taller. Since they land at her ankle bone and the top of her foot is exposed, it “adds breath and feels more delicate,” Johnson adds. To truly capture the ease of this outfit, Johnson suggests sizing up for a loose yet structured fit. 

Cotton Modal Relaxed Long-Sleeve Tee

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$21 at Quince.com

Italian Leather Flip-Flops

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$50 at Quince.com

Italian Leather Double Strap Shoulder Bag

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$100 at Quince.com

Since Bieber's top and pants are both relaxed, she smartly reached for a structured purse, like this Quince one, that “makes the outfit even cooler,” according to Johnson. Its straight lines and top handles “give it an edge,” making the ensemble feel more modern. Pairing the look with a slouchier bag would make it feel less intentional, Johnson explains, which is why choosing a bag with a defined shape is key.

How to Look Good in Oversized Clothing

“One tip that I give a lot of people when they feel frumpy — and this is true in the winter too with oversized sweaters — is I tend to avoid things that hit at the widest part of my body,” Johnson says

In Bieber's outfit, the open button-down reveals her waist before falling below her hips, creating a more balanced silhouette. If you’re curvy or plus-size like me, Johnson suggests going “so oversized” that your top falls below the widest part of your hips, or opting for a cropped or tucked style that hits at your waist.

Recreate Mariska Hargitay’s Outfit

Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Credit: Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Organic Cotton Relaxed Oxford Shirt

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$40 at Quince.com

Hargitay's top looks intentional because it hits at her waist, while the barrel-leg jeans add volume that balances the cropped silhouette. “If the shirt landed at her hips, or if the pants were longer, hitting her shoe, it would feel very frumpy,” Johnson says. While this Quince top isn’t cropped like Hargitay’s, Johnson suggests tucking it into the top of your jeans to create a similar effect.

Mastering the Half Tuck  

Half-tucking shirts into jeans is a popular styling trick. To try it yourself, tuck one side of your top into your jeans, then “give it a good yank,” so it falls naturally, Johnson says. “You don’t want it to be too put-together and tucked in because then it doesn’t offer the right contrast.”

Organic Stretch Cotton Twill Barrel Pants

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$60 at Quince.com

Walker Polarized Acetate Sunglasses

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$50 at Quince.com

Italian Leather & Suede Low-Profile Sneaker

Credit: Quince
Credit: Quince

$94 at Quince.com

Many people naturally reach for chunky, all-white sneakers with relaxed outfits because they go with everything, says Johnson, but the stripes and sleek profile on this pair make simple ensembles pop. “White can feel too polished, and there’s pressure to keep them looking perfectly clean,” she says. By contrast, Hargitay’s low-profile sneakers create a more relaxed vibe. Because they expose the top of her foot, they also have an elongating effect.

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