Outfit Inspiration: Kelly Osbourne’s Modern Retro

Kelly Osbourne at the Oakley 40th anniversary party

Kelly Osbourne at the Oakley 40th anniversary party

There are celebrities known for their bohemian, empire-waisted tendencies, others known for body-conscious bandage dresses 24/7 and then there are the celebs that we look to for inspiration because they can look like pinups and Gibson girls. Dita von Teese is one, albeit one that doesn’t wear flats and has perfect pincurls. Another, more approachable greaser girl? That would be Kelly Osbourne, who always looks polished and prim but still thoroughly modern. By mixing modern classics with vintage-inspired pieces, she’s managed to find a mix that blends contemporary and retro looks and create a unique personal style.

At the recent Oakley 40th anniversary party, Osbourne wore a mix of pieces that looked great today — but they would have been perfect for any sock-hop loving Sandra Dee, too. She kept the outfit simple, but the combination of a classic pencil skirt and a cropped moto jacket elongated her body and gave her look a more up-to-date silhouette. We’ve picked our favorite pieces so you can get her look without heading to your local vintage or thrift stores.

Diane von Furstenberg Mae Woven Pencil Skirt

Diane von Furstenberg Mae Woven Pencil Skirt

A pencil skirt is a versatile piece that you can wear to work and for cocktails after — if they worked for Joan Holloway and they’re still great on Kelly Osbourne, that’s a testament to longevity. You probably have a basic black workhorse in your closet, but if you want to get Kelly’s rockabilly-tinged look, there’s no better pattern than leopard. Try a half-and-half version with the Mae Woven Pencil Skirt from Diane von Furstenberg ($285), which has a leopard panel on the front and black on the back.

Trends may come and go at a breakneck pace, but animal print will be in fashion no matter what’s showing on the runways. Make sure you try on a few lengths and find one that flatters your body. Tall girls will find that they can wear longer lengths with ease while more petite women will look better with skirts that hit right above or right at the knee.

Available at Nordstom.

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1. If you’re looking for a motorcycle jacket that you can wear without feeling like one of the Sons of Anarchy, try the Sanctuary Laser Cut Moto Faux Leather Jacket ($149), which adds delicate detailing at the shoulders.

2. Kelly mixed a wrist full of Vita Fede fine jewelry, but you can get the same look with the Banana Republic Tassel ($29.50) and Mesh Stretch ($25) bracelets, which bring vintage style to this sleek look.

3. But you don’t want to look like you’ve raided your granny’s jewelry box, so stack up these Rebecca Minkoff Brass and Black Diamond Rings ($48) to add some edge.

4. For a sweet addition to the look, these asymmetrical Aldo Mary Janes ($90) have just the right mix of modern and retro.

5. Kelly is using a classic Chanel flap bag, a classic in its own right, but to add more of a biker look and to complement the moto jacket, we’d go for this Jimmy Choo Metallic Suede Shoulder Bag ($1,895). It’s glitzy, luxe and totally badass.

6. For a classic red lip just like Kelly’s, go for the original with MAC Ruby Woo ($15). If it’s good enough for the likes of Dita, Rihanna and Kelly, there’s no reason to stray.

Images courtesy Banana Republic, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Aldo

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Author:Christopher Luu for Fashion Trends Daily

Christopher Luu is a Fashion Trends Daily Senior Writer and Menswear Editor.