Wardrobe Oxygen: Taking Style Cues from Rachel Bilson

For a long while, I couldn't find any celebrity's personal style to be inspiring. Instead of looking to present actresses and singers, I kept looking to the past for inspiration from Jackie, Audrey, Grace and Katherine. It seemed every "It" girl was either dressed like a mini version of Rachel Zoe, or like a Playboy pinup.

No more--there are many fresh faces on the scene who have inspirational as well as wearable personal style. One of my favorites is Rachel Bilson, whose personal style is wearable and is possible on most any wardrobe budget.

Here are a few tips on how to achieve Rachel Bilson's style on a dime:

Stay on Top of Trends with Accessories. Rachel Bilson regularly wears simple classics with her clothing, but then shows current trends with her choices in footwear and handbags. She'll pair a simple blazer and jeans with a clutch purse, or jazz up a pair of shorts with ankle booties. What is brilliant about this concept is that her same blazer and shorts will work next season, and will have a whole new life with a simple switch of accessories.

Rachel is also known for wearing scarves. Looping a pashmina around your throat will completely transform a simple tank, biker jacket, and jeans into a complete ensemble; an oversized printed silk scarf tossed over the shoulders creates a completely different silhouette for a long-sleeved gray sheath dress. It is far cheaper to purchase trendy accessories than trendy garments; accessories also take up less space so they can be shelved when out of fashion and brought back when the trend returns.

Stick to Solids. Rachel Bilson doesn't wear a lot of prints. This is a good move for a fashionista on a budget because solid-colored clothing is less memorable, more versatile, and less likely to look dated in a season. While Rachel will occasionally indulge in a printed piece, it is usually a party dress which is a statement all on its own, or else a shell or scarf that adds a bit of interest to her wardrobe of solid-colored pieces.

Purchase Classic Silhouettes. Rachel Bilson has a wardrobe of classic pieces that she can easily mix and match. A taupe trench coat, a black fitted blazer, black knee-high boots, black leather biker jacket, solid-colored shift dresses. Rachel adds her own personal spin on these pieces with accessories--printed scarves, belts, and sunglasses.

Get it Tailored. One reason why Rachel Bilson's style is so coveted is because her clothes fit her perfectly. Rarely can one find clothing off the rack that fits properly. Instead of splurging on brand names, scour the sale racks for quality pieces on sale and then take them to a tailor or seamstress to make them fit you like a glove. A blazer from Target can look as expensive as something from Neiman Marcus if you get it altered to fit you properly; in turn a dress from Neiman's can look as though it's from the Target sale rack if it's not flattering and fitting your figure.

Find Your Color Story. Rachel Bilson's wardrobe is all of similar colors: black, white, gray, tan with pops of color like red and teal. A simple color story is classic an elegant, but it's also terribly good for your wallet as well as your style. When shopping, you know to only look for pieces that work with what you already own, preventing buyer's remorse and also making it easier to find perfect garments at a lower price point.

Keep The Beauty Routine Simple. Rachel has long hair that she can wear down, or thrown into a simple topknot. She doesn't get too wild with hairstyles and colors, knowing the relaxed long waves suit her face as well as her personal style. The same holds true for her makeup style--she is known for a soft yet smoky eye and simple lip. For evening, she simple amps up the eye or hair to be more suitable for the affair. By not succumbing to every beauty trend, Rachel Bilson's personal style is all the more classic.

Alison Gary has over ten years experience as a personal shopper, stylist, and visual merchandiser. Her blog Wardrobe Oxygen provides fashion advice to all women, regardless of age, size, budget, or lifestyle. She is a full-time working mother, blogger, wife, and frugal fashionista located in the Washington D.C. area.