6 Universal Fashion Tips Every Girl Should Take From Rachel Zoe

Rachel Zoe isn't just a well-known stylist and designer. She's got a signature head-turning look that'd make anyone sit up and take notice as soon as she enters the room. Rachel commands attention, and though she'd be recognizable anywhere — that luxe, furry coat, those unmistakable flares, and perhaps a dark aviator — she's not at all predictable. In fact, Ms. Zoe is all about innovation, having just partnered with Downy to create four washable looks for her Fall '16 collection.

Though giving up the dry cleaner was a new move for the trendsetter, who used to take all her jeans in for a pressing "just in case," Rachel learned quite a lot about what it takes to monitor her wardrobe. Read on to see her favorite piece that's dazzling enough for the red carpet but can be cleaned at home, then read up on Rachel's six tips to maintaining a fully stylish lifestyle — when you're on the go or just lounging around the house.

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Not All Your Fancy Dresses Have to Be Dry Cleaned
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Not All Your Fancy Dresses Have to Be Dry Cleaned

"What intrigued me [about working with Downy] was that I wanted to delve deeper and learn more about how to take care of clothes and the fabrics that I never thought you could wash at home. What you realize is when it's in your home and it's in your machine, you can monitor what you're putting on [your clothes] and it's kind of amazing. Things that would get sort of nubby or start pilling the more you took them to the dry cleaner, you can actually hand wash and let hang dry and watch the fabric stay smooth. You get more wear out of it and the color actually stays saturated for longer . . . There's this one [washable] long sleeved dress that's my favorite print from the collection that is kind of this really beautiful mosaic print. It's got taupe, gold, and black and I've worn it a ton already."

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When It Comes to Washing Your Clothes, There Are No Set Rules
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When It Comes to Washing Your Clothes, There Are No Set Rules

"For me, it's like [washing] my hair. I always go based on how clothes look and how they feel. So when they lose shape, like when my jeans start to get so stretched out that they don't even have a shape anymore, then I know it's time to wash them because I want them to go back to their form. And obviously when there's something like a stain. But I do feel like if you're someone who's not super active in your clothes, then you can just monitor it. Like, 'OK, this seems really clean and I wore it all day.' I really think it's how often you wear it, where did you wear it — anything that gets worn on an airplane for me gets washed immediately."

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There Are Wardrobe Essentials You Should Never Travel Without
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There Are Wardrobe Essentials You Should Never Travel Without

"I never travel without a jumpsuit, never without some form of a tuxedo. You know — black flares, white shirt, black suit jacket kind of thing that I can mix and match and make dressy or casual. I would say always an ankle boot or a really good black pump. Always jewelry that can make things dressy or casual."

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It's Impossible to Decide Between Heels and Flats
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It's Impossible to Decide Between Heels and Flats

"To each their own. I have friends that never wear heels and friends that will only wear heels. But I have to say 85 percent of my friends that once only wore heels, now wear flats. I think that designers are making such amazing flats now — and by the way, some of my bestselling shoes are flats — there's clearly a need for chic flats, sneakers, slip-ons, mules, and all of these things that work for everyone, every day. I have Alaïa shoes that are so sky-high, but I wear them like they're slippers."

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You've Got to Let Your Children Dress For Comfort
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You've Got to Let Your Children Dress For Comfort

"[My son] Kaius is only 2 and a half, so he just wants to be comfortable. Like, 'Anything you want to put me in is cool.' Skyler just turned 5, so he's starting to form his opinion. Typically I can put almost anything on him, but I think if it itches even a little bit, it's not happening. If it's not soft, he will pull it off. I put it on and he pulls it off. My husband does the exact same thing . . . I would just say it's a relaxed, California style, ya know?"

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Every Girl Needs to Be Following Rosie Huntington-Whiteley on the Red Carpet
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Every Girl Needs to Be Following Rosie Huntington-Whiteley on the Red Carpet

"From Beyoncé to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, I just feel like you know people that are a sure thing, a never miss [on the red carpet]. There are just always people that look unreal no matter what. I never don't notice Rosie. If you like fashion and beauty, it's just ignorant if you miss Rosie Huntington."