20 Style Tricks to Steal From the Effortlessly Cool Alexa Chung

No style star seems to capture effortlessly cool quite like Alexa Chung: she's a fashion magician who manages to make even wellies seem fabulously chic (seriously — how does she do it?). Though Alexa's far from the only Brit on our fashion radar, her unique spin on current trends always leaves us wanting more, and we'd jump at the chance to raid her closet, even for the tiniest of accessories.

There might be a secret sauce, however, to nailing the "Alexa" look. In honor of the It girl's 33rd birthday, we put together a cheat sheet so you can get in on the fun, because what better way to celebrate her big day than by borrowing her style for yourself?

01
Don't Discount Pants For Big Events
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Don't Discount Pants For Big Events

For the 2016 Met Gala, Alexa showed up in a sparkly Thakoon tux.

02
Give Your Sweatshirt New Life
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Give Your Sweatshirt New Life

Sweatshirts may have a reputation of being cozy, but paired with a leather skirt, tights, and heels, the staple becomes edgier and more elevated.

03
Make Use of Your Most Trusted Basics
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Make Use of Your Most Trusted Basics

Take your favorite white tee and style it under your dress for a unique yet trendy look.

04
Get Wild For a Night Out
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Get Wild For a Night Out

For her Marks and Spencer collaboration event, Alexa opted for animal print, which made quite the statement when she wore it on the dance floor.

05
Elevate Your Cutoffs
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Elevate Your Cutoffs

Denim shorts at Fashion Week? Alexa did it, rocking her trusty pair with a black jacket, a black top, and black booties for Noon by Noor's runway show.

06
Add a Little Extra With a Bright Jacket
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Add a Little Extra With a Bright Jacket

Jeans and a tee? Meh — too simple for Alexa. She knew the item she was missing was a bright red jacket, which transformed her outfit into something fierce.

08
Try Something Different
Getty | Vittorio Zunino Celotto

Try Something Different

Swap a basic dress for a caped style like Alexa's Valentino number. The shape is an unexpected and fun twist.

09
Go For Sexy, Not Showy
Billy Farrell Agency | Leandro Justen/BFANYC.com

Go For Sexy, Not Showy

Alexa's sleek leather skirt and loose top managed to show the perfect amount of skin. Her look felt ultrasexy without really giving anything away.

10
Borrow From the Boys
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Borrow From the Boys

Alexa is not one to shy away from tomboy territory. Her button-down, shorts, and loafers worked because she kept the proportions just right.

11
Add an Element of Surprise
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Add an Element of Surprise

Usually a party dress is best paired with a sexy pair of high heels, but in Alexa's world, boots are better. These black bad boys gave her look a totally unexpected spin.

12
Rock a Lust-Worthy Clutch
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Rock a Lust-Worthy Clutch

Sometimes the best part of an outfit is in the details. A cool clutch like Alexa's fuzzy pink choice can be the element of a look that really stands out.

13
Play Up Your Waist
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Play Up Your Waist

If you are wearing a full skirt, you can still play with volume on top too. A cropped style helps show off your waist.

14
Go Bold With Outerwear
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Go Bold With Outerwear

A metallic coat? Yes, it may be a surprising choice, but this standout topper is what made Alexa's otherwise casual outfit feel effortlessly cool.

15
Raid Dad's Closet
Getty | Alo Ceballos

Raid Dad's Closet

A sweater tied around the waist isn't just a look for Dad. Paired with cool cutoffs and a slouchy button-down, Alexa proved this look was made for fashion girls.

16
Dress For the Weather
Getty | Samir Hussein

Dress For the Weather

Don't be afraid to get down and dirty. Alexa managed to make wellies work by pairing them with skinny jeans, a luxe blazer, and a simple turtleneck. By dressing them up (without going too fancy), Alexa proved that you can look chic in any weather.

17
Pair Polar Opposites
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Pair Polar Opposites

Stand out from the dress-and-heels crowd and channel Alexa's playful pairing by combining a feminine dress with sleek black booties.

18
Long Is Luxe
Getty | Niki Nikolova

Long Is Luxe

A long dress can often feel too fancy, but Alexa worked an easy angle, adding edgy heels and keeping the rest relatively understated for a cool, boho-inspired vibe.

19
Keep It Simple
Getty | Mike Marsland

Keep It Simple

A fit-and-flare dress doesn't have to feel totally girlie. By staying away from over-the-top jewelry or luxurious toppers, Alexa made this frock feel more relaxed and added just a pair of lace-up heels for a little contrast.

20
Never Say No to Metallics
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Never Say No to Metallics

Alexa's outfit seemed demure from the ankle up, but by adding cool-girl metallic accessories like these silver boots, she juxtaposed the vintage feel with a modern finish.