Olivia Wilde Has the Key to Doubling Your Wardrobe — Without Spending a Ton

Updated on 4/10/2016 at 12:00 PM

We were once told that you can't have it all, but clearly, whoever said that has never met (or even seen) Olivia Wilde. On top of naturally gorgeous looks, a killer sense of style, and tons of talent, the star is also working to bring awareness toward sustainable fashion. For the second year in a row, Olivia and her company, Conscious Commerce, have partnered with H&M, helping to launch its newest conscious collection and promote World Recycle Week.

"A lot of people, when they think about sustainable fashion, they think of some sort of sacrifice of fashion," Olivia told us when we caught up with her at an event for the brand. "But H&M is really trying to disprove that, saying not only can you look chic and invest in more sustainable technology, you can also then change the way that you think of yourself as a consumer."

Aside from producing items made from recycled and organic materials, H&M collects used and unwanted clothing via bins in its stores.

Of course, to avoid that massive pile in the first place, Olivia has some all-star tips for loving and rewearing the clothes you have. Read on for the keys to nailing a look as laid-back and covetable as hers — without sacrificing your latest paycheck.

Invest in Items You Know You'll Wear For Years

“I tend to have a few pieces that I invest in that I then keep forever, like shoes," Olivia told us. And don't be afraid to do some maintenance on the things you love. "I have these Acne black ankle boots that I’ve resoled for the past, like, eight years. I have a few pairs of shoes like that. I have a leather jacket that I just take good care of and I wear it every day. Even when I was nine months pregnant I wore that leather jacket.”

Get Creative

“I’ll use one item as several different things," Olivia revealed. "Whether it’s a scarf that’s also a sarong that’s also a dress that’s also a headscarf.”

Dare to DIY

Olivia has also tried to get crafty — despite some limitations. “The obvious is denim, like turning pants into shorts," she said. "I’m not a very good seamstress, so beyond that, it's pretty limited. Taking sweatshirts and turning them into short-sleeved sweatshirts, then crop top short-sleeved sweatshirts, and then you’re like, 'What am I doing? I can’t wear this!' Then it’s a gym item.”

Become Inspired

While she admits she's "never quite sure what's 'the look' of right now," Olivia does enjoy seeing what's on the runway and the street.

"I don’t follow trends religiously," the star admits. "I don’t pore over Vogue and become a slave to that month’s trends. But I do find inspiration from those images, from fashion collections that I see. I love watching what different designers are putting out there, noticing subtle shifts in trends, and being inspired by that. I also find inspiration from what’s on the street, like everyone else. That’s one of the great things about living in New York.”

Vintage Shop

Like a true fashion girl, Olivia's done some digging for items she wants. “I like to go to flea markets; I like to vintage shop. You can be inspired by what’s on the runway in your vintage shopping as well.“

Don’t Ditch Your Old Clothes

“Part of the fun is seeing something that has sort of come back into season and remembering that you actually still own that thing. For instance, flared jeans. We all had thousands of pairs and then we all threw them out. You wish you never threw them out. But, luckily, I didn’t throw them all out.”

Stay True to Your Signature Look

“[My style doesn’t] shift hugely from season to season. I’m not like 'OK, now I’m this person, and next year, I’m gonna be that person.' I’m pretty consistent, with subtle shifts.”