Any person with even the LEAST amount of fashion knowledge knows that an all-black ensemble is the easiest and safest way to look completely chic. Well, those of us who believe in dressing a little less, well, safely know that the best way to add interest to an all-black outfit is with some kick-ass colorful accessories. Gwen is a great example of this technique: her sporty black tee and cargo pants look is stepped up a notch with the addition of a cool royal blue motorcycle jacket and a colorful bag (plus some chic black booties to make this look less casual and more elegant). So to add some interest to your basic blacks, try these:

Silence & Noise Motorcycle Jacket ($58)

T by Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Muscle T-Shirt ($78)

Ralph Lauren Rugby Cotton Twill Cargo Pant ($128)

Michael Antonio McKey Booties ($60)

Latico P.S. Double Pocket Bowler ($139)

The tin man might have been lacking a heart, but he certainly had style. Nothing says glamour like a silver sheath, as seen here on The City star Whitney Port. It’s so current and fits right in with all the ’80s looks in stores now. Plus, it’s really fun to wear something that’s full of sparkle and shine. This look, believe it or not, is easy to pull off for day too: just pair the silver with something textured and low-key, like a pair of matte black leggings and a knit cardigan thrown on top. Here’s a few of my favorite silver dresses in stores now: Take your pick!

TopShop Cyber Structured Dress ($110)

Rachel Rachel Roy 24 Hour Dress ($89)

Nicole Miller Techno Brocade Combo Dress ($440)

Aqua Sequined Tank Dress ($158)

Walter Silver Beaded Dress ($60)

Free People Sequined Mesh Tunic ($68)

There’s no better way to dress up a simple long-sleeve dress than with a few standout pieces of jewelry and some killer cutout ankle boots. Of course, when said dress is a not-so-stately flame red number, as Alexa Chung’s is, it ups the style and glamour quotient a notch or two, or twelve. To add another notch or two to your style belt, try these:

French Connection Demi Stretch Dress ($98)

Forever 21 Jeweled Collar ($16)

Steve Madden ‘Merriee’ Bootie ($90)

Nasty Gal Vintage Heavy Metal Stud Cuff ($52)

Armani Exchange Oversized Clutch ($68)

What I love about this woman’s outfit is that it’s both grown-up and childlike at the same time. Grown-up: chic fitted leather jacket, full skirt, ladylike satchel. Childlike: plaid sneaks and hoodie. Together, these items create a look that is both creative and stylish. Note: This look would be fantastic paired with a quirky graphic tee underneath the hoodie. It would add an extra surprise dose of irreverence. After all, what are layers for?

Silence & Noise Wyatt Moto Jacket ($128)

GAP Fleece Hoodie ($39.50)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dont Fret My Pet Miss Marc Tee ($58)

Marc by Marc Jacobs A-Line Skirt ($188)

Gotta Flurt Nolace-04 Slip-On Sneaker ($20)

TopShop Square Pushlock Holdall Bag ($70)

Any ol’ shoemaker can slap a thick, lug sole on the bottom of a boot or sneaker. But it takes a lot of fashion gumption to slap that same rough-and-tumble sole on the bottom of a refined pump or sandal. And doing so creates a shoe that is both elegant, tough, and utilitarian. Lug sole heels are one of the biggest shoe trends for the fall, and I’ve hand-picked my favorites for you to ponder. Added bonus: They may be high, but they’ll be no slipping on a slushy, rainy sidewalk this winter in these sure-footed beauties!

Camilla Skovgaard Open Toe Suede Booties with Lug Sole ($505)

MICHAEL Michael Kors ‘Webster’ Peep Toe Platform Pump ($155)

Alloy Revenge Heel ($40)

Dollhouse Marki Patent & Stretch Platform Sandal ($40)

Pura Lopez R303 Platform Pump ($345)

Kors Michael Kors Honor Platform Penny Loafer Pumps ($250)

Steve Madden Lagoo Hi Heel Lug Bottom Sandal ($100)

Cindy Reach Lug Sole Pump ($50)

Ah, Gwen Stefani. The only girl cool enough to make a yellow bra worn under a white tank look high-fashion. Stefani’s outfit, which she wore out on the town recently, is a lesson in accessories making the outfit. Her simple white tank, black leggings and gauzy cardigan get stepped up a fashion notch with the addition of some bright and colorful sandals from Gwen’s L.A.M.B. line and a bright yellow clutch (plus the aforementioned yellow bra). While her shoes are too awesome to be ignored, you can score a similarly-hued pair from Stefani’s own lower-priced Harajuku Lovers line. So holla back, girl, and pick these up:

Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy® Push-up Bra ($42)

DKNYC Cozy Cardigan Wrap ($24)

Something Shiny Zip Leggings ($94)

L.A.M.B. Justice Sandal ($290)

Harajuku Lovers Patricia Sandal ($77)

Lulu Townsend Oversized Pleated Clutch ($35)

Brit model Agyness Deyn has a way with throwing together unique outfits. With the wealth of designer duds she surely has on hand, most of the time she looks like she threw together her own collection of thrift-store finds. And I respect that about her. Anyone can look good in the latest runway collection, but it takes someone with true style to dress the way Deyn does. Take her paid suspender ensemble above: I love the way the stripes and the plaid play off each other, the neon-piped bag adds a touch of punk, and the sweet mary janes bring it all down to earth. Her exact look is no doubt one-of-a-kind, but you can recreate the same feel of her preppy/punk ensemble with the items below:

DKNY Striped Cotton Tank ($30)

Fred Flare Plaid Wool Shorts ($36)

American Apparel Unisex Suspender ($16)

Tilly’s Neon Trim Handbag ($8)

Cc Skye Neon Pink Italian Screw Bracelet ($105)

Nine West Katarina Mary Janes ($30)

This woman’s quirky tuxedo-inspired look is perfect in every way: the cropped, tapered trousers are the newest silhouette, the bow-front blouse is feminine and dramatic, and the canvas sneakers are just quirky enough to give the outfit a sense of humor. The only improvements I might make are swapping the plain hose for some interesting textured ones (a peek of a cool lace pattern between the pants hem and shoes is an interesting touch, I think) and swapping the sneakers for heels in cases where you need to dress this up a bit. Other than that, utter androgynous perfection.

Alexander McQueen Large Bow Blouse ($198)

White House Black Market Tapered Ankle Pant ($88)

TopShop TRICK Lace Up Plimsole Shoes ($30)

SPANX® Antique Lace Tights ($28)

Dolce Vita Madison Platform Pump ($120)

When you’re a DJ, you know how to look cool without even trying. Pairing a delicate lace tank with your cutoff denims, like Misshapes DJ Leigh Lezark does here, now that’s cool. There’s something about the mix of feminine and tough elements that always gets to me. Also, try layering different necklaces for her tangled look. To spin your own remix of this Lezark tune, try these (PS: If you love the green bag but aren’t ready to shell out over $200 for a trendy colored bag, try this Roxy version for $32):

Robbi & Nikki Lace Layer Tank ($110)

BDG 5-Pocket Denim Short ($40)

Chinese Laundry South Beach Sandal ($60)

B. MAKOWSKY Toulousse Shopper ($240)

Forever 21 Rina Multi Chain Necklace ($9)

Forever 21 Clover Suit Necklaces ($5)

It seems like lately shorts have replaced the skirt in becoming the go-to clothing item for the fashionable females out there. There are some general rules though: like, the smaller the shorts, the more conservative the rest of your outfit should be so as to not look too hoochie. This girl on the street shows that when the shorts are baggy and high-waisted, you can wear them with a bustier top and sky high heels and not look like a streetwalker. And when such an outfit is done in shades of grey and blue (with a cooky printed tote bag for good measure), you will literally be the coolest girl on the block. So try these icy pieces on for size:

TopShop Seam Detail Denim Corset ($65)

Thayer High Waisted Roll Shorts ($84)

Forever 21 Fab Skinny Patent Belt ($2.50)

Michael Antonio Cael Sandal ($25)

La Mer Oversized Vintage Watch ($85)

Oak Fish And Bones Printed Tote ($27)