Style Icons: Olivia Palermo
December 23, 2010 by Arash Mazinani
Filed under All Content, Ladies, Style Icons
You guys have probably noticed I recently did a style icons post for the gent’s on Tom Ford. I thought it was only fair I do one for the ladies as it’s been a while since I featured Lady Gaga. I’ve known for some time now who my next style icon would be as she seems to be everywhere at the moment. She pops up on various blogs, magazines, TV shows and fashion editorials; Olivia Palermo. The funny thing is I never really knew who she was I’d always see pictures of her and think “wow she’s stunning” followed by “she’s dressed flawlessly”. So when I came to write this article I had to do a little research into who she actually is and where she came from. I’m not going to bore you with the details, to be honest there wasn’t much about her, so I’ll get straight to the point.
She’s an American socialite who seemed to gain notoriety through her appearance on the TV series ‘The City’ which was a spin off from ‘The Hills’. I did get the impression that she has a bit of a bitchy persona from the comment’s I’ve read about her other blogs. So please enlighten me if you’re an OP fan by commenting and filling me in.
What I do love about her is her style, the thing that always grabbed my attention was how well put together she always looks. If you consider that was my first impression upon seeing her every time, then you can value how looking well styled and polished is of such importance. It goes back to people making a judgement about you in the first few seconds of meeting you. Making sure you make a great first impression is totally in your own control.
I also love her versatility. I don’t know if you could define her style or pigeon hole it into one category. In the Tom Ford article I wrote how he tends to stick to suits and more formalwear and that tended to be his signature look. Olivia Palermo looks as good in evening wear as she does stepping out during the day.
You don’t have to break it down to see what you can learn from her. The first point is to make sure you look your best before you step outside. Let whoever you meet that day, meet your best self. Olivia Palermo is always on trend, however it’s easy to keep up to date with the latest trends each season either by following fashion magazines or checking here. In a recent interview I read she explained how her favourite items are always accessories. She described how it’s the accessories that make the outfit and not the clothes. You don’t need expensive accessories just make sure they’re of good quality, they’re usually the cheapest way of updating a look. Finally learn to layer your pieces, during the day she’s always beautifully layered. Layering will help you keep warm in winter but it also helps keep the look versatile.
Let me know what you think of this style icon by commenting below.
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If *ahem* I mean, WHEN I get a job in NYC, I am soooo dressing like Olivia. She has impeccable taste and is so put-together. If I had an unlimited cash supply and people at college wouldn’t give me strange looks, my style would probably look a lot like hers. I will admit, I was a The City junkie…mostly because it was set inside the offices of Elle US where Olivia “worked” as an accessories editor (I say “worked” because most say that she really never did that…it was simply for the show, and also, if you read the masthead she definitely isn’t on it and never was, but anywho…). I loved it! But I didn’t love her…err, her character?…she was not a very kind person–they depicted her a a backstabbing, suck-up who took credit for other people’s work. BUT. Gotta say, she always looked fabulous!!
I’m glad you featured her style.
Olivia as a whole is a gorgeous woman, and she always looks very stylish. Her style seems effortless. But, she does come off rather bitchy. The way she was portrayed on the city doesn’t make me think she’s a very friendly person.
http://www.chic-lux.com
Great style icon choice! What I love about op is that her style seems effortless. However i’m sure thats not the case…she must have a very hard working stylist behind the scenes. Looking forward to reading more of your articles arash.
You know I consider her as a style icon as well, I would kill for her closet! Unfortunately that was the only thing about her that seemed wonderful
I don’t know what she’s really like of course, but if you’re okay with being portrayed as an immature, unprofessional bitch than I would say there is something fishy about that… Guess she doesn’t care, she’s rich, famous and has an amazing wardrobe (I hate her! 
Haha!)
brunetteblogging.com
Another great choice! Olivia is not just stylish…despite her socialite upbringing, she is very adept, and I dare say, unashamed of mixing high and low. And she does it so well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked to see who she’s wearing, and it’s Topshop! Like, all the time! I think that’s why so many people really love her style. She shows you don’t have to spend a lot to look great. Hermés Birkin aside, of course.
♥ V
http://www.gritandglamour.com
twitter: @gritandglamour
Her style is impeccable. She is gorgeous and has a flair. Like many, I only know her from TV and her personality was less then savory on the show. But again, who knows with the world of editing.
I can’t deny her styling it is great.
Thanks for the comments and sorry for the technical problems on the site.
-Madeleine
So I’m going to be the only one so far to say that I can’t stand her. I mean yes her style is great but lets be honest it’s all designer wear. There’s no honesty or truth to her clothing or well style. Yes it’s polished and flawless but designer wear is polished and flawless. There’s no real meaning or statement makers. I mean anyone could look great in all designer clothing. To me there is no WOW factor. Sure there are plenty of other models, actresses, etc that wear designers but they sort of make it their own like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. They have a style all their own and have a wow factor to them. I feel like I’ve seen her look before and there’s nothing new to it. Okay blaze, vest, collar shirt, jeans, and big purse. Where’s the stand out piece? I don’t know I can’t get over how fake she is. There’s no realness to her or her style. But this is just my opinion.
http://fashionistanygirl.blogspot.com/
She actually seems not a nice girl. she has a simple style, this is why she is never wrong. she follows some styles rules, ever more than 2 colors, designers shoes and bags…I think it’s not very effortless..
I don’t find a great talent in her matchings…you don’t need a great talent in matching if you wear Charlotte Olympia shoes and Hermes bag, don’t you?
http://verychiclist.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the comment but I disagree with you. Sometimes people try and over complicate things. often the best looks are those that are kept simple. Wearing designer clothes doesn’t guarantee great style if it were that easy everyone would only wear designer labels. I have personally seen plenty of people head to toe in high fashion that still look a mess.
Thanks for the comments people keep them coming
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I to be honest dont really like her that much, yes she does have amazing style with all the knick knacks of brand names all over her, but because my first impression on her already went to the wrong point, I just cant seem to relate to her clothing choices. First of all I think she went to the weight changes that she was just too skinny, second I think she kinda imitates her clothing choices from Whitney Port ( I loooovveee whitney compare to other hills characters) so the conclusion is I think she just dont have too much character to be my fashion muse/Icon, but that is just my opinion.
<3
http://reserveradefashion.blogspot.com
I 100% agree with you. She looks like a hanger or a designers mannequin (but boring). She doesn’t bring her own personality in what she wears. And honestly to be a style Icon I think you need to bring personality into your clothing. Well I guess she does bring her personality into her style since she is boring and so is her style.
http://fashionistanygirl.blogspot.com/
I never got into The Hills spinoff, The City, but I have heard rumors and comments about her having a less than shiny personality. Regardless, I have to agree that her style has enviable easiness to it and she certainly looks chic and pulled together.
xo
she is AMAZING! besides she is a beautiful woman, she also has a great style. however, my icons are sienna miller, kate moss, and of course the olsen twins. i hope you had a lovely new years eve – happy new year!
What I love about OP is, as you say, her general ‘polishedness’. Her style ain’t groundbreaking, but it’s classy and classic with the odd quirky twist. When I first a photo of her she was in head-to-toe Topshop, and she looked fantastic – she wasn’t even carrying a Birkin that day
She might not be cutting edge, as such, but she flirt gently with the trends. I am ALWAYS interested to see what she is wearing, and that says a lot. She’s also living proof that you always look and feel better with freshly blow-dried hair!