29 Secrets

Easily 2012’s fashion it-girl, Rooney Mara has cemented herself as the frontrunner for the Oscar’s best dressed. So with the departure from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’s aesthetic in mind (so many cargo pants!), here are four looks we loved on Rooney Mara, and how you can get them at home.

Look 1: Black and white

Rooney Mara’s new signature colour may be black, but to keep the timeless shade interesting, pair it with the opposite. Creating a visual pop, Rooney’s crisp white blazer makes her seem slightly more casual – yet thanks to the detailed shoulders and lack of lapel, the blazer still constitutes as “formal.” To create the same effect, pair the season’s it-shade with a black or navy top. You may not be at the Oscar announcements, but your day-to-day wear will get a much-needed kick.

Look 2: All white

It’s hard to keep white interesting, so instead of overdosing in femininity through lace, Rooney Mara wore a dress decked out with peplums and layers to create an artistically inspired look. If the dress is too much for your wearable wardrobe, borrow from the silhouette instead: not only are peplums a must-have for spring 2012, the pencil skirt length is always timeless. Just remember to invest in the season’s bright, bold shade.

Look 3: Black and gold

Metallics are a huge trend this season, so to make gold more accessible, pair it with a neutral shade like Rooney Mara did in this belted A-line dress. Modernizing a traditional silhouette, the gold adds a much-needed edge – especially since Rooney Mara’s aesthetic shies away from classic ‘50s cuts. To do something similar, pair a gold or metallic top with skinny black pants or belt it into an A-line skirt. Keep makeup minimal and don black shoes.

Look 4: Back to black

Rooney Mara’s made black her staple shade, so to avoid the Angelina curse (read: it’s getting old), it’s important Rooney uses cutouts and textured fabric to keep black interesting. The Golden Globes are a perfect example: with a plunging neckline and Victorian skirt, her Nina Ricci dress eclipsed all others. Do the same by embracing the cut-out trend, but balancing it with a long skirt or pleated pants.