club monaco

If last week was all about the red carpet (hello Met Gala madness!), then this week is all about off-duty celebrity style. Stars are ditching the big gowns and designer names for effortless, low-key looks. Snapped on the streets of New York or LA, jumping on (or off) an international flight, or just going about their day to day — these A-listers all rely on a concise edit of wardrobe staples. After some close and very serious analysis, we think we've cracked the off-duty style code. Step inside to see how they do it, shop the core items, then pepare to get papped! 

Club Monaco might have been in a New York state of mind for its first Spring look book, but has since looked west for its latest round of styling inspiration. For its second Spring '13 installment, the mass retailer honed in on Los Angeles, highlighting sport-inspired pieces with a refreshingly chic twist. Sharp colour-blocked sheath dresses, effortless windbreaker jackets, and structured floral separates dipped in hues of azure, white, and green emote a clean and modern spirit. Meanwhile, pop of yellow, floral patterns, and reptilian blue prints inject a bold tilt to the effortlessly refined collection. Click through to see it in full. See something you like? You can shop Club Monaco via Shopstyle.com.au.

Club Monaco is taking its contemporary-cool wares to the "mean" streets of New York City for its Spring '13 campaign. But don't be too quick to conjure up images of a tougher downtown girl. The US retailer is putting its own slightly more irreverent spin on the urban-savvy styler, injecting the brand's iconic classicism (read: minimalist tailoring, overt femininity, and a great knitted sweater) into the latest crop of seasonal fare. Look out for the four poignant colour themes — Dutch blue, orange, pink, and melon — to pop up alongside key styling techniques, with print-on-print and texture contrasting most prominent. For the sportier girl, there's a reworked sweatshirt ensemble that will bring to mind an early '90s vibe, and for the girl who's always looking for a new way to rev up her office attire, we think you'll be pleased with Club Monaco's interpretation of the black-and-white-striped trouser. Click through to see it in full. See something you like? You can shop Club Monaco via Shopstyle.com.au. Neat.

Striking the right balance at the office calls for sophistication and polish, without being too stuffy — after all, you're just dressing for work, not putting on a school uniform. With that in mind, you should feel free to work the season's trends right into your 9-to-5 look, and that's exactly what we're doing. Some staples remain, like a great sheath dress and a classic trench, but we're also adopting jewel tones, printed loafers, and a fresh play on the essential shirt. Inside, we've culled the 11 pieces you'll want to slip into all season (and maybe even on weekends).

Club Monaco just released its Fall look-book filled with two-toned tweed blazers, printed trousers, and plenty of pretty blouses to take you into the chillier months ahead. The collection, inspired by Linda McCartney’s Life in Photographs, the leading male characters in the Silent Generation, and block-print patterns from Jewish-French artist Sonia Delaunay, focused on tailored pieces with a casual twist via pyjama-like cropped suit sets, multi-coloured silk striped dresses, and graphic-printed separates tempered with chic blazers and tweed jackets. Read below for our favourite looks, then click the slideshow to see Club Monaco's complete Fall collection.

• This green silk maxi dress is perfect for pairing with ankle boots in the warmer months, then layered with a cosy knit and blazer when it gets colder outside.
• We love the idea of styling louche printed trousers with a streamlined blouse and sleek jewels for a day at the office.
• Tweed never looked so good thanks to this sleek blazer rendition, especially when paired with a simple pencil skirt and blouse.

Now that we have all of your arm candy options out of the way, it's time to focus on a fresh batch of statement earrings. With designers like Prada, Oscar de la Renta and Jil Sander showing an array of gorgeous renditions on the runway, we're predicting a major comeback for earrings. Our must-haves list includes tassels, bohemian danglers, pretty chandeliers, and standout studs. Want to see the complete breakdown? Read our quick styling tips below, then shop our top picks in the slideshow now.

• Oversized earrings make enough of a statement on their own so there's no need to finish your look with bracelets or rings.
• If your ears can't handle heavy earrings, stud options can make just as much of an impact. Just make sure to choose a pair with brilliant embellishments.
• We love the idea of pairing a boho-inspired set with a pair of tie-dye jeans and an embroidered jacket for a cool Parisian-inspired look.

Photo courtesy of Vogue Russia

Whilst local labels are sharing their Autumn/Winter lines with us (did you check Collette by Collette Dinnigan's killer collection yesterday?) international brands are all about Spring — which is perfect for us Aussies wanting to update our warm-weather wardrobes. Enter statge right Club Monaco's S/S '12 line. Modeled by Eniko Mihalik and Valerija Kelava, the line draws influence from one of our favourite Summer passtimes — music festivals. We can't get enough of the irresistible array of cabana-inspired shirts, sheath dresses, peasant blouses, sheer maxi skirts, plenty of paisley, and louche pyjama-style strides. Flip through the inspiring look book, then shop it up here.

While we admit that even though it's still chilly outside, our heads are already planning our Summer wardrobes. US label Club Monaco (avail via ShopStyle!) is giving us a Friday morning kick start via its Spring 2012 collection. The line set to debut in January was recently previewed to editors, and we love the soft colour palettes, louche layering, and modern interpretation of classics. Here are some of the new season styling tips we gleaned;

• Deep rust and mustard tones are perfect for transeasonal months.
• Soft chiffon skirts benefit from a structured jacket or coat.
• Look for textural details: sequins, llamé, embroidery, and raffia add interest to versatile basics.

Now click to see a sneak peek at Club Monaco's Spring collection.