I have fallen in love with the Cher Horowitz’s (of “Clueless”) layering look of sweater vests on top of long white shirts. And now that it is Fall, and soon Winter, this look just makes even more sense with the all the layers we already put on while also incorporating the classic winter plaid fabrics. See more updated Cher inspired looks below!
Recreating and updating the Cher Horowitz look has been a lot of fun! However, I have to say for a while I had a hard time finding sweater vests and tailored white shirts that were long enough to peek out under the vests, as well as finding the plaid over the knee socks. But (as pictured above) I found a really cute and comfy top that has the white shirt and cropped sweater vest as an all-in one top (see similar here), these black and white plaid tights, my already owned classic Mary Janes, and a black pleated skirt from my closet (see similar here & here) . This season, I am happily seeing a lot more long tailed white collared shirts everywhere, more sleeveless sweaters (sweater vests) and cropped sweaters, and now plaid skirts, shorts, and trousers! So recreating the look may just be even easier.
5 Tips on recreating the Updated Cher Horowitz Look:
1. Feel free to play with the look and not mimic it identically or else you could be fined by the fashion police for wearing a costume. Update the look as I did with a pleated black skirt instead of a plaid “school-girl” skirt. Or wear tights instead of OTK socks. Or try wearing knee high boots with plaid OTK socks (that peek out of the boot), plaid shorts, and a cropped sweater on top of a thin collared shirt.
2. Mix and match what article will be plaid or even try large print argyle. Have fun with your plaid by making your plaid piece an overall skirt, shorts, or try adding a coordinating plaid purse (as seen below). But if you must try the matching plaid skirt and jacket look, make sure the matching set is in a monotone, less “loud” feel.
3. Cropped sweaters are very in! SO if you’re not into the plaid jackets or sweater vests, you can easily find the alternative cropped sweaters and cropped cardigans to get that layered look.
4. Tights are a very fun and playful piece to add to your layered basics to achieve the look. I chose a more monotone look with grey, blacks, and whites because of all the different layered pieces; I didn’t want the look to be too busy. But if I wanted to wear a more vibrant plaid stocking, like a red and black plaid pair, then I would wear it with an all black sweater dress and boots. Wearing it with a simple black sweater dress keeps the look clean and again less “costume-y.” Otherwise I would restrict the more colorful plaid to over the knee socks where you still break up the look with a bit of skin between the skirt, dress, or shorts.
5. Find a thin or soft white collared shirt that can be comfortable to layer and long enough to see as a separate layer. No one likes an overly stiff shirt under a sweater because no matter how comfortable your sweater vest is the white shirt can restrict your comfort as your under-layer if it is not soft and thin. Keeping the shirt on the thinner side also keeps you moving easily and doesn’t add to much bulk. Finding a collared shirt with long enough tails is key because it allows for it to peek through your sweater vest/cropped sweater or cardigan. On the plus side of what is on-trend right now, you may be able to find an all in one look as I did where the cropped sweater and collared shirt comes attached as one top.
Check out these great pieces we shopped for you to re-create the modern/updated look inspired by Cher Horowitz of Clueless.
Look 1:
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Look 2:
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Look 3: