6 Ways to Find a Style That Sets You Apart

Pick Contrasting Colors
"People know what colors look good on them but often don't think to use their opposites," says Greenfield-Sanders. "Pair red pants with green beads, or wear blue with orange."

Stick to One Focal Point
"I'm conscious of how things are going to be memorialized in pictures, so I tend to emphasize a single strong piece. If you're wearing an incredible jacket, round out the outfit with basics. A pair of eyeglasses can be your trademark."

Be Practical
"As a mother, I need to move, so I'm usually in flats."

Shop Locally

"I try to find things in small boutiques or made by artisans in my town. Anytime you move away from mass fashion, you're going in a positive direction."

Dress, Diane von Furstenberg, Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC. Flats, Restricted. Glasses, SEE.

For Tina Knowles—Beyoncé's mom and creator of a superaffordable new clothing line for Walmart—personal style is in the details. This jersey dress has "just enough ruching to be forgiving" and flattering three-quarter sleeves. The look is an ideal backdrop for creative accessories: with a tribal necklace and eye-catching heels, Knowles—shown here with Dance Theatre of Harlem members—is ready to get down. "Shoes can change an outfit," she says. "These make basic black more springy."

Jersey Dress, Miss Tina by Tina Knowles. Dancers Mayuko Shoka, Ashley Murphy, Lourdes Rodriguez, and Alexandra Jacobs wear Miss Tina by Tina Knowles.

Add Some Color
"It's the fastest way to brighten up an outfit and lift your spirits," says Knowles. "It can be in your necklace, your nail polish, your lipstick."

Don't Over-Coordinate
"There's a misconception that you have to match your shoes and your bag. It can be so cool to add a patterned or off-color heel."

Befriend a Salesperson...
"If you're easily overwhelmed when you shop, remember that store employees know what's in stock, and they love to give fashion advice. Working with one is like having your own stylist."

...And a Tailor
"Take the time to get your clothes to fit. It makes a difference."

Necklace, Lulu Frost. Shoes, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Barneys New York.

Paz de la Huerta, who plays a Ziegfeld Follies chorus girl turned mistress on HBO's Boardwalk Empire, has a sexy style she dials up or down as needed: "I like the way clothing lets you be a blank canvas." For an audition, she might wear a tight dress so the director can see the shape of her body; leg-lengthening platforms heighten the effect of the alluring ruched dress. The other way to play it: subtly seductive, in a proper three-piece suit that speaks to de la Huerta's serious side. "I think it's important to wear what you're feeling," she says.

Blazer, vest, and slacks, Norma Kamali for Walmart. Shirt, Dolce & Gabbana. Tie, Paul Smith Accessories. Shoes, Opening Ceremony par Robert Cleregie. Platforms, Alejandra Ingelmo. Dress, Norma Kamali.

Start with Your Lingerie
"A woman should feel sexy under her clothes," de la Huerta says. "What you wear next to your skin is the basis of a great outfit."

Wear Your Lucky Charm
"I have a pendant necklace with religious icons that belonged to my aunt. When I put it on, I feel protected."

Have a Signature Style
"Scarves are my accessory of choice. I love silk, wool."

Find Role Models
"Lauren Hutton and Angelina Jolie have so much style yet express it in different ways."

Teddy, Mary Green. Necklace, Miracle Icons by Mary Jo Pane. Scarf, Prova, Ikram, Chicago.

Nadja Swarovski, who helped generate new interest in her family's brand of crystals, relies on an ever-evolving wardrobe of established designers, up-and-comers, vintage pieces, and fast-fashion finds from places like H&M. "I mix diamonds with crystals to keep people guessing, too," says Swarovski. Here, she slips into a long silk dress, Lucite-and-crystal jewelry, and flashy sandals that she calls "jewels for the feet."

Dress, Halston Heritage, Neiman Marcus. Earrings, Atelier Swarovski by Mark Fast. Cuffs and Silver Shade ring, Atelier Swarovski by Joseph Altuzarra. Chunky ring, vintage Swarovski, similar styles available, Sandals, Manolo Blahnik, Barneys New York.

Focus on the Extras
"I appreciate comfort and simplicity in my clothes, and that's why accessories are so important," says Swarovski. "You can slip from day wear to evening wear simply by putting on a ring or a bracelet. Cuffs especially make a statement. They make me think of Wonder Woman."

Say Yes to Heels
"For evening, the higher, the better. I believe heels influence your composure. They make me stand straighter and add femininity to whatever I'm wearing."

Search Everywhere for Ideas
"I can't help but window-shop. It's research. I get inspired by what I see on the streets of New York, Paris, Rome, London, Vienna. And I can't hold back a compliment if someone has on something I love."

Cuffs, Atelier Swarovski by Joseph Altuzarra. Ring, Atelier Swarovski by Prabal Gurung.

When Florence Welch is on the road with her band, Florence + the Machine (they're scheduled to open for U2 in June), she visits secondhand stores in the cities she passes through. "When I was growing up in England, my friends and I would go vintage shopping every Saturday," Welch says. "We tried on party dresses and hung out listening to music." These days she usually needs an extra suitcase for her special finds: "Once I spot something I love, I have to get it, because it's unlikely I'll be back." Welch calls this old-time-charming lace and silk top, silk maxi-skirt, and granny boots "romantic, dramatic, and timeless enough to wear onstage."

Top and skirt, Lover. Boots, Charles David. Rings, Kara Ackerman Designs, Marcia Moran, and Jasmine Pennamma.

Look to a Specific Era
"I'm attracted to floaty, printed pieces. I've always been a '70s girl at heart," says Welch.

Let Your Wardrobe Tell a Story
"My favorite rings were all given to me by my friends. It's wonderful if I can look at something and think, On the day I got this, I was in Copenhagen, and I saw a beautiful cathedral in the rain."

Mix Different Textures
"I love to wear a woolly shirt with a chiffon skirt or put a ruffled feminine blouse with a leather skirt."

Identify Your Palette
"Because of my complexion, I'm into nudes and blues."

Blouse, Tucker. Ring, Isharya, Henri Bendel. Jacket, Banana Republic.

"I buy things I find irresistible even if I don't have an occasion in mind," says Shala Monroque, a consultant for the Gagosian Gallery in New York. Wearing a bright pattern with equally bold jewelry is her go-to style secret: "I love colorful plastic bracelets and the clinking sound they make. When I was younger, I thought that if I wore bangles, I'd be a grown-up." This swirly sheath—finished with a stack of bracelets, a striking beaded necklace, and platform sandals—is perfect for a day's work.

Sheath, Milly. Bracelets, Prada and Miu Miu. Necklace, Marion Vidal. Sandals, Prada.

Choose Mood- Lifting Tones
"Dark, heavy colors tend to drag me down—I'm drawn to beige and pink. A monochromatic outfit can make an impact, too," says Monroque.

Think Cheap
"Plastic bangles immediately and affordably add color to an outfit."

Know When to Be Bold
"If I wear a notice-me outfit, I have to be ready for the attention. I once wore a jumpsuit with a cape, and people were coming up to me to talk about it! If I don't want to deal with that, I'll go with something more demure."

Browse the Whole Store Visually
"I scan the racks by color, then fabric and texture and price. I look for things that resonate, that jump out from the rest."

Coat, Rachel Rachel Roy. Necklace, Xunda. Bracelets, Sobral