The Ultimate Style Icon

Ever since the Tragic Kingdom album, I have been obsessed with Gwen. We’re on a first name basis because we go wayyyy back. You guys remember this 1997 No Doubt article in Seventeen Magazine?

Well, I know it well and probably have all the facts and quotes memorized.  You know the plastic sleeve of a school binder where you can stick something behind it to display whatever you want on the front?  This very article was on my binder cover throughout 7^th and 8^th grade.  Sure, No Doubt's music was cool, but I was actually more intrigued by (and in love with) the cool, hottie lead singer whose style I wanted to emulate. 

That was, and still is, my favorite look of hers. What girl wouldn't want to have the best of both worlds? Be one of the guys rockin' it out onstage sweating and doing jumps and kicks, but also looking glamorous and put together at the same time? The red lipstick and pin curls oozed femininity, but the rocker/punky/sporty pants and shrunken wifebeaters balanced it out by giving her that tomboy edge. It's saying "I'm sweet and cute, but I don't take shit from anyone."

I watch all her old videos in awe because she nailed that look.  Her style compliments and enhances her public persona, which is what fashion is supposed to do, make you look even better than you already do.  Anyone else could’ve done this look and one of two things could’ve happen: One, she would look sloppy, costume-y, trashy, or tacky.  Or, two, be ignored because she does not have the charisma or sexiness to create the kind of impact that Gwen has in the fashion world.

I tried to do this look all through high school and I think I fell in category one (looking sloppy, costume-y, trashy, or tacky). I remember wearing a Forever 21 peasant top and slouchy army green fatigues that were low enough to show a little bit of tummy.  You know, just like Gwen: girly shirt and tomboy pants.  Unfortunately, in retrospect, the top wasn’t that cute.  Plus, I didn't wear make-up, wasn't allowed to dye my hair, and didn’t know how to style my pixie haircut properly so if I was trying to copy Gwen or even look the least bit cute, I didn’t come close.  Another time, I wore my kid brother's Christian preschool t-shirt--ironically, of course--that said, "I am wonderfully made";  matching yellow plastic pearl necklace saved from my My Little Princess board game that I wrapped around twice so it could be worn as a choker, and baggy carpenter jeans. I probably looked like I was going to a rave, rather than channeling Gwen's (tomboy glam) early look.

The look I was going for. 

What I probably looked like, except with a shorter shirt.

Even now, at 43, she is still amazing!  Even though she’s traded in her thrift store duds for more elegant, and refined designer labels, her outfits are still different and unpredictable, as always.  And she still looks chic and put together, as always.