Gwyneth Paltrow and Founder Jessica Seinfeld at the Baby Buggy Benefit

Gwyneth Paltrow practically wrote the book on looking effortlessly elegant. She’s the picture of simple chic, always nailing her sweet and feminine looks without over accessorizing. We always look forward to her red carpet picks, because her unadorned frocks provide plenty of fashion inspiration for every working woman trying to look put together and polished without becoming a fashion victim. Recently, we spotted her in the blistering Hamptons summer heat, looking cool as a cucumber in an amazingly simple strapless dress. If you’re sweating it out in the summer sun too, take a cue from Gwynnie and try dressing way down for your next seasonal outdoor party.

At the annual star-studded InStyle Magazine Baby Buggy Bash on Sunday, July 31st, Gwyneth arrived in a strikingly simple strapless Calvin Klein maxidress, and accessorized her navy blue frock with nothing more than a pair of nude thong sandals. She was the poster girl for simple summer fashion, and we wish more style stars would take the “less is more” approach when dressing for the oppressive summer heat.

If you have any outdoor events coming up this summer, use Gwyneth’s chic ensemble as inspiration when building your own outfit. Maxidresses are everywhere this season, and it’s easy to find the perfect one for your figure at any price point. Patterns are always cute, but we love the simplicity of Ms. Paltrow’s solid blue pick – so look for similar dresses now, before your favorite department store debuts their fall displays. Accessorize your new go-to frock with minimal jewelry and flat sandals for a star-worthy silhouette that’s sure to bear the heat!

When the mercury rises, the last thing you want to reach for is your hair dryer, so opt for a Gwyneth-inspired low chignon. Twist damp locks into an easy, breezy low bun to fight summer frizz while looking star stylish this season!

Gwyneth Paltrow at the Third Annual Bent on Learning event

Gwyneth Paltrow has the type of modelesque figure that would look good in a burlap sack, so it’s no wonder the blonde beauty looks equally fabulous in jeans and a white t-shirt as she does in custom couture. We always anticipate her red carpet arrivals, and she rarely disappoints. Most recently, we spotted her in another fashionable frock at the Third Annual Bent on Learning event at the Urban Zen Center at Stephan Weiss Studio in New York City wearing a lust-worthy, two-toned, draped creation from Alexander Wang. As usual, Gwynnie nailed her look from head to toe, right down to her fabulous hair, makeup and accessories. And even though she has a flawless figure, we think a similar style would flatter a wide rang of body types – even if you don’t have an Oscar statue on your shelf.

Gwyneth was being honored at the event for her contributions to the art of yoga, and for helping to raise funds to bring the strengthening workout to inner city schools. Since it’s one of our favorite ways to de-stress, we can’t think of a better program for struggling kids – and love that Gwyneth, among other A-listers, is lobbying to get the ancient practice incorporated into Physical Education curriculums across the country.

We especially loved that her sleek and streamlined frock highlighted some of yoga’s benefits – namely, a totally toned physique. The silver and black combination kept her look formal without becoming too stuffy for the warm night, and the draped swaths of fabric are a great way to wear a short, sleeveless silhouette without revealing too much. If you’re interested in trying similarly slouchy shapes, make sure to cinch your waist with a thin, solid colored belt, like Gwyneth’s black pick to ensure you don’t get lost in a sea of fabric.

Ms. Paltrow did a great job accessorizing her pitch-perfect dress, and opted for only a fierce pair of strappy black peep toe stilettos. She kept jewelry minimal, and let her gorgeous, shiny blonde locks and sun kissed complexion be her best accessory.

We’re not sure any color screams “spring!” quite like bright yellow. The sunny hue is the color of daffodils, dandelions, and baby chick feathers. The sun is often depicted as radiant yellow in pictures, and we’ve been so deprived of sunlight during our long and frigid winter that we love yellow more than ever before, particularly this season. Perhaps that’s why, more than any other year, we’ve been seeing bright pops of yellow on the red carpet recently. It’s a welcome change, and you certainly won’t see us complaining, since we love the surprisingly flattering hue. Women often shy away from bright yellow, and worry that it will look harsh against their skin tones. But happily, porcelain princess Gwyneth Paltrow proved that yellow can actually be super flattering if you pick the right shade. At a promotional appearance and book signing at the Beverly Hills Williams-Sonoma on April 22nd, Gwyneth wore a drool-worthy Rachel Roy pencil dress in the perfect shade of yellow. Keep reading to learn how to pick your best sunny shade this spring!

Promoting her new cookbook, My Father’s Daughter, Gwyneth practically glowed in her yellow frock. A fair skinned blonde beauty, she’s proving that you certainly don’t need a tan to pull off such vibrant colors. In fact, we’re actually liking this color on her better than her recent never-ending stream of nude and ivory colored dresses. But there’s a few best-kept secrets to pulling off notoriously tricky colors – and they have nothing to do with a visit to a tanning salon.

First, it’s important to know your skin tone. Warm-toned ladies should look for yellows with a touch of red or orange. Cooler ladies (like Gwyneth) should look for metallic yellow hues with a touch of silver in them. This Rachel Roy satin stretch has just enough sheen to keep things flattering. Secondly, remember to stick to simple and pretty shapes when experimenting with new hues. Gwyneth’s classic pencil dress fits the bill, and the flattering shape doesn’t distract from the pretty color. Finally, pair your new colorful frock with an edgy pair of heels, like Gwyneth’s platinum cutout sandals, for a fun contrast.

What do you think of this look? Will you wear yellow this season?