While Rachel Bilson's TV characters—the smart-mouthed privileged teen, Summer Roberts, on The O.C., and the equally irresistible (or I think anyway) Dr. Zoe Hart on Hart of Dixie—are known for their stellar on-screen wardrobes, the actress's off-screen looks are just as statement making.
And since Rachel prefers hanging at home to the Hollywood party circuit, it's that much more exciting when she hits the red carpet. The actress just has this effortlessly chic way of layering edgy and ladylike pieces, plus mixing new and established designers all into one amazing outfit. Plus, the third season Hart of Dixie just kicked off (it's on tonight!), so it only makes sense that Rachel Bilson is our Glamour Style Icon of the Week.
Let's take a look through some of her best looks—and let me tell you, it was really fun and insanely difficult to narrow this list down to 10.
OMG. It's Coop and Summer (er, costars Mischa Barton and Rachel) back in 2005. They look like babies, but you can totally see Rachel's signature sense of style starting to peek through.
Rachel's red carpet outings are always well-documented, but when the girl goes out on a random shopping or errand run she always manages to look amazing too. Her street-style looks, like this printed skirt and blazer outfit in 2009, show off her innate sense of style.
After going through years of photos of Rachel (in a non-stalker-ish way, I promise), I noticed a trend: She LOVES blazers. And really knows how to throw one over a dress—like this cool mixed-print outfit she wore to a Roberto Cavalli runway show at Milan Fashion Week for the spring 2011 collections.
Karl Lagerfeld loves Rachel, too. She's a frequent sighting at fancy-schmancy Chanel dinners (like this one in 2010 wearing a cute fringe-y dress) and parties, plus the designer directed her in a series of arty commercials for Magnum ice cream bars. Possibly random, but hey, we love Karl, dark-chocolate-covered ice cream, and Rachel, so why not?
And another totally chic blazer outfit at a CW party in 2011. Rachel layered a structured black Vanessa Bruno piece over an adorably ruffly pink Erin Fetherston dress, accessorized with ballerina blush Giuseppe Zanotti platforms, and an Edie Parker clutch.
She's also always ahead of (or making) trends—like mixing media with a brightly printed Erdem shirt and trousers outfit and leopard Christian Louboutin pumps. But in 2011 before everyone else started to intentionally un-match their looks.
Another outing, another awesome blazer-dress outfit. This time with a summery salmon pink blazer by Parisian designer Vanessa Bruno over a white lace dress by Suno. So pretty.
If anyone could pull off a pair of peplum-ed pants, it's Rachel Bilson, especially considering how she knows how to update a peplum dress. This entire menswear-inspired look from 2012 is adorable and genius—from her silky-tied sleeveless blouse by Malene Birger matched with double-peplum trousers by Alexander McQueen to her sleek faux bob.
The actress also has impeccable taste in designers—loving this floral paillette minidress by 3.1 Phillip Lim that she wore earlier this year.
It's as if Rachel just grabbed her droolworthy Burberry leather jacket on her way out the door, just in case she was cold in her hot pink leopard print Valentino gown. And the whole effect is just so unexpectedly perfect.
Which of Rachel's looks is your favorite? Do you watch Hart of Dixie? And if you are: Team Zade or Zeorge?
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