Street fashion with I Want to Be Her author Andrea Linett

Andrea Linett, vice president and global creative director for Michael Kors (michaelkors.com), is no stranger to noticing great style: In her new book, I Want to Be Her! (out Saturday 1 from Abrams Image), she recalls in amazing detail the well-dressed ladies who have helped shape her personal fashion sense—everyone from a nameless woman at the airport to Kate Moss and former coworkers at Lucky, which she cofounded in 2000. She also writes a blog by the same name (iwanttobeher.com), where she provides styling tips derived from the chic outfits of females she stops on the street. On a recent weekday afternoon, we had Linett—clad in Michael Kors white jeans, an AG Adriano Goldschmied tee, an authentic Boy Scouts shirt purchased on eBay and Rick Owens boots—use her eagle eye to scout voguish gals in Nolita and Soho. It turns out Linett has a soft spot for shopgirls, the ’80s and European style—the vast majority of women we stopped had foreign accents.

Mary Huber, 19; editorial intern at Art in America (artinamericamagazine.com); Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

“I’ve never seen a coat dress look so good, and not look like actual outerwear,” enthuses Linett of Huber’s belted trench dress from Anthropologie (locations throughout the city; visit anthropologie.com). “She looks like a young Charlotte Rampling.”

Mary Huber, 19; editorial intern at Art in America (artinamericamagazine.com); Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

Huber scored these menswear-inspired flats from ModCloth (modcloth.com).

Mary Huber, 19; editorial intern at Art in America (artinamericamagazine.com); Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

This faux-ostrich bag is another ModCloth find.

Morgan Reede, 21; photographer (morganreede.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

“She sort of helped me relive the ’80s, and did it so perfectly without being costumey,” sums up Linett, who noticed Reede’s Madewell (486 Broadway at Broome St, 212-226-6954 • 115 Fifth Ave between 18th and 19th Sts, 212-228-5172 • madewell.com) striped sweater and Zara (locations throughout the city; visit zara.com) pants from across the street. “And I just thought, on a hot summer day when you see someone wearing leatherette pants and clunky boots, it’s very hard-core.”

Morgan Reede, 21; photographer (morganreede.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

Even this Deena & Ozzy suede bag from Urban Outfitters (locations throughout the city; visit urbanoutfitters.com) has a rocker edge, thanks to its snake-shaped clasp.

Morgan Reede, 21; photographer (morganreede.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

Reede shows off her vintage rings and heavily embellished bracelets from Wink (129 Prince St at Wooster St, 212-334-3646 • 188 Columbus Ave between 68th and 69th Sts, 212-877-7727 • 1330 Third Ave at 76th St, 212-249-2033 • winknyc.com).

Morgan Reede, 21; photographer (morganreede.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

Well-worn biker boots from Frye (113 Spring St between Greene and Mercer Sts; 212-226-3793, thefryecompany.com) echo the studding on Reede’s bracelets.

Morgan Reede, 21; photographer (morganreede.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

Tortoiseshell Ray-Ban (ray-ban.com) sunglasses top off the look.

Ruby Andreolli, 37; manager at Ina (inanyc.com), Brooklyn Heights

“I love how eclectic it is,” says Linett of Andreolli’s varied yet monochromatic getup, comprised of an A.L.C. (alcltd.com) jumper, Hermès Kelly bag (hermes.com) and wide-brim hat custom made by Cha-Cha’s House of Ill Repute (chachashouse.com). “To me, she just looks like some fabulous rich woman who doesn’t have to worry about what she’s wearing, so she’s got her romper and her hat, and it’s all black—which I love in the summer—but then her tattoos and the Kelly bag kind of threw it off.”

Ruby Andreolli, 37; manager at Ina (inanyc.com), Brooklyn Heights

This jumble of pendant necklaces includes a Poupette (poupettenyc.com) hamsa, a moon by Matta (mattany.com) and an "R" initial from Fragments (fragments.com).

Ruby Andreolli, 37; manager at Ina (inanyc.com), Brooklyn Heights

Andreolli stacks a black diamond band that was a gift from a friend over a pair of thin gold rings from Love, Adorned (269 Elizabeth St between E Houston and Prince Sts; 212-431-5683, loveadorned.com) and a piece of estate jewelry. A thick vintage Hermès ring on the opposite hand balances things out.

Ruby Andreolli, 37; manager at Ina (inanyc.com), Brooklyn Heights

Strappy sandals picked up in Argentina highlight Andreolli’s ankle adornments: a tattoo of her name in Hebrew and a bracelet from Brazil. “It’s been on there for five-and-a-half years and my friends are disgusted,” she admits. “They threaten to cut it off while I’m sleeping.”

Sheila Márquez, 28; model; Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Linett fell for Márquez’s artfully disheveled appearance, achieved by layering a baggy Balenciaga sweatshirt (542 W 22nd St between Tenth and Eleventh Aves; 212-206-0872, balenciaga.com) over a sheer Acne button-down (33 Greene St at Grand St; 212-334-8345, acnestudios.com). The shorts are an old pair of jeans she turned into cutoffs. “It’s kind of dirtbaggy, and I love that,” gushes Linett. “That’s my favorite thing, actually—like, oh wait, she’s not really a dirtbag.”

Sheila Márquez, 28; model; Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Márquez carries a roomy Loewe (loewe.com) leather Amazona bag.

Sheila Márquez, 28; model; Williamsburg, Brooklyn

These Isabel Marant (isabelmarant.fr) sneakers have a built-in heel, providing both height and comfort.

Sheila Márquez, 28; model; Williamsburg, Brooklyn

“That’s my ideal haircut,” says Linett. “But I don’t look good in bangs, so I like to look at people who have bangs and pretend that I can pull it off.” Márquez gets her locks chopped “on the jobs, like everyone else,” and further frames her face with a pair of Valentino (valentino.com) sunglasses.

Sheila Márquez, 28; model; Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Márquez accessorizes with an Hermès cuff, Rolex (rolex.com) watch and delicate silver rings from a Japanese jewelry designer in Williamsburg.

Layla Wrencher, 25; photographer (layla.carbonmade.com); Laurelton, Queens

“I’m kind of obsessed with this mix of athletic and streetwear lately—something is in the air—and she’s doing it perfectly,” notes Linett, who was even more impressed by Wrencher’s H&M (locations throughout the city; visit hm.com) sheer sleeveless top, cropped leggings and Saucony (saucony.com) sneakers when she learned the shutterbug was on the way to the gym. “Also, her hair is insane,” adds Linett. “I’m a sucker for that kind of hair and skin.”

Layla Wrencher, 25; photographer (layla.carbonmade.com); Laurelton, Queens

This turquoise-studded bracelet is a stylish souvenir from a trip to Thailand.

Layla Wrencher, 25; photographer (layla.carbonmade.com); Laurelton, Queens

“I love the all-black [outfit] with the crazy green bag, which is kind of ’80s,” says Linett. Wrencher’s funky MadPax backpack is from the kid’s section of Paragon Sports (867 Broadway between 17th and 18th Sts; 212-255-8036, paragonsports.com).

Julia Ashwood, 30; owner and founder of Bikini Vista (bikinivista.com), Soho

Even after a raucous night out, Ashwood managed to put together an outfit—an open-back embroidered top, by a designer from her hometown of Byron Bay, Australia, paired with shorts from Urban Outfitters—that caught Linett’s eye. “She says she’s hung over, but I like how she just threw that crazy hippie top on with the Betty Boop shorts and that old-lady tapestry purse—it just somehow all works together,” says Linett. “And I love when someone can nail Converse [sneakers] with something girly on top. She’s just one of those people.”

Julia Ashwood, 30; owner and founder of Bikini Vista (bikinivista.com), Soho

Ashwood carries a clutch from her mother and wears a bracelet picked up on a recent trip to Jamaica.

Julia Ashwood, 30; owner and founder of Bikini Vista (bikinivista.com), Soho

This dainty cross necklace is a recent Woodstock flea market find.

Julia Ashwood, 30; owner and founder of Bikini Vista (bikinivista.com), Soho

Ashwood purchased these Emmanuelle Khanh (emmanuellekhanhparis.com/en) sunglasses in Paris last summer.

Eloise Fournier, 20; merchandiser, Midtown West; and Laury Hemery, 24, district manager at Maje (us.maje.com), Hell’s Kitchen

“I spotted [Fournier] first because I’m a sucker for anything army, and I like that it was more of a shirt than a jacket,” says Linett, referring to her top from a military surplus store. She wears it with a Scotch & Soda tee (273 Lafayette St at Prince St; 212-966-3300, scotch-soda.com) and H&M skinny jeans, while Hemery sports head-to-toe Sandro (415 Bleecker St at Bank St, 646-438-9335 • 8 Prince St between Bowery and Elizabeth St, 212-226-3226 • sandro-paris.com). “Then I liked that he was a little different—he almost looks like John Lennon but with a dandy twist.”

Eloise Fournier, 20; merchandiser, Midtown West

Fournier blocks rays with tortoiseshell sunglasses from Sandro.

Eloise Fournier, 20; merchandiser, Midtown West

An inexpensive Casio (casio.com) watch offsets heirloom-quality rings from Fournier’s grandmother and best friend.

Eloise Fournier, 20; merchandiser, Midtown West

This Asos (asos.com) messenger bag provides a pop of color to an otherwise muted ensemble.

Eloise Fournier, 20; merchandiser, Midtown West

Sandro studded sneakers toughen up the look.

Laury Hemery, 24; district manager at Maje (us.maje.com), Hell’s Kitchen

Rounded Ray-Ban sunglasses give Hemery a ’70s vibe.

Laury Hemery, 24; district manager at Maje (us.maje.com), Hell’s Kitchen

Sandro loafers worn sans socks keep this ensemble from being overly bohemian.

Laury Hemery, 24; district manager at Maje (us.maje.com), Hell’s Kitchen

Hemery flaunts the skull bracelets he scored from a Soho street vendor, as well as a forearm tattoo of his mother’s name.

Natalie Stylianou, 21; sales associate at Rebecca Taylor (rebeccataylor.com); Whitestone, Queens

“Diana Vreeland would wear that,” declares Linett of Stylianou’s crisp Rebecca Taylor top and Forever 21 shorts. “She is the epitome of super simple summer style. It’s conservative, but not, since the shorts are so short.”

Natalie Stylianou, 21; sales associate at Rebecca Taylor (rebeccataylor.com); Whitestone, Queens

Stylianou punched up a basic manicure by painting just her ring fingers with Essie’s Funky Limelight lacquer. “It’s my favorite color, and I love neons,” she explains. The rest of her digits are coated in Essie Van D’Goh. Her time-teller is from ToyWatch (toywatchusa.com).

Natalie Stylianou, 21; sales associate at Rebecca Taylor (rebeccataylor.com); Whitestone, Queens

Sam Edelman (samedelman.com) thong sandals keep the outfit’s minimalist aesthetic in line.

Beatrice Berenghi, 17; student, Milan

“Again, she looks like she came out of an ’80s movie, with ponytail on the top of her head, and I love anyone who can make acid-wash jeans look cool,” says Linett of Berenghi’s Topshop (478 Broadway between Broome and Grand Sts; 212-966-9555, topshop.com) getup. “I just love how ironic she is with that big, fancy Balenciaga bag.”

Beatrice Berenghi, 17; student, Milan

Pricey pieces, such as a Baume & Mercier (baume-et-mercier.com) watch and a Tiffany & Co. (727 Fifth Ave between 56th and 57th Sts, 212-755-8000 • 37 Wall St between Nassau and William Sts, 212-514-8015 • tiffany.com) bracelet, are mixed in with trendy bracelets picked up on the beach and from friends.

Marnie Legrand, 39; owner of Gas Bijoux USA (gasbijoux.com), Nolita

Linett describes Legrand’s combination of metallic Aritzia shorts (524 Broadway at Spring St; 212-965-2188, aritzia.com) and Zara top and jacket as “the perfect mix of beach and city. She’s not beachy where she’d wear a caftan down Fifth Avenue, but she always looks urban beachy.”

Marnie Legrand, 39; owner of Gas Bijoux USA (gasbijoux.com), Nolita

“I wanted metallic today,” says Legrand. “I just thought, I want everything gold. Usually I’m not that matchy-matchy, but today I thought, why not?” All of her baubles come from Gas Bijoux USA, the costume-jewelry company she runs with her husband.

Marnie Legrand, 39; owner of Gas Bijoux USA (gasbijoux.com), Nolita

Neutral H&M heels provide the finishing touch.

Anastasia Khodkina, 27; model, Harlem

Although Khodkina couldn’t remember where she purchased any of her threads, claiming “it’s all vintage, no-name stuff,” Linett still thought it was notable. “I immediately fell in love with her crazy vest, which has that Hell’s Angels bleached-out thing going on,” notes Linett. “And then she’s got it with a girly skirt. I love the juxtaposition.”

Anastasia Khodkina, 27; model, Harlem

These bracelets are from Parisian jewelry designer Aaron Jah Stone (aaron-jah-stone.com).

Anastasia Khodkina, 27; model, Harlem

Khodkina carries a backpack from Urban Outfitters in lieu of a purse.

Caroline Sebastian, 28; hat designer and sales associate at No. 6 (no6store.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

Sebastian’s sequin-adorned Lin Art Project (nilandmon.com) top is what caught Linett’s eye. “It reminds me of a sweater I had in the ’70s that had glitter on it,” she recalls. “My sister and I both got them and we felt like a bad-ass version of [magician] Doug Henning. I also love how her lipstick matches her skirt.”

Caroline Sebastian, 28; hat designer and sales associate at No. 6 (no6store.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

These leather bracelets are the handiwork of Brooklyn designer Lauren Manoogian (laurenmanoogian.com).

Caroline Sebastian, 28; hat designer and sales associate at No. 6 (no6store.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

A saddlebag from Greenpoint leather-goods line Moving Mountains (mvngmtns.com) stands out against a Tienda Ho (tiendaho.com) floor-length skirt.

Caroline Sebastian, 28; hat designer and sales associate at No. 6 (no6store.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

Sebastian dons Karen Walker (karenwalker.com) sunglasses and NARS (413 Bleecker St between Bank and W 11th Sts; 646-459-2323, narscosmetics.com) lipstick in Heat Wave. “That’s my vital, my go-to color,” she gushes. “I think red lipstick makes every outfit better. No matter what you have on, it’s just essential.”

Caroline Sebastian, 28; hat designer and sales associate at No. 6 (no6store.com); Bushwick, Brooklyn

These loafers are from British shoe company Rae Jones (raejones.co.uk).

Anna-Katerina Kissling, 30; marketing executive and cofounder of P.O.N.Y. (piece-of-new-york.blogspot.com), Chinatown

“I like that she is half girly, half rock & roll,” sums up Linett of Kissling’s vintage band tee from Paris and J Brand colored jeans (jbrandjeans.com). “She reminds me of a sexy Brazilian rocker with that ripped-up T-shirt.”

Anna-Katerina Kissling, 30; marketing executive and cofounder of P.O.N.Y. (piece-of-new-york.blogspot.com), Chinatown

Kissling picked up most of these bracelets—aside from the Philip Crangi (philipcrangi.com) bangle and pyramid-stud style that she got from a friend—on her travels to Greece, the Bahamas and South Africa.

Anna-Katerina Kissling, 30; marketing executive and cofounder of P.O.N.Y. (piece-of-new-york.blogspot.com), Chinatown

Feminine color-block heels from Zara temper the edgy accessories.

Leja Kress, 41; founding partner of Sweden Unlimited (swedenunlimited.com), Financial District

“I love that her sweater is ripped but it somehow looks office-appropriate,” enthuses Linett of Kress’s Tess Giberson top (the shorts are also by the New York designer). “She looks very clean, like old Helmut Lang. It’s cool and not bohemian at all.”

Leja Kress, 41; founding partner of Sweden Unlimited (swedenunlimited.com), Financial District

Kress carries an MM6 Maison Martin Margiela (maisonmartinmargiela.com) tote bag.

Leja Kress, 41; founding partner of Sweden Unlimited (swedenunlimited.com), Financial District

The diamond band belonged to Kress’s mother, who passed away. “She had a stack, so my twin sister wears the other one,” notes Kress. Her engagement ring from a Japanese designer is nestled beneath her wedding band from a Canal Street jeweler.

Leja Kress, 41; founding partner of Sweden Unlimited (swedenunlimited.com), Financial District

These Sigerson Morrison (28 Prince St between Elizabeth and Mott Sts; 212-219-3893, sigersonmorrison.com) sandals are equal parts style and comfort.

Delphine Papaud, 23; law student, Nolita

“Immediately, I thought she looked like she was from a Françoise Sagan novel,” notes Linett. “I just read A Certain Smile when I was on the beach, and she looks how I imagine the main character would.” Papaud wears a vintage floral dress that she purchased in Paris.

Delphine Papaud, 23; law student, Nolita

Linett was drawn to Papaud’s raffia accessories, including this rustic tote from Ibiza. “She just looks like a French girl in the summer in Provence,” remarks Linett.

Delphine Papaud, 23; law student, Nolita

Papaud scored these wedges from a Matt Bernson (mattbernson.com) sample sale.

Brittan LeFils, 26; designer and founder of CoppeRivet (copperivet.com); Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

According to Linett, LeFils’s Rugby Ralph Lauren top (99 University Pl between 11th and 12th Sts; 212-677-1895, rugby.com), RRL fringed pants (locations throughout the city; visit ralphlauren.com) and linen vest, which her husband wore in their wedding, are all kinds of right. “She is everything I like all in one person,” gushes Linett. “From the waist up she’s Diane Keaton, and on the bottom she’s Kris Kristofferson. The whole getup is just, whoa, I want everything she has on.”

Brittan LeFils, 26; designer and founder of CoppeRivet (copperivet.com); Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

LeFils was a women’s accessories designer at Rugby Ralph Lauren for five years and created this belt bag during her tenure there. “It didn’t go into production, so I took the sample,” she admits.

Brittan LeFils, 26; designer and founder of CoppeRivet (copperivet.com); Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

LeFils purchased these skull rings from a Harley-Davidson store (harley-davidson.com). Her animal-print nail art is actually Sally Hansen (sallyhansen.com) Salon Effects nail decals in Hear Me Roar.

Brittan LeFils, 26; designer and founder of CoppeRivet (copperivet.com); Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

This oversize denim bag is another one of LeFils’s designs from her days at Rugby Ralph Lauren.

Brittan LeFils, 26; designer and founder of CoppeRivet (copperivet.com); Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Although LeFils can’t remember where she purchased these sandals, she does know that they’re very old. “I’ve had them for nearly 12 years,” she says.

Erin McKenna, 36; founder of BabyCakes (babycakesnyc.com), West Village

At first, Linett didn’t recognize her friend McKenna on the street, since her eyes were primarily drawn to her H&M button-down frock. “I love a mom who’s cute,” says Linett. “She’s got that polka-dot, kind-of-’80s dress with the perfect little Beatle boots, and then she has that cute baby. It’s everything.”

Erin McKenna, 36; founder of BabyCakes (babycakesnyc.com), West Village

“I have worn these shoes for two years straight,” declares McKenna of her boots from Ludivine (172 W 4th St between Cornelia and Jones Sts, 646-336-6576 • 1216 Lexington Ave between 82nd and 83rd Sts, 212-249-4053 • boutiqueludivine.com). “I have lots of shoes, but these are the only ones I wear.”