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There are a lot of stories written about actress Halle Berry, whose next movie “The Call,” is in theaters soon, but one that doesn’t get enough attention is her style. Not only does Halle Berry represent the fly over 40-crowd, she also rocks a uniquely individual style that is very different from most of her peers. Though she’s been associated with top Hollywood stylists like Deb Waknin, Berry seems more often than not to style herself, wearing looks that reflect her own bohemian sensibilities. But any aspiring fashionista can learn from Halle’s style both on the red carpet and off. Here’s how to get your Halle on.

FIND A SIGNATURE LOOK

The most recognizable part of Berry’s look is her short hair. The 46-year-old actress has worn a short cut with different variations for most of her career. The cut, whether its worn spiky, pixied or artfully cut the way it is now, has inspired imitators who never seem to pull it off as fly as she does. No one in Hollywood wears short hair better. For Black women, the cut is proof that you don’t have to have tons of hair, whether you’re weaved, permed, wigged or natural, to look good. All you have to have is a hairstyle that works for you.

DRESS FOR YOUR BODY

Another staple of Berry’s look is her ability to dress for her body type. The slim 5’5″ actress doesn’t wear anything that overpowers her. Most of her clothes on the red carpet or not are fitted or artfully draped, flattering her proportions. On the red carpet, she favors fitted gowns and sexy dresses with an edge. Her Oscar-winning dress by Elie Saab was sleeveless with a sheer front panel and ballgown skirt, showing off her toned upper body and flat stomach. For this year’s Oscars, she wore a body-flattering metallic dress inspired by her role as a Bond girl, custom made by Donatella Versace. Off the red carpet, Berry favors skinny jeans, subtle colors and casual but sexy looks that never seem too contrived. Berry’s biggest style secret: a perfect fit in both casual and red carpet looks, probably due to a stellar tailor on call.

USE ACCESSORIES TO ENHANCE, NOT OVERPOWER

Berry realizes that her gorgeous face doesn’t need a lot of enhancements. For events, her look is simple – easy, natural makeup that makes her look pretty and polished. There’s rarely a dramatic eye or lip, yet she always looks flawless. On her own time, it’s a more subdued version of the same thing. As for accessories – no “It” bags or 4” heels. Berry’s jewelry is always interesting – a set of stacking rings or a grouping of silver pendants or something else unusual. When you think of reality TV wives, for example, their look is always about a big weave, big earrings, red-bottoms and a name-brand bag. Even if Berry isn’t wearing immediately recognizable name brands, she always looks good.

KNOW HOW TO MAKE A STATEMENT

When Berry does go va-va-voom with her look she knows when and where to do so. On TV she goes for the “wow” – the patterned leather thigh-high Black boots she wore with a sexy Black dress on “The Jay Leno Show” a while back and the caged heels she sported on “Chelsea Lately” last year. On the red carpet, she makes her statement depending on the event –sexy, colorful body-fitting long gowns for award shows like The Oscars and Golden Globes, and feminine, pretty short dresses or beautifully cut, feminine suits for parties, events and openings. Know what to wear when and you’ll be as stylishly flawless as Berry.

DRESS FOR YOU, NOT FOR FASHION

Even when Berry’s picking up her daughter, Nahla Aubry, from school, she’s wearing something that stands out – motorcycle boots with a draped top and skinny jeans, a sexy hat, sunglasses or a bag you won’t find in every other actresses closet. One thing that makes Halle’s style unique among actresses is that it’s her own – she never overdresses or overaccessorizes; yet she always looks put together even in her most casual clothes. She’s not big on trends, instead putting together looks that stand out because they seem to reflect her own artsy casual life.

Check out Berry’s sexiest red carpet looks here: 

2013 Academy Awards Hits and Misses
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(Photo: AP)