As one of the most prominent voices of Gen Z, Yara Shahidi's incredible style is entirely connected to her political identity. Everything she wears is equal parts fabulous as it is significant. "Wearing what you want is a powerful political statement," she told us earlier this year. "Fashion is a reclamation of identity."
On top of her own outspoken political activism, she's a Chanel girl; she's starring one of the summer's major romantic films, The Sun Is Also a Star; and, of course, she's the lead on Grown-ish, the spin-off of Black-ish, where we first came to know her. There's simply nothing she can't do.
We've had our eye on her style for the past few years, but recently we've been obsessed with every outfit she wears. Working closely with her stylist, Jason Bolden, she breezily dons loud patterns, colours and silhouettes. Shahidi is unafraid to try out trends straight from the runway and will often wear an OTT piece with simple accessories.
With each uniquely inspiring look, we've fallen in love with the way she pulls off creative styling tricks. In a similar way, she has become a positive political voice for her generation. By guiding and not preaching, Yara is leading us by example into a way of using fashion as an authentic reflection of one's personal beliefs.
Looking through some of her most recent outfits, we've noticed four main pillars of her signature style. Keep scrolling to see some of our favourite Yara Shahidi looks.
Power Trousers
Style Notes: Perhaps inheriting a love of Marc Jacobs from her on-screen mum, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara's '80s-style trousers work so well with a simple cardi.
Style Notes: A bold red always works well to frame an outfit, like these red Nanushka trousers with a patterned top.
Style Notes: Yara is a big fan of prints, as evidenced by the layers of Chloé prints she wore recently.
Style Notes: This beige Prabal Gurung set speaks for itself thanks to the feather trousers, so her simple brown accessories are all she needs.
Style Notes: Yara is a master of wearing "fashion" looks without a fuss. She pairs her Thom Browne set with an Opening Ceremony coat while out and about in New York recently.
Style Notes: The pyjama style of her Maje top balances out the volume of her So Sonjia Williams trousers for the ideal style equation.
Statement Suits
Style Notes: She somehow manages to make this head-to-toe Giambattista Valli snake print look low-key with simple Vram earrings and nude heels. Her layered thin roll-neck adds the perfect touch.
Style Notes: What pulls this simple pale blue suit together at the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards red carpet is the matching eye shadow.
Style Notes: The colours, sleeves and tie-dye style print of this Peter Pilotto suit is everything. The simple earrings and bold blue shoes complete the look.
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Style Notes: This gold-and-white gingham suit is simply perfection at the latest Toronto International Film Festival.
Style Notes: Yara told us earlier this year that she only really owns tracksuits and the rest of her wardrobe is courtesy of her stylist. You can see her love of tracksuits woven into every look.
Style Notes: This striped number is a suit in the most classic sense, but she still manages to add her own twist to the look with her Mary Jane heels.
Style Notes: Head-to-toe beige look is still a favourite of ours, and we love the ease of this Nanushka set with gold Guiseppe Zanotti heels.
Denim Looks
Style Notes: Yara wears denim in a refreshingly fun and elevated way. We like how she pairs her flood-like jeans with a cropped Nanuska top Casadei heels.
Style Notes: This denim Fendi set with Brian Atwood shoes makes a chic case for the Canadian tuxedo.
Style Notes: Her Erdem shirt and Sacai denim shorts prove that any simple outfit can be exciting. It's just all in the details.
Style Notes: The added layers and relaxed denim puts a twist on everyone's favourite outfit: the white button-down and jeans with heels.
Style Notes: Choosing an oversized denim suit makes for a relaxed look with a white button-down and heels.
Red Carpet Gowns
Style Notes: At this year's Met Gala, when the theme was Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion, everyone went in a wild direction. Yara made a Prada jumpsuit with a feather coat look breezy and cool.
Style Notes: As a member of the FROW at the Chanel Haute Couture S/S 18 in the PVC boots of the year.
Style Notes: She attended the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in iridescent pink tulle layered over sequinned trousers.
Style Notes: For the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & the Catholic Imagination"–themed Met Gala, she wore head-to-toe heavenly Chanel.
Style Notes: The black-and-white tiered dress pairs so perfectly with her bold lip for the People's Choice Awards in 2017.
Style Notes: Channeling a Studio 54 mood for the 70th Emmy Awards, Yara keeps everything simple, save for the Carrie Bradshaw–sized floral detailing.
Style Notes: There's nothing better than an LBD, especially when it's covered in sequins.
Style Notes: A minidress made perfect with her OTT pink bow shoulders.
Style Notes: Taking a note from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, we love this classic pairing of a white button-down and satin skirt.
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