Lauren Conrad might be the most Laguna Beach of the entire cast of Laguna Beach. If it wasn't a polka-dotted headband completing her fancified Cali effortlessness, it was...another equally statement-making headband. But she's come a long way from simple hair-accessorizing, and more than a decade after the show's end, we still look to Conrad for style inspiration with a side of early-aughts nostalgia. Drama-free, of course.
Nowadays, LC kind of does it all. Post-high school (and a delayed trip to Paris), she went on to become a New York Times best-selling author, a fashion and lifestyle blogger, and now, a full-blown fashion designer. One would think so much growing up would change a person — at the very least her look — but fret not, Conrad is still a fan of putting her hand on her hip, tilting her head ever so slightly, and giving us above-the-knee summer dress situations that we just can't get enough of. See some of the best looks she's put together lately, ahead.
At the launch of her third book, Starstruck, a sun-kissed Conrad is striking in tangerine.
Photo: Vallery Jean/Getty Images.
The same dress, but this time in leather. How's that for a contrast?
Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic.
"You know what you did!"
Photo: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.
Why have one hem on your babydoll dress when you can have two?
Photo: Stefanie Keenan/WireImage.
It's not even Christmas and we want this sweater.
Photo: Noel Vasquez/FilmMagic.
A wide-leg jumpsuit is your answer to being stylish and comfortable at the same time.
Photo: Aaron Davidson/WireImage.
How much do you want to bet that's actually a headband?
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images.
Try two slits, this time.
Photo: Monica Schipper/FilmMagic.
Matching shoes to a dress with that many colors and still managing to keep it simple is talent.
Photo: Nick Rood/Young Hollywood/Getty Images.
Pretty, tulle fashion, mosquito-net function.
Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage.
50 Shades of...just kidding — we wouldn't do that to you, LC.
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
When you can't let the polka dots go so you just move them to another piece of your outfit.
Photo: Monica Schipper/FilmMagic.
We're surprised these prints could be in the same room without clashing.
Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images.
Try salmon when you don't want to go all the way pink.
Photo: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images.
She must feel right at home in a dress that's blue like the ocean (at Laguna Beach, of course).
Photo: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images.
According to Hermann von Helmholtz, this look is science-approved. We love it, too.
Photo: Amy Graves/WireImage.
Those booties have us heart-eyed.
Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images.
Floral: an oldie but a goodie.
Photo: JB Lacroix/WireImage.
That peplum hem gives this look just the right dose of dimension.
Photo: Michael Stewart/WireImage.
We swear we've seen this dress already, but that blazer makes it look like new. Nice styling tip, Lauren!
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images.
If you look up the definition of "cute" in the dictionary, this picture might be there.
Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images.
"Ugh, Balenciaga is so heavy..."
Photo: Barcroft Media/Getty Images.
As she waved to the crowd, her line was selling out thanks to her see-now-buy-now business savvy.
Photo: Thomas Concordia/WireImage.
When you're a vision in yellow, and ready to pop color-coordinated bottles.
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic.
"Stephen? Is that you?"
Photo: GVK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.
A dress perfect for your best friend's wedding...or a book signing.
Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage.
Now, those are some florals worth celebrating (get it?).
Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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