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If Rachel Maddow found out that dapperQ listed her as one of our top style icons, she would probably fall right off her MSNBC anchor chair and roll around under her desk laughing. In a 2008 Daily News interview, Maddow addressed the issue of her wardrobe stating, “No one picks out anything for me – are you kidding? You think it would be worth paying someone to choose for me between my eight different, nearly identical, dark gray suits?” For more proof of the star’s simple wardrobe, look at Arianna Huffington’s brief video (brief because there’s nothing to really see) shot of Maddow’s modest pantsuit collection. Maddow also told the Hollywood Reporter that she owns a “monochrome rainbow of the exact same $19 blazers [from H&M].” Sounds like a real fashionista, right? But, let’s look at the facts, Rach. A substantial number of our readers write in asking us how they can get the Maddow “nerd chic” look that’s been so successful at making knees buckle.
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Maddow has basically given you the blueprint to her style: simple essentials and monochrome colors. She is known for wearing Jil Sander suits, H&M blazers, Moscot NEBB eyeglasses (if you don’t wear prescription lenses, you can always rock some costume specs), low-top Adidas sneaks, and Chuck Taylor Converse.
Invest in key pieces (suits, blazers, dress trousers, jeans) and get them tailored if they don’t fit you “off the rack.” If you find something you love, buy it in several colors. In addition to the brands already mentioned, you can also shop the Gap, Banana Republic, J-Crew, Target, Levi’s (jeans and chunky belts) and Uniqlo for nerd chic staples.
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