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The 5 Rules of Fashion, According to Kelly Ripa

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There are many reasons why we love with Kelly Ripa, whether it's her longtime romance with her former All My Children co-star, Mark Consuelos, her domination of daytime television on Live with Kelly and Ryan or her endlessly cheeky social media presence. And the cherry on top of everything is Ripa's stellar fashion sense.

With millions of eyes on her every week, Ripa hasn't crumbled under the pressure. In fact, she continues to bring her fashion A-game every day, and her wins haven't gone unnoticed. Throughout the years, it's become apparent that Ripa has a keen eye for bold prints, bright colors and killer shoes. Now, we've decided to take a closer look at Ripa's fashion and round up the five “rules” we've noticed amongst her many iconic ensembles.

Kelly Ripa’s Style Transformation Over the Years


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1. Every Outfit Can Be Improved With A Necklace (as Long As It's 20" Or Shorter)

For Ripa, almost no outfit is complete without a little accessorizing. However, in recent years, you would be hard-pressed to find a photo of Ripa wearing a necklace that is longer than 20.” While the host pulls out longer chains on rare occasions, she typically opts for shorter ones, ranging from chokers to matinee lengths. Wondering what Ripa's typical choice of color is for these chains? Gold.

Shop similar styles: Lauren Conrad multi-strand rose gold necklace ($18); Isabel Marant gold pendant necklace ($140); Missoma twisted double chain necklace ($375); Gucci gold chain necklace ($1,450)

2. When You Run Out Of Dress Shirts, Try Tucking A Pajama Top Into A Skirt Or Pants

Sure, it's been trendy for a while now to wear sleepwear as a part of your daytime outfit, but Ripa has never needed to pay attention to fads. While the 51-year-old is often seen sporting professional chic, she will sometimes swap out a dress shirt for a pajama top, which she subtly tucks into her skirt or pants. The result is a comfy combo, and when put together—Voilà! She has nailed business casual.

Shop similar styles: Lindex pajama top ($24); Loungeable satin pajama top ($26); Liquorish jacquard pajama top ($29); Araks silk pajama top ($345)

3. Don't Be Afraid To Mix Bold Patterns With Bright Colors

While one might think that an eye-popping pattern should be mixed with more muted articles of clothing, Ripa has never lived by that mantra. Take one glance at the TV star's closet, and you'd be quick to discover that Ripa loves herself a good patterned fabric. She is never afraid of matching maximalist pieces with other attention-grabbing articles, and we love her for that.

Shop similar styles: ASOS plisse midaxi skirt ($36); Coldesina long-sleeve dress ($81; $47) New Look mini dress ($47); Alexis knit maxi skirt ($275)

4. Add A Touch Of Frills To Elevate An Outfit

When we hear the word "frills," our minds immediately jump to garish cotillion dresses or the Seinfeld puffy shirt. But, Ripa knows that a small bit of detailing can go a long way. Whether it's an addition to her sleeves, her cuffs or her skirt, Ripa has often understood the magic of adding this ornamental touch.

Shop similar styles: Closet London high-neck top ($38; $14); True Violet pencil skirt ($79; $17); ASOS ruched midi dress ($43); Aje crop-top ($275)

5. An Animal Print Looks Best On Your Shoes

As the queen of patterned clothing, it's no surprise that Ripa favors a good animal print. However, while she's been known to wear leopard tops and red, zebra-printed dresses, the Live with Kelly and Ryan host often reserves these animal prints for her footwear. On various occasions, Ripa has been spotted in a pair of cheetah-printed pumps and even knee-high leopard boots. And if Ripa thinks these prints belong on shoes, then on shoes they shall go.

Shop similar styles: ASOS slingback kitten heels ($48; $19); Trotters pumps ($99); Fabrizio Viti knee boots ($1,110; $444)

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Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

Joel is the Associate Editor for News & Entertainment and has been reporting on all things pop culture for over 5 years. Before working at PureWow, he served as a Features...