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Star Style: How to Dupe Leslie Bibb’s Trendy, Tweedy Pantsuit
Recreate the ‘White Lotus’ star’s head-turning look without breaking the bank
5-minute read
Replicate Leslie Bibb’s standout suit with a lower-cost yet fashionable twist.
AARP (Getty Images)
Key takeaways
- A matching tailored vest and wide-leg pants create a polished, classic look that works for many sizes and shapes.
- Add a coordinating midi or maxi coat for a sophisticated three-piece outfit that can also work with skirts and dresses.
- Black kitten-heel pumps, a fringe-trimmed bag and cat-eye sunglasses capture the celebrity effect without the designer price tag.
Want to dress like a celebrity? Stars get to wear fancy designer clothes that cost thousands of dollars. Here’s how you can get the luxury look for less … a lot less!
The star
Leslie Bibb, 52, an actor and model whose work on HBO’s Hacks earned her a 2026 Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series. She’s also appeared in Iron Man and Iron Man 2, and joined the cast of HBO’s The White Lotus for its third season.
The outfit
A Carolina Herrera by Wes Gordon tailored set: tweed vest ($800–$1,000), matching wide-leg tailored trousers ($755–$1,400) and coat ($2,390–$4,990), accessorized with Robert Marc Cursive Noir Sun ($525, robertmarc.com) cat-eye sunglasses, black stilettos and a small, fringe-adorned bag.
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The total look
Wearing a color-coordinated top, bottom and coat never fails to make you look well-dressed and pulled together. Make it a tailored three-piece in upscale neutrals like gray, navy, brown or black — or rich-looking hues like gray-blue or burgundy — or with a touch of tweed, herringbone or plaid, and it elevates the look a few more notches. Basically, this is a pantsuit, but instead of a blazer, there’s a sleeveless vest. It’s the fashion suit of the minute. Bibb’s Carolina Herrera trifecta is kind of a limo-to-door exclusive. Elegant and chic, the whole thing is glammed up with sharp black accessories: pumps, a statement bag and cat-eye sunnies. You can dupe the whole look and make it work for everyday life — as an ensemble for a special dinner or party, or as standout separates to mix and match — with a few affordable tweaks.
Get the look for real life: the 6 things you need
(From left) Spanx Ponte Jacquard Tailored Vest in Timeless Navy Gingham; On 34th Women’s Vivienne Check Longline V-Neck Vest; ClearFlower Women’s 2-Piece Outfit, Vest and Wide-Leg Pants Set in Black.
AARP (Spanx, Macy’s, Kohl’s)
1. A tailored vest
Sleeveless vests are a new kind of “suit” jacket. These hybrid vest-blazers have become a favorite for women with show-off-worthy toned arms and anyone (buff biceps or not) who likes the idea of a suit but finds its traditional look or extra layers too stuffy. Sometimes sold as a set with matching pants, a sleeveless, structured top can also suit up any pair of pants, and even dark jeans.
Tailored vests now come in a variety of styles, including V-neck, square and notched-lapel necklines, button-front designs (with smaller buttons) and a range of lengths, from belly-covering to long, hip-happy styles. Bibb’s Carolina Herrera vest is a high-neck style with eye-catching buttons down the front. For inspiration, take a look at the Spanx Ponte Jacquard Tailored Vest in Timeless Navy Gingham ($128, spanx.com); the Open Edit Women’s Icon Twill Crewneck Vest in Gray Magnet Heather ($48, nordstrom.com); the Tuckernuck Blackwatch Thompson Vest in Blackwatch ($188, tnuck.com); the On 34th Women’s Vivienne Check Longline V-neck Vest in Vivienne ($40, macys.com) and ClearFlower Women’s 2-Piece Outfit, Vest and Wide-Leg Pants Set in Black ($54, kohls.com).
2. Matching wide-leg trousers
A tonal set — matching vest and pants — provides a slim, elongated look, no matter your size or shape. Structured tops are typically paired with a look-alike structured pant, making for an easy fashion win. The “vest” is fitted or semifitted and looks best with a wide-leg or flared pant.
Take a look at the Spanx Ponte Jacquard Wide-Leg Pant in Timeless Navy Gingham ($168, spanx.com); the Open Edit Women’s Icon Twill Flare Pants in Gray Magnet Heather ($54, nordstrom.com); and the Tuckernuck Blackwatch Erin Pants in Blackwatch ($188, tnuck.com).
(From left) Ann Taylor Fitted Double-Breasted Peacoat in Chocolate Noir; Banana Republic Factory Women’s Timeless Topcoat in Oyster Pearl; J.Crew Women Valentina Scarf Coat in Drapey Wool Blend in Navy.
AARP (Ann Taylor, Banana Republic Factory, J.Crew)
3. A midi/maxi topcoat
Tailored topcoats that coordinate with your vest-pants duo add a super sophisticated finish. Fashion designers like Herrera often make a coat part of a suit ensemble. Look for a length from just below your knee to below the widest part of your calf — the same flattering cutoff you choose for a midi skirt or a dress. It gives a coat a more generous, swanky feeling, whether it’s worn open or closed. Yes, you’re in pants, and leg coverage isn’t an issue, but why not choose a versatile coat length that will work with your midi skirts and dresses, too? Whether the coat is single- or double-breasted is your choice, but a double-breasted version is warmer thanks to its extra-overlap closure. Choose a notched collar or a high, collarless neckline, and opt for a color that’s in sync with your entire wardrobe to give all your outfits a first-class effect.
Take a look at Mango Women’s Picarol Wool-Blend Coat in Dark Heather Gray or Black ($175–$250, nordstrom.com); the Ann Taylor Fitted Double-Breasted Peacoat in Cafe Au Lait or Chocolate Noir ($154, anntaylor.com); Banana Republic Factory Women’s Timeless Topcoat in Afternoon Latte, Oyster Pearl, Midnight Herringbone or Black ($120, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com); and the J.Crew Women Valentina Scarf Coat in Drapey Wool Blend in Light Graphite, Rich Camel, Navy or Black ($398, jcrew.com).
Aerosoles Rana Pump in Black.
AARP (DSW, 2)
4. Sleek black heels
Celebs can’t give up their black stilettos; that needle-thin heel and pointy toe are just part of life in the spotlight. You can get the effect but skip the painful bunions, sore soles and blisters by choosing tapered-toe pumps with a low kitten heel. Try the Aerosoles Rana Pump in Black ($79, dsw.com); the Pelle Moda Women’s Aerie Pumps in Black ($119, zappos.com); or the Lauren Ralph Lauren Francesca Pointed-Toe Kitten-Heel Pump in Black ($165, nordstrom.com) for style and ease.
5. A statement bag with fringe
The bag Bibb is carrying is an unexpected add-on. Fringe, charms and scarves give refined black satchels and shoulder bags an edge. Choose a style big enough for your essentials, like the Lodis Ceres Small Top-Handle Satchel Handbag in Black ($170, macys.com); the Maje Miss M Mini Bag in Black ($460, bloomingdales.com); or the Donna Karan New York Baldwin Large Lasercut Shoulderbag in Black/Gold ($358, nordstrom.com); or a smaller “ladies who lunch” mini bag, such as A New Day Fringe Bead Shoulder Bag in Brown or Burgundy ($35, target.com), like the one Bibb is carrying. It gives a stylish, conservative outfit like this one a personalized effect.
(From left) Vogue Eyewear Women’s Cat Eye Sunglasses in Black; A New Day Women’s Plastic Cateye Sunglasses in Black; Wild Fable Women’s Slim Plastic Cateye Sunglasses in Black.
AARP (Macy’s; Target, 2)
6. Black cat-eye sunglasses
Feminine, flirtatious and flattering, cat-eye sunglasses bring attention to your eyes and add a subtle lift. While they come in oversized frames, Bibb is wearing a more refined style. For us, there’s Wild Fable Women’s Slim Plastic Cateye Sunglasses in Black ($15, target.com); Quay Women’s Talk Nice 55mm Cat Eye Sunglasses in Black Smoke ($75, nordstrom.com); A New Day Women’s Plastic Cateye Sunglasses in Black ($15, target.com); and Vogue Eyewear Women’s Cat Eye Sunglasses VO5637SU in Black ($83, macys.com).
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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