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Home · News

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross by Alexandra Phanor-Faury Since the last episode of Girfriends aired, we’ve been experiencing serious Tracee Ellis Ross withdrawal. Our weekly ritual of dissecting her character Joan’s on-screen wardrobe and style pales in comparison to the occasional paparazzi spotting, for which we wait with bated breath, of Ross’s equally real-life fashionable ensembles. Girlfriends may not have garnered as much attention from the media as Sex and the City did for its to-die-for fashions, but the show was inspirational to Black women when it came to dressing the part. We all had our favorite on the show. While Joan may have been anal to a fault and corny at times, she never missed a beat when it came to looking très chic. She blew us away with an elegant array of well-cut suits, high-waisted pants with wide hems, draped leather jackets, towering heels and, of course, her signature pencil skirts that fit her amazing figure like a glove. Joan may have been a fictional character but her on screen taste seemed to crossover into Ross’s personal wardrobe or was it vice versa? From her affinity for bright hued lips, years before it was deemed trendy and safe, to her daring mix of colors, prints and her eye for wearable fashion-forward silhouettes, Ross has made it unto Hollywood’s best dressed list without the aid of a stylist. Not that there is anything wrong with cultivating your taste and approach to style with a paid professional, but it’s always exciting to watch Ross showcase her very own interpretations. Although she may have more cash to play with it than most of us, it’s obvious that Ross has a confident, impeccable sense of style that doesn’t just rely on the current hot fashions. Her mother, fashion icon Diana Ross, has no doubt been instrumental in Ross’s passion for expressing herself through clothes from a young age. What more inspiration could a girl need to be glamorous? A healthy magpie mélange of sophistication, edge, vintage (Diana’s, of course!) and a dash of trendiness has kept Ross’ evolving look from becoming predictable or boring. Ross is confident enough to always throw in a quirky or ‘off’ piece to keep her outfits from appearing too put together and more visually stimulating. A favorite style trick many designers follow when putting together looks for the modern sophisticated woman. One of Ross’s signature menswear looks has been popping up all over the runways these past couple of seasons. For years, we’ve watched and drooled when Ross, or Joan, would pair oversize bottoms, like olive cargo pants or black trousers, rolled up at the hem with sexy high heels and a cropped, fitted tuxedo jacket or sometimes a leather jacket. This is a silhouette Ross has been rocking for years and she’s recently been spotted updating the look with harem pants and vintage leather trousers. Other Ross staples in her wardrobe include lots of print dresses and voluminous shapes from pants to shoulders. Ross loves to steal the spotlight in those details on the red carpet. We bet Ross, who worked as a fashion editor for both New York magazine and the defunct Mirabella before embarking on to a career in Hollywood, would have excelled in the world of fashion with her trend setting style. Breaking the rules with flying colors comes easy to Miss Ross. Her closet which Ross refers to as “the happy place with all the treasures" is one we’d definitely want to raid!
By · Updated October 29, 2020
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Tracee Ellis Ross

The boho-beauty looks chic in a floral print maxi dress and gorgeous printed tote.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
02
Tracee Ellis Ross

We love the retro-inspired effect of this polka-dotted wrap dress. Check Ross’ chic beauty notes too: big, beautiful hair and nude makeup.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
03
Tracee Ellis Ross

The avant-garde fashionista mixes textures and tones with this outfit. All punctuated by gorgeous Louboutin booties.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
04
Tracee Ellis Ross

Even laid back, Ross is still chic in these relaxed denims, a cardigan and tan statement bag.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
05
Tracee Ellis Ross

Ross gets adventurous with her accessories. Her rain gear includes a leather newsboy cap and rubber platform leather boots!

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Always a fan of a luxe, statement tote, Ross rocks a bright orange one and lipstick to match!

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
07
Tracee Ellis Ross

Ross rocks high – and low! This pretty Prada purse is worn with a $109 Zara coat. Now, that’s effortless chic.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

We love this fashion forward mix of gorgeous green prints and pink leather accessories.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross is ladylike luxe in Prada. She toughens the look by topping off the posh ensemble with Prada’s mary jane ankle boots.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis brings some color to the red carpet in a sleek and bright red and blue Chanel dress with a hint of draping at the knee. She keeps the accessories simple with large silver hoops, black pointy pumps and a black structured leather bag.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross evokes timeless style and modern elegance in an embroidered sheath with sharp shoulders and unique foldings.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
Jennifer Cooper
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross reworks a classic print in an unexpected hue.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

A hot pink, low-waisted, pleated sheath could only look this stylish on Tracee Ellis Ross.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

The graphic black stripes on Tracee Ellis Ross’s shirt dress accentuate her waistline.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross sports yet another incarnation of her famous look. This time, she’s spotted in NYC wearing one of the many pieces lifted from her mom’s collection: a pair of vintage leather trousers. Ross blurs the line between elegance and edge by pairing them with a conservative Hermes bag, a blazer and cream platform boots.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross celebrates the Prada book launch cocktail in her signature voluminous trousers and the lust-worthy YSL wedges.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross shows off her legs in a textured mini.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross is the definition of understated chic in a beautifully cut dress. A subtle clutch and a cocktail ring keeps the focus on the dress.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross stepped up to her hosting duties at The Fourth Annual Black Girls Rock! in style. Ross turns a conservative shift into a wow ensemble with a sequined bolero and platform pumps.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross glows in a breathtaking one-shouldered gown in a glorious deep purple.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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21
Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross just knows how to style a look down to the smallest details. We love how she takes a simple printed dress to haute heights with a slim, long clutch a gold studded belt and round-toe pumps.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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22
Tracee Ellis Ross

Instead of wearing the bold shoulder look in a ubiquitous 80’s inspired tight dress, Ross channels sophistication in her less severe take on the trend.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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23
Tracee Ellis Ross

Tracee Ellis Ross is effortless chic in a vintage sequins top, Maison Martin Margiela tuxedo pants and Christian Louboutin heels. The sexy red pout seals the deal.

Closet Envy: Tracee Ellis Ross
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