Take Bold, Colorful Styling Cues From Birthday Girl Solange Knowles
Not only is Solange Knowles an actress, DJ, mother, and aunt — to quite possibly the most famous baby in the world — but she's also a style icon, making waves in the fashion industry with her quirky, covetable looks. To say that Solange has confidence is an understatement; she rocks bold colors, big hair, and beautiful ethnic-inspired prints, all with a sophistication and effortlessness that quickens our heartbeat. She's a veritable mix master with the uncanny ability to blend downtown cool-girl with well-traveled aplomb, pairing embroidered separates with attention-getting heels, printed turbans, and chunky beaded jewelry. In honor of this one-of-a-kind fashion maven's 29th birthday, we are celebrating Solange with a look back at some of her most style-setting looks to date.
— Additional reporting by Randy Miller
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At the CFDA Fashion Awards, Solange sparkled from every angle.
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Hot stuff, coming through! At the Gucci Beauty launch event, Solange lit up the room in her hot pink suit.
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Solange made a big statement at the Chime For Change anniversary gala in a bright orange blouse.
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Solange's much buzzed-about evening at the Met Gala began in a 3.1 Phillip Lim dress.
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The singer was just as psyched as us for the Phillip Lim for Target launch.
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Solange showed her flower power in Prada at the New York Blue Jasmine premiere.
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Solange, in a striped sweater and bird-print skirt, brought two unlikely patterns together for a fresh, fun daytime look.
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Sexy and funky: that's Solange's specialty. She sported high-waisted trousers in a flattering shade of red, paired with a pretty black bandeau and full-length knit sweater — making for a hot, bohemian-chic red-carpet look at the 2011 Elle Women in Music event in Hollywood.
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For a July 2011 evening event, Solange paired Dolce & Gabbana's star-print pants with a polka-dot button-down blouse from the brand. Her sharp blazer and mile-long braids only added to the hip factor.
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During Spring 2012 NYFW, Solange made her geometric-print tank look fresh and modern by pairing it with tailored red shorts and thin-strap neon sandals. Her chunky beaded necklace was also totally on point.
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For a fun daytime look that shows a bit of skin, see how Solange does it: she paired a vibrant maxi skirt with a black, tied-up top and leopard-print heels, making for a sexy, attention-getting ensemble in September 2011.
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For a night out at Mulberry's 40th anniversary party, Solange went bold in a long-sleeved, '70s-chic printed dress by Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte gold heels, and a Mulberry satchel.
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For an October 2011 Burberry event, Solange sported a button-down blouse and draped pencil skirt from the brand, as well as a pair of its Verulam beaded sandals.
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Solange donned a bright orange minidress with a beaded statement necklace and leg-lengthening nude heels for a Barney's New York event in 2011.
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We love Solange in this bright yellow Christopher Kane dress — she kept the colorful-cool vibe going with purple Fendi shoes and a hot-pink CC Skye clutch.
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It's a fact: Solange knows how mix so-called plain pieces and make them into one hot ensemble. She tucked a low-cut white tank into a fire-engine-red pleated skirt and cinched the look with a yellow belt during the 2012 SXSW music festival. This is one color story we'd be happy to copy.
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Solange channeled a sweet '60s look with a colorblock shift dress and mint-colored Stuart Weitzman cap-toe pumps in March 2012.
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Solange Knowles wasn't afraid to show off her love for prints in a Diane von Furstenberg blouse and matching pants, completed with white pumps, at the Intermix 20th anniversary party in NYC.
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Solange Knowles was undeniably fresh in a green printed Pencey x Mia Moretti suit and nude ankle-strap sandals at the 2013 South by Southwest festival in Austin.
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Solange's polka-dot Moschino outfit, complete with on-trend white ankle-strap Elizabeth and James pumps, lit up the streets of NYC in February.
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At the Topshop LA opening, Solange Knowles went the geometric route in a black-and-white ensemble, finished with a black tuxedo blazer and strappy Chanel shoes.
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At the 2013 Essence Black Women in Music event in LA, Solange kept her love for prints going in an Ostwald Helgason minidress and Nicholas Kirkwood cap-toe pumps.
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Solange Knowles struck a pose in a cropped splatter-print Diane von Furstenberg pantsuit at a pre-Grammy party in LA. Dainty ankle-strap sandals, a sequined cobalt Jimmy Choo clutch, and a few statement rings took her eye-catching ensemble to new heights.
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Solange doubled up on dots, working a black-and-white polka-dot suit with ankle-strap sandals while rocking out to Frank Ocean at the Levi's 501 pre-Grammy party in LA.
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In signature Solange fashion, the singer wowed in a geometric-print Just Cavalli suit, black-and-white Bottega Veneta sandals, and a coordinating colorful clutch at the season-two premiere of Girls in NYC.
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During New York Fashion Week Fall 2013, Solange Knowles showed her support for Diane von Furstenberg in a floral periwinkle blazer and matching pencil skirt by the designer. She paired her print with an orange-and-gray blouse and pointed yellow pumps.
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Solange debuted the perfect transitional color palette in an orange, navy, and yellow ensemble at the Luca Luca Spring 2011 show in NYC. The fashion maven topped her knit aztec-print dress with a geometric blazer, then slipped on a pair of t-strap leopard sandals.
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During Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013, Solange layered a blue-and-white blazer over her mixed-print mini to create a head-turning Roberto Cavalli combo, then slipped on a pair of cutout Christian Louboutin sandals for a dash of detail. This print-on-print pairing was a little tame by Solange standards.
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While sitting front row at the Suno show in NYC, Solange worked a classic gray-and-white pinstriped suit, but upon closer inspection, we also spotted little two-toned horses. Her sophisticated clutch doubled as a map, and her polished pumps were reminiscent of a childhood favorite: Neapolitan ice cream.
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Solange took the high-low trend to new heights, donning a green, garden-print, leg-baring combo by Flaminia Saccucci with nude pumps and a mirrored box clutch at a MoMA benefit in NYC.
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Solange loved her printed Diane von Furstenberg pantsuit so much that she sported the shorts version during a performance in NYC.
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For the Black Eyed Peas 2009 benefit concert, Solange brought major flair in a yellow-and-black houndstooth skirt and plaid ankle booties.
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Solange was ahead of the crop top trend, donning a printed bustier with a flowing yellow maxi skirt and lace-up espadrilles at a 2011 Victoria's Secret party in West Hollywood.
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Solange Knowles posed in a batik-print one-shoulder creation and buckle-detail sandals at an April 2012 Hennessy party in NYC.
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Solange lit up TAO Beach in a high-wattage mini by Boxing Kitten and gold metallic YSL sandals in 2010.
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Solange took to the turntables and went tribal in an oversize cardigan, black-and-white turban, and platform ankle-strap sandals — along with a slouchy white tee tucked into cutoff denim shorts — at a Svedka Vodka party in April 2011.
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Pairing a floral purple blouse with bold orange trousers and metallic platform loafers, Solange shined bright like a diamond at Sephora's Fashion's Night Out event in 2011.
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Solange Knowles colorblocked in neon orange and seafoam blue for the Macy's Bar III pop-up launch in February 2011.
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Solange styled her gold-and-black leggings with a floral button-down blouse and cutout leopard sandals during NYFW Spring 2012.
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The Knowles sisters doubled up on style during NYFW Spring 2012. Solange was all smiles in a hot-pink ruffled blouse, cropped trousers, and lime-green sandals, while Beyoncé glittered in a long-sleeved, sequined number.
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Solange married yellow and purple at a Range Rover event in November 2010.
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Solange stepped out in a printed peplum Vera Wang creation, complete with a sexy thigh-high slit, for the 2012 Runway to Win launch in NYC.
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During Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012, Solange Knowles topped her teal neck-tie dress with a purple printed coat and white-hot t-strap perforated pumps.
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Knowles kept it short and sweet in a white-and-black mini and vibrant yellow sandals while visiting MTV's Hollywood set in August 2008.
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During Fall 2010 NYFW, Solange doubled up on print in a Southwest-inspired biker jacket, matching newsboy cap, and a grommet-detail skater skirt.
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Solange tempered her splatter-paint trousers with a classic white cami, straw hat, and lace-up wedges, then accessorized with a pair of lucite shades and gold jewels.
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Solange Knowles hit the black carpet in a sunny asymmetrical gown and au naturel locks in London.
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Leave it to Solange to turn a business-ready ensemble on its head with bold color and sexy sandals. The songstress paired her yellow separates with a crisp white blouse, t-strap sandals, and white nail polish.
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Knowles was perfectly mix-matched in a striped blouse, geometric-print shorts, white platforms, and a stunning bib necklace during a May 2011 trip to NYC.
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For the fourth annual Nightlife Awards, Knowles stepped out in a printed miniskirt, purple fur shrug, and a coordinating belt.
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Solange Knowles chose a sunset-print mini and colorblock Fendi sandals for a NYC Fashion Week party in September 2010.
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Knowles had us green with envy donning a brilliant lace sheath over a printed bodysuit with gold-trim wedges for a Dolce & Gabbana launch party in 2012.
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At a May 2012 D'useé Cognac launch party, Solange turned up the cool factor in a yellow Rag & Bone blazer and striped Bottega Veneta sandals.
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For the 2012 opening night of the American Ballet Theatre, Solange stepped out in a floral ballet-inspired dress with embellished pumps, both by Dolce & Gabbana.
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Solange hit the 2012 Grammy Awards red carpet in a shimmering emerald Ralph & Russo Couture gown and neon studded pumps.
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Solange hit the stage in two high-wattage printed pieces by Boxing Kitten and sexy white pumps for The Roots' sixth annual picnic in Philadelphia, PA.
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Knowles worked a brilliant, playful Boxing Kitten romper with green-and-black buckle sandals for a listening party in November 2012.
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Knowles put her toned stems on display in a geisha-inspired ensemble and pastel pointed pumps at a Macy's event in NYC.
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Solange entertained the NYC crowd at The Armory Party donning a cloud-print turtleneck and printed miniskirt, both by Vika Gazinskaya, with black-and-white booties.
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Solange's abstract-print Edun shorts popped against her white Theyskens' Theory blouse, while gold metallic sandals and a neon, lucite CC Skye clutch added just the right amount of flair.
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Knowles was perfectly poised in a standout Kenzo gown and jaw-dropping statement earrings at the 2013 Met Gala.
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After spotting Solange rocking a paisley-print Stella McCartney creation in NYC, we kick-started a search for trendy pieces in the same ladylike print.
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During the 2013 SXSW music festival, Solange colorblocked in a punchy Clover Canyon ensemble, clear sandals, and lucite shades.
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Knowles donned a palm-print Roberto Cavalli pantsuit at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
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Knowles tempered her colorful Roberto Cavalli blazer with black basics and clear sandals, then turned up the heat with a neon CC Skye clutch.
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For the 2012 CFDA Fashion Fund Awards, Knowles mixed prints in a white-and-yellow Marni sheath and lucite-detailed Missoni sandals.
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For Vanity Fair's 2013 Oscars afterparty, Solange truly sparked in a yellow sequined Emilio Pucci gown, which she accessorized with a few chunky gold jewels for a touch of edge.
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Solange Knowles amped up her cloud-print Michael Kors pants with a structured blazer and striped lucite Alice + Olivia clutch at a Michael Kors event in LA.
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Solange Knowles suited up in a pastel-pink Clover Canyon duo, printed Marni top, and minimalistic Nicholas Kirkwood sandals while on stage in Austin.
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Solange styled a structured striped Jill Stuart dress with fiery red wedges at the pre-Met Ball screening of The Great Gatsby.
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During the 2012 Art Basel festival in Switzerland, Solange embraced her love for noteworthy prints in a Mary Katrantzou mididress and geometric-print Sophia Webster sandals.
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At the 2012 Glamour Women of the Year Awards, Solange showcased her love for standout prints in a bold Derek Lam sheath, then finished with a sleek box clutch and strappy heels.
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We are totally crushing on Solange's NYFW look: polka-dot tee, blue sequined J.Crew houndstooth pencil skirt, and pointed leopard pumps.