Can Hollywood's Top Stylist Dress a Real Woman?

The smoky-eyed, superskinny look you see all over the red carpet is the brainchild of Rachel Zoe. Lately, however, she's taken flack for this supposedly unhealthy aesthetic. In her new book, Style A to Zoe, she champions a fabulous attitude above all.

CLEO GLYDE, a robust size 12, tries Zoe's theory on for size.

SO NOT ME!

We both agreed that this fun, kitschy find, very London '79, had a Cabbage Patch-doll fussiness on me. 

THIS COULD WORK ...

Surprise! This floaty, batlike silhouette is more slimming than the cinched, tight look I usually wear to accentuate my waist.

TOO MUCH?

Zoe breaks the 30-and-over rule that keeps me in pencil skirts: "Let's show those legs."

WHO KNEW?

This structured, stylish cocoon made instant impact. Zoe raves: "I love this poncho more than life itself."

"Success! Zoe goes for bold color statements and surprising accessories. In this outfit, I could see why." —Cleo Glyde

RACHEL'S RULES

1. Go for big-impact accessories rather than fiddly jewelry.

2. Don't blindly follow trends.

3. Buy vintage pieces to make your wardrobe more unique.