For Brittany Gonte, the key to looking good is to keep it simple. The interior design sophomore said when she gets dressed every day, she doesn’t put much effort into her ensemble.

“I wear whatever is easiest for me to throw on,” she said.

What she’s wearing: A white chiffon shirt from Topshop, a pair of black leggings, black shoes from Topshop and a scarf from Caruso Caruso

Personal style: Gonte said she typically looks well put together yet casual.

Favorite local stores: Urban Outfitters and American Apparel

Favorite online store: Topshop

Style — we all have it.

Whether it be good, bad or an imitation of someone else’s, everyone possesses their own look.

While not everyone can be a trendsetting fashionista, the way a person puts him or herself together — or doesn’t — says a lot about that individual. And while I’ve always been told never to judge a book by its cover, I’ve found it’s almost impossible not to make assumptions about a person based on the way they dress.

If someone is walking down the street wearing flashy, designer clothes and expensive jewelry, I’m going to assume they have a lot money and enjoy showing it off. If I see a guy wearing a Tapout shirt and skin-tight jeans, I’m probably going to label him a tool. And when I see a girl with a lengthy North Face jacket, leggings and a pair of UGG boots, I immediately conclude she’s a sorority girl.

Although I acknowledge the fact that sometimes my judgement will be completely off, I think most of the time I’m pretty accurate.

I know a lot of people who think spending time on clothing and their appearance is a waste, but to me, it’s an effective way to express myself.

For those of us who are shy and don’t communicate well with words, developing a distinct personal style can act as a way to show the world your true colors.

As an apparel and textile design student, I see putting together an outfit in the same way a painter might envision the process by which he or she creates his or her next piece of work. The colors I chose, the amount of skin I show and the comfort level of the garments I wear all say something about my mood that day and the message I want to give to those I come in contact with.

Just as a musician is able to communicate with their fans using their guitar, drums or lyrics, I display my emotions via the items I have in my closet.

Without them, the world might never get the chance to know who I am. And I’m sure the same is true for many others as well.

Although history senior Rikki Reynolds enjoys high-end fashion, she channels her love for unique vintage clothing into her outfits, most of which she said she has found at local thrift stores.

“I like things that are kind of ugly,” she said. “I typically spend more on makeup than I ever would on my clothes.”

What she’s wearing: A floral capelet from The Salvation Army, a gray dress from Nordstrom, purple thigh-high socks from asos.com and black platform shoes from Volunteers of America.

Personal style: Reynolds said she typically wears skirts with thigh-high socks, heels or platform shoes and shirts with high collars.

Favorite designers: Alexander McQueen, Prada and Miu Miu

Favorite clothing website: asos.com

I became obsessed with watching “Gossip Girl”, a TV series on CW detailing the lives of privileged teenagers living in New York City, not because of the compelling stories about sex, drugs, betrayal and life on the Upper East Side but because of the impeccably dressed characters I saw in the first episode I viewed.

The high-society young adults featured in the show are some of the best dressed people I ever have come across, and I constantly am taking inspiration from their outfits for my own.

From fashion designers such as Carolina Herrera and Peter Som to Valentino and Marchesa, the elite young men and women starring in the series wear all the greatest designers while portraying their roles on TV.

What I like most about the clothing featured on the show is the fact that it’s not just one type of style being showcased.

You have Blair Waldorf, who only dresses in the most elegant and sophisticated attire, boho-chic Serena van der Woodsen and edgy, rock ‘n’ roll-inspired Jenny Humphrey.

And the leading ladies of the show aren’t the only characters who possess praise-worthy style.

Chuck Bass and Nate Archibald each have their own unique personal style that I wish more guys would adopt. You won’t see either of these two characters dressed in dirty sweat pants or hoodies, but instead, you’ll find them in suits and ties on a daily basis.

One of my favorite outfits featured on the show is one Blair wore in season five. It was the epitome of class, yet not too formal to the point where the average person would look out of place wearing it. The ensemble consisted of a Gryphon Sherlock Cape, an Alice Olivia Oshi boucle skirt, a Fendi Peek-a-Boo tote, a pair of Miu Miu patent platform loafer pumps, an Ann-Marie Faulkner brocade beret and a Diane Von Furstenberg Trelodie Tie Top.

The dark cape and dress paired with bright yellow accessories combined create the perfect mix of neutrals and color in a well-put-together look.

This look was just one of many outfits on “Gossip Girl” that caught my eye as being admirable and worthy of appreciation. I can’t even begin to imagine how much work Eric Daman, the show’s stylist, puts into creating each of the many looks shown in each episode.

His hard work is apparent, and it makes “Gossip Girl” more than simply a show about spoiled New Yorkers.

Angela Nurse brings the urban style of New York City to East Lansing.

The graduate student said she likes to incorporate preppy garments, such as button-up shirts and dark colors into her everyday outfits, which is typical of New York City residents.

“I wear a lot of black, and that’s the style there,” she said.

What she’s wearing: A gray men’s sweater from J. Crew, a black dress from H&M, a pair of black knee-high boots from DSW, black leggings from Macy’s, a black scarf from Macy’s and a tan jacket from H&M.

Personal style: Nurse said her personal style can be described as urban classic.

Favorite local store: American Apparel

Favorite other store: H&M

Source of inspiration: LOOKBOOK.nu

The little black dress, women’s pants and costume jewelry — if it weren’t for Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, unfortunately, these popular items might still be missing from many people’s closets.

The French-born designer was a fashion pioneer during the 20th century and still remains an icon decades after her 1971 death.

So with March being Women’s History Month, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight a woman I think to be worthy of discussion and praise.

Chanel might not have spent her life working toward world peace or searching for a cure for cancer, but her presence and her influence over the fashion industry still are as strong as ever in women’s everyday fashion. She was one of the best couturiers of her time, and her designs were revolutionary, to say the least.

In a time when extravagant and constricting garments dominated women’s fashion, this fashion-forward female was breaking all the rules.

Chanel was the innovative individual who decided women should have the same freedoms as men and expressed those ideas through her designs. She incorporated elements of menswear into her clothing and emphasized comfort rather than the restricting clothing that was typical of the times. These looks were liberated and youthful, and not at all representative of the norm.

The designer also was responsible for creating a garment practically every woman today owns — the little black dress. What once was a color worn for occasions of mourning turned into the go-to color for out-on-the-town garments that still remain popular today. I have more of these dresses than I can count and can’t imagine a night in which I don’t at least try one on before choosing what outfit I will wear out.

While it can be argued that another designer might have come up with the innovative ideas Chanel did, the fact is, she did it first, and that makes her legendary.

Physiology and history senior Aaron Parzuchowski said not having a specific style makes him stylish.

“I don’t really think it is a style,” he said. “It’s just a conglomeration of everything — whatever I feel like wearing that day.”

What he’s wearing: A green V-neck shirt from American Eagle Outfitters, a gray lightweight jacket from Zara, pants from H&M, a pair of burlap TOMS shoes and a blue and white plaid jacket from Macy’s.

Personal style: Parzuchowski said he typically dresses in layers of comfortable clothing.

Favorite articles of clothing: Lightweight jackets and shoes

Favorite stores: H&M and American Eagle Outfitters

Some say she dresses like a stripper. Others call her a hot mess.

But those who are accepting of lifestyles other than their own can see that while Taylor Momsen might be all of the above, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

To me, Momsen is a revolutionary style icon — one people should look up to and appreciate rather than condemn.

The 18-year-old actress and singer-songwriter is known for wearing band T-shirts — oftentimes without pants — thigh-high fishnet stockings and platform heels.

Pair those scandalous garments with Momsen’s infamous raccoon eyes, bleach blonde hair and ghost-like pale skin, and you have a look that might send some running scared.

Momsen’s style is hardcore, edgy and over-the-top. But that’s the reason I like it.

In an interview with Spin Magazine published in Aug. 2010, Momsen explains her offbeat clothing choices.

“I dress for myself,” she said. “Clearly, it’s provocative, but it makes me feel good. And if the only reason it makes someone uncomfortable is because I’m 17, then that person’s a scumbag because it shouldn’t matter.”

Momsen doesn’t follow any rules of fashion, which is exactly why I admire her.

The star has a carefree attitude and blatant disregard for everyone else’s opinion. And that sort of self-assured persona is one I think more people should adopt.

When people look at a photograph of their favorite celebrities, they notice how skinny they are, how white their teeth are and how perfect their hair is. They then begin to wonder why they can’t appear that way, and their self-esteem plummets.

But when I look at a picture of Momsen, I see someone who looks like they just rolled out of bed with unbrushed hair, makeup smeared across her face and an out-of-the-ordinary ensemble. And rather than feeling bad about the way I look, I’m inspired by the ownership Momsen takes of her look, and in turn, I do the same.

If only more people developed the same mindset Momsen has — or at least appreciate the risks she takes — maybe they could feel free to dress the way they please and have the confidence to brush off rude remarks of those who just don’t understand.

When it comes to her personal style, political science and pre-law freshman Charu Ganesh isn’t afraid to take chances.

“If I see something, and I like it, I just decide that’s my style, and I go for it,” she said.

What she’s wearing: Brown boots from Target, red leg warmers from rue21, black leggings, a pink jacket from Charlotte Russe and a white floral backpack from a boutique in London

Personal style: Ganesh describes her personal style as girly. “I like florals and pink patterns,” she said.

Inspiration: Ganesh said she doesn’t turn to typical sources of inspiration such as magazines or celebrities when dressing herself. Instead, she is influenced by various aspects of her everyday life.

Favorite local stores: Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe

Favorite online stores: asos.com and alloy.com

Some say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

And I say those people obviously never have experienced the joyous feeling brought about by Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Although I never actually have been to New York City to see a show, I spend an unhealthy amount of time pouring through collection after collection, dreaming of what it would be like to see one up close from a coveted front-row seat.

This year’s event already has gotten off to a great start with a successful show by BCBG Max Azria — the first major collection to hit the runway.

Max Azria and his wife Lubov, the collection’s designers, emphasized geometric shapes and incorporated mixes of fabrics, such as patchwork-style pieces of fur into the show, giving the garments a more sophisticated and refined look.

With one significant show down and hundreds left to go, I can’t help but get that giddy feeling I used to get on Christmas Eve while awaiting Santa Claus’ arrival.

Venexiana could possibly be my favorite fashion house of all time, and I couldn’t be more excited to see the latest collection.

Kati Stern, the designer who launched Venexiana, has my personal style down to a T. Her rock ‘n’ roll-influenced designs are edgy without being too over-the-top.

Last season’s collection was immaculate, complete with fur, leather, sequins and a ton of prints, and I’m sure this season’s will be equally as stunning.

Another collection I can’t wait to see hit the runway this Fashion Week is Whitney Eve.

Created by TV personality Whitney Port — a fairly new addition to the fashion industry — the collection reflects the designer’s youth. It is feminine but also has some subtle inspirations from basic menswear.

From fun and flirty cocktail dresses to jumpers and blazers with a splash of color or unique pattern, every item in this collection makes my style wish list.

Diane Von Furstenberg is a designer with a bit more experience under her fashion-forward belt — and it shows.

Decades ago, Von Furstenberg made her mark on the fashion industry when she brought us the iconic wrap dress, telling people, “Feel like a woman. Wear a dress.”

And her Spring 2012 collection is no less impressive than the garment that helped her earn her fame.

The line is quintessential Von Furstenburg, with plenty of long, flowing skirts and dresses plastered with bright colors and beautiful graphic floral prints. Von Furstenberg also included pants, jackets and jumpers to complete her collection.

After the dazzling works of art that glided down the runway last fall, I can only imagine what Furstenberg will showcase this time around.