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WHAT TO WEAR

This Fashion Trend Makes You ‘Look Rich,’ According to a Celebrity Stylist

He also warns men to avoid a certain summer footwear trend.

Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

PublishedJul 3, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

UpdatedJul 3, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Updated Jul 3, 2026, 9:00 AM EDTPublished Jul 3, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

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Are flip-flops OK to wear to dinner? Does pairing your suit with sneakers look way too casual, or casually cool? And how can a simple color combination make you “look rich”?

As trends come and go, it can be difficult to keep up—unless you have a world-renowned guide like Law Roach, a celebrity stylist and Project Runway judge who does not follow trends; he sets them.

Roach, who grew up in Chicago and now lives in Los Angeles, has a sharp eye and rich historical expertise that has made him the sought-after stylist for A-listers like Céline Dion, Kerry Washington, and Ariana Grande.

Often referred to as the “Image Architect,” the 47-year-old has a masterful, borderline prescient approach to red-carpet fashion that has helped turn Spider-Man star Zendaya into a style icon whose ensembles go viral time after time.

Following his appearance on Obsessed: The Podcast, Roach shared his unfiltered thoughts on the current trends—Law’s laws, if you will—he’s obsessed with, and those he is far less enthusiastic about, with the Daily Beast.

Kitten Heels

Kitten heels can be a comfortable yet fashionable alternative to higher pumps, but Roach shared some guidelines to keep in mind.

“I think there is a time and a place,” he said, adding that the pair should have a closed, pointy toe for it to be “chic” and “sophisticated.”

“We like to call them ‘the Michelle Obamas,’” Roach revealed with a laugh. “Even though she’s not wearing kitten heels that much anymore, that’s what we nicknamed them.”

Flip-flops on the street

Flip-flops have slowly made their way from beachwear to beyond. In 2026, multiple male actors attended industry events wearing the toe-baring shoe.

True Blood actor Alexander Skarsgård wore Valentino flip-flops on the red carpet of the Sundance Film Festival, and Wicked actor Jonathan Bailey attended a photo call for Jurassic World Rebirth in London wearing designer flip-flops by The Row.

Roach said he was not a fan of the controversial shoe choice outside the beach.

“Especially on boys. I don’t wanna see boy toes when it’s not necessary,” the celebrity stylist said.

Peplums

“Peplum is debatable,” Roach said about the controversial silhouette.

“I think certain body types could really benefit from a peplum because it gives the illusion of a hip and a smaller waist.”

Sneakers with a suit

For sneakers with a suit, Roach only offered a two-word comment: “Not obsessed.”

Skinny jeans

“I think skinny jeans are never gonna go anywhere. They’re kinda like termites,” Roach said with a laugh.

Adding, “You try to get rid of them when they come back again... but I don’t really mind skinny jeans in certain contexts.”

Oversized suit jackets

The oversized suit jacket has slowly transformed from a trend into a staple, but Roach felt divided about the style.

“I’m in the middle because we’ve seen it for so long, but I think in the right variation at the right place, it could be cool,” he said, adding that he was currently more into a well-tailored look.

Naked dresses

“The naked dress is very controversial for me because I really felt a certain type of way earlier in my career about the naked dress." Roach said, adding, “I thought it was just unnecessary.”

But with time, his opinion has evolved.

“I do think when it’s done really, really well, and it’s not naked just for the sake of being naked or shock value, it works,” Roach said.

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T-shirt dresses

Some of the trends Roach was a big fan of included statement belts, capris, and T-shirt dresses.

On June 24, Roach styled Zendaya in a black Spiderman T-shirt with no bottoms for a red carpet in Paris.

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Roach said he was “obsessed” with the look.

“I think this is a new trend that we’re gonna see a lot of, and it didn’t happen on purpose. It was kinda accidental the way that this shaped up,” he revealed.

Roach explained that the outfit, which he described as “really cool,” was not the original plan, but came together due to the historic heat wave in France.

“It was 105 degrees in Paris,” he explained. “Let’s just throw the T-shirt on with the pumps.”

Monochromatic separates

Roach also pinpointed two styles he personally enjoys wearing.

“I wore a monochrome look yesterday. I love it. I think it’s sophisticated, and I think it always makes you look rich,” he said.

Shoulder pads

Another trend Roach approves of is shirts with shoulder pads.

“I am obsessed with shoulder pads,” he said. “I actually went shopping, and I bought some just button-down shirts that have shoulder pads. I think it’s really cool and it gives a nice proportion.”

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Roosa Rahkonen

Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

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