Steal the Look of Kate The Great

Paper magazine just released its Beautiful People 2009 issue, and one of our biggest girl crushes, Kate Lanphear, landed a much-deserved spot on the list. She's the style director of Elle, and she does the cool-girl thing so very well. Higher-than-high heels, a hot mess of Warhol-white hair, and black — lots of black — clothing makes her a worldwide fashion icon.

While we may not be ready for the whole hair-bleaching thing yet, we do love clothes with just the right amount of toughness. Enter Erik Hart's leather moto vest, a piece that we think Kate would approve. It works that whole bad-girl vibe, but its tailored cut is all fashion. It would pair perfectly with an Alexander Wang tee, especially because Kate is a front-row staple at AW's shows. Or slip it over a feminine floral floaty frock to toughen an otherwise uber-girly look. Keep the hood or detach it, but either way, you'll feel a little cooler and a little more Lanphear with it in your closet.