Follow in these stars' stylish, springy footsteps

By Arienne Thompson, USA TODAY

After a "dreary winter," Elle magazine creative director Joe Zee is ready for the return of fun fashion. "To see someone wear a happy color on the street is going to be great," he says. Zee runs down spring's style stars for USA TODAY, using the same critical eye he employs on his new eight-episode reality show, All on the Line (Tuesday, Sundance Channel, 10 ET/PT).

• 

  By Jason Kempin, Getty Images

  Blake Lively shows off a signature trench coat at the BAM Theater Gala earlier this month in New York.

By Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Blake Lively shows off a signature trench coat at the BAM Theater Gala earlier this month in New York.

20s: Blake Lively

"There's a sexy quality about her. It's fresh, and I never think she lets the clothes wear her," Zee says of the Gossip Girl star, 23. "She's just doing something that feels very fresh and American, and I love that."

Signature:�Trench coat. "There's something kind of effortless about that idea of a trench coat that feels classic and grown-up, but hip and cool on someone like Blake."

On you:�Put your own spin on the fresh yet glam look by pairing a fitted trench with a nautical-inspired striped T-shirt, dark denim and sky-high heels.

30s: Gwyneth Paltrow

"She's fresh, gorgeous, amazing, making a statement and doing her thing," says Zee, noting that Paltrow, 38, topped his Oscars best-dressed list.

Signature:�Hiked-up hemlines. "She's got those killer legs, and she just looks so dynamite in something short with killer pumps."

On you:�Show off your legs in a long-sleeve minidress. Complete the look with a bold necklace and wedges.

40s: Jennifer Lopez

"SinceAmerican Idol, I've been obsessed. She looks ravishing! She's a tough one to beat," Zee says of the new Idol judge, 41.

Signature:�Accessories. "She never just wears a dress. It's always a dress with the hair band or the earrings, and she's got the bracelet with the scarf. "

On you:�Tie a scarf on the handles of a tote or wear a bold cocktail ring in a spring hue.

50+: Annette Bening

Bening, 52, is "so chic. I don't think she fusses too much. She's like, 'I think that's comfortable ? I love that,' and then she puts it on, and it's so effortless."

Signature:�Menswear. "Annette pulls it off in such an authoritative way."

On you:�Top off a breezy spring ensemble with a straw fedora and tuck a bright silk handkerchief into the pocket of a sharp blazer.

For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ's. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.

We've updated the Conversation Guidelines. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation on how to use the "Report Abuse" button. Read more.

Ana Hickmann Carla Campbell Hilary Duff Karen Carreno Magdalena Wróbel