Alexa Chung's wardrobe is the envy of girls the world over, but as she told the Telegraph this week her fashion rules are really kind of simple. Renowned for her to ability to mix classic pieces with the latest trends off the runway and make the look fresh with a retro twist, it seems that like the rest of us Chung needs a little assistance to decide what to wear. From following a fashion hero to going solo, discover the star's style advice...

1. Pick your fashion icon wisely

Alexa has long been known as a fan of sixties star Jane Birkin, with whom she shares in common not only an off-beat sense of style, but the fact that she's had a designer handbag named after her. It turns out that current red carpet favourite Diane Kruger also peaks Chung's interest and we can see that the three women share a brave and at times unconventional approach to getting all dressed up.

2. Experiment with your 'do

When Alexa's bob became more famous than Anna Wintour's, she could easily have got stuck in a hair rut. However, ruts are not the brunette beauty's style. She's been dark chocolate, ombre, with fringe, without a fringe, straight, curly, wispy, tousled and just about every other style in between and for that effort we salute her (and her hairstylist George Northwood). Find out how to recreate Alexa's hair looks here.

3. Don't wear the same outfit twice!

That's not to say you can't wear the same item twice - that would be wasteful and go against Alexa's ethical principles - but try not to wear it in the same arrangement. Chung says "I never revisit the same item in the same outfit twice, as even swapping a shirt under your jumper can update the look."

4. Shop alone

Very wise advice indeed. You avoid having to traipse around shops that you don't like and you wont get cajoled into buying something that doesn't suit you by an overzealous companion. You wouldn't want to go shopping with Alexa either as she confessed: "I always go shopping alone, as I don't like getting tied down by someone um-ing and ah-ing over a shoe. I'll start off being polite but soon run out of patience, and say things like, 'They make your feet look massive.'" Harsh!

5. Experiment with your staple items

While not averse to wearing the latest runway creations by the likes of Erdem and Christopher, Alexa knows what she likes and she knows what suits her. Take dungarees for example, a total Chung staple, but never boring because she'll wear them in different ways from long and rolled up to micro mini, with heels to without heels and over a jumper to under a cardigan.

Want more Alexa Chung inspiration? Take a look through her biggest style hits below...