Story by
The multi-hyphenate stars as the face of SPANX and La Ligne’s new collection.
“The way we get dressed every morning is as personal as it gets. There are outfit repeaters, vintage treasure hunters, and even emotional dressers. But while everyone loves a good fashion trend, here at InStyle, we’re interested in the deeper stuff, too: the way jewelry makes us feel, the way a beloved coat can spark joy on a cold day, the way a pair of shoes can pull a whole look together. How I Get Dressed unpacks fashion routines, rituals, and go-tos—straight from the fashion tastemakers we love.“
Ellis Ross has spent a lot of time getting to know herself, and there is perhaps no better indicator of this than taking a peek at her wardrobe.
After all, there are people who wear clothes and those whose clothes wear them, but Ross has the rare gift of making everything look and feel like a second skin. Part of the magic of her fashion Rolodex is that it’s clear, above all else, that the actress is comfortable—both with herself and the pieces wrapped around her body.
How does she do it, and make her confidence feel so palpable even through a blurry mirror selfie shared on her Instagram? I ask her over a late Friday evening Zoom call. “Sometimes it is an internal thing, it depends on my mood and how I feel,” she shares. “The beauty of clothing for me is that when I don’t feel great, it’s actually clothing that can make me feel confident. A great outfit can be armor and a creative expression of how I want to feel, not always exactly how I feel.”
In other words, sometimes faking it till you make it is the best approach. As Ross sees it, fashion is more than just putting together an outfit and calling it a day; it’s a tool for navigating the day, a little bit of armor, and a way to find fun in small doses.
That belief—that clothes can shape how you feel just as much as they reflect it—comes to life in her latest project as the face of a new SPANX x La Ligne limited-edition capsule. The collection features a lineup of plush cashmere and wool-blend sweaters that balance comfort with presence, proving cozy can still feel powerful.
InStyle spoke with Ross about everything from her undying love of high-rise jeans to the item she thinks everyone should have in their closets. Ahead is Tracee Ellis Ross’ How I Get Dressed.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
What She Felt Inspired By This Fashion Month
“Flats — in so many different ways. Flats with evening gowns, for instance. It felt so freeing because if I can pull off a look with flats that still feels sexy and elevated, I know I’ll have a good night. I also loved all the leather — even vegan leather — and the shiny, structured effect it creates. The biggest takeaways for me were button-down shirts, flats, and color.”
On How She Defines A Perfect Sweater
“Sweaters are fabulous, but they cannot be itchy. I love a cozy, soft, great-shaped sweater — something oversized, maybe a cable knit. There’s something about cable knit that reminds me of the best parts of my childhood and makes me feel like a chic French lady.
The SPANX x La Ligne sweaters are top-notch — there’s a crewneck, turtleneck, and cape. They’re cozy, soft, and boxy in all the right ways. A great sweater feels as good as it looks. The perfect one has the right turtleneck shape, yarn, and that little design detail, like on the sleeve.”
Her Favorite Sweater-Weather Activity
“Definitely a walk in the park that ends with the perfect cup of hot chocolate — not the thick syrupy kind, but a milky, yummy one with marshmallows.”
The Fall Fashion Item She Thinks Everyone Should Own
“A crisp, perfect collared white shirt. We saw them all over the runways in Paris — and I’ve officially become a collared shirt girl this year. A white button-down that you can tuck in or wear oversized works for everything. I’ve been pairing one with track pants and ballet flats, and somehow look so chic and feel so comfortable. It’s that Parisian effect.”
Her Thoughts On The Sock Trend TikTok Hates
“I love how socks and heels look, I just personally can’t wear it! I don’t know if it’s my leg shape or my calves, but it never works on me. That said, I love it on other people — and I love that I have strong calves!”
The Accessory She’ll Never Leave Her House Without
“My reading glasses. I love a bold, oversized, colorful pair. They’ve become one of my favorite accessories — not just because I need them, but because they give any look an instant sense of authority.”
Her Go-To Travel Day Outfit Formula
“I’ve been wearing the same formula for years — an oversized matching sweatsuit or tracksuit (I love to coordinate). Always sneakers, because you never know when a walking adventure might happen. I prefer sweatpants with a cuffed ankle — more hygienic for airport bathrooms!
But these aren’t pajama sweats; they’re clean, dry-cleaned, and come in chic colors — black, white, red, green. I’ll pair them with a blazer or tux jacket, sneakers, and an oversized tote. Right now I’m loving my studded Prada belt bag and my Rimowa roller.”
The Styling Trick That Caught Her Eye In Paris
“Loved how they layered sweaters around the waist or shoulders, long sleeves under T-shirts, pants under skirts. There was an oversized ease to everything that moved away from body-con dressing, which I loved.”
Her Thoughts On High-Rise Jeans
“Oh, they’re amazing. The Spanx Shape Authentic Denim somehow flattens the tummy and accentuates the derriere at the same time. It’s so hard to find jeans that do both, but these really worked. So, high-waisted all the time. No question.”
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Read the original article on InStyle
