Jessica Alba & Courteney Cox Arquette

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba always seems to look effortlessly chic, whether she's spending the day at the park with her daughter, Honor, or the evening at a star-studded event. Take a cue from Jessica and keep things simple for a sophisticated look.

White dress

For girls' night out, you don't need to always reach for your favorite little black dress. Instead, dare to wear white. This white ruffled dress from Nine West is a fabulous choice and made from 100 percent cotton. Get this feminine dress for just $150.

Black belt

Accentuate your waistline with a skinny black belt like the one Jessica Alba is wearing. Black accessories are a fantastic way to take your white dresses into the evening. Get this black Italian patent leather belt from J.Crew for only $35.

Classic pumps

Stick to the basics with a pair of classic black pumps or strappy sandals. When buying black pumps, invest in a quality pair. Since you can wear them with just about anything in your wardrobe, you know you will get your money's worth. These Vera Wang peep-toe pumps ($295 from Shopbop) feature a hidden platform and a 4-1/2-inch heel. If you are looking for something a bit more affordable, these Nine West pumps are around $70 at Endless.

Simple makeup

For an evening out with your girlfriends, you don't need to pack on the makeup. Instead, put the emphasis on your eyes with black liner, a couple coats of mascara and a pale lip color. Keep your accessories to a minimum with a wristlet bag, so you can remain hands free.

Courteney Cox Arquette

For a more casual evening, Courteney Cox Arquette slides into a pair of jeans, adds a colorful top and finishes off her look with big hoop earrings. This is a fabulous look for hanging out with your girlfriends for cocktails or a bite to eat.

Dark blue jeans

Dark-wash jeans are perfect for evening wear. Pick a pair of skinny jeans or flares that you can wear with high heels. You can get a great pair of Gap jeans for $30 to 40. If you want to splurge a little, Paige Denim offers jeans in every style imaginable. Their Hidden Hills flared jeans in the dark McKinley wash are $189 a pair.

Bold top

Put on a cute top in a bold color. Fuchsia is a hot choice for evening and works well with denim. This Revolver knit top is a fantastic choice, with its puffed sleeves and crossover v-neck. It's on sale at Bluefly for just $45.99.

Unique belt

Look for a belt with interesting details to add a little flavor to your look. This open woven belt is a fun choice. It features braided leather along with a leather-wrapped buckle. At only $48 from Nordstrom, it's a fantastic buy.

Hoop earrings

Big hoop earrings are a fun choice for an evening out. If you don't wear hoops often, you don't have to spend a bundle. Forever 21 offers an assortment of hoop earrings for around $5 a pair. For nighttime, the bigger the better.