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Jennifer Garner may be a successful actress, but back in college, she had other ways to pad her wallet. On the Late Show with David Letterman Tuesday, the actress revealed that her college ‘job’ was actually making scrunchies — those infamous ’80s-style hair ties covered in fabric. “My college roommate and I … we were theater geeks and we had a key to the theater department,” she admitted during an appearance to promote her new film, Arthur. “We would go in late at night and we would use their sewing machines and their elastic and we would make scrunchies. We would make boxes full of scrunchies in sorority colors or [ones that were] just cute.” And surprisingly, the gig actually paid the bills. “We went door to door in the dorms and said ‘One for $3, two for $5,’ and we raked it in! We made so much money!” But as it turns out, unfortunately, Garner wasn’t exactly an expert accessory maker. “We spent so much time on them, [but] we were so bad at them. I was constantly sewing the scrunchie to my clothes — I was a bad scrunchie maker. I’m sure half of them fell apart.” Wonder if they had a friendly return policy? Tell us: Would you have purchased a scrunchie from Garner? –Kim Peiffer

READ UP ON MORE HAIR ACCESSORIES

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Though Rachel Zoe is famous for dressing stars like Kate Hudson and Jennifer Garner in elaborate gowns for the red carpet, the stylist reveals that a good chunk of the mail that filters through her website, rachelzoe.com, comes from fans looking for advice on real-life, everyday-wearable pieces. “I get so many questions submitted through Ask Rachel regarding ‘basics.’ It seems to be a fashionably collective thought—readers asking how to discern true wardrobe staples from the fleeting, “trendy” pieces,” Zoe writes on her blog. “Honestly, the word basic doesn’t really exist in my vocabulary—sure I have a favorite cut of denim and classic leather jacket never hurt anybody, but more often than not, I like my every day items to stand out. Because of this, I have compiled a shoppable guide of (not-so) basic items that every girl should have in their closet!” The TV star offers up 20 pieces every girl should have in her closet, using her signature, one-of-a-kind fashion lingo to describe goods like Diane Von Furstenberg’s curve-hugging shift as a “body con dress.” She also gives styling advice for each item on her list, and so for Marc Jacob’s oversize black sunglasses (otherwise known as “go-to-sunnies” and “the ultimate do-not-disturb signs”), the shades-loving star instructs, “Keep them in your bag—or on your face—at all times.” Go to rachelzoe.com to check out more of her must-haves. Tell us: what do you think of Rachel’s list of wardrobe staples? -Emily Hsieh

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Have you ever found a piece of clothing you love so much you have to buy it in more than one color? Jennifer Garner has! We spotted the actress doing the talk show circuit in N.Y.C. today in the same Diane Von Furstenberg shirtdress in two different colors (both of which look equally adorable!). This morning she turned up on Good Morning America sporting this red hot Diane von Furstenberg with nude Christian Louboutin platform peep-toes and a diamond disc Jennifer Meyer necklace, only to turn up later in the afternoon rocking the same accessories and same dress–in navy! Get Jen’s Diane von Furstenberg “Rosina” shirtdress for yourself, $325, at saks.com. Tell us: Do you buy multiples of the same piece?

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Don’t believe the rumors that celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe’s top clients Cameron Diaz and Debra Messing have dropped her. “The information is inaccurate,” Zoe’s representative Teal Cannaday tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Rachel is still very much working with Debra and Cameron” PEOPLE followed up with reps for both actresses who confirmed the ongoing relationship. And while sources have claimed that Zoe has been focusing more on her Bravo reality show, The Rachel Zoe Project, than her styling work recently, “that’s not true,” insists another source close to the stylist. Zoe continues to work with Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, and Anne Hathaway, whom she styled for this year’s Oscars. “Styling is still her number one priority,” says the source. “Despite anything else she does, she is a stylist first and foremost. She’s still holding people’s trains and sewing them into their dress. That’s her priority.”

– By Charlotte Triggs

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She sparkled in over 125 carats of flawless Van Cleef and Arpels diamonds and shone in a graceful Oscar de la Renta gown — but it didn’t end there. Jennifer Garner‘s chic hair and makeup were the final essential components in creating her perfectly poised red carpet look for Sunday night’s Academy Awards.

Makeup artist Paul Starr’s first step in designing her Old Hollywood look was to create an all-important base with Chanel Teint Innocence foundation, $55, in Soft Beige. Next he made those famous brown eyes the focus. “I wanted to make them pop,” Starr says, “but I didn’t want to do anything that was too smoky.” He lined the upper lid with Chanel Intense Eye Pencil, $27, in Noir I, then used the Quadra Eye Shadow palette, $55, in Dunes to give her eyes further definition. Starr worked the palette’s creamy taupe color from the inner part of the eye out to the center. Next he applied the beige-brown hue along the crease, and followed with a couple sweeps of Inimitable Mascara, $28, in Noir. The Juno star’s mouth was the final step. “Jennifer has the most beautiful lips in Hollywood,” Starr said, “so I really didn’t have to line them.” Instead, he used a brush to apply Rouge Allure lipstick in Tender, a pinkish-gold beige, $30, over the entire lip.

For an equally stunning coif, Fekkai Celebrity Hair Stylist Adir Abergel, went with his vision of a romantic, Edwardian look for Jen. He started by rubbing Fekkai Shape and Set Mist, $28, from the roots to the ends to change her hair’s texture, and followed by blow-drying it while using a round brush. Abergel then made a severe side part and followed by creating curls with a 1″ iron which he pinned back in a low knotted chignon twist at the side. He used a touch of Neutrogena Shine Serum, $7, on the ends of Jen’s bangs, and ensured the look would last all night long with a final spritz of Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray, $23.

Joe Kohen/WireImage, Courtesy of Versace, inset: MICHAEL GERMANA/GLOBE

Sure, we’re curious who’ll take home those coveted gold statues at tonight’s Academy Awards — but what we’ve really been dreaming about is what everyone will be wearing. If you’re celeb-fashion obsessed like us, check out our Predict-a-Gown gallery, which lets you be a stylist to the stars for Hollywood’s biggest night of the year. It’s your call: Should Jennifer Garner make a bold statement an a yellow Temperley London gown, or would turquoise Versace Couture be a better fit? How about mom-to-be Nicole Kidman? Should she go all-out glam in L’Wren Scott sequins or keep her look sleek and simple in black John Galliano? Click here now to test out your styling savvy on all your favorite stars. Tell us: Who are you most excited to see on the Oscars red carpet?

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Presenter Jennifer Garner is going for Oscar-night hair that’s “really youthful and sexy,” says hairstylist Adir Abergel for Frederic Fekkai, who is collaborating with stylist Rachel Zoe to come up with Garner’s final look. “We could leave the hair shiny and wavy and a little bit undone or we can go a little bit more period-more old Hollywood. At the end of the day, it’s just about making her beautiful no matter what.” Jennifer always looks gorgeous so we can’t wait to see her hit the red carpet. In the meantime, vote on what you think Jennifer will wear in our Predict-a-Gown poll.

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After making the big move to New York City, Jennifer Garner and daughter Violet have been a sweet fixture on Manhattan’s playgrounds. To navigate the busy streets of their new hometown, Jennifer keeps baby Violet safe and comfortable in a City Series stroller by Baby Jogger. Unlike other strollers, the City Series swivel wheel makes it easy to weave through crowds even in inclement weather. The stroller even folds up into a light, compact, easy-to-carry position so it can be tossed into a cab or the subway in one quick step. Get Jennifer’s City Series Stroller, $350, at babyjogger.com and for an even more compact ride, check out the City Series Mini, $199, babyjogger.com.

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Jennifer Garner didn’t need to snuggle up to husband Ben Affleck to keep warm as she strolled around New York City with daughter Violet recently. The Juno actress looked warm and cozy all on her own wearing an updated take on a fur-lined hunters’ hat (reminiscent of one of our all-time favorite Looney Tunes characters, Elmer Fudd). We’ve tracked down the plaid cap so you can fight off winter’s chill just like Jen. Click here to buy her Plaid Trapper cap at hatattack.com, $85.

Roger Wong/INF; Jim Spellman/WireImage

Jennifer Garner is one busy lady! Making the talk show rounds in New York City, The Kingdom star is taking the muggy weather in stride in some fun and flirty dresses in fall’s bright colors. For a morning stop on NBC’s Today Show Jennifer showed off a purple silk Derek Lam dress and then changed into an Alberta Ferretti green sheath for an afternoon taping of Letterman. We love her change of colors so much, we had to find some similar–and more affordable– dresses to get the look. Check out our favorites:

Get A Purple Dress Like Jennifer:
Nicole Miller cap sleeve stretch sheath, $220, nordstrom.com

C&C California Kaylan dress, $110, candccalifornia.com

Knit v-neck dress, $20, forever21.com

Get a Green Dress Like Jennifer:
Catherine Malandrino puff sleeve dress, $395, shopbop.com

Silk shift dress, $148, bananarepublic.com

Lux Grecian dress, $58, urbanoutfitters.com

Matt Sayles/ap

Whether you’re lucky like Halle Berry and look hot in anything or know how to sex it up when necessary like Jennifer Garner (at this week’s VMAs), we want to know what clothing or accessory item brings out your inner seductress. For us, it’s a draw between a low cut cami with lace trim paired with skinny jeans and a body-hugging strapless dress paired with killer stiletto heels. Tell us: What dress, pants, shoes or top makes you feel instantly sexy every time you wear it?

Want your answer to appear in print? To have your comment considered for the next issue of PEOPLE’s StyleWatch, please INCLUDE your first name and last initial, your age and your hometown/state.

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner may be Hollywood superstars, but they are constantly upstaged by their adorable daughter Violet and her super-sweet summer wardrobe. We love her little azure printed Puella Petit shirt that she wore shopping with her dad, $35 at puellagirl.com. We also love her pink Splendid Littles “Seashell” striped dress, $58 at babylaundryboutique.com, worn out for a day with mom. And of course, both looks are finished with her favorite footwear — Crocs! — specifically, her mary janes in “cotton candy”, $30 crocs.com.

Photo: JD/PV/Flynet

Stylish mom Jennifer Garner loves this C&C California “Kerena” eyelet dress so much that she has multiple colors of it. And while we told you where to get this look when we spotted her wearing the rose color version of it, we just wanted to give a you a little update because now it’s on sale! Available in four different colors, this adorable frock is now $110, marked down from $168. Click here to go to candcalifornia.com to get Jennifer’s look.

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I love Jen Garner’s red bag in the photo from July 9th Star Tracks! WHERE can I find one?? – Danielle

Jennifer Garner has certainly left her casual Hawaiian vacation wardrobe behind as she heads to a business meeting in L.A., but just as we loved her beach-dresses, we love her street style too. And what could be chicer than her candy-red Valentino “Histoire” tote bag? If you’ve got $1795 to spare, you can nab your own patent purse at bergdorfgoodman.com or you can try this much more affordable “Fayston” satchel, $100 at ninewest.com.

Jeffrey Mayer/Wireimage

It’s a big week for stylish moms on vacation — we’re loving Katie’s sexy style and now Jennifer Garner‘s sweet sundress! Jennifer and the always-adorable baby Violet hit the surf in Hawaii looking so cute in their matching bright colors yesterday, and we had to track down what they were wearing. Turns out that Jennifer is in the C & C Kerena Eyelet dress, which can be yours for $168 at revolveclothing.com. And Violet is no less stylish in her Xcel surf shirt, $20 at isnorkel.com, pink Tevas, $29 at amazon.com and adorable Sun Busters flap hat, $20, at darimikidz.com.

Click here to see more coordinated moms and kids in our Mommy and Me Style gallery.

When we spotted Kate Hudson in her buttoned-up eyelet top last fall, we thought she looked adorable — and so do Mischa Barton and Jennifer Garner in their identical shirts! All three stars snapped up (and been snapped in) this sweet Juicy Couture eyelet and chiffon blouse that’s still available to the rest of us online. Get your own at neimanmarcus.com, $228 — or get the look for less at jcrew.com, $78, and forever21.com, $23. Tell us: Who do you think wears the Juicy Couture top better: Jennifer, Kate or Mischa?

Click here to see (and vote on!) more stars in identical outfits in our Fashion Faceoff gallery.

Photo: inf; Respicio/ JFX; bfc/Finalpixx

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While there was no shortage of head-turning fashions walking up the Metropolitan Museum’s red-carpeted steps last night, these three leading ladies stood out for their unsually bold looks. We’re not sure how, but Jennifer Garner gracefully managed her ascent in this vivid red vintage Valentino Haute Couture gown. Lucy Liu popped in her purple Zac Posen dress, and Liv Tyler played up her creamy pale skin in a turqouise sheath paired with bright red lips. While many other stars opted for black (Mary Kate Olsen, Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan) or metallic (Kate Bosworth, Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Simpson) we love this bright trend and hope it continues into fall. What do you think? Tell us: Would you dare to wear a bright color to a red carpet event, or play it safe in a less attention grabbing shade?

Click here to see all the looks from the 2007 Costume Institute Gala.

– JENNIFER GARNER, celebrating her 35th birthday shopping. (Wonder if she got any of our gift suggestions?) We spotted her at coming out of one of her favorite spots, the chic Elyse Walker boutique in Pacific Palisades.

– TERI HATCHER, browsing with a male friend at LUSH in Universal City Walk. The Desperate Housewives star’s companion picked up a Wild Child gift before they left the shop.

– ASHLEY OLSEN, shopping at the James Perse Melrose Boutique yesterday. And what did she pick up? The fashionista left with two striped tank dresses.

– Poseidon actress EMMY ROSSUM, doing $1500 worth of damage at the Paige store on Robertson in L.A where she met up with designer/owner Paige Adams-Geller. The actress had a successful trip, picking up two pair of Melrose straight leg jeans, one pair of Benedict Canyon boot cut jeans, among other items.

– Grey’s Anatomy stars KATE WALSH and KATHERINE HEIGL, indulging their love of shoes at Sigerson Morrison in Los Angeles on separate days. Walsh bought three pairs while and Heigl picked up one [DASH] a red patent one.

– HAYDEN PANETTIERE, stopping by Beverly Hills boutique Harmony Lane where she snagged several Vita key necklaces along with three snakeskin bangles also from the Vita collection. And she even went back for more: She now has two key necklaces, two patent leather Milano bracelets, and 10 snakeskin bangles!

– PARIS HILTON, picking out items from Lisa Kline in L.A., including Linda Farrow white sunglasses, Ella Moss top and pants, and a Twisted Heart Diamond Skull Hoodie, without even trying them on!

Photo: Most Wanted/Flynet

As any stylish woman knows, there is more than one golden Oscar in Hollywood — we’re not talking about the coveted award, but the designer who has been turning out enviably gorgeous dresses for more than 40 years. Jennifer Garner, along with a slew of famous friends, celebrated Oscar de la Renta by hosting a benefit for the EIF Women’s Cancer Research Fund in his lavish West Hollywood boutique. Jennifer told PEOPLE that even though she “can be hard to dress because I don’t like a lot of fashion-y stuff, with these clothes, it was hard to choose. There were so many dresses I like.” But she picked her chic beaded sheath because “I just love the shape of it. I loved that it wasn’t super-tight.” A slim post-baby Amanda Peet paid homage to the man who designed her wedding dress (she tells us that she feels “very indebted to him.”), saying of her Oscar dress, “Well, this is a good dress. It hides in all the right places.” And Brooke Shields summed up the designer’s appeal when she told PEOPLE, “He knows how to dress a woman.”

Photo: John Sciulli/WireImage