After a three-week trek in India, Shailene Woodley hadn't been thinking about fashion very much. In fact, she returned to the States with practically nothing more than "a pair of leggings, a pair of sweats, one long-sleeve shirt, and this shawl," the 24-year-old says inside InStyle’s March issue, available on newsstands and for digital download Feb. 12. But stepping on to the set of our cover shoot in Los Angeles, Woodley's enlightened vibe infused the crew as she greeted everyone with a big hug. "She’s a hippie after my own heart," says photographer Thomas Whiteside. "I wanted her to look like herself—effortless."
And that she does, donning spring's minimalist looks in soothing earth tones by the likes of Dior, Derek Lam, and Delpozo (as seen on our cover, with earrings and rings by Kathleen Whitaker). "One of my favorite looks was the Derek Lam blue dress," she says in the behind-the-scenes video below. "Whether you’re on the red carpet or at home in the kitchen by yourself, you always have to stay true to yourself."