Melissa McCarthy Spills Secrets of Her Glamorous New Red Carpet Style (EXCLUSIVE)

Melissa McCarthy has been amping up her step-and-repeat style while promoting her new movie, Spy, and she shared her secret with PEOPLE: Don’t overthink it!

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The actress — who’s launching her own line, Melissa McCarthy Seven7, in September — is a firm believer that an ensemble can be practical and fashion-forward.

“I think you can look really chic and still be wildly comfortable,” says McCarthy, 44, who opens up about her road to fame and her passion for style in PEOPLE’s new cover story.

The Bridesmaids star also shares some of her best — and most recent — red carpet wins, which she designed herself, in collaboration with longtime pal Daniella Curl.

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Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony: L.A., May 19

“I love a high-low; it lightens the whole thing,” says McCarthy of the purple and white floral-print frock she donned when she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “It’s a work of art, let me tell you. Everything was in panels, and matching it all together, it was probably one of the more difficult patterns that we’ve made.”

And yes, you better believe McCarthy plays stylist on husband Ben Falcone!

“I dress him up like he’s my dolly; I mean that in a supportive way, but I do,” she says, quipping: “I like to make him look like a Southern Baptist preacher.”

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Berlin Spy premiere, May 26

“The top’s so easy,” says the actress, who paired her metallic tunic with printed leather leggings. “I love an asymmetrical print — if you swirl the eye around, it’s beneficial to everyone.”

David Fisher/REX

London Spy premiere, May 27

“That python dress made me very happy. I loved it because it just felt easy,” she says of her chiffon snakeskin-print gown. “You look much better when you’re comfy: If something doesn’t feel comfortable, you just feel and look strange. I’ve done a couple of things where I’ve been like, ‘I can’t sit,’ and I don’t have any fun.”

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New York Spy premiere, June 1

“I love all those ’70s flowing dresses; when I walked, it would billow behind me,” says McCarthy of her red-and-white silk stunner. “I’ve been playing around a lot with doing a slit in the front: You get a little peek of leg, and I don’t always love the slit in the back.”

For more on Melissa McCarthy’s exclusive interview, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. And for more video with Melissa, go to people.com/mccarthy.

What do you think of her current red carpet style? Sound off below.

—Jeff Nelson, with reporting by Kate Coyne

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