Stylish Kate Beckinsale keeps it simple in a smart black ensemble and retro shades as she shops for Christmas

She's said to be working with her husband on her next movie project, but Kate Beckinsale was all alone on Friday during a brief shopping trip in Santa Monica. 
The 40-year-old actress kept it simple in all black ensemble as she stepped out for some Christmas shopping, opting for a light sleeveless top and matching trousers.
Kate continued the neutral theme by matching her outfit with a pair of strappy heels and retro Aviator sunglasses, while a tasteful gold chain added an elegant flourish to an understated look. 

Face in the crowd: Kate Beckinsale mingles with shoppers in Santa Monica on Friday

The British star finished things off with a large leather handbag, which she carried on her right shoulder.

Kate carried a brown shopping bag in her right hand after splashing out at a local store, and she appeared relaxed as she strolled the sidewalk on another warm day in Southern California.
The star has been hard at work in Italy, playing the role of an investigative journalist for the Amanda Knox movie entitled The Face Of An Angel, based on the book Angel Face by Barbie Latza Nadeau.

She's happy: Kate appeared to be in high spirits on her latest outing in Southern California

The film documents the frenzy surrounding the case of murdered British student Meredith Kercher.
Clearly dedicated to her work, Kate threw herself into the controversial project, even enlisting the expertise of journalist Latza Nadeau.
Whilst on a research trip in Rome, the actress was given a tour of the offices used by the reporter, who has also worked for the Daily Beast, at the foreign press association around the corner from the Trevi fountain.
The film will also star willowy model Cara Delevingne as a girl called Melanie, a young Englishwoman whom she previously described as ‘an independent spirited girl’. 

Out and about: Kate sported a stylish black ensemble as she stepped out for some Christmas shopping on Friday 

'The idea I had of her is that she’s like me and a lot of my friends who are 21 and travelling around Europe,’ she said.

Melanie meets a film-maker, Thomas – played by Bruhl – who is going through a mid-life crisis as he prepares to make a picture about the murder of a British student in Tuscany.
Next year Kate will join forces with director husband Len Wiseman for The Darkness – an adaptation of the popular comic book series. 

Flighty girl: Kate has her suitcase in two after touching down from Italy, where she's been filming new movie The Face Of An Angel