SAG Awards: Red Carpet

The SAG awards are interesting. They don't get as much press as the Oscars or the Golden Globes, so actors tend to make edgier, more interesting fashion statements, which can be a good and a bad thing, but is mostly just highly entertaining.

The Good:

Jenna Fischer in Pamela Rolland, Mindy Kaling in BCBG, Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen: FINALLY, Jenna Fischer, FINALLY. She has never worn anything on the red carpet that's done her any justice, and while this isn't the world's most perfect dress for her, it's a thousand times better than anything she's ever worn. It fits, it's flattering (for an empire-waist, at least), the color is interesting and looks great again her pale skin, the beading is just enough embellishment against her earrings, and the hair and makeup are fab. A+. And Mindy Kaling stepped it up too. Her taste usually borders on the highly eclectic side, and this dress manages to hug her curves nicely, be red carpet appropriate, and still have a bit of attitude with the snakeskin print. Props to Sandra Bullock for stepping outside the box with this one. The detail at the collar and the keyhole neckline are very glam, but they work against the simplicity of the column dress. It would almost be boring, but there's something abstract and organic about the detailing that makes this directional instead of safe. I may be biased because I just saw (and LOVED) The Proposal. But still.


Meryl Streep in Balenciaga, Marion Cotillard in Elie Saab, Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen: Meryl Streep gets intense fashion brownie points for pulling out the Balenciaga on the red carpet. This is the perfect example of how the SAG red carpet is different than the Oscar red carpet. This dress is edgy (but age appropriate) and very on-trend, but still fresh and extremely chic. I also love that she's managed to pull off wearing sunglasses on the red carpet without looking like a jerk, and I think I see a hint (just enough) of shoulder pads. I'm surprised to see Marion Cotillard out of Dior, but I think this was a good choice. This is a little on the ice-skatery side, and softer hair would probably have helped mediate that, but I love that she went all out for this. It manages to be white, one-shouldered, and drapey without coming across as Grecian, and the feather detail at the hem adds a Moulin Rouge vibe that totally works with Marion's inherent Parisian-ness. I know a lot of people hated this McQueen dress on Anna Paquin, but I absolutely love it. Yes, the print is kind of overwhelming and crazy in a psychedelic, organic way, but the simplicity of the cut balances that out pretty well. The strong shoes stand up nicely to the dress, and have a similarly savage but chic vibe. The bracelet is sort of awkwardly blending into the dress, and I could do without it, but the clean makeup and simple hair tie it all together perfectly. Does anyone else seriously miss True Blood right now?


Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee!) , Anna Kendrick in Alberta Ferretti, Lea Michele (Glee!) in Carolina Herrera: Purple was a big SAG red carpet trend this year, which I love. It's a flattering jewel tone that people tend to shy away from for some reason. Jessalyn went for simple chic in this strapless gown that pretty much accessories itself with all that intricate pleating. The fishtail cut is refreshing against the sweetheart neckline and slightly Grecian detailing, and this fits perfectly. Anna Kendrick went a different direction in this Alberta Ferretti gown, and it's seriously fantastic. With all that layering in the skirt and the pleating in the bodice this dress doesn't need anything else. I really love that the neckline is kind of a sweetheart, but not really, and it may just be the lighting, but I think there's a slight ombre effect in the skirt (so on-trend). I think Anna's really going to end up outshining Kristen Stewart in the long run (maybe because she can actually act. Just maybe). Lea Michelle is one of the stars on Glee, and she is so many degrees of awesome. This dress is on the simple/Grecian/safe side, but the cinched waist, ruffled sleeves, and emerald hue push it just beyond boring and into classically chic.


Diane Kruger in Jason Wu, Christina Applegate in Roberto Cavalli, Penelope Cruz in L'Wren Scott: This is my favorite dress of the night. I know the comparisons to Michelle Williams' saffron Vera Wang from the Oscars a few years ago are inevitable, but I think I like this dress even better. That is a crazy tricky color to pull off, and Diane Kruger is doing it perfectly. The red lip could be too much, but I think it keeps her from being overwhelmed by the dress. It strikes the perfect balance between the retro simplicity of the cut and the extravagant exoticness of the color, it fits like a glove, and the clean accessories were a great choice. Christina Applegate has come so, so far from Married with Children. This Roberto Cavalli dress is so romantic and feminine, but not overly sweet. It is another Grecian gown, but the pale blue-grey keeps it interesting, and the straps add a bit of retro flair. This isn't my favorite look on Penelope Cruz, but it is so, so much better than her Golden Globes dress. It fits perfectly, the below-the-knee length compensates for all that cleavage, and the slight textural embellishment keeps it young and fresh. Absolutely loving the side-swept hair and absence of over-zealous spray tanning.


Michelle Monaghan in Calvin Klein, Carey Mulligan in Lanvin, Kate Hudson in Emilio Pucci: I'm not loving the Calvin Klein collection inspired by what I'm pretty sure was rocks, but I think this is the best example of that look so far (much better than Julianne Moore's version a month or two ago). It's interesting and edgy, but the string-like embellishment is so subtle that the fashion-forward silhouette doesn't come across as trend overkill. The ombre keeps that grey from washing her out, and I actually like how the top layer is longer than the lining of the dress--the hem plays off the sheer trend from the runways. Carey Mulligan is in my second favorite dress of the night. First she wears Nina Ricci at the Globes and now Lanvin? She or her stylist have flawless taste. Pleating/draped satin can look old and heavy, and the matte(ish) finish here keeps it luxurious but still fresh. The clean lines of the silhouette work perfectly with all the heavy draping and the dramatic train, and the accent of that brooch at the waist is the ideal finishing touch. This dress could seem a little matronly on someone older or curvier, but on Carey Mulligan with that pixie cut, it's young and unexpected. Kate Hudson's Pucci is backless, which I think makes a huge difference. That is a lot of white. A LOT. The tight fit and the sci-fi hip embellishment keep this from being too bridal, and the flash of skin at the back makes this more like the Kate we know and love.


The Less Than Good:

Deborah Ann Woll in Gustavo Cadile, Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhuillier, Christina Hendricks in Caroline Herrera:
Deborah is one of my favorite people on True Blood, and obviously very pretty. And her dress is obviously very sad, and very washed-out, '70s prom dress. The fit isn't great, that color isn't doing anything for her, that skirt could do with a lot less tiers, and I really don't understand that awkward ribbon at the waist. I'd love to see her in Jessalyn Gilsig's dress, or Diane Kruger's dress, or even Anna Paquin's dress. I actually have no issue with Drew Barrymore's dress. Cover up her head and she looks fantastic, whimsical and yet polished. But that Southern Belle from the '60s semi-beehive with those awkward front flips, and then there's that super-nude lip. If she'd done maybe a soft, loose chignon and a pale pink lip, this would have been a slam dunk. Christina Hendricks is another gorgeous redhead in a less than perfect dress. I have no problem with red dresses on a red carpet, but this really looks like she's growing out of the carpet itself. If the dress ended just above the knee it would all work so, so much better. Also if it was a size bigger and a little less bulky at the shoulder strap. But her hair and makeup are crazy fantastic.


Image Sources:
all from Jezebel.com, Anna Paquin and Deborah Woll from jezebel.com.

Flannels: Cute or Gross?

Guys, I'm torn. Being in Boston for college (where it is COLD) and being around guys in flannels all the time has kind of made me want a flannel shirt. There's something so cozy about them. I really don't want to drop a lot of money on something so basic, but at the same time a used flannel makes the germaphobe inside me want to curl up and die. It's hard to track down a good flannel though, and even harder to style one correctly. So before I commit to one, I'm going to try to style an outfit around a flannel and see how that works so, so here goes.

J. Crew Suckered Gingham Perfect Shirt, $69.50 at jcrew.com, Americans Colors Two Pocket Flannel Check Shirt, $165 at intermixonline.com, Kova & T Lee Reversible Flannel Shirt in Red Plaid, $231 at revolveclothing.com: Obviously this first shirt isn't a flannel, but the gingham has a similar, if girly effect, and since it's a women's shirt, it's a little more fitted. This last two are really classic, with the red/blackish plaid. The first one is a little preppier, and the second has a bit more of a lumberjack feel. I think having the flannel a little oversized works well, especially if you roll the sleeves up. It has an "I don't care vibe" but in a sort of chic way.


J. Brand Jean Leggings, $165 at shopbop.com, Frye Melissa Button Boots, $298 at fryeboots.com, Monkey & Tassel Necklace, $69.30 down from $99 at shopbop.com: You need to balance out the volume of a flannel with slim pants, and surprise, I'd do jeggings. The blue here is dark enough that it dresses up the flannel a bit, but light enough that it adds a nice bit of neutral color to the look to balance out all the pattern up top. Jeggings also work because I'd do boots. Flip flops are too casual, heels look off-key with a flannel, and flats are a little too girly. The boots add a bit of polish to the outfit and negate the skinniness of the jeggings. I'd top it all off with a tassel necklace. You want a piece of jewelry that can stand up to the plaid/gingham print without competing with it. The tassel adds a hint of exotic flair and a little sexiness without being overly feminine (what's the point of wearing a flannel if you make it super girly?), and the touch of cheeky bling adds an ironic touch.


I'd totally wear this outfit. I just have to find an affordable, cute flannel somewhere. Any ideas girls?

Image Sources:
J. Crew shirt: jcrew.com, American Colors shirt: intermixonline.com, Kova & T top: revolveclothing.com, J. Brand jeggings: shopbop.com, Frye boots: fryeboots.com, Kenneth Jay Lane necklace: shopbop.com.

Get the Look: Snow Bunny!

It is so hard to look cute and be warm in the snow at the same time. Usually I end up picking cute over warm and then huddling into my friends like a penguin and stealing all their scarves, mittens, hats, etc. There has to be a way to look decent and not freeze to death, and I've been trying to figure it out. I think the snow bunny look is the ideal dealing with coldness strategy; slim pants, furry boots, and a warm jacket with a slightly exaggerated silhouette, and basically looking like you hang around the slopes in Aspen in your spare time. Here's my best attempt so far:

Veda Max Leather Distressed Jacket, $605 at shopbop.com, KAIN Label Pocket Tee, $84 at shopbop.com, 7 For All Mankind Gummy Gwenevere Skinny Jean Leggings, $170 at shopbop.com: I really wanted a shearling jacket for this look, but I couldn't find one (sad face), and I think this is a pretty good substitution. It has a sporty vibe that makes it look like you just got off the mountain without actually looking like sportswear. The dark lining kind of looks like a fur lining from far away, which works into the snow bunny look perfectly, and the slightly mottled finish of the leather has a worn-in, casual vibe that balances out the glamour of the oversized collar. I'd layer a really simple tee underneath the jacket because the snow bunny look is all about simple, sporty glamour, and I don't want anything to detract from the jacket. The off-white shade is more flattering than stark white, and keeps you from blending into the snow. I like jean leggings for this look because they have the same effect as a pair of jeans, but are much easier to tuck into boots. These are cute because they actually look like jeans, not awkward leggings, and they work nicely with the luxe factor the jacket. And before anyone says that this isn't really practical for snow, it's been about 35 degrees here with a ton of snow on the ground, and since leather is really warm you could totally get away with wearing it and a tee. And you could always layer tights or long underwear under the jeggings for extra warmth.


Charlotte Ronson Agata Suede Boots with Sherpa Trim, $121 down from $242 at shopbop.com, Rabbit Fur Earmuffs, $28 at etsy.com, Vince Fringed Square Cashmere Scarf, $136.50 down from $195 at shopbop.com: I realize that these shoes are kind of cheesy. But they are also insanely awesome. They're like the chic version of a pair of Uggs. The suede and the shearling lining are both warm and add a lot of texture to the look, the grey is a fresh take on the neutral boot, and platform heel and tasseled tie add a little cheekiness. These earmuffs are my favorite part of the entire look. They're obviously very practical, and there's something so whimisically glamorous and slightly retro about the oversized fox hair ear coverings. Since the fur is grey, it ties the outfit together from head to toe with the grey boots, and the neutral shade keeps the fur from being over the top. To add a pop of color, I'd throw on this Vince scarf. Again, it's really practical since it's cashmere, and I love a square scarf because you can wear it like the model here, or you can wear it vertically for a more casual look. The wine purple color is elegant and flattering, and works with the grey, blue, and brown of the rest of the outfit. Since cashmere is really luxe and expensive, I like to buy cashmere accessories. You get the full effect of cashmere with less of the cost.



Juicy Couture Rose Stud Earrings, $48 at shopbop.com, Madewell Long Rhinestone Necklace, $55 at shopbop.com, Foley + Corinna Jetsetter Jr. Tote, $528 at shopbop.com: The real key to this look is the accessories. You want clean pieces that have really nice, luxurious details, and the best part about that is that those kinds of pieces are getting pretty affordable. I have a pair of rose studs just like these, and I wear them all the time. They're simple, but very sweet and girly without being overwhelming, and the tiny crystal in center would catch the light so perfectly. I know earrings and earmuffs seems silly, but you have to take up the earmuffs at some point, right? I got a chance to see this Madewell necklace in person, and I love it to death. It's the ideal mixture of sparkly/girly and industrial edginess, and the black rhinestones look like black gemstones from far away, so it looks like you dropped a lot of money on this necklace. It would be perfect peeking out from underneath the leather jacket. I almost bought this bag. It has a very equestrian feel to it with the buckle and the dark brown hue, which fits so well into the Aspen, apres-ski type outfit that I'm going for. There's a balance between classic structure and edgy detailing that just screams young and rich, and the size makes it seriously practical.


Image Sources:
Veda jacket: shopbop.com, KAIN tee: shopbop.com, 7 jeggings: shopbop.com, Juicy Couture studs: shopbop.com, Madewell necklace: shopbop.com, Foley + Corinna tote: shopbop.com, Charlotte Ronson boots: shopbop.com, earmuffs: etsy.com, Vince scarf: shopbop.com.

Poop!

So I'm the middle of blogging about a very cute snow bunny look, and our power goes out! Again! Double post tmrrw to make up for it :(
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Cupcakes! And Other Pretty Things.

First off, Martha Stewart attempting to pole dance. No other way to describe that little piece of amazing/awkwardness.

Crumbs Cupcakes in Red Velvet, Tiramisu, and Chocolate Snowball, $4.50 at crumbs.com: To make up for that first clip, here are cupcakes. But not just any cupcakes. Oversized Crumbs cupcakes. OVERSIZED cupcakes. There are more than 30 types of cupcakes, and frankly they all sound delicious. I went to Crumbs this past weekend, and OMG, brain explosion. First off the store is really, really cute in a slightly retro way, and second their cupcakes are really well done. They use good ingredients and come up with really thoughtful flavors, like Tiramisu (vanilla cake filled with vanilla custard topped with vanilla cream cheese frosting sprinkled with cocoa powder and soaked in coffee. YUM), Red Velvet, which has ridiculously yummy cream cheese frosting and is filled with said frosting as well, and the Chocolate Snowball (chocolate cake with chocolate fudge frosting topped with chocolate mousse covered with chocolate ganache and edged with chocolate sprinkles). I'm drooling right now. Personally, I like these cupcakes better than the famed Sprinkles, which can taste a little artificial. You can get Crumbs cupcakes shipped all over the country, and I'm seriously considering it right now.


House of Harlow 1960 Key Cocktail Ring, $45 at shopbop.com, Peacock Locket Necklace, $120 at shopbop.com, Abalone Sunburst Cocktail Ring, $70 at shopbop.com: I know I say this a lot, but I really have to give Nicole Richie props for House of Harlow 1960. She's managed to construct a lovely jewelry brand with a concise and consistent vision that in no way resembles Nicole on The Simple Life. How clever is that ring? I have a serious key fetish (hence my five key necklaces), and this is a really unique take on the statement cocktail ring that would also work perfectly for daytime. I just bought a $25 version of this necklace at a flea market, and it has a fantastic Marie Antoinette vibe to it. This version really looks like a heirloom, and the locket actually functions. It would be perfect to jazz up a basic outfit, but wouldn't look out of place at a formal event. The abalone shell on this oversized ring looks fantastic--almost like an oilslick, and then the sunburst pattern of the gold adds such an organic, folksy vibe. Plus this ring is legitimately oversized (like gigantic), that it's making a serious statement.


House of Harlow 1960 Enamel Sealed Cuff, $220 at shopbop.com, Leather Stack Bangle with Stones, $114 at shopbop.com, Joie Alicia Racer Tank, $128 at shopbop.com: This cuff is genius. The embellishment looks like a wax seal with little feathers! So cute in a nerdy historian kind of way. Giant cuff bracelets have such a gladiator feel to them, and add the perfect finishing touch to basically any outfit. Plus it's hinged, so it's actually easy to put on and take off. And leather bangles! Leather bangles! This brand is killing me. That's combining two of my favorite things in one, and the textural contrast is so interesting. Imagine stacking a bunch of these on your wrist. Amazing. I have a serious craving for florals right now (I blame all these Liberty of London collaborations), and while floral skirts and dresses are always a good option, I think a floral tank would be a fun alternative. I like to mix fun tops with basic bottoms (mainly because nice jeans and skirts are more expensive than nice tops), and printed tanks are so versatile. The floral print is a nice mixture of kitschy floral and slightly abstract, and the tiny pocket is such a cute, unexpected touch.


Balmain Chain-mail Jersey Dress, $6,225 at net-a-porter.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim Cotton Polka-dot Babydoll Nightdress, $150 at net-a-porter.com, 3.1 Phillip Lim Embroidered Lace Skirt, $450 at net-a-porter.com: I think this is the first Balmain dress that I could actually justify paying six grand for (theoretically, of course). It's a combination of an Herve Leger bandage dress, a bodycon long-sleeved mini, and awesome chain-mail insets (no, really). You get a lot of bang for your buck here, and the best part is that it's really on-trend but not overly trendy. You could wear this dress in different seasons for a couple of years, which helps justify the price a lot more. There's just something so appealing about the chain-mail insets, but that's coming from a girl who was Joan of Arc for Halloween when she was six. I had no idea that Phillip Lim made lingerie/sleepwear! Which has probably been good for my wallet, but still. How adorable is that slip?! It has a slight French Maid feel to it, but in a very chic way. The cut is actually really tasteful, and the multi-sized polka dots liven it up. This skirt has a definite lingerie/boudoir feel to it, and would tie perfectly into the inner-wear as outer-wear trend. A lot of times black lace over lighter fabrics can come off as tacky, but the off-white underlayer here comes across as really polished. I really love the pattern of the lace (slightly floral, not too sweet), and the way the lace layer is longer than the underskirt. High-waisted mini-skirts are also always fab, and super versatile, and again, Phillip Lim = genius.


The Spring Alberta Ferretti ads popped up online today, and they are gorgeous. Very woodland Cirque du Soleil fairies frolicking in the darkness. It's a little awkward, but kind of awesome at the same time, and makes me want to dig out those ribbons I played with in fifth grade and twirl around in a fairy princess dress. The last one with all the purple is my favorite--there's such a great combination of the lightness of the fabric and heaviness of the ornate detailing. Bravo.




Image Sources:
Crumbs cupcakes: crumbs.com, House of Harlow cocktail key ring: shopbop.com, locket necklace: shopbop.com, abalone ring: shopbop.com, cuff: shopbop.com, Joie tank: shopbop.com, Balmain dress: net-a-porter.com, Phillip Lim slip: net-a-porter.com, Phillip Lim skirt: net-a-porter.com, Alberta Ferretti ad: fabsugar.com.

Jet Lag!

Hey guys! So I've been travelling/packing/unpacking for the last 48 hours, and I'm officially a walking zombie. Ergo no post today. But hopefully I'll be alive tomorrow, so I'll have some fun stuff for you guys tomorrow!

XOXO,
Megan

The Golden Globes Red Carpet: Highlights and Lowlights

I love Ricky Gervais. He is offensive and vastly innapropriate, and I always love when producers pick people like him to host awards shows (Chris Rock at the Oscars? hahaha) because you can just imagine them taking shots at every off color joke in the green room. Teehee. But Ricky Gervais aside, we need to talk about the clothes. As always, there was some good, some decents, and some very, very bad. PS: all the umbrellas? Yeah, it does rain in southern California. I'm sorry if that crushes some peoples' dreams.

The good:

Anna Kendrick in Marchesa, Jennifer Garner in Versace, Julia Roberts in vintage YSL: Marchesa is the default label for up and coming young starlets, but I can't fault Anna Kendrick for choosing this dress. It's sophisticated with it's column cut, but the ruffle and subtle pattern keep it young and fun. She looks miles away from her role in Twilight (in a very good way). I think Jennifer Garner can do no wrong (closeted Alias fan here), and this is no exception. It is extremely simple, but the fit is perfection, with the simple column and the slight train. What really makes this dress are the subtle lines running across it--they add visual interest and flatter her hourglass figure. The earrings are the perfect finishing touch. I love Julia Roberts for whipping out this vintage YSL, and being like "heck yeah I will wear this plain LBD to the Golden Globes and people are going to LIKE IT." Well, I do like it. It's very clean, it hugs her curves nicely, and while it toes on the casual side, the oversized gold necklace adds a much-needed bit of glam. Also, has she always been so blonde? It looks good!


Helen Mirren in vintage Armani, Sandra Bullock in Bottega Veneta, Ginnifer Goodwin in Vionnet: Helen Mirren shuts it down consistently by picking simple, flattering pieces like this vintage Armani. There's not much to say except that she looks fantastic. Sandra Bullock is in my second favorite look of the night. I was hoping someone would wear this sheer Bottega Veneta and I did not expect it to be Sandra Bullock, but she is pulling it off. I like that she keep the accessories simple to let the dress do the talking. If she'd piled on gaudy jewelry, the sheerness and sheen of the skirt would come across as cheap, but this way it's directional and fashion forward. Major props to Sandra's stylist. Ginnifer Goodwin is one of the girls on Big Love, and she doesn't get to wear a lot of trendy clothes on the show, so it's fun to see her on the red carpet in fun ensembles. Not a lot of people rocked shorter dresses at the Globes, and not many of those that did succeeded, but this Vionnet dress is gorgeous. The bold cobalt hue balances out the simplicity of the cut, the asymmetrical draping and neckline are very hot right now, and it manages to look flowy and be flattering at the same time.


Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior, Maggie Gyllenhaal in RM Rouland Mouret, Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta: Marion Cotillard is wearing my absolute favorite look of the night. This isn't the best picture, but it moved so, so well, with just the hint of lace peeking out from the satin in the front. The one-shoulder strap and the architectural pleating/draping is so on trend, the dark teal hue is flattering and unique, and the simple hair and strong eyeliner keep the dress from overwhelming her. Maggie Gyllenhaal makes interesting choices, but girl is fashion forward. This dress combines a lot of trends: peach (nudes, in general), asymmetry, mermaid silhouette, pleating, but it doesn't come across as overly trendy or like she's trying too hard. Lea Michele is one of the stars of Glee (I LOVE GLEE), and her wardrobe on the show consists of very twee or old ladyish pieces. So it's nice to see her in something grown-up and glam. It is a lot of black, but the textural variations with the ruffles and the pleating give it so much visual interest that it's not basic black at all. The cut is simple, but insanely flattering, and fits her like a glove. A+


Emily Blunt in Dolce & Gabbana, Anna Paquin in Stella McCartney, Rose Byrne in Lanvin: I sort of hate Emily Blunt for stealing away John Krasinski, but I also sort of love her for her role in Devil Wears Prada. Either way, I really love this Dolce & Gabbana number. The pale pink is very on-trend and doesn't wash her out, and there's a nice balance between the fitted top and the flared skirt. The subtle pleating and sweetheart neckline keep it from being a little too bland. I miss True Blood. This isn't helping. I'm loving Anna Paquin in this dress. That's a lot of sparkle, but the open neckline and center slit lighten up the heaviness of the sequins, and the black shoes add a some balance and edginess to the glam factor of the dress. This Lanvin dress is interesting. It doesn't really look like Lanvin, but I like it all this same. It has a very architectural feel to it that's nicely countered by the jewel-toned fabric and the three brooches at the hip. I really like that Rose has a similar brooch in her hair--it really ties the outfit together.


The Maybes:

Zoe Saldana in Louis Vuitton, Diane Kruger in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Chloe Sevigny in Valentino: Zoe Saldana makes fantastic red carpet choices. That Star Trek press tour was flawless. I'm intrigued by this dress. It is Louis Vuitton, and I am firmly of the belief that Marc Jacobs can do no wrong, but it also looks like she whipped it together out of brothel curtains. But I don't think that bothers me. I'm torn here, but I'm leaning towards like just because she's taking a risk. Diane Kruger is in the same boat as Zoe. She makes great choices without a stylist, and she also makes really interesting, directional choices. She's snapped up some Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, which doesn't really exist anymore, so major fashion kudos. I like the balance between the organic form of the necklace and the super feminine pink. The one thing that's keeping this look out of the Love category is that it seems a little unbalanced. There's a lot going on up top, but not much going on down below. It's a little top heavy, no? You guys know that Big Love is my new favorite show (I may or may not be watching it right now), and I've always loved Chloe Sevigny as a trend-setter. Unlike most of the other bloggers, I don't hate this dress. I like she's pulling off that mauvey-lavender spectacularly, and there's something softly feminine but not overly sweet about it. I think that if the row of ruffles on the left side disappeared and there was just the one row of ruffles that it would be a lot cleaner.


January Jones in Lanvin, Tina Fey in Zac Posen, Penelope Cruz in Giorgio Armani Prive: January Jones is one of the resident Mad Men vixens, and unlike her female costars, she tends to choose very modern pieces off-set (no '50s wiggle dresses here). I give her props for that, and I even like the black headband here. She manages to make it look grown-up and not twee. But that Lanvin dress...it's hard for me to dislike anything Lanvin, but that is a lot of ill-fitting black on a very pale girl. Maybe if it was cocktail length and there was a pop of color somewhere? Oh, Tina Fey. She makes me roll on the floor laughing every Thursday. She has awesome oozing out of her pores. This dress...not so much. From the waist up it's cute, and more interesting than her usual black, but from the waist down it's an awkward length and manages to make her look like she has love handles. If it was just below knee length and all vertically patterned (no awkward horizontal bits), maybe that would work better? With a cute belt? I just want to help her! I've loved almost everything Penelope Cruz has worn on the red carpet. Vintage Balmain? Yes, please. But for some reason, this Armani isn't doing it for me. Maybe it's the Mary Poppins umbrella/facial expression, or the awkwardly shiny ribbon banding, or the Gone with the Wind collar. Although she can rock a mermaid silhouette like nobody's business.


Elisabeth Moss in Amsale, Jenna Fischer in Halston, Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano: I watch Mad Men. I know Elisabeth Moss has potential. She is a very cute lady. This is not cute. I can take the bangs (a definite improve over her mid-forward period bangs), but that dress is doing her no favors. The dingy pale blue is washing her out, the straps look like they're falling off (and not on purpose), and the empire waist is going to spark a ton of baby bump rumors. Jenna Fischer is one of my favorite characters on the Office, and actually surprisingly gorgeous out of the show's fluorescent lighting. This look is almost there, and much better than a lot of her red carpet attempts. The casual elegance of the silhouette works perfectly with the beading. I just wish that bodice wasn't swallowing her torso whole. It makes her waist look the same width as her hips, and girl does not deserve that. Christian Hendricks is also on Mad Men, and crazy awesome there, and I have to applaud her for wearing Christian Siriano. But that there's a lot of ruffles. Like a LOT of ruffles in an awkward semi-champagne hue. If this was in a jewel tone and a different fabric, I think I could really love it.


Carey Mulligan in Nina Ricci, Olivia Wilde in Gucci, Drew Barrymore in Atelier Versace: I love Carey Mulligan and her adorable pixie cut. I love Nina Ricci (mostly Olivier Theyskens, but still). What I don't love about this dress is what it's doing to her boobs. Girl needs a strapless bra, STAT! Aside from that, this gown has a gothic tinged elegance that really works with her English rose countenance, and somehow manages to have a long train without seeming overly formal or stuffy. Olivia Wilde makes lots of good choices. So I'm willing to forgive her this Studio 54 Gucci gown and her indecent exposure. A formfitting dress + that much chest is a little over the top, even for the red carpet. I love Drew Barrymore too! Whip It is my new favorite movie. And I could almost love this dress, but the applique tumors at the shoulder and the waist absolutely ruin it. Actually, I could take the shoulder detail, but I can't stand what's going on at the hips. It manages to be both gross-looking and unflattering.


Image Sources:
All from nymag.com.