Last Night’s Oscar Fashion Standouts

Last night’s red carpet looks were a tad on the safe side yet with the 85th Oscar telecast holding no surprises and somewhat of a snooze fest, the pre show extravaganza outside Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre was the most memorable part of the evening.

Though there were not many fashion risks to be found – the most unique look was Naomi Watt’s gorgeous one shouldered beaded Armani Prive gown; she was simply dazzling – there was plenty of old Hollywood glamour and glitz (Jessica Chastain and Reese Witherspoon) along with a myriad of today’s more modern silhouettes. My other two favorites, Charlize Theron and Jennifer Lawrence in white Christin Haute Couture, were not only absolutely stunning but looked so fresh and chic!

Statement necklaces were one of the evening’s jewelry trends, but if the ladies choose to forgo necklaces they usually partook in heavily carotted bracelets and earrings. My to-die for accessory look of the evening was Ms. Lawrence’s Chopard forever long diamond strand necklace worn down her back!

The evening’s hair styles were mostly side parted with long, loose waves or softly pulled back with loose tendrils. The stand out exception was Charlize Theron’s pixie style hair cut – who but her and Audrey Hepburn could look so beautiful with so little hair. My only beef with the night’s hairstyles was the loose and sexy look on so many seemed to come off as just plain messy. And, where were the hairstylists backstage?? Too many beautiful ladies with not so beautiful unkempt hair!

Did I capture your vision of the Oscar’s best dressed? Did I miss your favorites? Let me know what you thought of last night’s fashion.

Clockwise from top left: Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Haute Couture, Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive, Kerry Washington in Miu Miu, Naomi Watts in Armani Prive, Jennifer Garner in Gucci, Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Haute Couture, Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen, Anne Hathaway in Prada, Olivia Munn in Marchesa, Reese Witherspoon Louis Vuitton.

From My Closet To Yours – Styling Tips By kristin

Jennifer Lopez at her new fragrance, Glowing, launch in Los Angeles shows how to dress up a short ensemble. The pointy toe pumps and silk blouse lend the shorts an air of sophistication  – making it perfect for evening. Try adding a short fitted blazer to complete the look.

Gwyneth Paltrow takes a pair of blue jeans to another dimension by adding a 3/4 length sleeve cropped blazer. Love the pop of color and the grey/purple color combo — very chic! For an edgy look make sure to add an oversized bag.

Ginnifer Goodwin, at an ABC Entertainment event, goes mod in a leather Jonathan Saunders sheath with a graphically patterned skirt. The classic silhouette tames the bold pattern – love the red/white/black color combo and the burst of red in a mini clutch.

One of my style icons, Charlize Theron, always is a fashion standout. At a Snowwhite and the Huntsman premiere she sports a Bottega Veneta ensemble. This black and white look gets texture with a patterned skirt — love the dichotomy of the delicate and sexy metallic heeled sandals, and the addition of bold-red lipstick is a subtle way of adding vibrant color.

Another favorite of mine, Emmanuelle Alt – editor of Vogue Paris, adds flair to one of her favorite silhouettes – skinny cropped pants and blazer. The shoe must be fabulous (cropped pants give them much attention) and the new pointy toe trend lends femininity to an edgy leather pant. The subtle soft blue tee adds a dose of color while softening her look.

Get The Look For Less — Charlize Theron In New York

When does this woman not look utterly gorgeous and dashing. After swinging by the Today show, she hit the N.Y.C. streets looking very Manhattan chic wearing head-to-toe black – a basic Dior dress, Donna Karan sandals and big shades. With a price tag that’s well over $1000.00 not many can afford to wear this stunningly stylish dress and sandals. And you don’t have to, I divided the look into a top and skirt; between the Spanx knit sleeveless t-neck top and the Isda & Co ponte knit pencil skirt you can rock Charlize’s look for much less – they ring in under $165.00. Add the Elizabeth & James wedge sandals — on sale for $144.00, and the fantastic knock off sun glasses by Fantas-Eyes for $26.00.

Check out my picks to get Charlize’s look for less, much, much less!!

Clockwise from top left: Spanx Sleeveless Turtleneck Top $88.00 www.barenecessities.com, Isda & Co. Stretch Ponte Pencil Skirt $110.00 on sale for $75.00 www.lastcall.com, Fantas-Eyes Oversized Sunglasses $26.00 www.amazon.com, Elizabeth and James Wedge Sandal $ 320.00 on sale for $144.00 www.outnet.com.

Golden Globes Best Dressed And A Few Not So

While there was an array of color at Sunday’s Golden Globes we predicted there would be a stronger showing. It turned out, barely there blushes and whisper soft pinks were the color de jour, as witnessed by our two belles of the ball – Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie. There are no other words to describe Angelina than simply stunning in her one shouldered satin Atelier Versace gown and custom made Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. And the red lips that matched the shoulder detail on her dress were the sublime cherry on top. Charlize, as usual, was statuesque and ravishing in a Dior Haute Couture gown and Cartier collection museum piece jewelry that hailed from the 1920′s.

Fish tails were the silhouette of the evening as witnessed by Paula Patton in Monique Lhuiller, Reese Witherspoon’s Zac Posen gown and Sophia Vergara, once again, in Vera Wang, to name a few. We were surprised not to see more yellow on the red carpet but Paula represented the color perfectly in her strapless, slightly ruched gown. Reese’s simple yet elegant gown fit her personality to a tee and her sweetheart neckline made use of a necklace obsolete.

Jessica Alba shone as bright as her beaded Gucci dress and Bulgari jewels. She was the perfect example of managing to look extravagant without looking excessive. Frida, due to her Chopard jewels, shined brightly herself and looked gorgeous in a simple Prada gown in an anything but simple rich teal color.

There were not many risky choices that translated into ravishing looks but the best example of that marriage was Roony Mara’s bold choice of Nina Ricci’s black silk faille gown with bow ribbon detailing. We imagine if the Dragon Tatto’s heroine, Lisbeth, had walked the Globes red carpet this is what she would have donned. A bold and brilliant choice that makes her not only an up and coming star but fashion icon as well.

As for the not so….. we’re not sure how these ladies – Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier, Michelle Williams in Jason Wu, Lea Michelle in Marchesa and Salma Hayek in Gucci – made it on to critics best-dressed lists except to imagine they were trying to curry favors from the designers themselves. As a gentleman friend described Sarah’s dress, ” It looked as if she was wearing a paint splattered tarp”, and frankly, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Raising the question of the age-old adage – Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Or is it?

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First Group, clockwise from top left: Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace, Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture, Frieda Pinto In Prada, Jessica Alba In Gucci, Rooney Mara In Nina Ricci, Reese Witherspoon In Zac Posen, Paula Patton In Monique Lhuiller, Sophia Vergara  in Vera Wang.

Second group, clockwise from top left: Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier, Michelle Williams in Jason Wu, Salma Hayek in Gucci, Lea Michelle in Marchesa.