I love the crisp contrast of black and white especially when it comes to a flirty frock.  It’s not basic black.  It’s not stark white.  It’s a happy combination of both and looks good on everyone.  The look can also be accessorized in a multitude of ways.  Punch it up with bright accessories, or go glam with shiny metallics.  It seems I am not alone in my love of all things opposite as designers have designed an array of black and white from stripes, to swirls, to dots, to simple trims.  Black and white is a perfect way to transition from breezy spring to balmy summer.

1. By Malene Birger Nagat Stripe Dress, $195,2. Rachel Zoe Madison Colorblock Shift Dress, $325, 3.Parker Long Pleated Dress, $286, 4. By Malene Birger Elasiu Mini Tank Dress, $265, 5. Herve Leger Printed Halter Dress, $2,300, 6. Sister Jane Leather Collar and Cuffs Dress, $127.25, 7.  J. Mendel Double Face Cutaway Dress, $2,590, 8. Alice + Olivia Chandra Striped Silk Dress, $509, 9. Sparkle & Fade Knit Striped Chiffon Overlay Dress, $19.99, 10. Three Dots Striped Jersey Tank Dress, $64.80

xx,

WhyDid

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Emma Stone in Lanvin, Reese Witherspoon in Zac Posen

I sort of have a love/hate relationship with award shows.  I always go into them hoping to see some of  Tinseltown’s most gorgeous gals wearing dresses that I can only dream of, but am left feeling ticked off about the stupid things that these ladies decided to don instead.  Another thing that really irks me is the sort of unspoken rule that you “must love” so and so’s dress because, well, she’s so and so!  It’s The Emperor’s New Clothes and I’m not buying it.  Before I even had a chance to tune in, my Twitter feed was blowing up with “ANGIE ANGIE ANGIE” and “REESE REESE REESE.”  So, I’m gonna go ahead and say it:  I didn’t like it.  Either one.

This year’s Golden Globes wasn’t all bad:  there were heartfelt speeches, good laughs, and some serious trends that you need to pay attention to:

1. You need a headband.
2. You need red lips.
3. You need to invest in some Spanx for the sexy mermaid silhouettes that dominated.
4. You need to stop using self tanner.  (I hope it was just the lighting or maybe a bad feed- but wow, was Hollywood orange!).

Here are my favorite looks from this year’s red carpet:
Charlize Theron in Dior, Nicole Kidman in Versace, Jessica Alba in Gucci Claire Danes in J. Mendel, Salma Hayek in Gucci, Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci

There were a few other honorable mentions by Shailene Woodley (Marchesa), Julie Bowen (Reem Acra), and Elle MacPhereson (Zac Posen), but again… nothing that blew. my. mind.  I hope this was just the ladies warming up for the rest of award season.  With access to the best designers and stylists in the world… I expect a little more.

Now hit the showers.

xx,
WhyDid

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Sunday night Hollywood’s hottest headed to the 2011 Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles.  While this isn’t quite the Met Costume Gala and may be frowned upon by the fashion elite, I always like seeing the fresh young faces in more casual, carefree attire.  This year, the stunning starlets certainly did not disappoint.  Below are a few of my favorite looks.  I’ve recreated each to show you that looking red carpet ready is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Blake Lively in Gucci, Christian Louboutin, and Lorraine Schwartz jewels

1. Boulee Serena Dress, $209, 2. Ivanka Trump Pinkette Leopard Pumps, $135, 3. House of Harlow 1960 Gold Triangle Drop Earrings, $100

Nina Dobrev in D&G (dress and clutch), Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, jewelry by Ippolita

1. Paul & Joe Sister Gingham Bandeau Dress, $193.94, 2. Nine West Glowing Platform Pump, $89, 3. Poppie Jones Mini Turnlock Clutch, $19.95

Lucy Hale in Giuseppe Zanotti wedges

1. Rebecca Minkoff Claudia Dress, $129.99, 2. Alexander Mc Queen Suede Finned Wedge, $1,050, 3. Kora Black Horn Inlay Ring, $145

xx,
WhyDid

Photos via Just Jared

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The gorgeous and well groomed came out to strut their stuff down the red carpet for the MET Ball this evening.  Where most red carpets are a bit of a bore, the Costume Gala always proves to be  more interesting seeing as it is thrown by the fashion elite (you don’t see Anna Wintour at the Grammy’s).  Each year, the gala is themed and this year was “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty.”  Talk about one hell of a week for McQueen creative director, Sarah Burton.  A royal wedding followed by the year’s biggest fashion fete.

Above Tory Burch and Taylor Swift (in J. Mendel) slipped into their red carpet best and while both look absolutely beautiful (thanks for ditching that side swept ‘do, Taylor!) they look uncomfortably similar.  These dresses look like they could have been cut from the same cloth (oh yes, pun intended).

Tory and Taylor weren’t the only lookalikes this evening.  Quite a few starlets, and style icons were seen wearing similar get ups.

Ginnifer Goodwin in custom Top Shop, Barbara Walters

Too easy.

Rosie Huntington Whiteley in Burberry, Brooklyn Decker in Michael Kors

Two blonde supermodels, one color. I love Rosie Huntington Whitely.  She’s absolutely beautiful and I do love Brooklyn’s dress.  I just wish they could have swapped outfits.

Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney, Jessica Alba in Ralph Lauren Collection

No, this is not season 4 of Teen Mom Goes to Prom.  These are just two very pregnant actresses dressed in prom gowns for the gala.

Dakota Fanning in Valentino, Fergie in Marchesa

Speaking of teens… why is Fergie dressed in the same outfit as seventeen year old Dakota Fanning (who is very much age appropriately dressed)?

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen, Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera, Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney

Seems that slinky metallics were all the rage for the over 40 set.  I can’t help but think these dresses look awfully similar to Anne Hathaway at the Golden Globes…

Freida Pinto in Chanel, Janelle Monae, Anna Dello Russo in Alexander McQueen and egg hat

Three perfect examples of why women should stick to womenswear and stay away from menswear.

Chrissy Teigen in Chris March, Beyonce in Emilio Pucci, Lucy Liu in Vionnet, Christina Hendricks in Carolina Herrera, Demi Moore in Prabal Gurung, Kirsten Dunst in Chanel

These six sexy black widows actually all ended up on my worst dressed list… just mere coincidence that they’re all in black.  Preparing for their fashion funeral perhaps?

Gisele Bunchden in Alexander McQueen, Dianna Agron in Michael Kors, Saorise Ronan in Rodarte, Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler, Emily Browning in Marc Jacobs

I’ve organized these ladies in red from “red hot” to “red not even kind of a little bit. uh uh.”

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu, Christina Ricci in Zac Posen, Bar Rafaeli, Ashley Greene in Donna Karan, Lily Aldridge in Ralph Lauren Collection, Leelee Sobieski in Vionnet

These six stunners got their red carpet looks right.  They are each wearing one of the above trends or themes that were so popular at this year’s MET, but they got it right rather than oh so wrong. These beauties were able to separate themselves from the savages.

xx,

WhyDid

Photos via JustJared & Huffington Post

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I did not report on every last detail of New York Fashion Week- I like to leave that to the style obsessed.  My MO is to sit back, digest, filter out the garbage and focus on the fabulous.  Anyway, this week’s Friday Frocks is dedicated to all the beautiful creations that made their way down the runway this past week.  When I think of decadent, delicious frocks, I think of Vera, and Monique, and Oscar (oh my!).  I have to say, it’s kind of like someone read my mind, reached up to the heavens and pulled down these pretty pieces to fill me with girlish delight.  My very favorite colors are those of sunsets and evening skies, so I was beside myself to see all these beautiful frocks derived from that color palette.

Fall 2011 is shaping up to be a very stylish season.  I look forward to watching the starlets storm the red carpets in these beautiful frocks.

To view every last bit of New York Fashion Week shows, head on over to Style.com.

xx,

WhyDid

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