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Red Carpet Recap: I’ve Got the Golden Ticket

By |January 12th, 2014|Red Carpet Recap, Why Did You Wear That?|

golden globes red carpetTina Fey in Carolina Herrera, Amy Poehler in Stella McCartney, Kaley Cuoco in Rani Zakhem, Zoe Saladana in Prabal Gurung, Allison Williams in Alexander McQueen, Zooey Deschanel Oscar de la Renta

Nope, that’s not the second coming of the polar vortex. It’s just hell freezing over because for the first time in a long time, I thought most all of Hollywood’s leading ladies looked nothing short of lovely on this evening’s red carpet in party dresses for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards. I wasn’t sure if it was the bubbles from the prosecco getting to my head, or if all of Hollywood had decided to take things more seriously, from their attire to their acceptance speeches. Perhaps it was the absence of teenagers and excessive twerking- in any case, I wasn’t about to complain. Seeing limo after limo from Boston corporate coach arrive depositing a well dressed, well coiffed beauty, I knew my job dissecting the night’s fashion was going to be tough.

And then Sandra Bullock showed up looking like a flamenco dancer.

Followed by Paula Patton as a butterfly struggling to shed her cocoon.

And before all of humanity starts sharpening their pencils (and knives) to write me hate mail, I was most excited to see what America’s current sweetheart, Jennifer Lawrence, would be wearing. I was less than impressed when she made her unfashionably late entrance in the predicted Dior. My dad likened her to a barrel, but I’m thinking she looked more like that awful game women are forced to play at bridal showers wherein they create wedding gowns out of toilet paper.

Her anticlimactic arrival could only be topped by that of America’s original sweetheart, Julia Roberts, who must be a method actor with a movie starring her as a Dolce & Gabbana wearing schoolmarm.  Her conestoga could not be located though.

But again, it wasn’t all bad. Red in all shades from tomato to garnet was by far the color most favored though Emma Watson’s version was the equivalent of a fashion mullet. There was also a lot of embellished black and elegant metallics. And we all know Jared Leto was the real belle of the ball.  Perhaps I’ve reached a new level of zen or have been in California for far too long, but I did not feel like dismantling the TV for the first time while watching an awards show.

Leaves me feeling like 2014 may be looking up. For now.

Red Hot Red Carpet:

emma watson golden globesEmma Watson in Dior, Julia Louis Dreyfus in Narciso Rodriguez, Julie Delpy in Romona Keveza, Berenice Bejo

Two Timers:

amy-adams-taylor-swift-golden-globesAmy Adams in Valentino, Julie Bowen in Carolina Herrera, Taylor Swift in Carolina Herrera

Black on Black on Black:

emma-roberts-golden-globes-red-carpetEmma Roberts in Lanvin, Jessica Chastain in Givenchy, Leslie Mann, Uma Thurman in Versace

Styled by Wiz Khalifa:

golden globes red carpetMonica Potter in Romona Keveza, Julianna Marguiles in Andrew Gn, Lizzy Caplan in Emilio Pucci, Emma Thompson in vintage Lanvin

Black and White and Red Carpet All Over:

margot-robbie-golden-globes-red-carpetMargot Robbie in Gucci, Zosia Mamet in Reem Acra, Laura Carmichael in Viktor & Rolf, Emilia Clarke in Proenza Schouler

Golden Goddesses:

golden globes red carpetKate Mara in J. Mendel, Robin Wright in Reem Acra, Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta, Naomi Watts in Tom Ford

Platinum Princesses:

mila-kunis-kate-beckinsdale-golden-globesTatiana Maslany in Jenny Packham, Kate Beckinsdale in Zuhair Murad, Mila Kunis in Gucci, Sarah Paulson in Marchesa

Gang of Green:

golden globes red carpetTaylor Schilling in Thakoon, Helen Mirren in Jenny Packham, Reese Witherspoon in Calvin Klein

Ain’t No Drama with These Baby Mamas:

kerry-washington-olivia-wilde-golden-globesKerry Washington in Balenciaga, Olivia Wilde in Gucci, Drew Berrymore in Monique Lhuillier

And the Real Winners Are:

golden globes best dressedCate Blanchett in Armani, Lupito Nyong’o in Ralph Lauren, Laura Dern in Roberto Cavalli, Amy Adams in Valentino

Good Girls Gone Bad…Like Really Bad:

golden-globes-worst-dressedJulia Roberts in Dolce & Gabbana, Sandra Bullock in Prabal Gurung, Paula Patton in Stephane Rolland Couture, Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

Bring on award season… and the prosecco.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: My Awards Show Has a First Name…

By |February 24th, 2013|Celebrity Style, Red Carpet Recap, Why Did You Wear That?|

And the Winners Are:

Stacy Kiebler in Naeem Khan, Kerry Washington in Miu Miu, Naomi Watts Armani Prive

I actually went back and forth a couple of times before finally deciding on my best dressed for this year’s Oscar Awards.  All season long, I’ve been asking the ladies of Hollywood to “bring it” and in the words of a real cinematic gem, Bring It On, “It’s already been broughten!”  So, I guess it’s safe to say that the starlets of the big screen were just keeping their heavy artillery under wraps until tonight.  Much like their careers, no one wants to peak too early.  While I did go ahead and pick my top three ensembles, there are so many more that deserve a bit of airtime.  After all, it’s just an honor to be nominated, right?  Stacy Kiebler wowed in a dress shinier than beau, George Clooney’s, beard, Kerry Washionton popped in a perfect coral red, and Naomi Watts shined in an all over sequin asymmetrical frock.  Blues were still in heavy rotation, but a new pastel trend emerged as a favorite.  Thankfully, far less black was worn than at previous award shows, but when it was, the dresses were embellished so beautifully that the gowns were anything but basic.  And as always, there was plenty of shimmer to light up the red carpet.

We all had high hopes for Jennifer Anniston’s return to the red carpet, but I was less than impressed with a lackluster version of Jennifer Lawrence’s Golden Globes gown and typical Rachel blowout.  Anne Hathaway may have won big with Le Mis, but her pink Prada was ill fitting and nearly as awkward as her red carpet interviews.  I’m not sure why Olivia Munn was even there (was Magic Mike nominated?), but she and her mess of a dress would have been better off staying at home.

White Up the Night:

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior, Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille, Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior

Fifty Shades of Pastel:

amanda seyfried amy adams kristen stewart oscarsKristen Stewart in Reem Acra, Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta, Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen

Blinging Sexy Black:

oscars 2013 red carpetHalle Berry in Versace, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman in L’wren Scott, Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab

Out of the Blue:

oscars 2013 red carpetQuvenzhané Wallis in Armani , Helen Hunt in H&M (!!!), Jennifer Hudson in Roberto Cavalli, Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton

Go for the Gold:

Katherine Zeta Jones in Zuhair Murad, Jessica Chastain in Armani Prive, Renee Zelweger in Carolina Herrera

Better Luck Next Time:

oscars 2013 worst dressedJennifer Anniston in Valentino, Anne Hathaway in Prada, Olivia Munn in Marchesa

Win or lose though, one thing’s for sure, I wanna be Jane Fonda when I grow up.

xx,

WhyDid

Why Did You Wear That: Let Me Blow Your Mind

By |January 15th, 2012|Red Carpet Recap, Why Did You Wear That?|

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

Look for Less: School Girl Chic

By |October 23rd, 2011|Look for Less, Why Did You Wear That?|

While school started back in September, seems like some celebs are still channeling their inner schoolgirls.  I have no complaints with this look.  I quite enjoyed wearing a school uniform and looking at these nods to prep school style can’t help but make me smile.  Incorporating knits, plaids, and pleats will you give you this same very scholarly look… perfect for fall.

1. J. Crew Puff Sleeve Popover, $79.50, 2. AnnaritaN. Mini Skirt, $115, 3. Foot Traffic Cable Knit Over the Knee Socks, $9, 4. Betsey Johnson Daynaa Wedge Booties, $129.99

1. Express Shaker Knit Dolman Sweater, $39.50, 2. BCBGeneration French Grey Animal Print Skirt, $83, 3. Forever 21 Layered Opaque Necklace, $8.80, 4. Steve Madden Lace Tote Bag, $68.60, 5. Steven by Steve Madden Pembrook Bootie, $129

1. Alice by Temperley Long Sleeve Sweater, $119, 2. Forever21 Wool Blend Mini Skirt, $19.80, 3. Schutz Connie Pink Sandal, $150

Class is in session.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Would You Wednesday: Blushing Bride

By |April 6th, 2011|Why Did or Why Don't?|

On March 26, Reese Witherspoon walked down the aisle to wed Jim Toth, but she didn’t wear white.  While Reese has been married once before (to Ryan Phillippe) she opted for something a little less traditional.  Seeing as Reese has two children (Ava and Deacon) from her first marriage, some might say that it was only right for her to not wear white.  Many traditionalists associate white wedding dresses with virginity.  Well, a couple of things here: 1. There are very few brides who actually wed with virginity still in tact (It’s 2011.  Let’s not be ridiculous), 2. White dresses actually have absolutely nothing to do with virginity.

The popularity of white dresses for weddings began back in 1840 when Queen Victoria wed Albert of Saxe-Coberg.  Before then, it was common for women to wear dresses of any color to walk down the aisle except black (mourning) and red (prostitutes).  Brides wishing to flaunt their virginity actually wore blue.  White was a color associated with wealth because it was a dress that would not be easily worn again.  It wasn’t until the 19th century that the white dress really picked up steam and became a social standard. You can also visit bridalxoxo.com for more information.

When I was trying on wedding dresses, I noticed a lot of muted pastel tints to the dresses.  I tried on an icy lavender, a beautiful blush, and a steely grey gown.  I was almost sold on a blush Vera Wang creation (Farrah below), but mama wasn’t having it.  Below are several non traditional gowns created by the very traditional bridal ateliers:

Marchesa

Vera Wang: Tatiana, Farrah, Dorothy, Didi, Felicity

Oscar de la Renta: 22E40, 22E29, 22E105, 22N46

Reem Acra


xx,

WhyDid

Photo via People.com