NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art recently held their annual Costume Institute Gala, and the celebrity contingent was out in full force, in fashions ranging from fabulous to unfortunate. Who looked amazing and who fell flat? Read on…
Kate Moss dazzled in a beautifully cut, dove gray gown gathered at the waist with a metallic belt. Her look was elegant and understated, accented with just a few small pieces of jewelry (the bracelet, the drop earrings) and a loose updo. Has she ever looked better?
Jennifer Lopez also attained a sort of fashion career apex with this lovely, one-shouldered blue number. It’s sexy without being obvious (a line she’s frequently crossed in the past!) and the color is unique and flattering. I also adore the detailing at the top of the dress, and the asymmetrical collar. For once, the focus of her outfit is not her most famous "asset," and I think it really pays off.
Christina Ricci continues her streak of great outfits with this vampy, slinky pink and red dress. Like the gowns worn above by Kate and J.Lo, Christina’s pick emphasizes two very attractive yet underrated areas of a woman’s body: Waist and collarbone. The tight-then-flared "mermaid" type hem is another fantastic, fashion-forward accent. She looks gorgeous.
Katie Holmes, in a get-up so noteworthy as to warrant 3 different pictures in this post, reminds us again of how far she’s come since her jeans-and-tank-top days on Dawson’s Creek. From the tomato red of the dress to the lack of sparkle in her jewelry (it’s difficult to tell, but that necklace looks like it may be made of wood - very earthy, very tribal) to the electric blue heels, every aspect of this outfit surprises. Yet, incredibly, it all works! I particularly like that bob, which frames her face so precisely, and the unexpected makeup - what is that red substance near her eyes that matches her dress exactly? Eyeshadow? Blush? I don’t know, and yet I’m loving the effect. For an event like this, which practically begs guests to take chances, it’s perfect.
Of course, not everyone looked quite so perfect. Take, for instance, Amanda Peet, looking like she picked up her loud floral print dress at the mall. The decorative headpiece (headband? tiara? who knows?) doesn’t help matters; nor does the dark lipstick. It’s all very 1995, no? I’m also not a fan of the normally stunning Jennifer Connelly here: the pointy shoes, the sharp, geometric lines of her dress, the lack of hair and makeup - it all combines to create a look that’s just far too severe and unflattering. Mischa Barton looks fantastic - from the neck up. But that dress! And Ashley Olsen, would it kill you to wear a little makeup to a black-tie event?!
Finally, two couples to discuss: First up, White Stripe/Raconteur Jack White and his model wife, Karen Elson. Now, let me just say that I love Jack White - he’s an incredible songwriter and musician - and Karen Elson has always struck me as one of the most interesting models just in terms of her look. But what is going on here?! The shade and sheen of Karen’s satin dress might not be so bad on its own, but combined with Jack’s extreme sideburns and that strange tux with tails, the whole effect is bizarre.
Stranger still? Posh and Becks. David Beckham’s tux is pretty standard formal wear, but I can’t figure out what’s going on with his wife here. The see-through white lace gown looks like some sort of pornographic wedding dress, and her face looks uncomfortably tight. Plastic surgery? Byproduct of her hairdo? Just mugging weirdly for the camera? In any case, these two certainly missed the mark in my book!
The Little Black Dress, that easy-to-wear wardrobe staple that allows you to look classy, sexy, cool or cute depending on the cut of the dress and how you choose to accessorize it, has already firmly established its place in the fashion canon. But what of its bright and airy counterpart, the Little White Dress? Until now, LWDs have been largely overlooked, but they’re every bit as versatile and dynamic - and women everywhere are finally taking notice.
The key is to choose a dress that’s young and fun, with a few simple, eye-catching details - but nothing too frilly! You don’t want to veer into wedding dress territory. Choose a simple, classic bag and one or two basic accessories, like the bold necklace worn by Sarah Jessica Parker, or Katie Holmes’ big sunglasses. The LWD also provides the perfect canvas for showcasing the hottest shoes for spring and summer, from the nude shoe to metallics to the flat, strappy gladiator sandal; anything goes, so long as you refrain from anything overly gaudy. Don’t overwhelm the dress!
Not surprisingly, the LWD is available in every style, cut and price range imaginable, from the sweet, high-necked ABS by Allen Schwartz shirtdress, found at Nordstrom, on the left, to the eyelet babydoll sundress with spaghetti straps from Forever 21 in the middle, to the white-hot (pun intended!) halter maxi dress from Victoria’s Secret on the right. Find the style that works for you and give the black a break!
Target’s next Go International guest designer is Rogan Gregory, who designs eco-friendly clothing. The collection is available at Target May 18, but in an interesting promotion, Target will be moving into Barney’s for a few days. Starting tomorrow through Sunday, Barney’s will house a sneak preview of the Target line in their New York flagship store on Madison Ave and then the line wll be available in the Los Angeles Barney’s from May 16 - 18. Customers are limited to buying three pieces at Barneys…and then when it gets to Target I guess the sky’s the limit. There has been a lot of buzz in the blogosphere about how this is an "odd" pairing but I say….not really. Rogan’s line usually sells at Barney’s, albeit for hundreds of dollars more than what his Go International line will sell for at Target. I think this is actually an incredibly clever marketing ploy. I am way more interested in this Rogan collection because of this Barney’s stunt (the really cute romper pictured above helps too). I had grown a little disillusioned with Target’s designer collections as of late (hello? My Gryson disappointment!) but my interest is renewed. Blast you, Target geniuses! What do you think? Will you go check out Rogan for Target in Barney’s? If you don’t live in NY or LA, do you wish you could hop a plane for this? Or do you think this is a desperate cry for attention?
Yes, it’s true! These adorable ankle-wrap wedge sandals are Uggs, the same company that brought you those ubiquitous fleece-lined booties that girls were inexplicably pairing with miniskirts a few years back. (I have a pair of Uggs reserved for cold weather myself - they’re incredibly warm! - but I don’t endorse wearing them with skirts.) These, on the other hand, are the perfect warm-weather shoe: They’re cute, comfortable (check out their signature fleece on the footbed! Surely they’re the comfiest sandals ever) and casual, yet still capable of being dressed up enough for a post-beach dinner. They would look adorable with jeans, summer sundresses, the long hippie "maxi-skirts" that are all the rage lately - and, of course, miniskirts. Ugg, you have redeemed yourself.
Buy this bag. Seriously. I know I go on and on about bringing reusable grocery bags to do your food shopping. Well one more time: This FEED bag does double-duty. You can use it to carry your groceries but more importantly, you can feed a child for a yearby purchasing this bag. You must go to the FEED site and read their mission. Lauren Bush (model/activist) founded this company because:
The Problem of Child Hunger: Between 350 and 400 million children around the world still go to bed hungry every night. Hunger and malnutrition kill more people than AIDS, malaria, and TB combined. In fact, every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.
The above is from their site and there is plenty of info about how this easy $60 purchase will make a difference in the life of a child. I think the bag itself is great enough to buy on its own - it’s roomy, clever looking and it’s even reversible, so it’s like two bags in one. Add in the fact that I’m helping feed a child and it’s really a no-brainer. (PS - They are selling them in Whole Foods!)
Eyelet is popping up everywhere right now, providing pretty, slightly old-fashioned detailing on everything from the dress at left (by Mark) to the Converse sneakers pictured below. It’s an easy way to add femininity to an outfit, and it’s sweet without being too cutesy. The wide weave of the eyelet also provides some welcome ventilation in the sticky summer months! Other affordable pieces to consider:
The cute eyelet clutch, also by Mark, has a very ladylike, Southern belle feel about it. Clutches are such an elegant alternative to the huge bags most women carry! The black dress (also available in white) is from Delia*s, and the best part is the removable belt, which can be tied in a bunch of different ways to create various looks, or left off entirely if you’re so inclined. The white blouse and skirt are from Forever 21, and both scream "SUMMER!" to me - and the pink Converse eyelet sneakers (found on Zappos) are just incredibly fun. I love the contrast of the girly color and eyelet fabric with the hip, casual, slightly boyish shape of the shoe.
Maxi dresses are the all the rage lately, popping up on everyone from Kate Moss to Eva Mendes to Jennifer Lopez, to name but a few famous fans.
It’s easy to see why; unlike miniskirts or dresses, this style is super forgiving and universally pretty. It’s also one of those great throw-on-and-go styles that allows you to look pulled together and sophisticated while feeling like you’re strolling around in a nightgown. Here are a few great takes on the maxi dress that I found while browsing around:
This floor-length, Empire waist blue silk dress has an eye-catching pattern and a pretty blue ribbon tie to flatter your figure. Quite similar to the style that Kate Moss is sporting in the photograph above.
Strapless and stretchy, so it can be pulled on over a bathing suit, this cute and flirty black and white polkadot maxi dress is made by Xhilaration for Target, so it’s affordable as well as adorable!
My personal favorite, this ankle length maxi dress in a rich shade of vivid blue combines the effortless charm of the Mediterranean with beautiful detailing that calls to mind the intricate embellishments of India for a dress that is the ultimate in bohemian chic.
Cuffs are a great way to spice up an outfit. They are all over the red carpet and they are invading everyday wardrobes. How shabby chic do you look in jeans and a simple tank? Well, throw on a cuff and sudden glamour is added! Or if you want to make a very feminine dress a little funkier, spice it up with a cuff!
Is it just me, or can Natalie Portman do no wrong? She’s gorgeous, talented, intelligent - and now she’s a shoe designer as well! If you’re as obsessed with shoes as I am, you’ve probably heard that Natalie has been working on a line of animal-friendly vegan shoes for Te Casan in New York. But who knew they would be so cute?! Just check out this divine pair of red faux patent leather Mary Janes, as modeled by Ms. Portman herself:
You can see more styles on the Te Casan website. Now, the shoes are a little on the pricey side - the Mary Janes are listed at $265 on the site - but Natalie describes her line as an attempt to "design high-end footwear free of animal products," so compared to a pair of Manolos or Jimmy Choos, they’re a steal. Plus, according to Elle.com’s Style Report, 100% of the proceeds will benefit a charity called the Nature Conservancy, which focuses on ecological protection.
Whether you’re a dedicated vegan yourself or an unapologetic carnivore, I think you’ll want to check out these shoes!
Here are some famous faces I’ve run across who have been rocking a few of the fashion trends we’ve been espousing at LatestBeauty recently…
First up, we have Gwyneth Paltrow at the Hollywood premiere of Iron Man. Her choice of a one-piece jumper is right in line with the resurgence of the cute-yet-tricky trend, and the navy color and wide sailoresque bell bottoms are clearly nautical in nature. She even manages to call to mind the new vest with the top of the jumper, thanks to the deep V, button adornment and bare skin underneath. And, of course, the pendant necklace adds a bohemian touch. Kudos, Gwyneth - you almost managed to pull off four trends at once! But not quite. This outfit is, to put it simply, overkill. What do I always say?! Pick ONE trend and work it! Otherwise, you’ll just look silly. Even if you’re a movie star.
Gwyn might do well to take a cue from Christina Ricci, who showed up at a recent Speed Racer promotional appearance at the Long Beach Grand Prix wearing this elegant-yet-sexy ensemble. She opted to embrace but one trend - the high-waisted skirt - to stunning effect. With her basic black pumps, a feather-gray tank top and a delicate necklace as her only embellishment, Christina shows us how it’s done. This is a look that I could actually imagine seeing on a fashionable woman on the street. (Plus, she’s still working a slightly longer, considerably blonder version of the bob, which only ups her hotness, am I right?)
And, finally, we have Sarah Jessica Parker accompanying hubby Matthew Broderick to the premiere of his new film, Then She Found Me. With any number of designer gowns to choose from, what does Ms. Carrie Bradshaw choose to wear? An eight dollar dress from her Bitten line! Would you have guessed that this dress cost less than your average movie ticket if I hadn’t just told you!? Unbelievable. Plus, this is one situation where you don’t have to figure out how to "Get the Look for Less" - just march on down to Steve & Barry’s and get this exact look for next to nothing! Oh, and I just adore how she paired the dress with those delectable red satin shoes.
I dig. I’ve been looking for a good pair of grey jeans for myself and I’ve been seeing them on more and more celebs. I saw on People’s website the pic above of Michelle Trachtenberg wearing a pair on the set of Gossip Girl , which only whetted my appetite further. And I’m not the only one noticing the trend: DenimBlog shared their love for grey denim this week and, of course, TeamSugar was already talking about it at the end of last year. This is a trend that has some staying power. Plus, I think light grey jeans are ideal for laid-back summer style. Here are some grey-t finds:
Gap is a denim staple for a lot of ladies out there and their grey version are in my ideal summer shade.
You can always count of Forever 21 to have a trendy version on the cheap and these skinny jeans in a charcoal wash are perfect for transitioning the trend to night.
And if you want to go for a more polished look, Seven for All Mankind has a great high-waisted grey jean, ideal for the office or a classy night out.
And! If you have a Steve and Barry’s near you, SJP’s got a great grey pair in her Bitten line - and they are only $8.98!
I talked about rompers earlier this month and I have to say: I may have been on the fence before but now I’m sold - like I need to have one for the summer. And this one from Old Navy is going to do the trick. I love the colors of the plaid, I love the buttons down the front, the drawstring for a cinched waist and the tie-straps scream summer to me. Oh! And did I mention that it’s linen?? I love linen. To dilute the sweetness of the look, I think I’ll pair it with these sassy snake sandals. Sizzle.
So you thought Prada’s flower-heel Mary Janes were wild? (Me too!) Well, check out these Tea Cup Mary Jane Pumps by Miu Miu. From the glossy red patent leather to the gleaming gold trim to the strange and fanciful teacup handle on the heel, these are at least as extraordinary as the Prada pair, if not more so. I think they call to mind Alice in Wonderland - mad tea party, anyone? And much like Alice herself, they may not be practical, but they sure are pretty.
Let’s discuss Fendi for a moment. Known for their beautiful bags, shoes and furs, Fendi is more of a status symbol than anything, so it is doubtless a chic thing to own. But I don’t know how I feel about their Artist Baguette…your clutch arrives in the box pictured, with the Fendi logo all around it. The clutch itself is pure white, unembellished (the black sun is on the box, not the bag). It comes with 10 Pantone markers and this is where the "fun" begins - you can design your own masterpiece, drawing with the enclosed markers on your $1300 bag. Now, I’m all about getting creative but I think I’d rather do this sort of "artistry" on say a $5 purse I found at a craft store. I’m not so sure I’d feel comfortable getting crazy with my Fendi. Are you with me on this? Or would you jump at the chance to doodle your Fendi? I am intrigued to know…
I got an email from Urban Outfitters this morning with the subject line "Simplicity is Overrated" and featuring the three tops above. Word up, Urban Outfitters! The beautiful details on all three tops makes me want to run over to their store now or click away online until my credit card goes into overdrive. The best part about these tops is that the detail doesn’t overpower or take away from the laid back casual feel of them. They are a beautiful step up from the normal tees and tanks. So I went to check out what all these were about and I found more tops to fall in love with.
The fronts of these tops are simple, laid back and casual cool, just like I like. But you’ll make a major impression leaving a room:
Sigh. I am a sucker for an incredible back on a shirt. Or a dress, as it may be. For as long as I can remember I have loved back details. For my senior prom I had my dress made based on a dress Charlize Theron wore that had essentially no back and for my wedding dress, the way the straps crossed and tied on the back were the selling feature. So you can imagine that these shirts are nothing but trouble for me. When you fall in love with clothing, you have to have it…so today, I shop. And you should too - there are plenty more of amazing tops in addition to these. Happy Weekend!
I saw these headbands in the latest Women’s Health and I immediately fell in love. I love wide fabric headbands to combat bad hair days or lazy hair days or keep-my-hair-out-of-my-face days and these two have such a great design and color. Best part? You get both for $10 at meetmark.com.
There is something about a one-piece suit that has been very appealing and sexy to me as of late. I have always been a bikini girl but there is something very glamourous about the retro cuts that are out now and the one-pieces with plunging necklines.
This is my favorite style of the moment and I found it at Victoria’s Secret. The color, the shirred fabric, the cut of the leg and the removable straps all scream "sexy, fabulous" and I wouldn’t mind having a suit that said all that about me.
The polka dot suit is from Gap and captures that sweet ’50s feel, while the one on the right from JCrew has a more traditional cut, but with a keyhole bodice and an open back where the straps criss-cross, showing just enough skin.
These two from Victoria’s Secret (again) are still incredibly sexy, even with more fabric than a bikini. The monokini on the left will certainly give you crazy tan lines, but it is so resort-sexy that tan lines will be the last thing on your (and everyone else’s) mind. The plunging neckline on the suit on the right is daring and beautiful with the tortoise rings, and it is also a "Magicsuit", so it has special shaping fabric. Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative!
So, what do you think? Are one-pieces something you would sport or already do?
I adore this Robert Rodriguez Butterfly-Embroidered Skirt (you have to click on the picture so you can see the beautiful detail!). It showed up in my inbox, in an email from Neiman Marcus and I immediately swooned and cursed. It is not in my budget now to splurge on a $450 skirt…but I can daydream. And I can share it with you, in case it is in your budget. Not that I would be jealous, or anything….sigh….
Check out these amazing Mary Jane heels from Delia*s! Love the height, love the shape, love the colors, love the price ($42). There are definitely some incredible finds on that site just waiting to be discovered…
Vibrant colors are everywhere right now, from accessories to makeup, but one of the easiest and most exciting ways to wear the trend is by investing in a pair of jeans in an eye-catching hue. It’s easy to find denim in every price range and color of the rainbow - all of the jeans pictured here cost less than $50! In fact, if you visit Delia*s online store (where I found all of these jeans, save for the hot pink pair from F21), they’re having a Buy One, Get One Half Off sale on all of their pants and denim! Go crazy and get a pair in every color imaginable.
Of course, not everyone looked quite so perfect. Take, for instance, Amanda Peet, looking like she picked up her loud floral print dress at the mall. The decorative headpiece (headband? tiara? who knows?) doesn’t help matters; nor does the dark lipstick. It’s all very 1995, no? I’m also not a fan of the normally stunning Jennifer Connelly here: the pointy shoes, the sharp, geometric lines of her
dress, the lack of hair and makeup - it all combines to create a look that’s just far too severe and unflattering. Mischa Barton looks fantastic - from the neck up. But
that dress! And Ashley Olsen, would it kill you to wear a little makeup to a black-tie event?! 
Stranger still? Posh and Becks. David Beckham’s tux is pretty standard formal wear, but I can’t figure out what’s going on with his wife here. The see-through white lace gown looks like some sort of pornographic wedding dress, and her face looks uncomfortably tight. Plastic surgery? Byproduct of her hairdo? Just mugging weirdly for the camera? In any case, these two certainly missed the mark in my book!
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Target’s next Go International guest designer is 
Yes, it’s true! These adorable ankle-wrap wedge sandals are Uggs, the same company that brought you those ubiquitous fleece-lined booties that girls were inexplicably pairing with miniskirts a few years back. (I have a pair of Uggs reserved for cold weather myself - they’re incredibly warm! - but I don’t endorse wearing them with skirts.) These, on the other hand, are the perfect warm-weather shoe: They’re cute, comfortable (check out their signature fleece on the footbed! Surely they’re the comfiest sandals ever) and casual, yet still capable of being dressed up enough for a post-beach dinner. They would look adorable with jeans, summer sundresses, the long hippie "maxi-skirts" that are all the rage lately - and, of course, miniskirts. Ugg, you have redeemed yourself.
This floor-length, Empire waist blue silk dress has an eye-catching pattern and a pretty blue ribbon tie to flatter your figure. Quite similar to the style that Kate Moss is sporting in the photograph above. 
Strapless and stretchy, so it can be pulled on over a bathing suit, this cute and flirty black and white polkadot maxi dress is made by Xhilaration for Target, so it’s affordable as well as adorable!
My personal favorite, this ankle length maxi dress in a rich shade of vivid blue combines the effortless charm of the Mediterranean with beautiful detailing that calls to mind the intricate embellishments of India for a dress that is the ultimate in bohemian chic.
You can always count of 
And if you want to go for a more polished look, 
Let’s discuss Fendi for a moment. Known for their beautiful bags, shoes and furs, Fendi is more of a status symbol than anything, so it is doubtless a chic thing to own. But I don’t know how I feel about their 
