Hollywood Stars and their Sheer Gowns

The sheer dress is a very popular trend today. It comes in varied styles and colors and most often, they promote a sexy look as certain parts of the body are revealed such as the chest area, the upper back and the sides.

But this type of clothing is not for every female because it can be very revealing. Other than the fashion models, only the daring and those endowed with the right curves and bumps have the right to wear it.

Many Hollywood female celebrities have been photographed in sheer dresses and gowns at special events. (more…)

4 Celeb Fashion Creations

So many of today’s notable styles have their roots in celebrity closets. This kind of fashion star power can make or break a fledgling trend. These top celeb trends are still making waves today. Do you have of these fashion do’s in your closet?

The Dream Outfit You Can Wear to Bed: Tips for Rocking the Pajama Trend

Rise and shine, lazy daisies, your dreams have finally come true: pajamas are not only acceptable to wear outside of the house, they’re actually one of the hottest trends of the season. Although this trend definitely gives you the freedom to be a little lazier, you still want to make sure you look good. So, trade out those skin-tight skinny jeans for comfy PJ pants and exchange those devilish high heels for some ultra-soft slippers to get your wardrobe ready for the warm and carefree spring.

1. Find the Right PJs

The “right” PJs will depend mostly on the look you’re going for. Although your five-year-old plaid pajama pants might be the comfiest pair you own, remember that you will be going out in public wearing whatever outfit you choose. For the perfect balance of comfy and cute, choose sophisticated, tailored pajamas for a look that flatters your frame with no Spanx necessary. Silk is always a great material option to give your outfit a more opulent, structured feeling that remains smooth to the touch. To stray a bit from the sleepwear look, while still embodying this trend, look for harem-style cuts for a vogue fashion statement.

2. Dress it Up

Since most of us don’t typically wear jewelry to bed, accessories can make your outfit look much more styled as opposed to sloppy. If you’re not yet comfortable fully exposing your sleepwear style, you can ease your way into your comfort zone by throwing on a jean jacket, blazer, trench coat or vest to add more stiffness to a softer look. Heels are another excellent way to add height and shave off a few pounds, since pajamas aren’t typically the most slimming style trend. If you want to further emphasize your figure, add a waist belt to trim your middle and show off your femininity with colorful dangly earrings and sparkly statement necklaces.

3. Wear Separates

Most celebrities and fashion icons have gone all out with two-piece pajamas, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to. If you’re more comfortable rocking just pajama pants or just a pajama top, stick with this route first and only change your style when you feel comfortable. Your favorite sweatpants can look runway-ready by simply adding edgy studded shoes and a leather jacket to the mix, while rocking an elegant updo and a bold red lip. You can also make sleepwear sexier by tying the ends of a silk button-up pajama shirt and pairing it with curve-enhancing high-waisted pants for a stylish look.

With the OK from fashion leaders like Kourtney Kardashian and Sofia Coppola, it’s safe to say that wearing pajamas outside of the house is no longer a fashion faux pas. Despite how easy this trend might seem, it’s not actually a “roll out of bed” look. However, it’s probably a lot more comfortable and casual than what you’re used to. Make sure to compensate for this comfort by styling your outfit according to your unique fashion sense.

Gwyneth Paltrow: Oscar 2012 Best Dressed

And the Oscar goes to…

Again we don’ care one bit. What we do care about is who showed up everyone else on the red carpet in this year’s Oscars, which everyone (including us) seem to agree is Gwyneth Paltrow.

Who would have thought that a full-length built-in white cape on a floor length white gown would look sensational. If you would have described it to me before seeing Gwyneth Paltrow don the dress, I would have automatically pegged it for tacky and super-heroish. When Gwyneth emerged sporting Tom Ford’s unique ensemble though, there was nothing super heroish about it at all, and was plain super. As Perez Hilton put it, “”If you look up best dressed in the dictionary you will see this picture of Gwyneth Paltrow. Her white Tom Ford gown with a built in cape is everything! This is going to be a look that goes down in Oscar red carpet history!”

Move over over-sized bows, ugly snake skins, and other fashion risks that just didn’t pay off, because this white-caped wonder is one unique risky dress that sure paid off.

If Gwyneth’s look inspired you to sport the same for some party though, I highly advice against it because for one, I doubt that you’ll be able to afford the Tom Ford dress. Secondly, unless you’ve got the goods to back it up and the confidence as well, I doubt you can pull it off just like Gwyneth did. Besides, what made it special is its unique creativity and being a copy cat is the exact opposite of that.

Image via Rantings of a Creole Princess

Zelda Kaplan: A Life Lived to the Full

Some people may dub Zelda Kaplan‘s passing to be a sad event, but I say that if anything, her death is a perfect reflection of how she lived her life – to the the full. After all, how many people have died right on the front row of a Joanna Mastroianni fashion show? More to the point, how many 95-year old women even regularly attends fashion shows? Zelda Kaplan did both.

While Zelda Kaplan’s death is indeed memorable, what makes her more memorable though is how she lived her life all these years. A true blue fashionista she’s a regular not just of fashion shows, but is very much known for her active nightlife making an appearance in various social events like arts shows and attending late night parties and going to clubs with people a fourth of her age.

She’s not all about parties and fashion though, and is in fact a big philanthropist with Africa being her passion. She’s an outspoken champion of women’s rights and has traveled all over Africa to speak against female genital mutilation. Her love for Africa is also reflected in her fashion, proudly wearing traditional fabrics and clothing she has collected from her travels of the country.

Indeed, Zelda Kaplan’s will be missed by her family and friends, but all I can say is that when I grow old, I can only hope to live life more like her. With meaning, passion, and living the last moment of my life breathing in something as wonderful as fashion.

Image via Sandra’s Closet

SAG Awards Worst and Best Dressed Pick

The Screen Actor’s Guild have come and gone, and we couldn’t care less about who won what award. Here, the only thing we noticed at the SAG Awards was what people were wearing and how well they pulled it off. As you can expect, I’ve been looking obsessively over the pictures before passing verdict, and here’s mine.

Those who pulled it off…

Emily Blunt – She sure did Oscar dela Renta proud the way she carried this piece of bright green dress. It’s not the craziest outfit out there, but on Emily Blunt it is perfect and sure did turn a lot of heads.

Kelly Osbourne – This girl cleans up really well. No stranger to fashion boo boos, this year at the SAG Awards she proves that she can make the seemingly simplest white outfit look stunning.

Stacey Keibler – There’s no doubt that she looked absolutely gorgeous in her black ensemble. Not only was her dress and hair perfect, but she also had the perfect accessory to boot – George Clooney.

Those who should have pulled off their clothes and changed before heading out…

Amber Riley – I love your voice. I love your confidence. I love your outfit in last year’s SAG, but this year is a step back for you. What were you thinking with that bow?! I know some people loved the look, and it would have worked too if not for the bow.

Rose Byrne – At least you couldn’t accuse her of being boring. Still, not all risks are worth taking and this sure was one that’ll be haunting her in fashion history.

Images via MillionLooks, PopSugar, Divas&Dorks, CollegeFashion

Who Ruled the Red Carpet: The Oscars 2011

The results of the recent Academy Awards were arguably predictable, with “The King’s Speech” bagging Best Picture and Colin Firth and Natalie Portman walking away with the Best Actor and Best Actress trophies, respectively. One of the new things spectators watched out for was the hosting stint of Anne Hathaway and James Franco, who, many claim, was not all that stellar.

As in any awards event as big as this, there are winners and there are losers. While fans eagerly waited to know how their favorite films, actors, directors, and writers fared, there were awards of a different sort being given out, albeit unofficially. After all, what is the Oscars without its famed red carpet and the gowns that sweep across it? Let’s take a look at the lovely ladies who emerged as winners on the walkway, as they succeeded in capturing the attention and admiration of both fans and fashionistas all over the world.

Captivating Cygnets

Both Black Swan ladies made an entrance worthy of an encore. Natalie Portman, with her lovely baby bump, didn’t walk — she glided along in her purple off-shoulder Rodarte gown and Jimmy Choo heels. Truly a picture of understated elegance, she emerged as a winner on all fronts. What a memorable night for her and her little one!

Mila Kunis came in a lighter hue but was just as stunning. She wore a lavender Ellie Saab Couture gown with just enough lace detail to make her look every bit the ethereal yet striking beauty that she is. The gown did not look quite the same as it did while it was being modelled on the runway. I daresay though, that it looked much better on her. It was the perfect choice.

Timeless Elegance

For many actresses, their time on the red carpet is an excellent opportunity to make a statement about their personal style, as well as secure a spot in the international imagination. An image of perfect dress on the right body and with the right face can be stamped in the minds of both the media and fans worldwide. As such, a lot of thought goes into picking out the dress, shoes, and accessories. Unfortunately, some celebrities fall prey to trends and tend to overdo things. Others seem to forget their age and go for overly revealing or outlandish outfits, which often makes for an unnatural and even ridiculous appearance.

There are, however, others who get it right. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in True Grit, showed teenage actresses how it’s done with her lovely crystal-studded Marchesa gown. The sweet 14-year old was such a refreshing sight with her barely made-up face. She hardly wore accessories, aside from a cute jeweled headband that didn’t come across as juvenile at all. It didn’t hurt that she was wearing a pair of champagne Ferragamo pumps with her outfit, either. Perhaps other young actresses should take their cue from her. She may be new, but she certainly knows how to shine!

On the other hand, Helen Mirren could give us all a lesson or two on ageing gracefully. Completely natural, with no signs of Botox or anything similar, she looked ageless in a dark yet subdued Vivienne Westwood creation. In her case, both wisdom and beauty do come with age. Very classy.

Hollywood Staples

While many of the usual red carpet queens were a bit underwhelming this year, there were a few who did not disappoint. Reese Witherspoon, for instance, looked like a life-sized Barbie doll in her minimalist, black and white Giorgio Armani Privé dress. She appeared both clean and regal, which made her a definite red carpet head-turner.

Michelle Williams awed us a few years ago with her canary yellow Vera Wang gown. This year, she chose a much more subdued color, and she looked both lovely and fresh in a jeweled Chanel Haute Couture dress. Cap sleeves are not very easy to pull off, but on her, they were quite elegant. Understated chic, indeed.

Amy Adams, on the other hand, brought a rich burst of color onto the walkway in a deep blue-violet L’Wren Scott gown and Cartier emerald jewelry. She may not have shown a lot of skin, but she did come across as elegantly bold.

One of the most consistent of the stars when it comes to being absolutely stunning on the red carpet, Halle Berry came in a nude yet crystal-studded Marchesa gown. It flowed along her curves perfectly as her Neil Lane jewels provided a subtle accent to her look. When it comes to dressing for awards ceremonies, it seems as though this woman can do no wrong.

Stellar Songbirds

It wasn’t just the actors and actresses who made an effort to look amazing. Some of the loveliest attendees were the performers of the night. Celine Dion’s Armani Privé gown was the perfect combination of structure and style. Now Celine has always been an impeccable dresser, but this particular look was distinctly classy as her streamlined metallic gown was accented with jewelry from Bulgari.  An added bonus is that she’s been able to get back in to shape quite quickly, so it was pretty difficult to imagine that she had just given birth to twins a few months ago.

Another beautiful sight to behold was Mandy Moore, in a glittering Monique Lhuillier creation. With her hair swept up elegantly and her chic red lipstick, she was quite an apparition on the red carpet. Many media personalities and fans had to do a double (and even triple) take, scarcely believing that this former teeny-bopper songstress could transform into a perfect model of elegance. Mandy Moore certainly proved herself to be one of the top contenders for the best-dressed award, even though she was only there to perform.

While the Academy Awards for this year proved to be a bit predictable, the red carpet remained as interesting and lovely as ever. This is just the beginning, though. Here’s to more fabulous red carpet moments in 2011!

Photos via harpersbazaar.com and msn.com

Victoria Beckham’s Inspiration: The Brit School Teacher (From the Archives)

I suppose it makes sense when you think about it, with those pencil skirts, high-heeled stilettos and trademark tight-lipped facial expression.  Posh Spice once claimed that she never even owned a pair of flats, but was busted this summer when she was caught in flip-flops at Disneyland. Far from dressing like a relaxed Californian since her move to the States, Victoria has gone the other way, dressing more un-laid back like ever before in tailored, tight pieces that scream “uncomfortable”.

When asked about this change in style,  the Essex-born Victoria told Company Magazine in an article out this week:

“It hasn’t, not at all. I am very British in my style. Think school teacher…..I love pencil skirts and fitted blouses, classic cut dresses and well fitted jeans mixed with classic tailoring.”

Hmmm. Having lived in the UK, I can honestly say that most British girls are actually some of the most relaxed dressers I know, bordering on the scruffy, especially if they spend a lot of time in the Country. Victoria, I believe has a style of her own, purely made for the pages of the tabloids.  Why the woman sold 400,000 copies of her book on fashion, The Extra Half an Inch is completely beyond me. The Guardian newspaper sums it up rather perfectly.  Here’s a bit of it:

I have no qualifications to write this book; that’s why I’ve got someone else to do it for me. But let me share my insights anyway. First I’d like to knock something on the head. The idea that, once you have a bit of money, you start wearing couture and stilettos all day and live on caviar and champagne is just nonsense. They’ve both got far too many calories.

My own inspirations come from Grace Kelly, Jackie Onassis and Giacometti sculpture, but this book is not my attempt to tell you what or what not to do. It’s my last chance to cash in on what remains of my fame before David retires.

I am grateful for the possibility of being close to Victoria’s credit card” – Roberto Cavalli.

Lace Corsets: The Latest in Tennis Fashion?

Venus Williams sure made a lot of eyebrows raise with the tennis outfit she already wore two times (last Sunday and Wednesday) during the French Open. The black lace corset with red trimmings did not look at all like it belonged on the court. Seriously, I’m all for fashion and looking sexy when you want to but I have to agree that her outfit just looks inappropriate. When I watch her tennis matches I want to see her play and not have to wonder what in the world she was thinking!

Apparently though what she was thinking is that lace should be a staple in tennis fashion. According to Venus, “Lace has never been done before in tennis, and I’ve been wanting to do it for a long time.” Ok. I have nothing against lace but don’t she shouldn’t be surprised if they rip as she dives for the ball. Furthermore it wasn’t just that it was lace but it was a corset and looking at her picture it is no wonder she won the match because Arantxa Parra Santonja would have been totally distracted by what looked like her butt. As for that all Venus actually did decide to go for that effect. In her press conference she also said, “”It’s really all about the illusion. What’s the point of wearing lace when there’s just black under? The illusion of just having bare skin is definitely, for me, a lot more beautiful.”

Oh Venus. You are indeed beautiful like the goddess that shares your name and I can only wish my muscles were as toned as yours, but please you can be beautiful, fashionable and appropriate at the same time. Let’s just hope for her competitions’ sake that she dresses better next time. At least we know that as a strategy, it works!

LG Says I’m 83% Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria and Victoria Beckham are the newest faces of LG’s mobile phones. Being fans of the two fashion icons I was sucked into taking the “2 Phones 2 Personalities” quiz on LG’s facebook page. As the title of the post states the quiz revealed that I am 83% Eva Longoria, which is quite dead on in terms of personality. However, when it comes to fashion I do have to say I like Victoria Beckham better, maybe because I will never ever fit into the super tight jeans she loves to wear.

In support of LG’s fashion phones the two friends appeared in LG’s Fashion Touch event looking as pretty as only the two can be. The two looked like they were have lots of fun and were really game about being photographed together. As usual, I loved Victoria’s dress way better with Eva Longoria looking just a tad bit frumpy beside her. When it comes to make up though Eva Longoria wins hands down because Victoria looks like her eyeliner got smudged, which I’m sure wasn’t the case.

As for LG’s phone Eva Longoria’s pick, the Rumor Touch, wins hand down in terms of functionality but I do like squares so Victoria Beckham’s pick, the Lotus Elite, wins in terms of style. I do love squares so much that in fact I’m still attached to my fat iPod nano. Beat that! Now I’m thinking that the Lotus Elite might just be the perfect match for that…