The best dressed at the Academy Awards may not be sporting looks you can wear to work tomorrow, but you can learn a few things from celebrity choices.
When in Doubt, Wear RedSeveral stars showed up in red and looked amazing. The key to wearing red is finding a flattering shade and shape.
Heidi Klum took red to its fullest volume. Keep your red as trim as Heidi is by keeping the halter neckline shape and some texture on the side but skipping the poof. Try this
Red Halter Dress from Windsor for about $60.
Katherine Heigl kept it simple and elegant in a vibrant red gown. Get her look with the same, classic shape in a color that compliments your skin. Try this
Alex Evenings One Shoulder Gown from Nordstrom for about $120.
Anne Hathaway went for beautiful draping and an empire waist to make her red stand out. Keep the draping and the waist line but drop off the length to make the dress fun and wearable. Try this
Red Strapless Dress from Windsor for about $60.
Remix Basic Black with Surprising ShapesBasic black is an elegant and classic red carpet choice. However, a simple black dress in a classic shape can be boring. This year stars switched up with black by choosing styles with unique shapes and details.
Jennifer Garner keep the black interesting with layers of ruffles. She kept the look slim by keeping the bulk at the bottom. Do the same but crop the length for a more versatile look. Try this
Black Triple Layered Bubble Dress from Windsor for about $100.
Penelope Cruz pumped up her black with draping and features. Go for a shorter dress that does the same and play with details like feathers and bows. Try this
Black One Shoulder Bow Strap Dress from Windsor for about $65.
Wear a Different ColorYou can count on black, red and other typical colors to look stunning, but standing out in a crowd of beautiful people can be difficult so try wearing a unique color such as green or yellow.
Amy Adams stood out in her emerald green dress, which made her lovely red hair stand out too. Take a cue from Amy by trying on the colors you usually avoid. Try this
Maggy London Chiffon Halter Dress from Nordstrom for about $160.
Be YourselfToo often big events inspire us to wear something everyone will like so we stay away from the things we'd really like to try. A different dress can be a risk, especially when a lot of people are watching, but it can be well worth it. You may just be the most outstanding person there.
Marion Cotillard took that risk, and it paid off for her. She wore an exquisite Jean Paul Gaultier mermaid-esque creation. Follow Marion's lead and wear that dress that really says who you are. If you like the shape of her dress try this
Nicole Miller Crinkle Bustier Gown from Nordstrom for about $575. But before you try that, look around a little to see what draws you in.
In New York a few weeks ago, Max Azria revived 80s fashion house Herve Leger with a runway show full of the brand's famous body-con bandage dresses. Their va-va-voom factor costs over $1,200 at Net-a-Porter. Thankfully, Max Azria was practicing the Leger look with BCBG last year. Macy's has a satin steel blue bandage-style dress on sale for $216. And if you worry about bulges (then why are you thinking of a bandage dress?), it's also available in slimming black. Certainly not a budget buy, but still half off the designer version.
First row: agate discs, Viktoria Hayman, Bluefly $121.50
All you have to do to met this icon of stylish, on-the-go ease is give your contact information to Saks Fifth Avenue, then vote on your favorite runway look from Diane most recent show. Prize includes a weekend trip for two to New York, a makeover by one of Diane's runway makeup artists, a outfit from the DVF boutique in Saks, a trip to a DVF show and a meeting with the designer. Contest is open to US residents over 18-year-old until March 18, 2008.
These dotted, cutout peep toe wedges are adorable in red and blue. Maybe I watched too much Tom and Jerry as a kid, but I can't stop thinking about cartoon cheese when I look at the yellow ones. I suppose they're perfect for the sort of girl who flipped for Marc Jacobs' mouse flats, but I'll pass. If you adore them in red, blue or horrific yellow, they're $99 at Victoria's Secret.
Top: simple cotton robe, J.C. Penny $50
Do you ever look at the people in the crowded background of red carpet pictures? This lady was standing behind the mayor of L.A., and I really want to know what she's wearing. In the second shot, she's standing behind best actress winner Marion Cotillard. I could have lived not seeing Renee Zellweger in another strapless Caroline Herrera if they would have gotten a better picture of this green, fanned creation.
Vintage Amore was started two years ago by a college student named Suzy who, like the ladies of Fashion Me Fabulous, loves to have fun with clothing while spending as little money as possible. But with life and school getting busier, she doesn't have to time to maintain the store and has decided to close. Right now, the entire stock of vintage and reworked men's and women's clothes, accessories and jewelry is 40% off with the (case sensitive) code 5wc3W86G8a. Prices were already low, and with this deal it would be rude to not help Suzy clear shop.
Sissy Spacek (left) schools Sarah Polly and Cameron Diaz on how to wear sophisticated, mussy hair.
Jennifer Garner and Kerri Russell wore more diamonds than any of us could ever dream to purchase.
Nicole Kidman and Ellen Page punctuated their black dresses with layered, vintage chains.
I have no idea what the stones are in Julie Christie's necklace, nor what's sewn onto Cate Blanchett's halter, but I love how they complement each dress.
First row: metallic teal drawstring bag, Junior Drake, Endless $258
I hear the Hollywood is mean to women over 30, and considering how many busty 25-year-olds I see cast as brainy scientists or concerned moms, this rings true. Then there's Helen Mirren. She's everywhere and in everything. And doesn't she seem like the sort of woman you could hang out with all day, shopping, sipping coffee, staring at men, and swapping dirty jokes?
The primary material of this clutch is cork, which makes me think drunk men will follow you around at the bar trying to pin their numbers to your bag. The gold trim is pretty standard for an evening bag, but the branch handles aren't. The handles do tie everything back to the cork. Is this a great bag for a night out or does it look like the loser of a challenge on Project Runway where they could only use materials found in a forth grade classroom? If this Hobo International cork clutch has stuck itself in a soft spot in your heart, it's $108 at Endless.com.
I started noticing grey and white infiltrating my brown mop top when I was about 21. Whether they are from college stress or repeatedly hitting my head on the low ceiling above my bunk has yet to be determined. My first coping method was to pull them out, but I quickly realized this would give me a strange little bald spot. I'm too cheap and lazy to keep up with an all out dye job, and I rather like my color anyway. John Frieda's colored glazes were the answer. (With my hair, John Frieda is always the answer.)
Top: black wide waist band, Victoria's Secret $68
Top: pink dip-dye turtleneck, Macy's $59
Top: full purple skirt, Victoria's Secret $59.50
Top: contrast trim blazer, INC, Macy's $129
