Red carpet style choices are back with return of award shows
Big awards shows are back this year, and we’ve all been watching and commenting. But the big question is: Have you been paying attention to the impact they’ll have in your spring and summer wardrobe?
Now, I don’t mean you’ll be rocking red-carpet-caliber formal gowns or super high-wattage diamonds and 5-inch heels everyday from now on. I mean now that we’re no longer all wearing only soft pants and T-shirts 24-7, there’s an opportunity here to pick up on some of the colors, shapes and details that got rolled out for us by some of the best celebrity stylists around, and let them inspire what we put on for the upcoming seasons. A few key examples:
Big color:
Kirsten Dunst made a gorgeous statement at the Oscars in her vintage Christian Lacroix from the Fall 2002 season, which came courtesy of Hollywood boutique LILY et Cie’s. Not only was it a smart sustainable fashion choice, it was a feast for the eyes — bright, bold pink in swirling swirling chiffon ruffles. You can easily pay homage to the look when you put on the Satin Ruffle Wrap Mini Dress ($190 on bananarepublic.com) in peony pink. Its soft, cheerfully bright fabric and billowy balloon sleeves are structured by a wrap front, plus that flirty, flounce hem. Styling doesn’t get much more feminine than that.
Quiet color:
If you remember Zoë Kravitz’s ASMR commercial a few years ago, you might enjoy thinking of her Yves Saint Laurent Oscars dress as its sartorial equivalent. It came in the softest and lightest petal pink imaginable, almost as soft as Hailey Bieber’s simple-as-can-be Saint Laurent strapless column dress in creamy white at the Grammys. You can follow their lead in Cinq à Sept’s Mckenna Twist-Front Blouse ($117.99 on saksfifthavenue.com). In the subtlest hue (pink quartz), it sports details like a twisted detail in front and a spread collar, and long sleeves with bell cuffs.
Dressy short shorts:
If you watched the Oscars, no doubt you caught Kristen Stewart in Chanel’s short hot pants. That’s what I call dressing up with originality and attitude. Your best take on the look? Go with Zara’s Satin Shorts ($39.90 on zara.com). They come in kelly green, but are even better in an elegant black — the better to emphasize the design’s high-waisted and pristine pleating.
Gold standard:
At the Grammys, Dua Lipa pulled out all the stops with a Versace strap-covered gown, topped a slew of gold chains. Likewise, at the Oscars, Lupita Nyong’o went for the gold big time, in neck-to-toe gilded Prada. One of my personal favorite real-life answers to that deluge of gold — I love this dress enough to sell it at Gretta Luxe, my shop in Wellesley — is the Florencia Halter Maxi ($698 on gretta.co) that Veronica Beard has crafted of beautiful golden silk. Its tiered skirt and sleeveless halter design ups the drama even further.
Belly reveals:
Zendaya’s midriff-baring silk top at the Oscars — a Valentino Haute Couture look — turned heads, but still kept it classy. The same goes for Liya Kebede, whose burgundy velvet gown from Pieter Mulier for Maison Alaïa, exposed her tummy without making it into too much of a Britney Spears circa 2009 moment. A great way to grab the look yourself in an easygoing, everyday way: the Cover Long Sleeve Top ($68 on aloyoga.com). Its cropped and fitted silhouette and front wrap detail are belly button-revealing, but with a vibe that’s more peekaboo than over-the-top.
Graphic content:
Lady Gaga showed up at the Grammys in a classic black and white gown from Armani Privé, and reminded everyone how dramatically beautiful opposites can be. Line up your own version of that with the black & white Colorblock Dress ($109.95 on lordandtaylor.com) from New York & Company’s Gabrielle Union Collection. The curve-hugging shift and crewneck seem simple enough, but the impact is huge — like Gaga’s.
Hi ho, silver:
The Grammys were shimmering with looks like Bonnie Raitt’s, chic and pulled together in a silver blazer over a sequined top and simple black pant. And from Cynthia Erivo shining in a light silver gown with plenty of tiers, ruching and ties, not to mention layers of black and silver lace. Your answer to all that? A Mercury Eon Metallic Blazer Jacket ($1,490 on neimanmarcus.com) by UNTTLD. Wear it over literally anything and everything — denim; an L.B.D.; or tights and a white silk blouse. Its sleek tailoring and peak lapels make it a statement for any time of day and nearly any situation — on or off the red carpet.
Red carpet style choices are back with return of award shows
Big awards shows are back this year, and we’ve all been watching and commenting. But the big question is: Have you been paying attention to the impact they’ll have in your spring and summer wardrobe?
Now, I don’t mean you’ll be rocking red-carpet-caliber formal gowns or super high-wattage diamonds and 5-inch heels everyday from now on. I mean now that we’re no longer all wearing only soft pants and T-shirts 24-7, there’s an opportunity here to pick up on some of the colors, shapes and details that got rolled out for us by some of the best celebrity stylists around, and let them inspire what we put on for the upcoming seasons. A few key examples:
Big color:
Kirsten Dunst made a gorgeous statement at the Oscars in her vintage Christian Lacroix from the Fall 2002 season, which came courtesy of Hollywood boutique LILY et Cie’s. Not only was it a smart sustainable fashion choice, it was a feast for the eyes — bright, bold pink in swirling swirling chiffon ruffles. You can easily pay homage to the look when you put on the Satin Ruffle Wrap Mini Dress ($190 on bananarepublic.com) in peony pink. Its soft, cheerfully bright fabric and billowy balloon sleeves are structured by a wrap front, plus that flirty, flounce hem. Styling doesn’t get much more feminine than that.
Quiet color:
If you remember Zoë Kravitz’s ASMR commercial a few years ago, you might enjoy thinking of her Yves Saint Laurent Oscars dress as its sartorial equivalent. It came in the softest and lightest petal pink imaginable, almost as soft as Hailey Bieber’s simple-as-can-be Saint Laurent strapless column dress in creamy white at the Grammys. You can follow their lead in Cinq à Sept’s Mckenna Twist-Front Blouse ($117.99 on saksfifthavenue.com). In the subtlest hue (pink quartz), it sports details like a twisted detail in front and a spread collar, and long sleeves with bell cuffs.
Dressy short shorts:
If you watched the Oscars, no doubt you caught Kristen Stewart in Chanel’s short hot pants. That’s what I call dressing up with originality and attitude. Your best take on the look? Go with Zara’s Satin Shorts ($39.90 on zara.com). They come in kelly green, but are even better in an elegant black — the better to emphasize the design’s high-waisted and pristine pleating.
Gold standard:
At the Grammys, Dua Lipa pulled out all the stops with a Versace strap-covered gown, topped a slew of gold chains. Likewise, at the Oscars, Lupita Nyong’o went for the gold big time, in neck-to-toe gilded Prada. One of my personal favorite real-life answers to that deluge of gold — I love this dress enough to sell it at Gretta Luxe, my shop in Wellesley — is the Florencia Halter Maxi ($698 on gretta.co) that Veronica Beard has crafted of beautiful golden silk. Its tiered skirt and sleeveless halter design ups the drama even further.
Belly reveals:
Zendaya’s midriff-baring silk top at the Oscars — a Valentino Haute Couture look — turned heads, but still kept it classy. The same goes for Liya Kebede, whose burgundy velvet gown from Pieter Mulier for Maison Alaïa, exposed her tummy without making it into too much of a Britney Spears circa 2009 moment. A great way to grab the look yourself in an easygoing, everyday way: the Cover Long Sleeve Top ($68 on aloyoga.com). Its cropped and fitted silhouette and front wrap detail are belly button-revealing, but with a vibe that’s more peekaboo than over-the-top.
Graphic content:
Lady Gaga showed up at the Grammys in a classic black and white gown from Armani Privé, and reminded everyone how dramatically beautiful opposites can be. Line up your own version of that with the black & white Colorblock Dress ($109.95 on lordandtaylor.com) from New York & Company’s Gabrielle Union Collection. The curve-hugging shift and crewneck seem simple enough, but the impact is huge — like Gaga’s.
Hi ho, silver:
The Grammys were shimmering with looks like Bonnie Raitt’s, chic and pulled together in a silver blazer over a sequined top and simple black pant. And from Cynthia Erivo shining in a light silver gown with plenty of tiers, ruching and ties, not to mention layers of black and silver lace. Your answer to all that? A Mercury Eon Metallic Blazer Jacket ($1,490 on neimanmarcus.com) by UNTTLD. Wear it over literally anything and everything — denim; an L.B.D.; or tights and a white silk blouse. Its sleek tailoring and peak lapels make it a statement for any time of day and nearly any situation — on or off the red carpet.
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