Wearing is Believing

White In

The northeastern US has been under an almost constant cover of clouds and rain lately, and once the parallels to Twilight’s setting in gloomy Forks, Washington lost their charm (and with no sign of Rob Pattinson to rescue us), the weather just became downright depressing.

If you’ve been suffering the spring/summertime blues like I have, you’re probably in need of a little boost - and what better way then by wearing white?  Encourage your inner sunshine with this crisp, clean summer favorite.  This season’s whites are showing up in lots of ways:

Sleek: Like Blake Lively in Roberto Cavalli at a recent Swarovski event (at left), nothing better shows that the heat, humidity and even torrential rain won’t make you lose your cool than a fluid white summer dress that skims your curves.  An added bonus - flowing fabrics are as comfortable as they are figure flattering.  Keep the chill vibe of this look up with a cool silver bracelet like Holsted Jewelers’ Tidewater Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet.

Ultra-Feminine: There’s no better anecdote to the blahs than playing up your ultra-girly side.  Check out Lucy Liu’s bubbly demeanor in a cocktail dress blooming with hydrangea-like floral accents!  Even if you don’t embrace your femininity as effusively as Lucy does, a sweet ruffled collar, floral detail or a small bow at the waistline makes a white outfit stand out.  Capture the essence of this take on white with the Lily Strapless Floral Appliqué Party Dress.

Make It Pop:  This may be the first time I’ve ever said this, but copy Cameron Diaz to really showcase a white ensemble.  Play up the clean, crisp perfection of white with a splash of color - like Cameron did with a red belt and shoes.  The contrast really heightens what’s great about each hue - the purity of the white and the candy apple seduction of the red.  Try it with pink or green, too!

Who is Rodarte?

Reese Witherspoon smoked the red carpet in an out-of-this world Rodarte minidress reminiscent of the space theme of her latest movie, Monsters and Aliens.  The metallic minidress, in shades of silver and green, showed off an asset Reese rarely flaunts-- her fantastic gams! 

Accessorized with platinum peeptoe pumps (with a flash of neon at the heels) and blonde waves, Reese’s stellar look was distinctly different from the futuristic feel the dress took on on the runway in Rodarte’s fall ’09 show a few weeks ago, where it was paired with high boots and slicked back hair.  However, I think Reese pulled it off beautifully, as the dress seems made for spring!

The pleated, well-constructed metallic dress is a perfect example of the work design duo Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy are known for.  The sisters attention to detail and meticulous construction helped win them a 2008 CFDA Swarovski Emerging Womenswear Designer award.  It's easy to see why Michelle Obama and Kirsten Dunst are fans of this up-and-coming design house!

What do you think of Reese’s look?  Does it work with pumps or does it need high boots?  Witherspoon didn’t wear much jewelry -- what would you wear with this dress?

Reese Witherspoon in Vogue

Actress Reese Witherspoon looks positively ferocious in the newest issue of Vogue. 

Shot in Paris, the spread’s ferocity comes courtesy of Nina Ricci’s Olivier Theyskens, who created the architectural creations Witherspoon wears in the photos.  Most notably, a gorgeous, voluminous scarlet gown (below), which is so sizable it can’t leave Theysken’s studio without being deconstructed.

Reese dishes about her career and Jake Gyllenhaal, but more importantly, she talks about how her style has evolved since meeting Theyskens.  She has learned how fashion is an artistic expression: “‘You know,’ she says, ‘I used to not understand fashion, a lot of it, but I completely understood being a playwright or a screenwriter and suddenly having an actor say your words and making them come to life. That I can understand. Finally, I'm starting to understand this.’”

The duo also discusses their first collaboration: Reese’s iconic canary 2007 Golden Globes dress:

“The first time the two collaborated was when Reese invited Olivier to Los Angeles.  So he came to my house and sat on the floor and started sketching," she says. It was her first time having a Paris-based designer in her home.  ‘He brought out two kinds of fabric—he brought out one gray and one yellow. And he said, “I think you are like this! I think you are like a party! I think you are wearing a yellow dress!” ‘ He showed her the Nina Ricci perfume bottle, an echo of the dress. The yellow fabric became the gown she wore to the Golden Globe Awards in 2007. ‘The yellow dress with the bustier—for me it was the first thing that the world would see from me at Ricci,’ Olivier says. ‘But still, I wanted it to fit with Reese. I was afraid. And it was Reese who picked that fabric. This was one of my favorite fabrics! She just fell right into it. She is very intuitive.’”

Check out the Vogue spread for yourself...it’s worth it just for the beautifully styled photos!

Katie, Katie, Katie

Dear Katie Holmes, what’s happened to you?  You grew out of your jeans-t-shirt and goofy-dress-cocoon into a beautiful Armani-clad butterfly, amping up your star power to blinding wattage. 

Then you wore those unfortunate pegged jeans.

And now?  You hit the after-party for your Broadway play All My Sons in a white I Dream of Jeannie pants/romper ensemble with a bubble waist and long sheer black lace sleeves (right).  I don’t care if you designed it yourself (she did, for her Holmes+Yang line) -- some style experiments never leave the safety of your own home.

I’m seriously beginning to question Katie Holmes’ judgment -- what Xenu hasn’t taken away, of course.  I love the bold red lips, but the rest of the outfit is a mess.  The bubble romper looks out of season -- not because it’s white, but because from the bust down, it looks like something you’d see in the Hamptons in July.  The black lace seems out of place, as do the broad-strap sandals.  Her jewelry doesn't add or detract from the look -- it's just there.  But most of all, the Holmes+Yang outfit makes Katie look even thinner than she already does.  There’s nothing stylish about looking this painfully skinny.

Katie fared a little better at a party at the Hermes store a few days later (at left), in a tailored three-piece suit.  But, is it me, or is TomKat looking a little Ellen and Portia these days?

Elizabeth and James: A Match Made in Fashion Heaven?

Is it me, or is this the best the Olsen twins have ever looked?  Perhaps their homeless chic style of years past has set the bar too low for the twins, but at a recent party for their Elizabeth and James clothing line, the twins looked polished and pulled together.  With honey waves, dramatic black eyeliner and fabulous black coats, Mary-Kate (left) and Ashley (right) looked every inch the chic designing duo.

Their Elizabeth and James imprint, named for their two younger siblings, explores the intersection of seemingly opposing style concepts.  According to the Elizabeth and James website, the label is “Inspired by the mix of uptown and downtown, masculine and feminine, and casual and dressy, the Elizabeth and James collection is unique in the mixture of androgynous menswear-inspired blazers and shirts with delicate minidresses, feminine detailing, sequins and unusual fabrics.”  There’s a heavy 70’s rocker influence, too, judging from the skinny jeans, layering, and scarves of their fall ’08 collection.

However, as inspired as I was by the Olsens’ red carpet look above, it doesn’t necessarily translate to the Elizabeth and James line. The pieces seem to fall into the same trap as other celebrity clothing lines -- unremarkable and basic items, a few heinously unattractive, with outrageous pricetags that seem unbefitting of what you’re actually getting in return.  I like the Orchid Blouse (at right), but it doesn’t seem worth $295.

What do you think?  Is Elizabeth and James worth wearing?

Not Eve-n

It seems that every day, one hears about a new celebrity clothing line.  Actress Lindsay Lohan has her own line of leggings.  Victoria Beckham designs her own line of dVb jeans.  Every girl on The Hills has their own imprint.  I tend to roll my eyes and stick to the basics: Kors, Klein, and the like.  I’ve never been impressed with a celebrity clothing line, never felt moved by a piece so beautiful or groundbreaking that I just had to have it. 

LA’s Kitson boutique recently posted pieces from Hills star Whitney Port’s new clothing line on their website.  My first thought on the two Whitney Eve dresses that Kitson offers: “What? Really?”

My second thought: anything named after a city in the Valley is not good.  The “Grey Encino Ruffle Collar Dress” (left) is beyond tacky.  It’s like an interstellar prom dress, shiny nightmarish silver punctuated by a poofy black collar and a thick gold zipper up the back.  It looks like someone took the worst of three separate outfits and sewed them all together.  I made more stylish, cohesive ensembles for my Barbies at the age of 7 with scraps from my grandma’s sewing kit.  But the worst part of all, this unflattering mess retails for $345.00 at Kitson, when it looks no more well-made or luxe than a dress you’d pick up at a store like Forever 21.

So what’s the lure of celebrity clothing lines? Why is The Hills’ Lauren Conrad’s clothing line a success, when it’s nothing remarkable or cutting-edge?  Why pay hundreds of dollars for a piece you could get for $20?  Fascination with celebrity -- the lifestyle, the labels -- is an American pastime.  The average twentysomething can tell you more about the contents of US Weekly than what’s going on in Darfur.  And in some small way, picking up items from a celebrity clothing line offers a taste of what fame is like -- and somewhat symbolically, you can often see the stitching.

What do you think of celeb clothing lines?  Would you wear Whitney’s dresses? 

All the Right Fashion Moves

People Magazine recently ranked 10 of the best dressed women of 2008. The mag’s list included actresses, musicians, and one maybe First Lady:

Fergie
Michelle Obama
Anne Hathaway
Kate Hudson
Charlize Theron
Gwyneth Paltrow
Jennifer Lopez
Rihanna
Eva Mendes
Heidi Klum 

“Classic or rebel, girl-next-door or vamp, each of these women made all the right fashion moves this year,” People said of its choices.

Really?  Did they see the gunny sack Fergie wore to the Teen Choice Awards (at right)?  I’ve always thought Fergie was more of a fashion don’t than a do.  However, I do agree with most of their list.  Who can forget the hot pink-print Thakoon dress Michelle Obama (at top left) wore on the last night of the Democratic National Convention?  Or how Gwyneth Paltrow came back better than ever in the past year, rocking minis and fierce gladiator-style heels, smoky eyes and a midlength bob?  Anne Hathaway clearly learned something from her time on the set of The Devil Wears Prada -- the actress consistently looks classic yet daring in Marchesa and Roberto Cavalli.

Some of my favorite style stars who could’ve easily filled Fergie’s towering stilettos on the list:

Blake Lively:  The Gossip Girl star (left) almost always looks perfectly polished and pulled together, a few trips through LAX nonwithstanding.  The actress experiments with different styles and culls inspiration from disparate sources, as she recently told Lucky magazine: "My style has been totally influenced by Audrey Hepburn and Kate Moss equally — they're such fashion icons. But Sienna Miller's young, urban style is also totally what I'm going for."  Blake has stepped out in ensembles by designers as diverse as Vena Cava, Catherine Malandrino, Gucci and John-Paul Gaulthier.  The actress also claims to be “obsessed” with Margo Morrison jewelry.  Classic or edgy, bohemian or rocker chick, Blake pulls it off beautifully.

Reese Witherspoon: Whether she’s taking her children to lunch or walking the red carpet, Reese rarely makes a fashion misstep.  The actress favors design house Nina Ricci’s gorgeous gowns and Brian Atwood shoes for public events, sleek jeans and lots of black in her downtime.  Even out shopping in basic blue and white (right), Reese has casual chic nailed -- accessorized with a scarf belt, long beaded necklace and her trademark aviators.

Kate Walsh:  If there were an award for best dresses, it would go to actress Kate Walsh.   From red satin 30’s-style glamour at last year’s Emmys to a short and sassy pink Jenny Packham cocktail frock at a recent DVD release party (left ), the Private Practice star always looks clean and classic.  Kate adds edge with smoky eyes and the occasional dramatic dark lip.  And there’s no better accessory than Kate’s fiery auburn locks!

Exeunt With Flourish

My favorite flirty new trend that adds punch to any party outfit? A full, flouncy skirt on a short cocktail dress.  The full-bodied skirt emphasizes the waist, and adds an element of fairytale fun to your look without going overboard on poof.  Christina Aguilera wowed in black Julien McDonald (left) at a recent red carpet event, while January Jones (right) wore baby blue Miu Miu to the Mad Men Season 2 premiere party.

This look really emphasizes the legs, so make sure to throw a few extra sets of lunges into your workouts if you dare to wear a full-skirted short dress.  Sky-high heels are a must -- flats need not apply.  Accessories are best kept simple -- a delicate necklace or a bracelet is all you need, if any at all.  Both Jones and Aguilera skipped the bling and let their skirts do the talking.  And what a statement they made!

Square Pegs

Katie Holmes has become a style icon in the last few years, miles away from Joey Potter’s boxy sweaters and simple sun dresses.  With sleek silhouettes, smoky eyes and crisp, edgy bobs, Holmes has left Dawson’s Creek far behind and emerged as one to watch on the red carpet.  She’s even working on her own fashion imprint with her stylist Jeanne Yang, called Holmes & Yang. 

So what’s up with those jeans?  You know which ones -- they’re inescapable if you have eyes or ever turn on your television.  The actress has been spotted in New York City in baggy, often pegged PRPS jeans.  Rumor has it that they’re Tom Cruise’s pants, which is a darling idea, albeit an unflattering one.  Style guru Tim Gunn has even weighed in on the look, simply stating “I don’t get it.”

I thought the unfortunate baggy denim trend was limited to Katie Holmes, but Heidi Klum (right), Reese Witherspoon and Victoria Beckham have all been wearing them lately -- but at least they’re not pirate-rolling their pants like Holmes.  A little baggy like Beckham’s (from her own dVb line) looks cute and relaxed with a fitted t-shirt.  But there’s a fine line between cute and unflattering with this trend.  And I’m guessing that any pair of jeans that makes Heidi Klum look a little dumpy isn’t going to do the average woman any favors.

I hope the baggy and/or pegged jeans trends die out quickly -- and that they don’t show up in the Holmes & Yang debut line. 

Would you wear jeans like Katie’s?  Or Heidi’s? Am I the only one who loathes this look?

WWD Defining Moments in Fashion

To celebrate the launch of their revamped wwd.com site, Women’s Wear Daily is announcing a list of 75 Defining Moments in Fashion.  The WWD list includes Jackie O’s timeless style, Brangelina’s photo homage to Sixties suburban unrest in W Magazine, and J. Lo’s plunging green Versace Grammy gown.

In honor of the WWD list, I’ve selected a few of my favorite moments in celebrity fashion from the past decade or so.

Renee Zellweger, 2001 Oscars

Zellweger glowed golden in this vintage 50’s era Jean Desses gown.  Strapless, fitted yet flowy, the daffodil-colored confection evoked old Hollywood glamour at a time when glamour had been somewhat brushed aside. Coupled with red lips, soft wavy hair and a chunky pearl bracelet, the dress was a red carpet smash.

Cameron Diaz, 2008 Oscars

Diaz was pretty in pale pink Dior at the 2008 Oscars.  Fashionistas bagged on the color, but the pleated, well-structured strapless gown emphasized the femininity of Diaz’s fantastic physique.

Reese Witherspoon, 2007 Oscars

Nina Ricci designer Olivier Theyskens has called Witherspoon one of his muses -- and it’s easy to see his passion for dressing her, particularly with this ’07 Oscar gown.  The sweeping drama of Witherspoon’s midnight-hued, multi-tiered dress is complemented by ethereal makeup and ice blonde hair, embodying Theyskens’ childhood fascination with princesses and fairy tales.

Nicole Kidman, 2000 Oscars

On Oscar night 2000, I felt that even if Tom Cruise didn’t win for Best Supporting Actor, he was still taking home quite the golden trophy.  Kidman was dazzling in metallic Dior, looking every bit the gilded deity in a gown that seemed as if it had been hammered by the gods just for her.  In fact, it had been crafted by John Galliano for Dior, one of the designers who helped establish Kidman as a style icon.