How to Dress for the Oscars - by Charlize Theron

It's been over a week since the Oscars and people have been asking me why I didn't blog about the fashion from the night.  So I'm here to tell you why...  Charlize Theron.  I am very dismayed by the lack of glitz & glamour on the red carpet these days.  So many ladies lack sparkle in terms of jewelry or interesting up dos and I wasn't really blown away by anyone this year.  Except Charlize Theron.  Everything is perfection - the hair, the jewelry and the gown with major wow factor.  So I am singling her out this year as "How to Dress for the Oscars."  Everyone else, please take notes. 

Charlie Theron in Dior Haute Couture at 2016 Academy Awards

2015 Emmys Fashion - The Fabulous & The WTF?

There was good & bad on the red carpet at last night’s Emmys – as usual. I always love or hate certain styles on certain actresses. But this year there were some truly awful unflattering styles on a few actresses – specifically the necklines. Even more shocking is that these particular actresses are usually styled perfectly, so WTF?

The glaring problem was axillary breasts, also known as bra bulge. This occurs when the skin next to the armpit is not totally taut and it literally bulges out over the edge of a garment.  There were 3 A-List victims of this phenomenon last night. 

There is literally no one on earth right now that I am more inspired by, but Amy Schumer’s dress was just horrible. Very simply, a strapless dress is not her friend. I also think Schumer chose the wrong designer for her body because Christine Baranski & Sarah Hyland (2 extremely thin women) both looked stunning in Zac Posen. 

The other two victims of excess underarm skin were Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Danielle Brooks. JLD is the grande dame of the Emmys with 6 wins and a record for nominations – and I loved everything about her look – except one thing. The dress needed two shoulders.  The strapless cut of the left side cut into her and gave her bra bulge, which ruined the entire look.

I keep saying that Danielle Brooks is doing the best work of any actress on Orange is the New Black (which is saying A LOT) but I have no idea what her stylist was thinking with that Christian Siriano circus inspired gown. I love bright colors on dark skin but it’s too many colors and showing all that skin around her armpits & shoulders did nothing for her. Here’s a note: If you are a full figured woman, please hire Queen Latifah’s stylist because she ALWAYS looks flawless on the red carpet!  

Now that that’s over with, here are my two favorites of the night - and they are good friends. Coincidence?

 Taraji P. Henson owned the carpet in this custom Alexander Wang with bold chain detail.  Her sleek hair & smoky eye also complimented this bad ass ensemble perfectly.

Winner Regina King was the belle of the ball in Krikor Jobotian. LOVE the texture, the shape, the bright white, the beading and the UNIQUENESS!!!

 

7-time winner Allison Janney in La Bourjoisie. Sparkly & elegant and hugged her curves!

 

I have to say that overall, the biggest winner of the night was the color black. Many of my favorite gowns of the night were black. Lady Gaga, Natasha Lyonne, Jamie Lee Curtis... and I have literally never seen Amy Poehler dressed better than in her Michael Kors gown. I can't post every dress I liked and no one covers award fashion like E! Live From the Red Carpet.  

Click here for all the Emmy arrivals. 

But, just two more fantastic looks:

I always say that I hate pale pink gowns on white girls with blonde hair because there is no contrast and sometimes you literally can't see them at all. Well, Elizabeth Moss in classic Oscar De La Renta showed us how hot pink changes everything.

 

 And, I know it isn't very camera friendly, but I love Zoe Kazan's dress because... 

the same way we accept Frances McDormand showing up in a black cotton eyelet dress without doing her hair (because she is brilliant), this bold Miu Miu print is totally distinctive, just like Zoe!

Hollywood Glamour - by Kate Hudson

There are always hits & misses on every red carpet but at this year's Golden Globes, Kate Hudson got it SO right that I don't feel the need to display anyone else.  

This form-fitted Atelier Versace gown in white is sexy and elegant, the jeweled detail on the sides adds sparkle and a bit of edge and her pulled back sleek hair with small Forevermark diamond earrings is clean & classic.  The entire look is a perfect modern take on old Hollywood glamour.  Oh - and she pulled off the plunging neckline because her breasts are on the small side.  

(Take notes JLo!) 

I don't know if anyone should ever bother to wear a gown to an awards show again. 

 It has now been DONE to perfection!