- Share This Post
- 0
- submit
- 4
-
Sparkle (0)
Last night was one of my favorite nights of the year: the Oscars. Not because I'm a big fan of the Academy Awards; I don't really care who wins in what category. I'm interested in the fashion rather than the films, and while I watched most of the actual awards show, it was really just to see more of what the celebrities were wearing. But it's the arrivals part of the evening that I love (and you do too, admit it). Last night's red carpet was a mix of exciting choices and old snoozers. Rather than give you a standard best and worst dressed list, I thought I'd take a look at three trends that really caught my eye last night, each for a very different reason.
Up-and-Coming: Metallics
Yes, metallics have been around for a while, but you only had to look at Jennifer Lopez, Kate Winslet, Amanda Seyfried, Sandra Bullock and Cameron Diaz to see that it's bigger (and better) than ever before. One of the things I absolutely loved about the gowns on last night's red carpet was that the metallic trend wasn't just limited to silver and gold -- Lopez's dress was an iridescent pink, and had all the shimmer and sparkle that it would have in platinum, but with a little extra punch.
Now, while chances are good that you won't have many opportunities to wear a gorgeous, glittering gown like the ladies mentioned above, you can still work this trend into your everyday closet. Scarves and belts are a fantastic way to incorporate something slightly over the top into your wardrobe. Or, go with an embellished top, as Susan Wagner suggests -- it's not just a holiday trend!
On its Way Out: One-Shoulder
I hate to say this, because it's one of my favorite trends ever, but I think last night's red carpet might have been a stake in the heart of one-shoulder gowns. Simply speaking, this look has been overdone to the point of no longer standing out, and once you you no longer notice a trend, well, it's not much of a trend anymore. Don't get me wrong -- Sigourney Weaver, Tina Fey, Michelle Pfeiffer and Queen Latifah looked positively lovely (and I'm not the only one who thinks Queen Latifah was a best-dressed contender!), but it's just become a little too commonplace.
Even though it's peaked on the the red carpet, you can still rock this look for a night out. Consider an update, though -- an asymmetrical neckline, like Mo'Nique's, will give a one-shoulder vibe and still allow you to wear a bra. Score!.
What I'd Like to See More of: Prints
Two of my very favorite dresses of the night featured prints -- Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams. Gyllenhaal's column dress in a bright blue sort of floral print was positively stunning, and I have yet to meet anyone who thinks otherwise. McAdams dress couldn't have been more different from Gyllenhaal's -- soft and sweeping rather than curve-hugging, a subdued print and muted colors rather than bright and bold. Still, they were both feminine, flattering and a bit of a surprise on the red carpet. A surprise I hope to see much more of next year!
Here's the best news of all -- floral prints are an incredibly easy trend to pull off, especially this year. This spring, lots of stores are showing floral and abstract prints at great prices. I'm loving some of the pieces at Old Navy -- maxi, mini, skirt, shirt, you name it. And need I even remind you that Target is debuting a collaboration with Liberty of London on Sunday?
Who needs an awards show or a red carpet when all these trends are so easy to wear any time, any place? Not me, that's for sure.
Kristen Seymour is a BlogHer CE and also blogs at Jeez-o-petes.
