2015 Oscars Red Carpet Report

The Oscars is the most awaited and prestigious event of the awards season. For fashion lovers, celeb watchers, and style enthusiasts, the red carpet at the Oscars is the best time to spot the best beauty looks and most glamourous gowns. In an effort to be the best dressed star of the night, celebs pull out all the stops for the Oscars red carpet. This year was no exception. As most of Hollywood sashayed down the red carpet, us at home swooned over all the stunning (and some not-so-stunning) looks. Here are my picks for the best and worst dressed celebs at the 2015 Academy Awards.

BEST DRESSED

My top pick for best dressed of the whole night has got to be Jennifer Lopez. Jaws dropped and the crowd ooh-ed and aah-ed as La Lopez strode into the venue in this blush Elie Saab creation. The delicate embellishment and voluminous ball skirt contrasted perfectly with the low cut of the front of the gown.  The color works perfectly with J.Lo’s skin. This is modern elegance personified. 
Jamie Chung’s soft makeup look and luscious tressed with bouncy curls complemented the starburst adornment of her gown. The dark tulle overlay with the nude frock underneath is a great way to add dimension to an evening look. Choosing not to accessorize was a wise choice, as it let the gown design and sparkle take center stage.

Keira Knightley’s fairytale frock was a fashion risk, for sure, but it was one that paid off for her. With embroidery and delicate calligraphy all over her dress, Keira truly embodied a modern kind of romance. This look was certainly a step above your typical styled look for awards shows. Bravo.

Now, you can’t expect musical duo Tegan and Sara to stroll in clad in matching ball gowns, do you? Of course not. The pair stayed true to their indie and edgy roots by opting to go the more tailored route. Leather details, crisp silhouettes, and subtle and sleek metallic accessories, both their looks are proof that you can tailor your evening looks to your personality. Gowns are great, but they are definitely not your only sartorial option for red carpets and black tie events.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum has my vote in this luminescent and immaculate white number. She looks positively radiant in this column gown that is perfectly accented with some bling and a well-placed Art Deco inspired waist cincher. The simple yet elegant shape and cut of the gown makes her diamond cuff and earrings stand out even more. The red orange lip is a bold beauty move that makes her look a cut above the rest. 

Faith Hill’s short pixie cut looks even more regal in this soft yet impactful wrap column dress. The long diamond lariat is the perfect accessory to go with the low cut front of the down. A simple smoky eye and dewy skin finish off this look nicely. Zoe Saldana shows off her amazing post-baby bod in this stunning rosy blush gown. The beautiful draping combined with the fashion forward ruching and just the right touch of sparkle from her diamond necklace makes this an A plus red carpet look.

WORST DRESSED

Although Chloe Grace Moretz’s beauty look is on point (look at those brows), her dress is unfortunately left out in the cold. The fabric and cut just doesn’t do anything for her, and makes her look older than she actually is.

This robe/gown hybrid on Margot Robbie is proof that event the hottest bod can’t make a bad dress work. The length and the drape make this dress look more like a housecoat than a red carpet design. You can do better next time, Margot.

Who are you picks for best and worst dressed? Let me know!

Style Icon: Taylor Swift

British Vogue’s November Issue cover star, country music icon, street style star, and pop culture phenomenon Taylor Swift is a force to be reckoned with. At such a young age she broke out onto the scene in a big way, with infectious rhythms and insightful, deeply felt lyrics. Her famous relationships (and breakups too) have been immortalized into country/pop-rock songs that has the rest of the world singing along. She has recently been making the news and making major headlines with her feminine and vintage inspired street style looks. Each look she steps out in is pure perfection, and she has us swooning over her to die for style. She always looks polished and always look paparazzi ready, which goes to show that you can stay true to yourself and not always follow the trends.

Start your own trend just like T-Swizzle has, and  learn from her sartorial savvy, as you browse through my top 10 picks of Taylor Swift’s best street style looks.

A departure from her typically sweet street style, Tay Tay shows that she can turn up the glam and exude a bit of naughtiness with this sexy black jumpsuit. She still maintains her signature girly vibe by toting her top handle vintage frame bag. Opting out of accessorizing and just letting the black pieces be the focus of this look is such a classy style move.  

In the summer, we saw Taylor Swift in one matching printed two-piece set after another. She practically lived in those crop tops and full skirts. She stays loyal to her affinity for matching sets and makes it more fitting for the fall in this knit sweatshirt and pencil skirt duo.

Taylor Swift turns up the glamour in a sparkling and shimmering Gucci gown during this year’s Grammy Awards. With just some elegant ear danglers as her accessory, she completely owns the red carpet in this beautiful silver column gown. 

I wish that we could all look this good on the reg, just like Taylor Swift does. She manages to look modern while donning vintage pieces. She looks absolutely flawless in this covetable outfit composed of a yellow houndstooth cropped sweater, mint green skater skirt, coral heels, and a lovely taupe frame bag. 

Want to know how to make even a pair of denim cutoffs look elegant? Do it like Taylor and add some polished extras into the mix. You can never go wrong with nude pumps, black frame top handle bag, and a white sabrina neckline top. Improve this casual look even further with a red lip and loose, tousled hair waves. 

If there was ever an argument about investing in tailored shorts for the summer, this look will be one of the strongest cases for it. A pair of brightly colored tailored shorts up the ante and gives a ladylike vibe to Taylor’s fondness and preference for menswear inspired footwear like these low-heeled oxfords. 

Taylor Swift might not be a school girl, but she certainly nails back-to-school style in this outfit. A red and blue patterned sweater dress  with her two signature staples, heeled oxfords and structured leather totes all make for an A plus look.

This is further evidence that you need not hold yourself strictly to the matching purse and shoes style rule. Sometimes, breaking fashion rules can be fun since the unexpected always leads to more excitingly chic looks. Simply take a gander at this printed sheath dress look and how the hot pink peep-toe pumps and hunter green bag play off each other stunningly. 

An orange and pink color block sweater can make your daily spring to fall uniform so exciting. Pieces such as this sweater are great for quickly and easily perking up your basics, like camel colored skinnies and black tasseled loafers. 

Taylor makes us like her even more as she embraces high street brands like Aldo. She totes a maroon structured purse from Aldo and matches that deep burgundy red shade with a deep-V sweater worn over a grey mini dress. The bowler hat and matching burgundy colored booties are just the right accessories to finish off this winsome look.

Which look is your favorite? All of Taylor Swift’s looks are so amazing, I simply can’t choose!

Images from Teen Vogue and InStyle

Style Icon: Lupita Nyong’o

2014 has brought us a new fashion icon: Lupita Nyong’o. Her breakout role in 12 Years A Slave had her gracing award shows and red carpets worldwide. Not only is she naturally stunning, but it is quite hard to miss her regal presence on the red carpet.

Fashion magazines, editors, and industry insiders have been taking notice and constantly praising her impeccable style choices. Named People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Person of the year and the face of Prada’s S/S 2014 campaign, Lupita Nyong’o is redefining glamour and upping the ante of celebrity style with every ensemble.

Take a note and get inspired, here are 8 of Lupita’s best looks:

Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

This uber chic jumpsuit reaffirms the timeless albeit underrated elegance of the color navy. 

Photo credits: Elleuk.com

One of the best looks during the 2014 Oscars, this pretty much cemented Lupita’s new style icon status. The delicate pleats on her powder blue Prada gown is the very picture of understated sophistication. A true style coup.

Photo credits: Vanityfair.com

Pulling off one of spring’s most daring trends, culottes, in a daring print is not a feat to be sniffed at. This SUNO outfit is proof that fashion risks do pay off.

Photo credits: Teenvogue.com

Lupita is telling you two things here. One: do not be afraid of bold colors. Two: sometimes the less accessories you wear, the better off you are.

Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

Take a cue from Lupita, and try a bold lip with a bright colored dress. Just make sure that your lip color is a contrasting and complementary hue.

Photo credits: Elle UK

Rich jewel tones, like this luscious emerald green strapless gown, are best when paired with metallic accessories. Remember to keep your metals minimal and sleek like Lupita does, since the color is already a strong statement.

Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

Conventional fashion wisdom says do not wear the same color (unless it’s neutrals) from top to bottom. Lupita breaks that rule and comes away with an unforgettable fashion moment. You can wear a bright red orange dress, pumps, and earrings–so long as you keep your makeup natural and dewy.

Photo credits: Vogue.co.uk

Perfect summer dress? Check. Perfect summer sandals? Check. Perfect summer accessories? Check. This is how you do black-and-white for a summer afternoon.

A new style icon to add to your fashion watch list. We all really have a lot to learn from Lupita’s bold and feminine panache. 

Have a great week!