27

Feb

Is nothing sacred anymore? Can we not have decorum anywhere? Were we at a nightclub or observing a dignified occasion?   There are some (okay, many) places where this…um…assets-first pose is inappropriate, and the Academy Awards is one of them. (All they needed was a cheap, airbrushed backdrop and it could be someone’s Facebook profile photo.)  And can this duck-lipped pout please die? PLEASE?!

Yes, I am aware ducks have bills, but you get my point.  Sigh.

Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz back it up to the microphone during last night's awards.

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27

Feb

This is the Oscars, for Crying Out Loud

There are no E’s for Effort for our Worst Dressed offenders.  Get it together.

Melissa McCarthy paid homage to Bridemaids in a sienna rose jeweled gown by Marina Rinaldi. McCarthy is reportedly starting her own clothing line. I love her; just not in this dress.  Surely there was a more flattering design to be had (i.e. from Tadashi Shoji, perhaps? They have proven they understand and celebrate a fuller silhouette.). 

Another no: Natalie Portman’s vintage scarlet and black polka dot gown by Dior.  I’m not sure polka dots are ever a wise choice for the red carpet.

And a special note for you, Sacha Baron Cohen (and Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj and everyone else who wants to be so “different”): come as YOURSELF.  Costumes and gimmicks at the Oscars? Leave those to the host.  Except for blackface.  That is never appropriate.

No ma’am Melissa Leo: a matronly black and gold sequined combo with an unfortunate ribbon belt?  And what looks the top part of a short-sleeved shirt stuffed into a strapless evening gown? #dobetter

Emma Stone’s fire engine red Giambattista Valli has been seen before, on Nicole Kidman wearing a similar version by Balenciaga in 2007.   And I liked it better on Nicole.

Why take home an Oscar when you can come dressed as one?  Best Actress winner Meryl Streep did, in a golden draped Lanvin. And so did Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson, in a Romona Keveza gold number straight from Caesars Palace. But Stacy Keibler in (Marchesa) did it better, ladies!

Trend that needs to stop?  Split and/or sheer sleeves, as seen on Jennifer Lopez (in Zuhair Murad), Berenice Bejo (in Elie Saab), Sherri Shepherd, the aforementioned Melissa McCarthy, Livia Firth and Amara Miller.  This is not prom season 1974.  Stop trying to make matronly, peek-a-boo and fluttery sleeves happen. And we should not be able to see your lingerie, Sherri.

What else wasn’t cool? Angelina Jolie must be taking lessons from the Lea Michele book of “Look at ME!” posing.  The slit-up-to-HERE black velvet Atelier Versace was lovely, and I get that it’s couture and meant to give leg drama, but it was too much. We don’t all want to see your inner thigh.

Final thoughts? Jane Seymour’s ensemble made me sad, because it reminded me of how beautiful she used to be when she wasn’t trying so hard. She’s a gorgeous woman, but the low cut, red sequined look is just wrong. Bo Derek, on the other hand, is still a “10” (pun intended) in her figure flattering navy gown. And I still am scratching my head over Busy Phillip’s grey lace Dolce & Gabbana.  Scarlett O’Hara did curtains already.

So fab ones, what have we learned? Don’t wear something someone else wore better in recent history.  Stay away from dowdy touches.  Don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself with outlandish posing. Be sexy AND age appropriate.  And leave the Halloween costume in your closet.  You’ve been warned.

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Images via InStyle/Getty

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20

Jan

Is This What 30 Looks Like?

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I wasn’t invited to Dwyane Wade’s 30th birthday bash and thank God, because what is he wearing?  A morning coat,  trinkets on his lapel, SKINNY tuxedo pants, AND what looks like Stacy Adams brogues?  Tell me not. 

The outfit sported by Wade, Rick Ross’s “grooming” and the get-ups donned by Lebron James and Chris Bosh lead me to these important points when it comes to menswear:

1.  Your wife, girlfriend, sister or mother – whatever female presence you have in your life – doesn’t love you if she lets you leave the house looking like you’re impersonating a ringmaster in a circus.  Unless of course you actually ARE a ringmaster in a circus.

2.  Lotion is a good thing.  Especially in winter.  Please moisturize your situation!

3.  Beards aren’t for everyone.            

4.  Those tiny little fedoras just look ridiculous.  They don’t make anyone look cool; they just emphasize the size of your head and remind everyone of Blossom.  Please stop trying to make them “happen.”

5. The same goes for those who insist on the “I’m so cool I have to wear a winter scarf indoors” look.

Gentlemen…how many times do I have to emphasize this point? Keep it simple!  The effortlessly debonair Cary Grant was known for wearing a gray suit, crisp white dress shirt, with the appropriate tie and shoes, and embodying the Every Man while still looking singularly suave.  Try too hard to do something “different” and you might end up doing way, way too much.

Images via YB&F

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20

Jan

If the Shoe Fits…

A sharp-eyed reader pointed out that I recently cooed over the studded slip-ons worn by Idris Elba at the Golden Globes last Sunday, despite having come down hard against people who wear sneakers with formal wear in a previous post.  That’s the thing about fashion.  Just when you roll your eyes at someone in a Canadian tuxedo, O Magazine  decides it’s what’s hot and happening for Spring.

Sigh.

But isn’t that what’s wonderful about style?  We have the opportunity to have fun with it, to take one special piece, wear it in an unexpected manner and change the conversation about what’s fashionable.  If – as in Cinderella’s case – one shoe can change your entire life, imagine what a wardrobe of well-considered clothes and accessories can do?

I’ll go on record as saying I prefer evening shoes with evening wear, and that anyone who deviates should have an awesome pair of sneakers (studded, bedazzled or otherwise “dressed up”) to make me reconsider.  Beat-up Nikes just won’t cut it on the red carpet.

I’m not sure socks with sandals will ever be in style either, no matter what Donatella Versace would have us believe in this ad featuring Cindy Crawford’s doppelganger daughter Kaia Gerber, the new face of Young Versace.

But I’m open to being proved wrong.

Image via Versace

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13

Jan

Raven Symone, Get Your Life

We get it. You’ve lost weight (congrats!). You’re no longer cute little Olivia from The Cosby Show.  We salute you for being a mogul.  But these pum pum shorts and Pretty Woman boots?  No ma’am.  You’re too fabulous for this haute mess!  [Sidenote: the ‘fro on your companion is everything!]

Images via YBF

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02

Jan

Amber Rose, Get Your Life

Girl, bye.

You know the situation is dire when I’m quoting Tamar. BOOM!

Amber Rose rang in the new year in what amounts to sheer bedazzled Spanx and support pantyhose.  With a jacket. Why? I don’t know. But I had a strong feeling that when Beyonce brought back leotards some of you were going to take it way, way too far.

Newsflash:  If it’s chilly enough for a jacket, then some type of actual bottom is also in order.  Matter of fact, bottoms are ALWAYS in order.

This is one look that did not need to come into 2012 with us.

Image by Jesse Grant/Bryan Schnitzer/WENN/NPLG Images via YB

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19

Dec

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words…

Sheree Whitfield and Miss Lawrence were on the couch for Bravo‘s Watch What Happens Live Sunday night, and while I usually have nothing to say about him (that’s Miss Lawrence) I have to say his ensemble was a little bit of everything!  From the turban to the leopard pants to the Louboutin Fall/Winter 2011 Collection Puck pony booties he gave us LIFE, chile.  But I’m a little perplexed by the bejeweled accessories decorating his face and think keeping my opinion to myself is best…your thoughts?

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Images courtesy of Bravo

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13

Dec

Don’t Let This Be You: The Shiny Dress Edition

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Dear God. 

First the HoneyBadger struck it platinum, and now Paula Patton has been spotted at Germany’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol  premiere in a remnant from the Star Trek costume closet.  What is it with these space-age fabrics?!  The gentlemen may disagree, but as much as we envy Mrs. Robin Thicke’s post-baby body (and we haven’t even had a baby yet), this super short AND tight AND cleavage-baring metallic mini is doing the most. 

Ms. Patton, you are the newest CoverGirl Queen Collection ambassador, and you are too fab for this!

Images courtesy of YB&F

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10

Dec

Don’t Let This Be You: The Shiny Suit Edition

"Nights like this I wish...that raindrops would fallllll!" (A few of you will get that.)

We love a man who knows how to rock a suit.   But remember our previous post about keeping it simple?  When it’s your moment in the spotlight, PLEASE don’t choose a suit made of flammable fabric.  LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu (aka The Honey Badger) made a platinum statement at tonight’s Heisman Trophy presentation in New York, and while somehow he makes it work, we don’t want to see anyone downtown in a bronze or copper suit. (And for those of you who think I’m biased, who can forget this? See slide #21.)

Gentlemen, listen to us: when you want to show up and show out, there are ways to wear a suit that allow you to make a statement without saying a word (but in a good way). 

1. Make the CUT.  Choose a silhuoette that flatters your body, whether you have an athletic or slim build.  Be particular about the pants’ break.  I can’t over-emphasize the need to have your suit tailored to your body.  You should not be swimming in fabric, nor should you look like you’re suffocating.  Tailoring costs less than you probably think, and can work wonders.  It customizes the fit, even if you cannot afford to have a suit handmade.

2.  Be careful about COLOR.  Easter comes but once a year, and even then most of us don’t want to see you casket sharp in pastel from head to toe.  Or red.  Or purple.  Or plaid.  Or….you get the idea.  Subtlety is chic!

3. The devil is in the DETAILS.  Suspenders or belt?  Flashy socks (sure, if your shirt and tie are toned down)?  Bow or neck tie?  To monogram or not to monogram your cuffs? There are so many options to choose from, but don’t wear them all at once.  And please don’t match your tie to your pocket square.

Need further tips? Check out Valet Mag and Put This On.  You’re welcome. 

 (And congratulations to this year’s Heisman winner, Robert Griffin III,  as well as all the other nominees!)

Image from Best of New Orleans

Follow Same Chic Different Day on Twitter: @SameChicSouth

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21

Nov

This is a No.

Learn from my mistakes!

Kristen Stewart hit the Breaking Dawn premiere in an embellished Roberto Cavalli gown and Jimmy Choo peep toes…then changed into a pair of Nike sneakers.  And from the looks of it, she’s a repeat offender.   Listen, if you’re going to wear the shoe, commit to it.  The evening gown with sneakers or wedding gown with flip flops look is sloppy.  If you’re iffy in heels, prepare for the inevitable by adding cushioned insoles to your footwear.  And if you know your dogs are going to bark that much,  please opt for a sparkly kitten heel or ballet flat instead (and have your evening-wear hemmed appropriately). 

Ladies, beauty doesn’t mean sacrificing your toes.  Hammertoes and bunions definitely aren’t the business.  But wearing sneakers and flip flops definitely affects your posture and carriage; in an evening gown you should look like you’re floating or gliding, not stomping and schlepping around.   

Sigh.  At least she wasn’t committing this fashion crime.

Image courtesy of Getty Images

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