Red Carpet Rundown

Truth be told I haven't seen any of the films nominated for best picture in last night's Academy Awards. Second truth, we were en route back from the mountain when the pre-show/red Carpet was on, so today's Red Carpet Rundown is brought to you courtesy of People Magazine....who had a full slide show that allowed me to pick my "hits" and "misses" from last night's carpet.

After my last Red Carpet Rundown I took some heat for the superficial nature of these reviews. Please know that they are meant to be lighthearted, and remember that fashion is completely subjective, so what I like may be different from others, and neither of us are right or wrong. That's the beauty of fashion....that there is always something for everyone.

Anyway, on with the show! Let me start with the "misses".

Emma Stone is one beautiful and talented leading lady, but her choice of this satin pants and blazer missed the mark for me as they're a bit too casual for Hollywood's biggest night.

I debated on whether or not I liked this dress. In fact, it caused a lot of debate in the fashion world. Some loved it, while others hated it.  I LOVE the top. The neckline is stunning, as is the seam down the center, and it fits her perfectly. But, the bottom half just doesn't do it for me. The size of the slit against the gigantic bow feels off. Bottom line, we've seen better from Nicole Kidman. 

While I'd imagine this gown and the feathers are incredible up close, from a distance it looks like something one might wear on Survivor when you have to make your own clothes from the indigenous grasses. 

This is a miss for so many reasons. Enough Said. 

Actress Blanca Blanco continued her award season trend of wearing the most revealing dress of the evening (here). I'd like to know how one sits down in such a dress?

Salma Hayek's dress left much to be desired. 

And to finish up my list of "misses", Indie Singer St. Vincent. This outfit reminds me of something Bjork would wear. 

HITS 

And now for the "Hits". Margot Robbie has been consistently stunning on the Red Carpet. Now this is how a leading lady dresses for the biggest night in Hollywood. 

Jennifer Garner's dress is probably my most favorite of the night. I LOVE it, but her hair is a miss. I would have liked to see something a little more sleek and elegant to match how stunning this dress is. 

I don't know what it is, but I really like this dress. 

I love that Rita Moreno re-wore her dress from 1962. 

Too bad she didn't leave the top the same, as it was even more fabulous back then.

God I hope I look this good at 80! Jane Fonda is classic and timeless and the epitome of chic. 

Laura Dern was also stunning in white! 

Allison Williams brought out the Old Hollywood Glamour in this stunning gown. 

Allison Janney really nailed it with this dress. The neckline, the sleeves, the train. This dress is what the Oscars are all about. If I had to choose best dressed, including the hair and makeup, she wins it for me.

Lastly, I will say that Kelly Ripa and Marc Consuelos had my best dressed couple of the night when I saw this photo.  I love a ballgown, and it's even better when it has pockets!! 

And then I saw this photo of the other half of the back of her dress. It could have been so good...but it wasn't. Sigh. 

So my best dressed couple of the night goes to Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bibb.

Mainly because I love her J. Mendel gown. 

Bombshell Blake

I know I recently critiqued Blake Lively for her dress choice at a White House state dinner, but she has totally redeemed herself. 

I'm not really sure how many days she spent at the Cannes Film Festival, but there were certainly a lot of outfit changes. She's pregnant with her second child and, as always, looks amazing and totally knows how to work the red carpet. 

This is my favorite. Talk about an all American girl!

photos via In Style

Red Carpet Recap: The Oscars

Let it be said, this year was a bit of a disappointment. There wasn't anything I just died over. Sure, people looked beautiful and the dresses were stunning, but there was no major red carpet moment for me. So today I'll be providing commentary in three categories - Downright Ugly, I Expected More, and After-party Acceptable.

Downright Ugly

Jared Leto got all sorts of props for doing something different on the red carpet. The only thing I can commend him for is at least being smart enough to leave the cape to his matador outfit at home. Ole!

Heidi has now given us license to use the term "butter dress." Everything is great, but-her dress. It's like a 70s prom corsage ate a blow-up pill (you know the ones you used to put in the bathtub as a kid)and expanded all over her body.



If David Bowie and Elton John had a baby this might be what it would wear. 

The red carpet pundits were all over this Givenchy doily...I mean gown...me, not so much. And while her hair looked beautiful from behind, I HATED it from the front. I feel like I'm about to be attacked by a summo wrestler....minus about 400 pounds.

 

I'm sorry Kerry Washington, there's no amount of side slit that's going to distract me from this Versace atrociousness. Were you going for the bridal dominatrix look? 

I Expected More

Hey, Rachel McAdams I give you major props for wearing a dress that you can't wear Spanx with...girl you got it going on, and the color is stunning, but this was all you could come up with? And you know it's going to wrinkle in a hot second.

 

J-Law...I get it, you didn't want anything too big to trip over...and you're kind of a big deal these days so you just need to show up...but really? Dior letdown.

This Louis Vuitton dress on the red carpet was stunning...and then you got a wide shot and were equally STUNNED (like a taser) by the bubble hem. 

Sweet Reese. this is so hard for me to say, I expected more. You wear the same version of the same dress year after year. I still love you. Now about those diamond bracelets...

After-party Acceptable

Mindy Kaling was party in the back with this little number. I loved this. The Oscars is like a wedding, go big or go home. When else can you wear a train or gigantic origami bow flowing from your backside? My point exactly.



Jennifer Garner is back on the market and looking oh so old Hollywood glam. Bennifer who? And can we talk about her toned arms and posture. She gives the actual Oscar award a statuesque run for its money.

 

All 55 years of Julianne Moore says eat your heart out (or maybe I haven't eaten in 6 weeks because I'm on the LA Oscar diet...but you get the idea). Damn Gina. Get on with your cut-out, plunging-v self. 



Cate Blanchett's dress was gorgeous, but it wouldn't ordinarily be a favorite for me. That being said, at least she got up this morning and said, "I'm going to the Oscars," and dressed accordingly. The color is stunning and her hair and makeup were equally well-done. I would, however, counsel her to lose the starfish bracelet.

And then I shocked myself. Lady Gaga's jumpsuit was one of my two favorite looks of the night. I wish "the girls" had a little more lift, but otherwise, this is how you wear a one piece to the Oscars. A far cry from her days of steak. 



Best dressed of the night goes to Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein. The cut, the color, the hair, the makeup and the jewelry scream movie star. And, if you watched the red carpet on E!, you saw how charming and fun she is in person...or at least in person on TV.

 

What were your favorites from the night? Did you think it was a bit of a bust like I did?

Golden Globes Red Carpet Recap

It's the official start of awards season, which means C & C is ready to be our most judgmental fashion police selves. There was a lot going on in terms of trends on last night's red carpet - vibrant coral reds, sequins and lace, to name a few. So let's get right to it...here are my best and worst dressed from last night's Golden Globes.

Let's start with the worst...I'm sorry, but just because you're in Alexander McQueen doesn't mean you can wear a dirty dish rag that was shredded by your washing machine..

Rooney Mara in Alexander McQueen

Amanda Peet in Alexander McQueen

Apparently Cate Blanchett and this other woman, who I had to google, took "evening wear" to heart. Cate, I expect so much more from you. And Catriona, I'm pretty sure my Barbie had that nightgown in the 80s.


Cate Blanchett In Givenchy

Caitriona Balfe

And then Eva Longoria did this...I love a properly placed bow, but these aren't that...and then she decided to bedazzle her hips. Caray!

Eva Longoria

 

Kate Hudson has a rocking body...but this was all wrong. If you watched the red carpet you would have seen that the three pieces are actually connected in the back...but that didn't do anything for the dress' ability to stay on her tiny self. She was pulling it up throughout her interview and the neck piece reminded me of the top of a figure skating outfit. You could easily lose a guy in ten days wearing this.



Kate Hudson in Michael Kors

 

Okay, enough with the criticism....on to my favorite looks of the night. You know we small-chested girls here at C & C love a good deep V....and this year's red carpet didn't disappoint.  This dress may be my most favorite of the entire night. I've never seen anything like it...and it has pockets!

 

Jaimie Alexander in Genny

Zendaya



Saoirse Ronan in Yves Saint Laurent



Jenna Dewan Tatum in Zuhair Murad



While this dress isn't particularly unique, you can never go wrong with Zac Posen. She looked absolutely stunning and I would wear this dress on a red carpet any day. Stunning.





Gina Rodriguez in Zac Posen



Let's end with Jennifer Lopez. I love her. I can't help it. And while I'm not a huge fan of this color (in fact it was the horrid color of our powder room before it was saved by wallpaper), she kind of killed it. A far cry from her usual sheer numbers, this was sexy in all the right ways without being revealing one bit...except a little leg. And if I had those legs I'd wear mini skirts EVERY. DAMN. DAY.

 

Jennifer Lopez in Giambattista Valli

What were your hits and misses from the night?