Best of Oscar Fashion 2010 - Red Carpet Report

(My fave "bling" of the evening - Kate Winslet in Tiffany & Co.)

Although I do not watch or endorse the Academy Awards (I hate having to say that every time, but it's an important disclaimer ;) I always look forward to browsing the photos of the actresses at their best dressed (although this could be a matter of opinion ;). Although the majority of the styles are far from modest, there are occasionally some stunning, more conservative dresses to admire and there's always  some gorgeous fabric and details to provide fashion design inspiration.

While there were definitely some interesting dresses (like this Dries Van Noten design, left, on Maggie Gyllenhaal), this Academy Awards seemed to host more than its fair share of fashion "misses." While browsing the photos I was very disappointed to see lots of ladies "playing it safe" in boring dresses and others going way over the top in gowns that look like they were beaten up by a tornado. It was a rather sad affair.

The most prevalent dress style seemed to be a simple, strapless design, that fit through the hips and then flared out to the hemline (the "mermaid" style). Lots of these gowns looked cheaply made and were creased across the front of the skirt from when the ladies were sitting down in their limos! Not so lovely.

Many stars who looked absolutely fabulous last year ended just looking mediocre in 2010. Queen Latifah wore the previously mentioned "blah" style in a pale pink that washed her out. Last year, she had a lovely "charcoal" shade creation with layers of ethereal tulle and a gorgeously structured bodice. She almost made my best dressed list. Similarly, Penelope Cruz (right, in Donna Karan), who was so adorable and chic last year, had on a red dress that, although a nice color, added incredible bulk to her figure by an excess of draping and pleating all down the torso. It was a disappointment.

I probably sound like I am on a negative rant (lol!), but just let me continue for a little bit and tell you that too much of a good thing is, quite plainly, a bad thing. And this was what happened to ruffles one the red carpet. They can definitely be a great style detail, even sometimes in excess, but on Sunday night they were all wrong. Many women were completely buried under rows and rows of ruffles (see Vera Farminga in Marquesa, left) and on other dresses they were downright distracting. Oh yes, and skirts with splits nearly all the way up the leg were in abundance. Not so good. :P

As for the good... BLUE was a popular color choice on the red carpet (seen right on Monique, who is wearing Tadashi Shoji). It is also a huge trend for Spring 2010. I also spotted a lot of women in white or cream-colored gowns, which have been rather scarce in the past, and I absolutely love that. In fact, almost all of my favorite dresses from the event were in a pale, neutral shade.

This brings us to my annual selection of the four Best Dressed ladies of the event. While the dress design does play into my choices quite a bit, the overall look (including makeup, hair and jewelry) is a huge factor. Each time, I try and select four actresses who really got it right. It's not only picking a pretty dress but one that suits you well... and making sure all the other details are just as perfect.

So *drumroll* here they are. ;)

The Best Dressed (IMHO)

 

Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta

This outfit was a big surprise from an actress who, especially last year at the Golden Globes, often looks like she just got out of bed and threw on whatever was on hand. Usually Cameron looks too casual and often "unkempt" for my taste, but this look is just brilliant.

Her hair is simple and natural, but nicely groomed and her accessories are stunning but understated. And the gown! Just gorgeous. I think it looks like a million golden butterflies are cascading down it. It has just the right amount of sparkle and a lovely, full sweeping hemline. Bravo!

 

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab

The only fault I find with this gown is that the bodice could be more, um... substantial :P, but besides that, there's really nothing to complain about. The bodice draping is very well done and the incredibly huge, light and ethereal skirt is so perfect. And the fabric! It looks like an impressionist painting by Monét. So very beautiful.

Rachel wore her hair simple and elegant, swept back from her pretty face (she's got a great smile! :), and used a pair of huge earrings in the shape of a leaf as her only jewelry. Here's proof that you don't always need a necklace to cap off a great outfit!

 

Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka

You really can't get any lovelier than Helen Mirren, who truly looks like "The Queen" at nearly every red carpet event she attends. Of course, having Christopher Plummer as your escort guarantees a fine evening, but her lovely look can stand on its own without that brilliant "accessory." ;)

Her dress is a soft grey, in a simple A-line style with a misty overlay, sparkled all over with sequins. It is ruched slightly over the bodice and the sheer sleeves are a fabulous and flattering addition. Her soft and elegant hairstyle and and classic diamond jewelry add the perfect touch.

 

Kate Winslet in Atelier Yves Saint Laurent

This amazing glamour girl seems to make the list every time. Kate is nearly always dressed in something classic, elegant, and wonderfully suitable. Her beautiful hair is worn down, waved simply to the side, and evokes the golden age of Hollywood. Her jewelry is absolutely unique and one of the best pieces I've ever spotted at an awards event, in my opinion. Her earrings are simple and the necklace features and unusual chain and pendant design. Add the chunky bejeweled cuff and the whole set is smashing.

The two piece ensemble is also a rather "different" choice, but very flattering. The structured, metallic top uses the seams as great design features and the skirt has an unusual front pleating that actually works and is flattering on Kate (usually this look is hard to pull off). The satin skirt is long and has a slit up the front that, rather than looking sleazy, shows off her shoes and makes the gown easier to walk in. I give it five stars! :)

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Who do you think was the best and worst dressed of the evening? Do you agree with my picks? I do apologize for not getting up a "live report" like those I've done in the past. My mum got back from a week-long cruise on Sunday evening. (Thanks to everyone who prayed for us last week! It was appreciated and we got along pretty well in her absence. :) So last week was rather crazy. And now I've got rehearsals all this week (and then performances on the weekend) for The Secret Garden musical. Your prayers would be appreciated, there's still lots to learn and do!

I hope everyone has a great week! I'll try my best to get up a post on the usual Friday schedule... see you then! :)

Images: Zimbio / Yahoo! Movies / Just Jared

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More Spring Looks From Burberry...

While I already took some time earlier this week to share Burberry's newest ad campaign, I thought it would be interesting to browse some of their other spring looks and show that we can get lots of inspiration from their designs... in more areas than just trench coats. ;)

While visiting the Saks Fifth Avenue site and viewing both the Burberry London and Burberry Brit collections, I was delighted to find quite a few modest and adorable designs. While keeping with their famous themes, these outfits put trendy spins on lots of classic looks, providing very wearable, flattering pieces.

There's no need to be afraid of plaid anymore. If the very word still gives you the shudders, chances are that you have not forgotten the terrors that plagued fashion in the 90s. Those were bold, bright, and pretty scary. ;) But we've got some better options today. While the two tops shown above are definitely on the bold side, there is a subtlety that keeps things under control. If you don't feel that something like the multi-color burberry plaid look on the left is right for you, go for a more monochromatic design. The one on the right is super classy.

Long, soft and lightweight sweaters make the perfect transitional piece for spring, keeping you fairly warm in temperamental weather, but without the bulk of most winter wear. Once again, plaid can be a great choice if you want a sleek, muted look. You can also go for a cheerful spring color to freshen up your whole look.

It's amazing how you can make essentially the same style suitable for either winter or spring, as shown here. The black pants and dark shoes make everything look wintery... but the white pants and strappy sandals just seem to be singing about spring. Think about how different pieces can effect your look and mood.

Speaking of spring colors, I'm pretty sure yellow is going to be super popular again this year. I simply love this color, so that has me happy. Go for a muted shade if you have a cool skin tone (pastels are good for summers) or a warmer, brighter, earthier shade if you have a warm skin tone. The pastel shown here works beautifully on this knit dress. I love the dropped waistline and tiny ruffle about the neck and waist.

Pink/fuschia shades are also great. The pairing of this simple tee and a pleated skirt with the same  color in it make for a sweet, cheerful outfit. Add a white sweater if it's chilly, and this would make a cute Easter ensemble (with maybe a few more inches on the skirt for good luck ;).

A sweet and simple dress is the perfect option for spring, and can be paired with a sweater for warmth and some interest, as shown above. This first dress has a fabulous, ruched hemline. Ruching as a style detail has been prevalent in lots of ladies' clothing over the past few years and I hope it sticks around. Very cute.

The second dress is also very simple and features a belted waist, which provides definition and interest. There's also a cute "peter pan" collar and some buttons on this look, which is actually a very pale plaid fabric. Very lightweight and very pretty.

Lastly, if you are still loving those trench coat looks ;) you can always go with a trench dress. Both of these are ultra classy and would be appropriate for nearly any occasion. This first one is just brilliant, with a collar that can be folded back (as shown here) or buttoned up entirely (which looks twice as cute, in my opinion). The double-breasted style has some tiny ruffles around the armholes and a belt for the waistline.

The second dress is printed in a muted plaid, with three-quarter sleeves and a single row of buttons down the bodice. There's also a waistline tie and  two long pleats to add slight fullness to the skirt. Quite a nice, simple look.

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Which of these outfits are your favorite? Do you have any similar pieces hiding away in your own closet? See if you can do something fun with them this weekend! :)

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Burberry Spring 2010 - Emma Watson Style

Well... I got excited about Burberry all over again when I saw the newest ad campaign, starring the lovely Emma Watson. Her sweet face was one of the first huge fashion ads to welcome me to London last fall, and I'm glad she's back for another season. Here's a few of my favorite shots from the campaign.

(P.S. I really am going to have to go stalk Emma at Brown University one of these days. Anyone want to join me? It's too good an opportunity to pass up. lol - Just kidding! ;)

 

Once again, Burberry is set to make a splash for spring, that wonderful in-between season  where short sleeves and full skirts, leather boots and cable-knit tights, sweaters and jackets all live in harmony. It's completely unpredictable, and that's what makes it so interesting.

Burberry is fabulous because of their dedication to the classics. While each and every item in their new collection is trendy and up to date for the 21st century, it all remains as classic as their iconic trench coat and Burberry plaid. Looks like these just don't go out of style, and that is good news, especially when numerous countries are in a recession, and we can't afford new things every season.

 

You will see that Emma is sporting various trench styles in these photos, showing how much versatility they really have. They can be worn with dress pants, jeans, a skirt... or as a dress itself. I think that using outerwear as a complete top, rather than just another layer, is fabulous.

Of course, you just have to dress it up with a really amazing statement bag, and maybe some accessories... like chunky bangles bracelets or a wide, studded belt.

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Would any of these looks work for you? Have you got a neglected or forgotten but really fabulous classic coat or jacket in your closet?
Can you hear it calling your name as loudly as the springtime that is just around the corner?

I suggest you take it out and let it make a statement. A great item like that just needs a background - a few simple basics and some accessories - so that it can stand out.

Here's some affordable, fashion-y finds that might give you ideas...


Use your imagination. :)


Images: Just Jared

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2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics - Figure Skating Fashion Recap (Part 2)

Last night was a decidedly thrilling finish to the figure skating competitions in Vancouver, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. Kim Yu-Na of Korea, who has proven time and again that she is the one of best female figure skaters in history, finally capped it off with an Olympic gold medal. And she did it in commanding fashion, smashing her previous world records and besting her closest competitor by over 20 points. It was a night to remember.

 

From the moment she stepped onto the ice, Yu-Na was perfect. She put to rest any doubts as far as her consistency in the free skate, conquered her nemesis the triple flip and, while racking up the points with huge jumps, managed to remain an artist and interpret her music beautifully (something that top competitors often struggle with). She was the perfect package, and is literally unbeatable.

She also scored big in my book by wearing two of the best skating dresses in the competition. Her free skate gown was a striking sapphire blue, embellished with hundreds of shimmering beads and rhinestones. I particularly liked the lovely "collar" that finishes off the halter neckline. Truly the perfect dress, and one that would make a lovely full-length evening gown.

 

Kim Yu-Na's short program (which took place on Tuesday) was also a force to be reckoned with. She managed to break her own short program record for the third time this season, and did it in stylish fashion. Her dress was very simply structured - just a straight one-shouldered sheath with a slight slit up the sides. But the embellishments were anything but simple, creating a series of heavy, striking squares showering down the bodice, and turning the dress into a piece of art. The choker added some drama and flair to the look and made this one killer costume.

 

Mao Asada of Japan, while breaking her own records along the way and making history by becoming the first woman to land three triple axels in Olympic competition (huge), just wasn't of the same caliber as Kim Yu-Na. While her performances were quite strong, she lacked the artistic strengths of Yu-Na and failed to pull me into her performances (probably in part to the really awful music).

Although she walked away with the silver medal, she also took my award for the worst dressed of the top competitors. There were some other terrible gowns in the event, but you'd think with the star power, highly respected coach, and undoubted millions that Mao Asada posesses, that she'd invest in some good costumes. These two, while actually not as bad as some sported earlier this season, are completely unacceptable. What do you think?

 

Joannie Rochette of Canada was the most inspiring story of the week, taking to the ice for the short program on Tuesday... just two days after her mother suddenly passed away. After an extremely rough season, it was beautiful to see her quiet strength as she turned in two solid performances for the bronze medal.

Seeing her cry with relief after the short program, and then again on the podium, with her father watching her in the audience (and shedding his own share of tears)... I think it put a lump in everyone's throat. Although neither of her costumes were show-stoppers, I was thrilled with her finish. Joannie has worked hard and deserves the success.

Mirai Nagasu, the 16 year old American, was the USA's biggest hope after Rachael Flatt skated brilliantly and was, in my opinion, very much underscored (she wound up seventh). Mirai managed to skate a fabulous, clean program with flair and personality - and finished fourth. Yes, it was the first time since 1964 that a US lady was unable to make the podium, but considering the struggle that the US women have faced over the past 3 years, it was a triumph.

I already posted on Mirai's lovely short program dress during the US Championships recap, but this competition was the first time I ever appreciated her costume for the free skate. Performing to "Carmen," it was a delightful and age-appropriate choice. I think we will be seeing more great things from this girl in the future. :)

 

To finish off, I'll just give a nod to two other nice costumes. Akiko Suzuki of Japan had a delightful short program dress, in black with red accents and a striking choker design. Kiira Korpi of Finland wore a rather unusual costume, but one that I find interesting and liked, none the the less. With the sparkly blue top (which closes up the front with a stylish zipper), red undersleeves and black skirt, this dress looks very retro mod.

So... who were your favorite skaters last night? Were you pleased with the placements? And who were the best and worst dressed in your opinion? I, for one, was really bummed that NBC showed so little coverage of the skating. This is the Olympics, people! You're supposed to show everyone, not just the final group! Grr... it was a disappointment. :(

I hope you all have a great weekend! I will try my best to get out posts on the usual Tuesday and Friday, but my mum is going to on a cruise for the week, so we'll be having a crazy time in her absence (and may delay my replies to email/comments. If you want to pray that we are able to manage things and keep our sanity, I certainly wouldn't mind. ;)

God bless...


Images: Zimbio.com

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2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics - Figure Skating Fashion Recap (Part 1)

Well, it has been an absolutely thrilling winter Olympics thus far, exceeding my expectations and making for lots of dramatic and exciting moments. Every event has it's story, and none have disappointed. It has been especially exhilarating for the United States, as we are well on our way to smashing our winter Olympics medal record (please excuse the snobbish chuckle ;).

But down to the fashion of the event, in which figure skating rules as supreme fashionista. No other sport is as artistic and theatrical... or well dressed. Of course, there is a fair share of ugly and immodest skating apparel, but there are also beautifully designed and crafted pieces from which we can draw inspiration, ideas and more.

The pairs competition was an exciting one, with Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao finally capping off their fourth Olympics with the gold medal. It was also a historic moment for the real-life couple, being the first time the Chinese have won the title and breaking the clutch that the Russians/Soviet Union has had on gold for over fifty years.

And Shen and Zhao deserved it. They were beautiful, expressive and full of power. I am so happy for them.

Unfortunately, the fashion in the pairs department was pretty blah. I feel like this discipline lacks creativity fashion-wise; most outfits were tacky and way too matchy-matchy. Especially the men. I automatically awarded a gold medal to any gent who was smart enough not to wear a unitard. Those are so ugly. :P

If the pairs event didn't turn you into a bundle of nerves, along came the men's competition, which was a real nail-biter for me. I can't tell you how thrilled I was with Evan Lysacek's gold-medal-winning performance - it just made my day. He worked so hard, has proven that he is the best on every level, and turned in the skate of his life. I know that there is still controversy surrounding his win (due to the quad-armed silver medalist Evgeni Plushenko) but, from someone who is pretty familiar with skating and has been listening carefully to the experts ;) , I believe his win was totally, one-hundred percent deserved.

Of course, the men's event is another fashion flop-fest, so kudos to Evan on his costume choices. His earlier free skate outfits were really ugly, so I'm glad that the worst he wore was a couple of huge snakes wrapped around his neck. I actually really liked his short program outfit, but my sisters assure me that it was terrible. Your thoughts? ;)

Plushenko, on the other hand, was not dressed so nicely. Stephane Lambiel looked like the hero of a ballet (and I don't mean that positively - lol). Johnny Weir (who skated brilliantly, BTW) was clearly the most "out-there" in the building. It was quite a night.

 

And that brings us to Ice Dancing, which is by far my favorite discipline in the sport. It also makes for some interesting fashion moments... including pretty much the best and the worst. The Canadians, Virtue and Moir (who are my favorite non-US team) had pretty much the only great outfits in the Compulsory Dance event. I though that Tessa's burgundy dress was a show-stopper, with the striking black embroidery, tulle and ruffles. It was one killer Tango Romantica and Virtue and Moir placed second after the compulsory.

I was disappointed that Meryl Davis didn't wear the dress she sported earlier in the season for the Tango Romantica. Her new dress suited her well, but just wasn't as pretty. Tanith Belbin's outfit looked like a spin-off of her new (ugly) free dance outfit. And Oksana Domnina was decked out in what looked like a red tuxedo jacket... worn backwards. :P

 

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto sported new outfits in the Original Dance segment, which were supposedly more authentic for their Moldavian dance. I loved the use of trim, accents and details, but I felt that maybe it was all just a tad overpowering. The heavy coins decorating Tanith's bodice, while stunning, looked rather heavy, and I thought the full sleeves on her dress made her arm movements less precise. But a great look overall. Of course, Tanith looks adorable in anything. :)

Meryl Davis and Charlie White sported their fabulous Bollywood costumes (which I already discussed  during the recent US Championships) and were the best they've been all season. Virtue and Moir's flamenco dance was on fire (they soared to first). Domnina and Shabalin dropped from first to third with their controversial Aboriginal dance. The costumes were toned down from their previous competition, but I still found the whole thing a little wacky.

 

Two couples whom I loved in the free dance were Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates of the USA and Nathalie Péchalat & Fabian Bourzat of France. The young Americans finished a strong eleventh in their first Olympics and blew me away with their beautiful free dance. They definitely have a bright future ahead of them. I was also pleased that Emily changed her free dance dress for this competition. She tends to wear purple and lots of "transparent" lace (of course it never really is transparent), which just didn't suit her best or look modest. But this dress, in a combination of maroon and gold, was perfect. The bodice detail was pretty and I love the breezy, handkerchief hemline. Really looking forward to what this team will do at the World Championships.

The French team had one of my favorite programs, representing "time" and I really liked Nathalie's dress. Originally it had a yellow skirt, but I find the combo of the light blue bodice with the periwinkle skirt is equally stunning. Of course, it's lower cut than the best dresses, but the embroidery and details are fantastic.

The top two teams put in amazing "through-the-roof" performances. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada carried away the gold and Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the US soared high to silver. It was a special night for the friends and training-mates... and I am so happy for them both. 

Meryl and Charlie were dressed in their great "Phantom" costumes (which I wrote about during the US Championships) and Tessa and Scott looked beautiful in white. Tessa has actually worn four other dresses this season and, while the first one was my favorite, she looked gorgeous and angelic, as always. With the exception of Domnina and Shabalin (whose costumes were just plain weird :P), it was a beautifully dressed podium. ;)

I'm looking forward to the rest of the competitions and I'll have coverage of the ladies fashion up for you on Friday. God bless!


Images: Zimbio.com

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Looking At Fashion From The Inside Out

{By A. Layne}

Hello Everyone! I am so excited to begin a new blogging adventure here on AmandaBeth. I am a small business owner and I blog about that over on my own site. It is not fashion-related, so this is definitely a new experience for me. I am in no way claiming to be an expert on this subject. In fact I would say I have much to learn. However, I have learned a few things in my endeavors to cultivate a Christ-honoring perspective on fashion, in a world that does not hold modesty and femininity as a thing of value. I have five sisters that share in this endeavor with me. They are my God-sent companions in this area of my life and I have learned much with them and from them. I would like to address some of the difficulties that many of us face when we head to the mall on a mission to find ANYTHING fashionable yet modest.

Being women who value modesty and have set boundaries on what we are willing to wear, we have very limited resources. I’m sure that this is not news to you! Learning to develop the proper outlook on this challenge can immensely affect how we choose to deal with it, and what the outcome will be.

Over the years I have come to think of what may seem like a pebble in your shoe, as a tremendous opportunity to express creativity. We have an amazing opportunity to take what we have to work with, which isn’t much, and turn it into something that can be unique and distinctive.

Being creative often means being open minded. We must be willing to try new things. Trying things that you think would never work is a great way to discover new looks and styles. Just remember that it is so important that we think of this as an opportunity not an obstacle.

In light of the fact that we have very limited resources, it can be very difficult to create that distinct style. This not only requires a creative mindset but some pretty resourceful actions. I read a quote recently that said “ impression without expression leads to depression.” I think this is a really accurate description of what a lot of us are facing when it comes to expressing ourselves through fashion. It can be so hard to take everything that leaves an impression on us and make those things part of our wardrobe. Learning how to express ourselves will help relieve a lot of the frustration. This means we must first find the things that make us unique.

Many things can influence your style. You never know were it could be coming from so always be on the look-out for inspiration. If you have trouble defining your style, here is an excellent project to try: (This technique is used by designers and artists to help them pinpoint their style.) Start a scrapbook or notebook and fill it with magazine clippings, fabric swatches, buttons, pictures - anything that can be applied to fashion. Just be sure it’s things you are drawn to. Anything that catches your attention can go into your collection. It may be hard to spot a distinct style at first, but over time you will begin to see reoccurring patters of things that depict your personal taste. I think you will find this a very effective tool in refining your unique look. Not to mention how fun it is!

Lastly, I know we all have taken to heart that beauty is internal, but the more I struggle with external appearance I notice something about this subject. Have you ever seen one of those girls that just seem like they don't have a problem in the world with being fashionably modest and put together? They make it look effortless and easy. I really believe that this is because it’s truly part of who they are. They are letting what is on the inside flow into how they express fashion.

When we are reborn into the life of Christ we become who He wants us to be. I think we should be very in tune with this as we dress everyday. This is where the real joy of fashion comes from! Let’s let Him give us our desires when it comes to fashion.

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A. Layne is eighteen and living at home with her family. She has a small crafting business that keeps her occupied when she's not involved in other hobbies. She is very interested in design and plans to pursue interior design after high school graduation. A. Layne enjoys writing and fashion and hope to utilize these interests for the glory of God and the service of others.

Images: Saltwater.net / Cabionline.com / Fashion-Era.com

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