On the Heels of Fashion - Best and worst dressed: Academy Awards

Christina Duzan

3/2/12

The 84th Annual Academy Awards was held last Sunday, and there were many stars deserving of the best dressed award, but after watching the red carpet show and browsing pictures of the night, there is a clear winner in the overall best dressed category.

The title goes to Jessica Chastain, nominee for best supporting actress for her role in The Help. Chastain’s stunning black and gold Alexander McQueen dress was everything an Academy Awards dress should be. It fit her well, the color complemented her skin-tone, make-up and hair. The understated jewelry completed the look.

Best color goes to Michelle Williams, nominee for best actress for her role in My Week with Marilyn, for her elegant coral Louis Vuitton dress. Williams hit the mark in all the right ways with this fitted gown. The brooch at her waist added just a hint of shimmer, and she kept her jewelry simple with a diamond choker. Her lip color matched her dress.

Best age-appropriate attire goes to Glenn Close, nominee for best actress for her role in Albert Nobbs. Close wore a strapless, dark green Zac Posen gown and covered up with a matching blazer.

Best dress embellishment goes to Emma Stone of The Help and her cherry red Giambattista Valli dress with a bow at the neck. Stone’s simple updo and subtle make-up did not distract from the beauty of her dress.

Best-dressed couple goes to George Clooney, nominee for best actor for his role in The Descendants, and girlfriend Stacy Keibler. Clooney looked dapper in a tuxedo. Keibler’s gold Marchesa gown helped her compliment Clooney without stealing the spotlight.

Best-dressed man is a toss-up between Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper. While both looked well-dressed in their tuxedos, Bale needed a haircut, and Cooper, despite being chosen Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine, seems to have lost his razor and is growing a mustache.

Falling short for the second year in a row with her fashion choices, Melissa Leo receives worst dressed for her two-tone, sparkly Reem Acra gown. Not only was the gold and black sequined dress a terrible color choice, but the dress did nothing to flatter her figure.

Worst color choice goes to Kristen Wiig, nominee for best original screenplay for Bridesmaids, for her J. Mendel gown. While the shape was flattering, the pale gown made Wiig look washed out and did little to complement her edgy black manicure or her naturally wavy hair.

Worst overall choice goes to Sacha Baron Cohen, for his decision to dress in costume for his upcoming role in the movie The Dictator.

Better luck next year to those who fell short on their fashion choices at the awards show Sunday. The 85th Annual Academy Awards offers a chance for redemption.

On the heels of fashion - Five first-date fashion tips for men

Christina Duzan- Lifestyles Editor 

11/18/11

Men and women are different.  Shocking, right?  Men and women differ in physical characteristics, tendencies in social interaction and the way they dress.  This is especially true when it comes to getting ready and choosing what to wear on a first date.

Women plan out their outfits, sometimes days in advance, and often seek their girlfriends’ approval.  While some men do the same, most probably just grab something clean and comfortable without giving it an extra thought.
Match.com has five first date fashion tips for men.  When a woman goes on a date, she expects her date to look as good as she does.  These tips will help men live up to the standards without breaking their bank account with a new wardrobe.

Tip one: Whatever you wear, do not wear khakis.  Bruce Park, style director of men’s fashion magazine Cargo said “Khakis scream ‘casual workplace’.

They just don’t seem sexy.”  Jeans have become perfectly acceptable date attire for any scenario but a fancy restaurant with a dress code.  Just stick to a basic, dark pair.  No matter how expensive they were, never wear a pair of distressed, purposely wrinkled jeans.

Tip two: Give the striped dress shirt a rest.  Standing out from the crowd can be important when impressing a woman.  Wearing a striped dress shirt is the last thing to wear on a date to stand out.  Take a minute to look around the venue and notice how many other men are clad in striped dress shirts.  Wear a subtle pattern, lose the tie and undo the top button.

Tip three: A little color goes a long way.  When picking out a color, steer clear of company logos, neutrals and bold, over the top colors.  Neutrals like beige and black can be viewed as boring.  A bright color like hot pink can be a distraction.  A jeweled-tone sweater, like maroon, forest green or cobalt, over a crisp white dress shirt will make an attractive, not-too-flashy or understated look.

Tip four: Pay attention to your footwear.  Women often like shoes and typically take notice of others footwear.  Just about any footwear, with the exception of “work shoes,” is acceptable.  Sneakers can be worn with jeans.  Just make sure the shoes are clean and scuff-free.  Women believe a man who maintains his shoes can be trusted to be detail-oriented in other areas of his life.

Tip five: Do not forget the details.  Before leaving for the date, take a few minutes and do a mental check list.  Shoes, check; pants, check; shirt, check; the outfit should say something about the personality of the person wearing it.  A detail not to over-look is socks.  White athletic socks are best left for the gym.  “If he can pull the right socks off, he’s a winner,” Kelly Rae, fashion and grooming director of Stuff magazine, said.  Extra effort will go a long way.

On the heels of fashion - 11 tips to be a trendsetter this fall

Christina Duzan- Lifestyles Editor
11/04/11

According to InStyle.com, there are 11 ways to be a trendsetter this fall.  One is layering lace with something unexpected, like a striped under layer or a studded skirt.

Swap jeans for a pair of striped pants.  Striped trousers are the new choice over denim.  Try a cropped pair with a simple, solid color top for a chic, slimming look.

Upgrade one’s wardrobe with a velvet wrap dress.  This style of dress is flattering on almost any figure and can be worn day or night. Pair the dress with a blazer and close-toed shoes for an office-appropriate look.

Accent retro polka dots with hints of red.  This color can be used to bring a vintage look into style without completely diving back into the 1950’s.

Wear a maxiskirt post-Labor Day.  The long flowing skirts are perfect for fall when paired with a menswear inspired sweater or blazer.

Leather leggings are part of the new alternative to a full suit.  Pair the leggings with a chic blazer for an unexpected new look.

Slipping on a feminine leather dress is another way to be a trendsetter.  Take cues from celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.  Details like lace or pockets give a more sophisticated look.

Sport a bold menswear-inspired print, like houndstooth, with a feminine flair.  Houndstooth looks modern and feminine when paired with a sheer, fitted top and heels.

Floral patterns are not only for spring and summer.  Keep wearing floral dresses through fall, but opt for darker, dusky color palettes.  Navy, moss green, mustard and rust are a few colors to keep in mind instead of pastels and bright colors.

Take style up a notch by trying a tie-neck blouse.  Pair a simple top with jeans and boots for a fun, stylish fall look.

Opting for a bold-colored sheath instead of a little black dress this fall is a great way to amp up one’s wardrobe and create a memorable, eye-catching look.

On the heels of fashion

Christina Duzan- Lifestyles Editor

When shopping, cost is always a factor.  Most college students cannot afford to buy the latest fashion with a designer price tag. Students typically shop on a limited budget.

There are a few ways students can maximize a tight budget and get the most for their money.  One way is looking for versatile pieces.  This allows the consumer to create multiple outfits with one article of clothing.

For example, a female student could buy a cardigan.  Two ways the sweater can be worn are buttoned up with jeans and a scarf or over a cute dress with tights.
A male student could also do a versatile sweater. He might choose a jacket he can grab on the go and throw on over what he puts on for class.

Another way to get the most out of the money one spends is checking the sale racks.  Many times the sale rack offers options that are still in style but had to be moved to make room for the newest arrivals.  This option gives the buyer functional pieces but at a cheaper cost.

Shopping when stores run special sales is also a good chance to take advantage of some great deals.  Watch for doorbusters at places like Kohl’s and J.C. Penney.  Combining these with the sale rack can land the shopper huge savings.

Forever21 is a great store to pick up inexpensive, trendy clothing for any season.  While the store typically caters to female customers, there is now a men’s line that is worth checking out.

Stores like Marshall’s and TJ Maxx boast being able to find designer and brand name clothes at discounted prices.  Sales and deals at these stores can offer some great additions to any wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Another great way to save money when shopping on a limited budget is by going to a thrift store.  Shoppers can find some great, vintage pieces to add to their wardrobe at a fraction of the cost.