Category: Fashion
‘Sex and the City 2’: The Red Carpet Report
A few weeks ago, the stylish ladies of Sex and the City 2 walked the red carpet for the premieres of their film–once in NYC and once in London.
With so much of the film about fashion, I thought we’d take a quick look at the different dresses the ladies wore to each–and pick which one looked best.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker at NYC Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
Sarah Jessica Parker at London Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
So, I actually love both of these dresses. The neon yellow gown is Valentino and fits her perfectly. I also really like how it plays off her loose blond hair and perfectly done makeup.
But. I mean. Really. How absolutely amazing is the Alexander McQueen dress she wore in London? It’s unreal. It’s just spectacular. Yes, the hat is a little much but it’s Sarah Jessica Parker and Sex and the City and if you can’t wear a hat like this to a premiere like this, when can you? But seriously, this dress might be top 10 favorite dresses I’ve ever seen. Obsessed.
Winner: Black Alexander McQueen dress and Philip Treacy hat
Kristin Davis
Kristin Davis at NYC Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
Kristin Davis at London Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
Anyone that knows me is aware that I prefer it when women, particular celebrities, wear their hair down with red-carpet dresses. I realize it’s less formal and blah blah blah, but I always think it adds some glamour to a look. Anyway, given that intro, can you tell which overall look I like better? The gold Norman Norell halter dress is heads and shoulders above the pink one, in my humble opinion. The pink vintage Jean Desses gown is just a little too pink for me. She looks good in it — better than most would — but it doesn’t have a ‘wow!’ factor at all. And with the swept-back hair, it’s just a bit too pepto-meets-severe for me.(But I do like the shoes she wore with the pink.)
Winner: Gold Norman Norell gown
Kim Cattrall
Kim Cattrall at the NYC Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
Kim Cattrall at the London Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
The slinky, form-fitting gold Naeem Khan dress Kim wore in NYC is stunning. In fact, the night of the premiere, I thought she was the best dressed of the four ladies. And a few weeks later, I still agree. This dress fit her perfectly and her old Hollywood hair and makeup perfectly accented the overall look. As for the black Vintage Thierry Mugler, I think it’s fine. It, too, fits her well but it also seems a bit plain. After the va-va-voom dress in NYC, I would’ve expected something dropdead.
Winner: Gold Naeem Khan dress
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon at the NYC Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
Cynthia Nixon at the London Premiere of 'Sex and the City 2'
I’ll be honest: I’m not crazy about these. Well, let me be more specific. I think she looks pretty in both dresses but neither really grabs your attention. The black Carolina Herrera is gorgeous–the gold embellishment at the top is nice and it fits her body really well. It’s just a little….. safe. And the blue… yikes! The bodice doesn’t seem to fit her very well and it’s just not that flattering to her bust. The color is fine and daring but overall, I just can’t buy into it. The hair’s interesting though.
Winner: By default, the black Carolina Herrera
Overall, there were some great looks (we miss you Alexander McQueen!), some decent looks, and only one subpar dress. My favorite overall is the (can you guess?) McQueen Sarah Jessica rocked in London.
And for all you remembering how amazing these four women looked at the much-hyped first Sex and the City premiere, here’s a photo:
NYC 2009:
The Ladies at the Sex adn the City Premiere
(Okay, so maybe only Sarah Jessica and Kim looked amazing but MY GOD, how awesome is Sarah Jessica’s dress?!?!)
London 2009:
The Ladies at the London Premiere of 'Sex and the City'
(Another hat! And Cynthia, you should have worn that again!!)
The Heels to Die For: YSL Pumps
The truth is I’ve been obsessed with Yves St. Laurent heels for several years. I think YSL makes amazing shoes (and bags for that matter) and I’ve tried on many pairs over the years. I just haven’t been able to pull the $800ish trigger quite yet. But I dream about them on an almost daily basis.
Here are some of the pairs I covet:
Platform Pump
Platform Pump in Black Leather ($795, YSL.com)
Platform Pump in Red Patent ($795, YSL.com)
I mean, right? HOW HOT IS THIS SHOE?!? I would kill a man for a pair of these in black. I would maim a man for them in red. Yes, they’re high but anyone who knows me is well aware that I’m rarely found wearing a heel less than 4 inches. I love the platform front and the stiletto heel is just breathtaking. Ready to really swoon? Here’s the metallic version:
Tribtoo Platform Pump ($795, Neiman Marcus)
Tribute Platform Pump
Tribute Platform Patent Pump ($660, YSL.com)
If you’ve known me for a long time, you’re aware that I could talk of little else when this heel first hit stores. I love the little strap, the peep toe, and the platform. It has a four inch heel and one inch platform–love it! I think these are so cute and dainty and while they won’t work with every outfit, they’d be a perfect finishing touch on a super feminine outfit.
Links to buy:
– Platform Pump in Black Leather ($795, YSL.com)
– Platform Pump in Red Patent ($795, YSL.com)
– Tribtoo Platform Pump, Metallic ($795, NeimanMarcus.com)
– Tribute Platform Patent Pump ($660, YSL.com)
Alert! Super Cute Dresses Ahead
I love dresses. I love short dresses, strapless dresses, solid dresses, print dresses, dresses with sequins, halter dresses…. well, you get the point.
Earlier today, I was browsing one of my favorite online shopping sites, Cusp (it’s the Neiman Marcus boutique) and came across several fabulous dresses. Here are some of my favorites:
Tibi Strapless Silk Dress
Tibi Strapless Silk Dress
Um, how friggin cute is this? Yes, it’s basic Tracey-style with the strapless top and short length, but I lovelovelove this yellow color. I also think this has the right amount of flowy-ness: enough to hide a bit of bloating but not enough to look like a colored garbage bag. (Tibi, $345)
Alice + Olivia Bethany Peplum Dress
Alice + Olivia Bethany Peplum Dress
I love the colors of this dress. But living in Hawaii, I don’t really have anywhere to wear a dress like this. Too bad,
because the sequined bodice is just so pretty and eye-catching. And I love the Mad Men-inspired ruffle around the waist. Hot! (Alice + Oliva, $495)
Robert Rodriguez One-Shoulder Applique Dress
This dress is stunning–with the right figure, someone could really rock it. The asymmetrical waist and black lines, it’s just such an interesting print! If my hips were smaller, I’d definitely buy this little number. (Robert Rodriguez, $418)
Trina Turk Floral Kiki Dress
Trina Turk Floral Kiki Dress
While I normally don’t LOVE large prints, this one works for me. I like the navy with the quick splashes of green. It’s interesting and classic while still being unique. And how cute are the little cap sleeves? (Trina Turk, $348)
Sexy Summer Suits: Juicy Couture’s Cutest Styles
Summer starts in about five minutes and it’s time to find some fun bathing suits. Since I live in Hawaii, I’m always on the lookout for cute suits, but the selection’s been pretty limited until now–stores are just now unveiling new styles and looks.
While perusing online, I found two SUPER CUTE Juicy Couture one-piece suits. I generally don’t wear one-peices, but my mom got a really cute Juicy one last season and she looks great in it, so I wanted to see what they did this year. Here are my faves:
Juicy Couture Beach Ruffled Halter Swimdress
I love this navy suit. The shirred side seams will help hide any hip issues while trying to lose those pesky last five pounds. And I really like the halter neck. The ruffles are a cute addition that make this a little more playful vs. Marilyn Monroe bombshell-esque. Check plus. ($150, Nordstrom)
Juicy Couture Beach 'Limoncello' One Piece Swimdress
This yellow suit is also very cute. The bodice is long and shirred so you can pull it low if you’re feeling a little pooch-y or pull it up if you’re feeling 6 pack-y. I love this particular halter top–it’s got great support for the fuller-chested ladies. And I like the lack of ruffles… it’s a little more mature looking. If you have the skin tone to pull this off (ie. super tan/not pasty), I highly recommend this for laying poolside. Overall, I think the shirred side seams of both these suits are extremely flattering. As someone who enjoys a cocktail while sunning, I predict this type of suit will work out well for me this season! ($168, Nordstrom)
For all those bikini lovers, I thought I’d throw in this adorable Juicy two-piece, also in navy:
Juicy Couture Shirred Skirted Bandeau Bikini
I wish the model looked happier about wearing this because she looks great in it. It’s just the cutest little bikini: classy with full coverage and touch of sweetness with the ruffles. (top: $85; bottom: $98, Neiman Marcus; also available in red at Nordstrom)
Sexy Shades: Oliver Peoples Aviators
Oliver Peoples, Benedict
Oliver Peoples makes killer shades, particularly aviators. I’m a gigantic fan. BIG. HUGE. So big that the pair I own now is actually my third pair of Peoples glasses. My first two pairs were identical — gold chrome frames, perfect size brown/black lens — and I adored them. I’ve never in my life received as many compliments on sunglasses as I did with these (they were Benedict style.) My third pair was similar: gold frames and brown lens, but the size was a little smaller. Not John Lennon glasses but they are a wee bit small. Either way, the Peoples aviators are hot.
Oliver Peoples, Patten
I was recently shopping and came across some of their new styles– and there are a couple fabulous ones. My favorite new style is called Patten. It’s an aviator with silver frames and squarish lens with a blue-to-grey tint. They are outstanding. Unfortunately, they don’t look so good with my coloring BUT if you have brown hair, these will look HOT. I’d maybe even contemplate going brunette for these… (maybe.)
Two Handbags I’d Love to Have. Like Right Now.
While perusing the New Additions section on Neimans website, I found two handbags I must have. Since my handbag obsession has taken a quiet haitus since I moved to Hawaii, I probably won’t get either. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still crave both–or encourage YOU to get them!
These bags are polar opposites–but only in price. One is $2495 and the other is $255. One is a popular and high-end brand, the other is an eco-friendly, vegan brand. But, they are both considered hobos and they’re both super cute. So enough with the teasing… let’s see the bags!
Jimmy Choo Python-Embossed Tie-Dye Hobo
I mean, how friggin hot is this bag? I LOVE IT. It’s a Jimmy Choo camel brown python-embossed leather with off-white tie-dye detail. I generally don’t love tie-dye but it works on this bag. The hardware is great, the shape is fabulous, and I like that it has tan suede lining. It’s just a great spring/summer bag. Man, Jimmy Choo makes hot bags. And yes, this is the $2495 one.
Matt & Nat Cleo Stud Hobo
Okay, so I think this bag is super cute. I love the studs, I love the layered leather, and I love the handle. This looks like an expensive bag to me… but’s totally affordable. The designer is Matt & Nat. I’m not super familiar with this designer but here’s what Neimans said: “Style-conscious and design-centric, MATT & NAT combines bold color, edgy silhouettes, and inventive materials in a collection that juxtaposes structured designs with sumptuous fabrics. A perfect balance of ethics and beauty, MATT & NATT reinvents what it means to be fashionably responsible, creating accessories void of animal by-products yet rich in style.”
Sounds good to me. And you can’t beat the $255 price tag. (Note: It’s vegan faux leather, so I’m curious what the texture of the bag is and how it moves. I mean, it’s cool that it’s not real leather and animal-friendly, but I’d want to make sure it looks and feels right before buying.)
Man, I really do love handbags.
Haute Bag Alert: Louis Vuitton Minus the Monogram (kinda!)
Louis Vuitton Mahina XS bag
One of my most fashion-forward friends recently unveiled her latest handbag purchase–and I immediately died of envy. Seriously, it’s a bag I totally covet and if hacking her style wasn’t off limits, I’d already have one of my own. Okay, so enough about my friend–let’s learn about the bag!
It’s from the Louis Vuitton Mahina line. Before you cringe, it’s NOT the classic brown monogram pattern that is so overplayed (even by me at times.) Mahina is a soft leather with the LV monogram perforated into it. And the bag I love is the XS. It’s a bit of a hobo but classic and tailored enough to wear for many years. My friend’s bag is a creme-taupe color (though she swears it’s grey), but it’s also available in black, burgandy, mahagony, chocolate, and white. And the hardware, THE HARDWARE! It’s gorgeous. Enough to be eye-catching but not enough to make it heavy. It’s simply incredible.
Now, let’s get down and dirty. This isn’t a cheap bag. But honestly, sometimes fabulous bags cost a few pennies. It’s more than my last bag purchase (a gorgeous Chanel) but less than an Hermes Victoria bag. But it’s an investment — and a solid, fashionable one at that.
God, I love handbags.
It’s Haute: Gold-Plated Cuff by Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta cuff
I absolutely crave this cuff. It’s the most beautiful cuff I’ve seen in a long time and it must be mine. I love the design and the look. And again, I love what Net-a-Porterhas paired it with. With summer around the corner, this is the perfect accessory to wear with the lighter, more fun outfits in the warm weather.
I’m not in love with the $345 price tag particularly since it’s actually gold-plated brass but for Oscar de le Renta it’s not horrible. And it’s the type of piece that will always be in style. So, I can consider it an investment right?
Silk and Satin and Sexy, Oh My!
Halston Heritage dress
One of the issues with living in Hawaii is finding summer attire during the winter months. There are no cute pieces (unless you dress exclusively in Roxy and Billabong which I may or may not do at times…)
Anyway! While perusing Net a Porter, I stumbled upon this gorgoues, assymetric mini dress. I love the colors, I love the one-shoulder action, and it’s perfect for date night in the summertime (or anytime if you live in Hawaii.) It’s made of silk-satin and looks like it falls lightly on the body. Overall, the colors are gorgeous and the accessory options are endless. (Though I like what Net-a-Porter paired it with: white heels and a gold jewelry.)
The Halston Heritage dress isn’t a bank breaker at $325–it just might be the first dress I buy this Spring! What do you think?
Best Dress of the Oscars: Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta
Camerion Diaz in Oscar de la Renta
Cameron Diaz looked HOT last night at the 82nd annual Academy Awards. Her golden and glittery Oscar de la Renta gown was stunning and her hair and makeup complimented it well. This was a more traditional dress selection for the usually-a-little-more-risky Diaz, but she nailed it.
I’m always a bit of a sucker for a strapless cut dress, but this just fit her so well. Stylists and celebrities just can’t go wrong with Oscar either. Her make-up artist and hair stylist both get high marks too – her long and flowing hair looked GREAT and I loved the red lip.
Other dresses I loved:
Carey Mulligan in Prada
Carey Mulligan looked super cute in her black and crystal Prada dress. I liked the strapless top paired with gorgeous earrings. I also didn’t hate how the front was a little shorter than the back/train. Super cute overall.
Demi Moore in Atelier Versace
Demi Moore was stunning in her Atelier Versace gown. I usually don’t love this type of chiffon, flowy dresses but I think the tight bust really makes this feel tailored. This fits her perfectly and I think her dark hair really sets off the color well.
Kristen Stewart in Monique Lhiullier
I’m not a fan of Kristen Stewart’s sense of style generally, but I think she wowed last night in her navy blue Monique Lhuillier dress. She looked like a girl! Yay! I thought it was gorgeous and even though she looks uncomfortable (as usual), it’s still a beautiful dress.
People who missed:
Charlize Theron in John Galliano for Dior
This just didn’t work for me. I appreciate that John Galliano likes to take risks in creating his fashions, but this didn’t work all around: the color, the bust, the train.
That all said, I liked her hair and makeup.
Nicole Richie in Reem Acra
I was so excited to see what Nicole Richie would wear… and was disappointed when I saw this. She’s so tiny — and this is too much material. I like the sparkle, but it’s just too heavy for someone her size. Plus, she’s young – I wish she’d worn something more indicative of her age.
The Hot Pink List 