WUWT?

As in: What Up With This?

What it is: I post a bunch of fashion pics from around the web and don't comment!
If you know me, you'd appreciate my keeping quiet for a bit. =)

So... here they are. Comment away!
[I might add my thoughts later though...]

Oscars!

Ok, folks, it's time for the annual Oscar style round-up!

Instead of belaboring the post trying to do some high critique, I'm just going to give ya my first thoughts on all things Oscar fashion. Please comment!

One of the themes of the night seemed to be gowns in neutrals with a bit of sparkle. There were some stunners (see below), but both Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth diappointed me with their very different interpretations. Kidman because the color is so blah, and Gwynnie for her lack of make-up and stick-straight hair. On the upside, Kidman's necklace is GORGEOUS and I'd be lying if I didn't say GP's pilates body wasn't made for allover sequins.
Speaking of allover sequins... they are always a standby for Academy ladies. This choice by Amy Adams is so-so for me. I love her, so I wanted to like this dress. The color is nice though a bit muted for my taste (although maybe that makes it perfect Oscars formal?) and the cap sleeves are showing off her rockin' arms. In fact, I don't know what it is that I don't like about this... perhaps the accessories?

As I said, there were some stunning sparklers on the red carpet. I didn't recognize Mandy Moore in this, and even when I read it was her I assumed someone confused someone else with her! The almost-my-skin-color dress seems to blend seamlessly. I'm not sure it's a dress so much as a really well done bedazzler project. My normal reaction to something like this would be "ice skater costume," but this time it is just too pretty to scoff at. Well done!

Haters can trash her all day long, but Helena Bonham Carter is quirky in all the right ways. She has fun with fashion.. isn't that the point?? It's not like someone is making you wear things for their pleasure. Love the union jack tattoo (or whatever that is) and the stacked platforms! Making basic black pop is tricky, but she's done it.

Team triple axels coming this way! Or, maybe she's headed to the alito deck for some shrimp cocktail and a tom collins. Either way, I'm not on board.

Another winner in pale pink and sparklies, but something is lacking. I feel like I've seen her in this type of gown again and again..

See, there isn't a formula for Oscar dressing. Michelle Williams (about whom I still have no idea what she's been in) went for the low color/sequin/transluscent gown and ended up looking like she's wearing a t-shirt dress with spangles.

I have no idea what to say about Cate Blanchett's choice. I love her, so that's coloring my judgment. Is it cutting edge? Not really. Unflattering? Not really. What is it?

Now, even though the dress is a little pageanty, Jennifer Hudson's choice here is spot on. The red carpet is about a wow factor and being memorable. Say what you will, but this blaze orange number will not be easily forgotten. Though perhaps it being burned into your retinas isn't exactly a compliment.

I'm not going to whine about how "this isn't the real J-Hudson because she lost xx number of pounds" either, because that is damn hard to do, and who wouldn't want to show off their hard work? A slightly more reddish orange might have been better for her skin tone, but otherwise this was a classy number.


And that's all I got, folks. What were YOUR favorites of the night? Whose style would you steal?

New York Fashion Week Spotlight

According to pretty much everyone, 18-yr-old Karlie Kloss is the one to watch during NY Fashion Week. She's six feet tall, a former ballerina and presents herself with a refined walk belying her age.

She's also very excited to be there, which makes cheering her on all the more enjoyable. Because, really, who wants to watch a model drone down the runway, trying to look as disinterested as possible? Boring! (And a little obnoxious, since her only job - which so many covet - is to make the clothes look good by working them, both in body and face.)

Check out Karlie in Donna Karen (the 'embodiment of womanhood,' she says. Agreed!), Jason Wu, Altuzzara and Derek Lam. She's pretty dang stunning in all of them. And feminine, which is such a nice alternative to the droves of almost-androgynous tomboy models of today. (Am I wrong?) Kloss is, let's face it, the reason why I lament both my below-model stature and unprofessional dance training! Arrrrgh. Well, at least I can live vicariously through her!

Credit Where It's Due!

Normally I am not feelin' the First Lady's choices...

on policy or fashion...

but I am TOTALLY loving this dress and bold accessories!


It just screams SPRING! Ahh, yes, the return of color to so many lines is a welcome sight, especially here in the [ever-blanketed-by-mounds-of-dirty-snow] Midwest.


And you know where it's from? H&M. Loving it even more because I can afford it! ($34.95)

Do you embarass your daughter with your style?

A U.K. retailer surveyed tons of young women to find out what they think of their mom's clothing choices. Turns out one quarter of them said their moms dress too young.

A fifth said they consider their moms fashionable.

"One in four believes her mother wears clothes that are simply too revealing, and more than two thirds claim never to want to dress like them."

Those are some pretty big sums - over two thirds don't want to dress anything like their moms?? Then again, it isn't hard to understand when so many women well past the intended age for certain trends cling to them like... guns and religion. [hee hee]

But.. dressing drab isn't necessarily the prescription. You could look just as embarassing in a modest frock as you could in a mini and peep-toe platforms.

Do you think your daughter would be happy to claim you in public? What's the best balance for fashionable mamas?

Let us be so, so happy she does not have children to embarass!

Stripe Obsession

I love me some stripes.

While going through my closet with Sofia the other day pointing out all the different colors, fabrics, patterns, I noticed I have a TON of striped items. Wide, pinstripe, multicolored, Missoni-style, I don't care. Give me a stripe over a polka dot any day of the week.

Patterns in general, though, are my friend. Even before being pregnant - and needing the distraction they afford - patterns drew me in. Houndstooth is a close second, followed probably by crazy allover print. Never been a fan of animal print, but I do have a muted gray/black zebra patterned purse.

Yesterday, case in point, I was perusing a sale rack and zeroed in on the striped 3/4sleeve boatneck tunic. So typical! That's my go-to style of shirt because it's super flattering. Shows off the decolletage, hits right on the arm not to get in the way, gives the illusion of a shaplier waist and bust. Perfecto!

This spring's (and, seriously, every spring's but who cares?!) nautical style is right up my ally.

The classic boatneck in Breton stripe. I had this shirt when I was a kid; my parents got it for me in Paris. How appropriate! Many, many ways to wear the Breton. Tunic length is flattering, even though it goes over your hips. No, stripes do not make you look bigger. On the contrary, they demarcate the edge of your figure, making it more shapely. Touche!

The L.A. version. With cutoffs and, most assuredly, Ugg boots. Not. my. thing.

The NY version. More my style, though I can't see wearing something this short. Still, the blazer/stripe combo is so classic it works.

If you must have color here is a trendy version...

and a super cozy one, too. Hmm... looks like a Saturday shopping outfit with dark jeans and riding boots, huh? Or.. sweatpants and a cup of coffee at home!


Adorable!


AHHHHHH! Even MORE adorable!!

No stripes, but... This is an image I found of bridesmaid dresses. Can you imagine?? What a fun theme, and not too literal.

Three classic ways to wear this stripe: long-sleeved with a pencil skirt, dress and long cardi, skinny jeans and a blazer.

I am IN LOVE with this look. The trench skirt with high waist, oversize tie detail, fur collar! I think I need to invest in a skirt just like this...

How about you; do you have a favorite pattern or print?

AMAs: Not a one was pretty

We have a t.v., but no cable hook up. Not that I would watch the AMAs anyway. Anyone who applauds Justin Bieber is...well... clearly out of their mind. You've got better things to do. Like...

wait until the next day for the best and worst dressed lists! I'm a bit of a junky for those, following any major awards ceremony. I don't READ about celebrities, but I will happily look at their clothing. Here are some lowlights from the AMAs.

First, Christina Aguilera.

She's a mama, by the way. I've always thought she was trashy, and definitely wears too much make-up. Now we can add "wears sequined granny panties" to the list of why I am not her friend.

Speaking of the "Biebs," as he is affectionately known, he's wearing a shirt with leather sleeve cuffs. Blech. And for the love of everything sane, will someone please cut that kid's hair???



The Black Eyed Peas give us a nice lesson in the fashion wisdom "dress your age."



As does Pink. In fact, the evening's collective ensemble could be summed up in that phrase. I guess after you've spun around from a rope while singing in a sequined see-through costume, suspended over the audience... well, you can't outdo yourself anymore. So better just stick to the tried-and-true do-rag/size xxxs combo.



Jessica Alba doesn't look bad, per se. But it's that she's waaay overdressed for the night that bugs me.


Miley Cyrus is apparently unaware that Janis Joplin's style (and singing) was never very cool. Or maybe she (Cyrus) thinks she's being original? I'll vote for that!



Rihanna. If you remember her bandage jumper, this one might actually look ok to you. Still, I have no words for it...



Photos courtesy cbs.com. "courtesy" meaning, I borrowed them without asking. Thanks cbs!