Shuesday: Guess

Whose shoes?

Sometimes

NY Mag just does my work for me.

What Kate Middleton Should Wear - NY Mag

Antimacasser, anyone?

Or perhaps a doily?

I understand that white lace is all the thing this summer, but surely Sienna Miller could do it better than this. And with better accessories. And hair.

We all look the same

It doesn't seem to matter where we are.

The current look in London, when it's not just colourblock insanity, is as follows: ballet flats or boots over skinny jeans/jeggings/leggings, something undeterminable under a blazer/jacket, accessorized by a scarf, an enormous bag, and long, long hair.

So basically, we all look like the Middleton girls.

The Golden Globes '11

Last year, The FG stayed up until 3 or so am to watch the Globes online from Edinburgh. This year, she is in London, and, frankly, people are expecting her to show up to work tomorrow morning, so she's stepping away this year. Plus, she is on the cusp of recovering from laryngitis and a serious head cold, and she's not going back to Thursday, when she had no voice whatsoever. Sorry kids, you're on your own.

(That said, so far, I'm not loving the beige theme, and black is so safe ... and wow, January is certainly keeping up with the Joneses ... and I can't resist sharing HBC ...)

Tell you what, I'll be back asap with my usual fashion review. In the meantime, get off your computer, open a bottle of bubbly and enjoy the show. If you're desperate for some fashion input, visit the NYT predictions page here.

Fit for a McQueen

Isn't she lovely? And what a great dress.

At Cannes via NY Mag.

Fashion Police UK

I've been on this side of the pond for almost a full six months now, and I have comments.

Inexplicably, still in fashion here: deep orange tans, excessive foundation/face powder/blush, wearing running shoes to, from, and in-between work (Working Girl, anyone?), tights in all hues, Uggs, hairbands (Gossip Girl is huge here), leggings (I know, I know, they're still in fashion on the other side of the pond too), giant pearl necklaces (clearly I should have kept this), and wearing next to nothing in freezing temperatures. Also, not wearing clothes that fit in a nation that is, well, more comfortable with its average size than you'll find in major US cities. It's not pretty.

What I remember from NYC: loads of necklaces, aforementioned leggings, scarves, scarves, scarves, trench coats for spring (see below), artfully messy updos

I don't remember: skirts that emphasize the hips - is this the return of the pouf skirt?, far more skirts than pants, actually, and skirts far, far too short for things like sitting down, bending over, etc. Also deep, deep side parts in long, flowing hair, and polka dot trench coats everywhere.

I'm just saying.

I'm off to a wedding near Edinburgh this weekend. Wish me (fashion) luck?

Don't you rain on my parade: The Globes 2010

Yes, the FG loves award shows so much that she stayed up until 3:30 am live streaming the Globes, to bring you this commentary.

Perhaps to remind Hollywood that their lives could be worse (ie, their nation could have been crippled by a major earthquake last week), the gods chose rain for the red carpet this year. The FG thinks that that's a good reason to have a cocktail length dress, or something black and on the fitted side, as back-up, as people like Ginnifer Goodwin, Amy Adams, Olivia Wilde and Glenn Close were far happier than, say, Kate Hudson. (Although I'd much rather be any of those girls than KH, despite her super-fun "Cinema Italiano" number that was one of the only good things about Nine.)

Moving on from the weather-related commentary, the dresses were black, or not black. Black, it turns out, can be poorly done, but it is seldom as bad as not-black, poorly done (what was E. Moss thinking?). One could look like a sofa, perhaps at your grandmother's, for example, and being British and dating a Beatle, or being American and married to America's favourite actor, doesn't get you off that particular hook. And, when you're Jennifer Aniston, choose the right shoes and can rock a slit with legs like that, black is the best of all worlds.


The theme, other than black, was clearly asymmetrical necklines or strapless (which sheds interesting light on wedding dress choices). So what did I like? Marion Cotillard always looks lovely, the shoes worked, and the little black slip? I die. Toni Collette looked gorgeous in Elie Saab - gold is great on red-heads and the detailing on the waist-hip area was beautifully slimming, not that she needs it. I can't recall what Perrey Reeves is in, but I really liked her Herve Leger dress. Not totally award-show appropriate, but I liked it. Julia Roberts looked great - comfortable and like she was having a fantastic time. Also the perfect choice for the weather. And Sophia Loren always looks classy and age appropriate - ditto Helen Mirren.

And the dislikes? I thought Cameron Diaz looked strangely hippy in that shiny red (also, where was her jewelry?), there was something wrong with Signorney Weaver's dress, although I can't quite put my finger on it, and while I salute Rose Byrne in general and for wearing purple Lanvin, the brooch on the hip doesn't quite work, and the top of her strapless dress eliminated any cleavage she might have. A plunging neckline would have been a better choice. Drew Barrymore's urchin shoulder and hip accessories took away from her general loveliness - that dress would have been so much better without them. Carey Mulligan is super sweet, but this strapless Nina Ricci doesn't do anything for her either - there's nothing but acres of chest above her girls. I adore Christina Hendricks, but that dress was too much going on and insufficiently fierce. We know she has girls and hips, so don't shove them in our faces and be-ruffle them, flatter them! And I agree with the conventional wisdom that Fergie looked like an upscale bridesmaid. Mariah Carey was clearly seeking attention, 'nuff said.



There were poor shoes aplenty - Kristen Bell, Anna Paquin, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, I'm talking to you. And furthermore, AP, why are you dressing like a 60 year old? You have decades in which to wear sleeves, honey! I liked Tina Fey's shoes, but not with that dress. (They should really make paper dolls after the fact, so we can mix and match.)

The FG particularly enjoyed Chloe Sevigny's hissy fit when the gentleman who escorted her up the stairs stepped on her train. That dress could have been OK, but the total lack of structure/support became grossly apparent when she walked towards the podium to accept her award, and was most distracting/unflattering.

Edinburgh wardrobe: Part 7

The Snood is back, and seems perfect for this gothic city, as well as for the recent chilly weather. I like this one, in shearling, from Karl Donoghue.

Net-A-Porter.

Shuesday: Leaving me flat

Apparently (according to Alexa Chung, Agness Deyn and InStyle UK), these are la dernière mode, but I don't see the appeal, especially with a skirt. You can find them at Paul Smith (where they are on sale!)

Edinburgh wardrobe: Part 6

I do like a suit, and red prevents anyone from blending in with the rest of the penguins. Plus, it's Dior ...

Edinburgh wardrobe: Part 5

This seems the sort of thing to bring the current grape fascination to the Old Country, and the velvet will keep me warm, won't it? Carmen Marc Valvo.

Edinburgh wardrobe: Part 4

It has occurred to me that dressing to match the skies and the stone walls of Edinburgh may be a bad idea. How about a bit of blue sky, courtesy of Marc Jacobs, via BG?

Excess fabric

Not on Kate, of course. Kate was perfect, even if she was "speechless". Again. But what was with the folds and flowers and bubbles of satin at the SAGs? Bad Amy and Marisa!

Golden Globes 2009

There was skin, mostly in plunging necklines, there were tablecloths masquerading as dresses, some to better effect than others, there were people dressed appropriately for their age, and those who were not, (also, please stand up straight, ladies!) Some of you didn't make it out of the 1980's.

And then there were Sally Hawkins, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ms. Zellweger, the Witches of Westwick. No one can explain those frocks.

These were my top three.

I miss Jim Henson...

But that doesn't mean I'm going to walk around in Muppet fur ...



The Sartorialist

Greetings, Parents ...

Click here to see it - too funny!

Let's do it

And in style!


Renee Frances

L'Oscar, nous vous salutons

At your service, Tabula Rasa ...

The FG liked Katherine Heigl, Heidi Klum, Amy Adams, and Calista Flockhart's choices. She isn't quite as worked up over the predominance of black and red /everyone/'s talking about, and was a little disturbed by the feathers (Jessica, Penelope).

She did not enjoy Anne Hathaway (choose flowers or a draped asymmetrical sleeve, not both), Marion (who puts scales on anyone's posterior?), Cate (no need for the necklace), Saoirse (awful dress, awful hair, childhood tragedy), Renee (clearly unhappy with her hair),
Cameron (although it did give her curves), Kelly Preston (aka Mango), Jennifer Hudson (awful top for her figure), or Rebecca Miller (she of DDL fame, in Lacroix).



She is tired of the mermaid - Jennifer G., Penelope (again) - and thought Vanessa, Ellen, and Tilda's dresses were boring. She loooved Nicole's necklace, and (according to the assembly) didn't get Hilary Swank's dress at all.

And that's it.

Foxy

From stage and costume designer Barry Kay. I think this is just gorgeous.