The best red carpet dresses: 66th Emmy Awards

This year’s Emmys saw the rise of the tomato red ball gown (much nicer than it sounds) and a move away from the conventional (think cut-outs, midi-hems and colour-blocking).  A chic and minimalist look was however popular across the board with very little going on in the accessories department and simple fabrics and colours allowing the cuts and shapes do all the talking. I’ve been pouring over the snaps from the star-studded event all morning but I’ve whittled it down and here’s my favourites…

ALLISON WILLIAMS

I’m completely obsessed with Hannah and the gang in Girls and my obsession has evolved to include the real life ladies. I’ve loved reading Zosia’s articles and Lena’s Instagram never fails to bring a smile to my face. But it’s Allison Williams I look to for sartorial stalking. She’s just gorgeous and dresses impeccable from casual daywear to red carpet dressing like at last night’s Emmys. Her gown, part of Giambattista Valli’s Spring 2014 Haute Couture collection is perfectly feminine and serene save for the Old Hollywood-esque black bow and the bright band of yellow at her waist, which I think really makes the dress. This is how to do young and fresh on the red carpet.

LIZZY CAPLAN

She’ll always be Janis off of Mean Girls to me but I’ve really enjoyed watching Lizzy Caplan all grown up in Masters of Sex this year too. And her Donna Karan atelier backless black gown for this year’s Emmys has had me sifting through her back catalogue of style choices. I can report that while she has had some great moments, this sexy but strong black dress with chic halterneck and sexy cut–out details is her piece de resistance. Oh and that monochrome train? Gorgeous.

CAT DEELEY

If Cat Deeley’s mission was to look like an upturned flower for her stint on the Emmys’ red carpet, well mission accomplished. In a good way. The dusky rose chiffon gown is beautifully delicate yet full and really flatters Cat’s slim frame. The low-cut neckline stops it from looking to frumpy (too much fabric can do that) and the tie at the waist creates definition while the cascading ombre skirt is princess-perfect. A simple gold clutch and a few bracelets really make this a timeless look I wish I had an event to wear it to.

ZOEEY DESCHANEL

Zooey Deschanel can do very little wrong in my eyes. I love everything she’s been in film and TV-wise and I love love love She & Him. Her dress-sense is quite similar to mine too and that girl knows how to work a cute 60s-inspired shift dress. For the 66th Emmys however Zooey ditched her signature style in favour of this form-fitting column dress in Barbie pink and I couldn’t like it more. It’s great to see her showing off her figure and I love how she’s paired a grown-up strapless cut and fit with the in-your-face fun hot pink shade.

KIERNAN SHIPKA

Recognise her? No? She’s the little girl from Mad Men! And she’s all grown up. I personally loved her style, even when she was a pre-teen as you can see in this post here, and grown up Kiernan is just as good if not better in the style stakes. I’m really pleased that Kiernan bought a street style-favourite, the midi-cut to the glitz and glam of the red carpet this season and the beautiful curved waist detail of her Antonio Berardi frock complements her shape perfectly. This is the one I’d wear if I were to attend the Emmys. Dream on, right.

SARAH HYLAND

I’ve only watched to season 2 of Modern Family so Sarah Hyland looks very grown up to me! Aside from her obvious aging, you know, with time, her Emmy dress choice has certainly come on. Much like Kiernan, Sarah has boldly translated a very current style to the prestigious awards red carpet and she’s done it very well IMHO. The cut-out is just enough to give the effect of a two-piece, without seeming trashy or too revealing and the bold tomato hue (wait for it, there’s more where this shade came from) teamed with a subtle cream is smart and allows the full pleated cut stand out. A larger statement set of earrings would have really finished Sarah’s look for me but she’s one of my favourites from the night all the same. Now, to source Modern Family season 3…

GIULIANA RANCIC

Nothing gets me ready for a day at the desk like a bowl of oats in front of E! News and Giuliana really makes it for me. She’s such a good presenter and seems like a warm, fun person, which I think she always tries to showcase in her red carpet dress choices. Leading the A-listers in their love of tomato red G donned a straples Gustavo Cadile gown, with origami style folds and side-swept fishtail. With a box clutch and a newly dyed razor cut long bob G made this classic style look tres contemporary. Love her!

CLAIRE DANES

Showing that a highneckline and toe-tickling hemline can be sexy Claire Danes looked gorgeous in her red Givenchy dress, which featured a sneaky sheer back and modest lace panels at the waist. In another colour, perhaps a dusky rose or pale blue I think this dress could have been perfection but the bold red is beautiful too and looks great against Claire’s complexion and blonde hair. It’s the collar that I really love though – no need for jewellery with this style!

What do you think of this year’s Emmys style? Who is your favourite?

Get the look for less: Cate Blanchett’s Armani Prive gown for the Oscars 2014

I’m sat here this morning watching the Oscars 2014 red carpet coverage on E!, wishing I was an American, and a famous acting one at that. How amazing were the dresses last night!? I loved Lupita in her Nairobi blue gown, Naomi Watts in her long white Calvin Klein column dress and Chrissy Teigen in her dip-hem floral evening dress. But my favourite had to be Cate Blanchett in this amazing Armani Prive dress and Chopard jewels…

As soon as I saw this floor-sweeping, delicately-yet-so-fully embellished nude tulle gown with it’s chic see-through sleeves and it’s slightly bell-shaped skirt (it’s love, FYI) I thought of my new favourite evening wear brand, Needle & Thread. Available on ASOS (where I first discovered them in a bid to find the perfect wedding guest dress) as well as Net-a-Porter where I’ve splurged on a slinky 1920s-inspired Saturday night frock, Needle & Thread boast a collection of flattering, feminine and vintage-esque frocks you need in your party wardrobe arsenal. This dress is an investment piece but it’s just a snip of the price of Cate’s designer piece at £250. Like Cate’s it features a beautiful transparent overlay, sophisticated floral embellishment and the most beautiful flower applique neckline. My favourite part? The cute bow belt high on the waist.

If you’ve got a special occasion coming up and you’re feeling inspired by Cate Blanchett’s winning Oscars 2014 look, get buying here now!

What do you think of Cate’s Oscars style? Who was your favourite?

Taylor Swift’s £22 ASOS dress

On a day out shopping in Los Angeles with up-and-coming singer Lorde, Taylor Swift donned a ladylike hummingbird print black dress from ASOS. While Taylor Swift is the most striking celeb in the fashion stakes but her day-to-day looks are really wearable, just the right amount of cute ‘n’ girly and often pretty affordable. This lovely little number included…

Unsurprisingly the exact dress has now sold out but I’ve found a very similar gem from ASOS alongside a vintage-inspired handbag, patent red belt and cross-strap heels to mimic Taylor’s girly look.

Shop: ASOS Swallow Print Dress, £22; Accessorize Bowler Bag, £29; Hobbs Red Belt, £45; Next Cross Strap Heels, £52.

Are you a fan of Taylor Swift’s style? Will you be snapping up her £22 dress?

From NYFW to mouth wash commericals (yes, really), this week’s best dressed are…

It’s a real mixed bag this week, which is what I really like about this bunch of celebrities – they’re leaders rather than followers when it comes to fashion and they rarely step out in the same kind of ‘of the moment’ styles the rest of A-list land are but they don’t shun a fab runway trend either. 

Vanessa White is my (very close) second favourite Saturday in the style stakes. I just can’t resist Mollie’s polished and a little bit preppy look but Vanessa pushes the boundaries a lot more and has a really fun and colourful fashion sense. I love the shape of her navy star print dress – really flattering for anyone a little body-conscious – and teamed with the wacky orange print it’s equal measures chic and kooky. Linzi Stoppard may not be a name you’re familiar with but this season I think you will get better acquainted as the violinist steps out at more high profile events, hopefully wearing more of this kind of floral and colour-clashing concoction. Elizabeth Bankes, the late bloomer who has taken fashion world by storm these past few seasons and who has now signed up to promote Listerine. The mind boggles but I’ll forgive her her strange commercial ventures since she looks so lovely in this yellow and mint colour blocking number. Love those shoes too.

Model and actress Peyton List is fresh out of Disney school but she’s shunning the traditional butter-wouldn’t-melt image as well as skirting around the rebellious-post-Disney-star look, and I like it alot. I’ll do a post soon on matching separates because it’s a real favourite trend of mine for SS14 and as Peyton shows you don’t have to flaunt your midriff to do it. Anna Kendrick can always be relied upon when it comes to FROW fashion. Simple but statement I love the nude and red colour palette Anna opted for for a stint at NYFW this week and the sheer and lace elements are just gorgeous. Now I know this isn’t exactly a WOW look but I’m a big fan of Rose Bryne and her low-key luxe style and this whole look just works. This Michael Kors dotty dress is a great day-to-night number and clogs are going to be huge next season, mark my worlds.

What do you think of these celebs and their style? Who gets your best dressed vote this week?

Vivienne Westwood designs Miss Piggy’s wedding dress (and other fabulous Miss Piggy fashion moments)

Well, Vera Wang would have been too predictable and Alberta Ferretti is by no means feisty enough so it makes sense that rebellious style legend Vivienne Westwood would design Miss Piggy’s wedding dress. Yep, that’s right – Miss Piggy and Kermie are getting married in their next film, Muppets Most Wanted! The couture long ivory court wedding gown, which Miss P dons for the Disney movie features corset detailing and paillettes made from recycled plastic bottles and is accessorised with an ivory tulle veil and lashings of diamonds – nothing less for the ultimate diva.

From Louis Vuitton to Burberry to Giles Deacon Miss Piggy has donned bespoke designs by some of the most prolific designers in the world of fashion, and she’s rubbed shoulders with the likes of Marc Jacobs, Meryl Streep, Lady Gaga and Ozzy Osborne. It’s a surprise she’s remained so grounded…

What are your favourite Miss Piggy fashion moments? Who would you love to see her wearing next?

Steal her style: Claudia Schiffer on the cover of Net-a-Porter’s The Edit in polka dot dress

Though it’s a rare occurrence when I buy from Net-a-Porter it really does feel special. If you’ve ordered something from the luxury fashion portal you’ll know what I mean when I say they don’t scrimp on packaging and you really do feel like a VIP. The same with their sleek, chic, high-style magazine, The Edit, which again I feel an affinity for as I was kindly send one of the limited edition print copies of  the first issue when it launched. 

This month Claudia Schiffer graces the cover in a figure-forming, nautical number by Dolce & Gabbana. It retails for more than a fair few months rent but I couldn’t help thinking of a sale steal I’d spotted in the ASOS sale recently that bore more than a slight resemblance to the designer piece… and for £18 it’s hard to resist! You’ll have to be quick if you’re hoping to mimic Claudia’s supermodel style as there are only a few sizes left in ASOS’ summer-ready spotty wiggle dress. Team yours with a red silky headscarf, lashings of gold jewellery and espadrilles for an authentic ode to Dolce & Gabbana.

Buy it here.