All That Jazz

One more Oscars post and I am done, I swear. (Do I make a convincing recovering addict?)

I had to comment on this after my friends and I were absolutely stunned while watching Sunday's telecast. Many have already discussed the much-maligned musical medley, which, although put together by the brilliant Baz Lurhman, was fairly disappointing and disorienting. But no one (to my knowledge) has talked about Beyonce's fashion faux pas (and no, I don't mean her reported nip-slip) during that number: the unfortunate placement of the hanging sequins on her bedazzled leotard.


That's...a really awkward place to have red things streaming down. Just...wow. Sure, that may be gross to point out, but let's be honest: now that you see it, you can't think of anything else, right? That was exactly my thought process while watching this number. Once I saw it, I was horrified, but transfixed. I couldn't look away.

Obviously, this outfit was supposed to be an homage to classic dance costumes from the golden age of musicals in the early decades of the 1900s. But...could we maybe have done without this particular flourish? Gives a whole new meaning to "paint the town red." *Shudder*

(Thanks to Winners Use Drugs for the photo.)

Red Carpet Classics: Julia Roberts

I was hoping there would be some more vintage dresses for me to comment on after Sunday's ceremony, but since there was only one gown, I figured I would discuss my favorite vintage looks from years past. And there's no better example to kick off this post than Julia Robert's vintage Valentino gown worn to the 2001 Academy Awards:

Roberts deserevedly took home the Best Actress trophy for her titular role in Erin Brockovich, but with this dress she also earned herself a spot on many all-time best-of red carpet lists. This dress is a classic, without a doubt.

The black and white color scheme is simple yet elegant, and the contrast created by the white detailing adds an extra layer of visual interest. The V neckline that continues as a single line down the front elongates her form, and helps the eye travel down to the rest of her dress. The train is extravagent without being ostentatious. The netting adds a softness to this look, and ties the dress together with its presence on both the train and the bodice.

This is the type of dress that little girls dream of being able to wear one day, and even though I wasn't exactly a little girl when I first saw it, I can't deny that I envisioned myself in her shoes (and dress) on that Oscar stage back in 2001. Mostly so I could make this face:

(Thanks to People and L.A. Splash for the photos)

Red Carpet Watch: Oscars

Greetings, dear readers (all two of you). As promised, it's time to talk Oscars. First of all, I have to say, the Oscars are my absolute favorite television event of the year, and other than that supremely odd ode to musicals in the middle of the telecast, I thought this year's show was really great. I think Hugh Jackman was a bit under-used as host, although they probably had to give him ample time to catch his breath between those intense musical numbers. Now, on to the red carpet!

Before we get to the vintage goodies, I'd like to make my pick for favorite ensemble, and that honor would have to go to Amy Adams, in Carolina Herrera:

This color is absolutely gorgeous on her, and really stood out from all the creams and black on the carpet this year. Not only that, but she chose a funky, bold piece of jewelry to accent this already-awesome outfit:

Temptalia described this look as "a cross between Talouse Latrec’s dancing girls and the watercolor feeling of a Gustav Klimt painting," and I couldn't agree more. Her simple, elegant hairstyle really lets her dress and necklace take center stage, and overall I think she pulled this off with grace and ease. (Is it obvious I have a girl crush on her?)

Speaking of grace, the biggest vintage splash at the Oscars was made by Penélope Cruz, who won the Best Supporting Actress statuette for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. She also won a lot of best-dressed awards for her more than 60-year-old Balmian gown:

Cruz said she saw this dress eight years ago, and it made such an impression on her, she vowed to find it again and wear it for a special occasion. I'd say being the first Spanish actress to take home an Oscar is a fitting occasion indeed.

Finally, on the accessories front, Natalie Portman carried a vintage Rialto clutch to the ceremony:

The pearly, brushed silver bag nicely accented her flowly, sophisticated look without pulling attention from her dress.

(Thanks to Getty Images, AP Images, and Gossip Rocks for the photos.)

The "Post" of "Tedious" Fashion Connection

One of my favorite blogs, The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks, has started to gain some notoriety -- mostly because it's hilarious and awesome, but also because so many other sites have linked to it in recent months. With the birth of my very own blog, I couldn't help but jump on the linking bandwagon.

I was prepared to scour the archives to find something, anything, having to do with vintage clothes or thrift stores (or really, fashion of any sort) so I could write a post, only to find this on the front page:

The humor of this site comes not only from the images' fairly self-explanatory grimace-inducing abuse of quotes, but from blogger Bethany Keeley's musings about the "true" intentions of those who so blatantly "disregard" grammar "rules" and make such truly egregious "errors." (That just hurt my head a bit.)

For more evidence of the blog's brilliance, check out the Greatest Hits section on the right-hand side of the page, or just scroll through the archives. If punctuation -- or really, any basic language rule -- is one of your pet peeves, get ready to laugh.

Uh, this concludes today's edition of shameless blog-sharing. As you were, fashionistas.

Red Carpet Watch

We're deep in the throes of awards season (my own personal favorite time of the year), and inspired by Go Fug Yourself's Fug Carpet, I want to talk about some of the vintage style we've seen so far this year.

First, at the Golden Globes on January 11, actress Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) wore a bright red vintage tulle dress:

In a sea of blacks and pastels, this color really pops, and the unique straps add a quirky, visually interesting element to this silhouette. Plus, this color is gorgeous on her, and really compliments her skin tone. Elisabeth, if you're reading this: I loved your work on The West Wing. Would you mind hooking me up with this dress? Keep in touch.

Also at the Golden Globes, Heidi Klum wore vintage Galanos:

This is classic Heidi -- cute, whimsical, and just short enough to show off those killer legs. I love the flower, which the petals of the skirt echo nicely. Not too crazy about the detailing on the fabric (kind of resembles scales), but overall this is a fun look.

At the Screen Actors Guild awards on January 25, Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) wore a Chanel 1980s couture dress from RARE Vintage:

This is simple and elegant. But while I'm usually a sucker for classic black and white looks, this one strikes me as a tad boring. It looks great on her, but if she was going to wear vintage, I would have liked to have seen her take more of a risk.

And speaking of risk-taking, we come to our final look, from Thandie Newton at the BAFTAs on February 8:

This dress has been pretty polarizing, but I have to say, I really like it. Maybe it's a bit long, but overall, I think Thandie wears it well -- she owns this look, no doubt about it. I love the black and gold contrast, and the ribbon detailing on the tulle gives the dress a funky texture. The bodice is cute and flirty, and the full skirt gives Thandie some flattering curves (something she could use more of -- this woman is SKINNY).

So far the vintage forecast has been mostly sunny. Check back in next Monday for the next installment of Red Carpet Watch, when I discuss the Holy Grail of awards shows, the Oscars. Bring your A-games, A-list-ers.

(Thanks to Debutante Clothing, RARE Vintage, and Popsugar for the photos.)

hokay, so, here's my blog

When I told my friends I was taking a fashion class, they laughed. This was a less-than-encouraging reaction for someone who's trying to learn more about online communications, but when aimed at me, it seems fairly appropriate. I am most comfortable in sweatpants and an old t-shirt. My socks have holes in them. I didn't buy a pair of leggings until well after the trend had come (and gone?), and even now I wear them only when it's cold, and with trepidation.

I'm not a fashionista by any means. But I think I know what looks good. I read Go Fug Yourself regularly and can spot a fashion faux pas a mile away. And with that, I start this blog exploring vintage and thrift store style -- a vein that I feel I fall into, or at least wish I could fall into more often (since I'm currently wearing a t-shirt leftover from the second grade, I think I'm qualified).

I'll comb the interwebs and the mean streets of Syracuse and report back to you. All you have to do is read, enjoy, and hum "The Sweater Song" before you click away (before you click awa-a-ay -- Weezer reference, anyone? Anyone? Bueller?).