Sure, there were moments at the Oscars where an actress really got it right like Maggie Gyllenhaal

in that spectacular hand-painted Dries van Noten strapless gown or Cameron Diaz

in a strapless gold beaded Oscar de la Renta. But mostly, everything was just passable, like Sandra Bullock's

match-to-Oscar-statute gold Marchesa or Jennifer Lopez'

over-the-top Armani. There wasn't much terrible fashion -- even Mariah Carey

got it right -- although Charlize Theron's

strange bosom blunder left everyone laughing. I guess the bottom line is other than an overwhelming amount of gold, ruffles, messy updos (what was SJP

thinking?) and front slits, Oscar fashion this year just left me feeling a little underwhelmed. Browse the Oscar dress gallery

and judge for yourself. (Photo Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Fashion's Biggest Night Leaves Me Feeling, Well, Underwhelmed

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 23:19:36.

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So poor little Jessica Simpson is all over the news and on "Oprah" whining about how tough it is to hear comments about her looking fat in her mom jeans. It's not that I'm unsympathetic: I have body issues just like all of us do. My problem is with Jessica Simpson herself. She put herself out there as a pop tart and sex symbol. Every chance she got, she paraded around in low-cut, skimpy outfits and Daisy Dukes showing off her body to get noticed. She trained the public to notice her because of her looks. Then, when she packed on a few and people noticed, she got defensive. You know, Jess, most of us women make a living and get by with our brains, not our bodies. We may still have trouble with muffin tops and backfat, but because our co-workers, family and friends never saw us as a piece of meat in the first place, we deal with it. The lesson you can learn from Jessica Simpson? Don't try to get by on just your looks because it won't last and never, ever wear mom jeans.

Girls, Let Jessica Simpson Be a Lesson

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 11:58:50.

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I have set the scene: a tanned me, laughing poolside with a cocktail in hand, dressed in a breezy white strapless jumpsuit. Why yes, Rachel Zoe! This jumpsuit is 'to die'! I'll say. Does it matter that my warm weather reality is more like me dusty riding arena-side, sunburned with a farmer's tan, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt? Of course not, because fashion means a girl can always dream (and I'm still getting that jumpsuit.) I haven't planned scenarios for all this season's new looks yet -- like denim (I KNOW I'll have places to wear that) or plaid (again, works for everyone) -- but there really are 10 standout trends

that we'll all love wearing this season. (Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

10 Spring Trends You'll Love to Wear

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 15:14:46.

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"An evening dress that reveals a woman's ankles while she's walking is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen," reveals legendary couture designer Valentino in the movie "Valentino: The Last Emperor." The movie (I downloaded mine from Amazon.com for less than $5), details his extravagant lifestyle and collections before he retired from the business and is full of insights into the rarified world of haute couture.

Watching it right before the Oscars is great timing because the movie gives a peek into the the fantasy world that produces the red carpet gowns you'll be seeing next week. You may get the giggles from Valentino's snobbish take on everything (he sniffs at one venue because it has "rails" just like a Macys) but you have to remember he spent a lifetime creating a world filled with beauty (even his many dogs stay sparkling with staff to brush their teeth.) In Valentino's world every woman is beautiful and the dresses only enhance that.

Valentino may be retired, but his contemporaries -- Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld -- are still making these couture gowns. After his outstanding couture show at his 45 year retrospective in 2007, Lagerfeld whispers in his ear "Compared to us, the rest are making rags." After you see this film and Valentino's glorious designs over the years, you may be inclined to agree.

Countdown to Oscars: Valentino, The Last Emperor

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 11:52:45.

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My basic black leggings have gotten me through another winter, but now I'm ready to try some new legging styles

. Like a great pair of Joe's Jean's zip-ankle leggings in stone (light khaki) that I think would look great with a denim tunic or just about any color I put it with. I've also got my eye on a new pair of denim leggings that walk the line between jeans and leggings (which is why they are called jeggings.) (Photo Credit: Nordstrom.com)

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What to Wear Now: New Leggings

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 10:35:40.

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It's no secret I'm a huge denim

fan.

After all, it's an incredibly durable and versatile fabric (besides jeans how many other pieces in your closet go with everything from leather to T-shirts?) This spring the fashion world spread the denim love

around to so much more than just jeans: rompers, bags, shoes, jackets, dresses and tops all got a sprinkling of denim. While edgier types might go with the newest head-to-toe denim looks (layer a chambray shirt under a denim jacket and pair with jeans) the rest of us might want to just add a piece or two to freshen up our existing pieces. My two favorite looks here are the Tory Burch denim wedges (Love!) and the Ralph Lauren dark denim jacket (I would wear this forever.) Find your favorite denim looks for spring in my top 10 denim dressing list.

(Photo Credits: Both, Nordstrom.com)

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Spring Trends to Love: Denim Dressing

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 10:43:02.

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Today is the last day of the tents in Bryant Park. Next season (September) we'll be moving to Lincoln Center and a whole new era of Fashion Week begins. Change is good, especially in fashion, but I have some great memories of the tents. After all, it's where I saw Anna Wintour trip (yes, she is human) on the cobblestones. The tents are also where I stood for hours with the sweaty throngs of photographers in "the pit" back when I had to take my own photos (I remember the first season when one veteran shooter marvelled at the .mpeg capability on my camera -- this goes way back!)

Fashion for fall also saw changes, with the jacket -- which was so popular the last few seasons -- being replaced by the vest

. I happen to really love vests, mostly because they are so incredibly versatile. A fur vest can go with a slim pair of black pants to work or with slouchy jeans on the weekend. It's also easily wearable by women of all different sizes, shapes and lifestyles. (Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images )

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Fashion Week, Day 7: Goodbye, Bryant Park

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 11:51:08.

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At one of the shows I was seated second row with the merchants: men in suits, women professionally dressed. All serious and wondering the same things: Who will wear this? and Will it sell? I know this because I, too, did my time as a buyer and I still look at the collections through the eyes of a merchant. It's one thing to turn out strangely unique clothing like Rodarte

, but I can't help wonder who on earth is going to wear their patchwork and spider-web creations. I guess I should applaud the designer sisters for thinking out of the box, but maybe sometimes the box isn't such a bad thing.

One trend that women will get this fall is colorblocking

. After seasons of frills and prints, colorblocking gives a nice, strong graphic dimension to everything and it comes in enough varieties to please every customer. Definitely not a trend you have to wonder Who will wear it? (Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Fashion Week, Day 6: But Who Will Wear It?

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 13:22:24.

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Marc Jacobs last night confirmed in his show what I've been suspecting all week: we are all sick and tired of celebrities. So instead of a glitterati-filled front row, Marc focused on turning out really beautiful clothes (I mean REALLY beautiful.) I remember when Fashion Week was in its infancy and it was all about the clothes. Then came Paris Hilton and her tiny dog and a million other almost famous boys and girls. Before you knew it, the front row became as important as the clothes themselves.

The way I knew that celebrity love at Fashion Week was nearing its end was at the Heart Truth show the other day when Kim Kardashian got the most applause (up against biggies like Heidi Klum and Jordin Sparks.) I later was with a friend who swore she was at the table next to us at Serendipity, I said it definitely wasn't Kim without taking a too-close look mostly because I didn't care (turns out it was her.) Oh, and further proof that celebs and fashion shows have reached the end of times: at Georges Chakra, Alex and Simon of "Real Housewives of New York" animatedly discussing fashion (you know, just like any husband and wife would.....riiiiiggggght.)

But back to Marc Jacobs, who is definitely the one to watch during Fashion Week. His collection was grown-up and sophisticated and filled with the most wearable fabulous furs

I've seen in ages. (Photo Credit: Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images)

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Fashion Week, Day 5: Celebrity Fatigue

originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion

on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 13:42:41.

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