80th Annual Academy Awards - Best Dressed on the Red Carpet

Though this year’s Oscar red carpet parade may have been one of the least inspiring in recent history (it seems everyone got the text message about the one-shoulder and fire-engine red trends), we managed to nominate four stars who got it right:

~Diane Lane
Boy do we love chocolate; both the candy and the color. Diane is looking young and skinny - isn’t that the ultimate Hollywood request? The one shoulder makes an appearance, giving us lots of ‘Greek goddess’. We like the jewel detail on the hip too.

~Katherine Heigl
She managed to rock both of the night’s most annoying trends without totally irritating us. Nice work. That newlywed glow gives her a stunning confidence. She looks like a bona fide movie star.

~Jessica Alba
We love the way she incorporated the empire waist into appropriate maternity wear, and we’re wild about the eggplant color and the pulled back hair. It’s soft and romantic, yet still sexy. (Did she and Katherine have the same clutch?!)

~Ruby Dee
How can anyone not adore this woman? Her hair and makeup are flawless and the gown is sizzling, but in a very sexy grandma/age-appropriate sort of way. The topper is her look of complete gratitude unlike some of these starlets who look like we should only be so lucky that they even showed up…

Image Source: Wireimage

Haute Off the Runway: Lela Rose Spring 2009

Sunday morning brought clear and sunny skies and a delightful collection from Texan, Lela Rose. The effortlessly chic pieces expressed a laid-back attitude, rarely found in the fast-paced circles of New York City. She showed adorable natural waists on skirts and dresses in gorgeous citrine and green jewel tones. The clear must-have trend for spring is the one-shoulder chiffon frock, done seamlessly in a cheerful floral print. One of my favorite things about Lela Rose is how true she remains to her own style, while progressing as a designer. We still saw staples like her long, chunky necklaces and decorous skirt and blouse combinations. Overall, the collection did what spring should do, which is to provide a breath of fresh air and a welcome change from winter.

Celebrity Spotting: Zoe Saldana

What to Wear Now: Top 5 Summer Trends

Trend #1: Who wears short shorts?

Whether you’re supermodel tall or a petite PYT, short shorts make bold summer statement. Hello world, look at my gams! Shorts can be dressed up with platform wedges for a midsummer night date or made causal with sneakers for weekend errands. Discretion is the key. Skip the job interview or the church pews with this trend.

Elizabeth and James Undercover Short, Shopbop

Trend #2: Going Hollywood

Oversized sunglasses always make me feel like the paparazzi should be following me (even though they never are). Live out your own tabloid fantasies with this classic diva’s accessory. Play with bright colors or stick to staples like white, tortoise shell and black. No rehab required.

Marc Jacobs Sunglasses Wraparound Sunglasses, Shopbop

Trend #3: Take your sundress to the floor

Everyone knows that one of the easiest ways to stay cool is in a dress. Hemlines have plummeted and this season’s hottest sundresses are floor length. It’s comfortable, it’s easy and most importantly it’s chic. Best worn with a beautiful print in a breezy fabric, a long sundress makes any summer soiree worthwhile.

Diane von Furstenberg Novesa Long Dress, Shopbop

Trend #4: Gladiator ready?

Ancient Rome is relevant once again. The super strappy, flat sandal known as the gladiator style has fast become a warm weather no-brainer. Shoes sans heel are always a consolation for your feet. You might ruin a fresh manicure fastening the multiple buckles, but stepping out of your chariot never looked so good.

Mia Rome Gladiator Sandal, Piperlime

Trend #5: Back to Africa

Tribal patterns, khaki suits and bold, chunky jewelry bring the motherland to mind… mine at least. This trend is all about incorporating aspects of African culture in prints, textures and shapes. Explore your suburbs in a belted safari jacket. Romance your lion king in a tribal printed sundress. Whatever you wear, do it with grace and pride, like an African queen would do.

Miu Miu Silk print dress, Net-a-Porter

Celebrity Style: Lauren London

Every now and then, a new starlet appears out of nowhere and we never want her to leave. What’s Haute can’t get enough of Lauren London right now. She is a young actress from Los Angeles who stars in the film This Christmas with Loretta Divine, Regina King and fellow young rising star, Chris Brown. You might also know her as Kelly from HBO’s Entourage, where she played Turtle’s short-lived romance. We actually fell in love with Lauren in her comical portrayal of “New New” in Chris Robinson’s movie “ATL”. Her dimples will melt any man’s heart and her style makes girls like us root for her.

Pictured (below, left) is Lauren at the launch of Sean John Women’s Collection at the flagship store in NYC. We love the double cinch on the dress, and the chunky pendant and booties are nice accents. She’s adding dramatic flair with her locks over just one shoulder.

We also love Lauren’s 2007 BET Awards Black Carpet look (above, right) for three reasons: cut, color and cuteness! We adore the short sleeves and square neckline. Baby dolls are so foolproof. Ladies, it’s not maternity, it’s modernity. The color looks delicious against her caramel skin, and she balances the cutesy effect of the empire waist with the sexiness of her heels and legs.

Three words Lauren, you better work!

What to Wear Now: 5 Stylish Trends You Can Rock Immediately

Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the emerging trends from season to season, especially when fashion always stays two seasons ahead. The Spring designs that recently debuted in New York, Milan and Paris are great in theory, but what can you wear NOW? It’s chilly so whatever you do, remember to layer up. Here are 5 practical ways to stay hip:

Trend #1:

Top it off with a scarf.
Scarves are a great outfit topper, not to mention they keep your neck toasty. Go neutral, go bright and colorful, or do an interesting print. It’s both chic and functional.

Trend #2:

Flash back with high-waisted denim.
It’s retro yet oh-so-forward. This look works best on tall girls or those blessed with long torsos. Take this look ‘funky fashion industry’ corporate with a cropped blazer and collared shirt. Or be playful with a shrunken tee and some ballet flats to run Saturday errands.

Trend #3:

Belt it out.
Everything looks better cinched at the natural waist with a thick eye-catching belt. Whether it’s a tweed swing coat or a cowl neck sweater dress, belts accent the smallest part of the upper body and help create that hourglass silhouette.

Trend #4:

Play dress up.
Dresses are fun, super feminine and never go out of style. Thank goodness for all of the natural and empire waists on the market today that let you eat all the seconds you want, no Spanx required. Don’t feel like shaving your legs? Just slip on some opaque tights. Now you’re discreet (and warm).

Trend #5:

Don a beret.
My grandma insisted on calling them “tams”. Call it what you want, but this classic Parisian staple is great way to add some sophisticated punch to your look. Slightly cocked to one side, this look is coy and sassy.