#RedCarpet Review: Every Look From The 2015 #MetGala, Featuring Beyoncé, Jennifer Lawrence, Sarah Jessica Parker, & More!


Rihanna, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, & Kerry Washington, & Anne Hathaway at the 2015 Met Gala.

Last night’s #MetGala at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art honored Asian-inspired fashion with Anna Wintours latest exhibition, China: Through the Looking Glass. In attendance were top A-listers from the realms of fashion, music, Hollywood, & more, wowing on the red carpet & showing support for the art of fashion. Some of the greatest risk takers of the night included Rihanna in a stunning  over-the-top gold design by Guo Pei, Beyoncé‘s barely there shimmering gown by Givenchy, Jennifer Lopez who showed off her best assets in a Versace design, Sarah Jessica Parker‘s collaboration with H&M & a masterfully crafted Philip Treacy headpiece, the always elegant Kerry Washington in a pink Prada confection, & Anne Hathaway‘s futuristic & sleek hooded gold gown by Ralph Lauren.

Of course, there are plenty of glamour & daring fashion feats in the slideshow below to feed your celebrity red carpet style obsession. Who wore your favorite look? Will you be headed to NYC to check out the exhibit? Who missed the mark on the red carpet? Happy Styling!

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Accessories Access: How To Style The New Warby Parker Fall Collection!


New York Fashion Week (#NYFW) is upon us (certainly my favorite time of year), but what’s also exciting is to keep an eye out for the newest collections at our favorite & affordable retailers that don’t preview their designs on a traditional runway. I know when it comes to accessories, I generally lean toward scarves & jewelry, but one important & oh-so fashionable accessory for both men & women is a chic frame of eyeglasses- especially styles from Warby Parker‘s new fall line of eyewear. Hey, guess what? It debuts today! Sporting frames just because you have to is a thing of the past! However, a brand like Warby Parker is a long-awaited trendy gift for those of us with eyes needing assistance. I’ve been wearing glasses for over 20 years & was psyched when I was approached by the company to showcase the new styles right here on Style Darling

Warber Parker collection

In getting to know the brand a little better, I learned so much & was especially impressed with the company’s target unisex audience: “those who own their style, exercise their wit, & add life to the party. Personality is what makes a good pair of glasses great.” Not to mention that investing in one of these 9 new styles (in titanium & acetate), you’ll be investing ($95.00 for a single vision pair) in a good cause since Warby Parker donates a pair of glasses to someone in need with the help of their partnered non-profit organizations. Click here for more info on this very worthy cause!

When I got a good look at the promotional shots & different styles, my blog-ready brain was eager to pair up some of my favorite designs with outfits for various occasions. This includes a relaxed day look for when you’re running errands & an evening outfit, á la Zooey Deschanel‘s lovable character, Jess, on New Girl. Also, I must share my vision for wearing chic frames to the office, as well as when you’re headed out of town for a weekend getaway of luxury & style!

Warby Parker - Hardy Striped Pacific Day Look

My first outfit can be easily recreated with basic wardrobe staples so that the Hardy frames in striped pacific can be the star player. Keeping  a budget in mind, I choose a short-sleeve bike graphic tee ($14.99) in blue from JC Penney & Old Navy‘s flirt skinny jean ($22.00) in eyre. To top off the look, I love the luxe feel of the zippered faux leather moto jacket ($24.80) in camel from Forever 21. Additional accessories to finish off the outfit include the American Eagle ‘Boulevard’ brogue flat ($16.99) in cognac from Payless, Freemont zipper tote ($29.98) in black from Francesca’s, & the Jennifer Lopez textured concentric hoop drop earrings ($13.50) from Kohl’s.

Then switch things up in the evening with a blend of timeless pieces that can be mixed & matched with other separates, especially when paired with the 80s-inspired Coley frames in crystal. This includes the ‘Gorgeous Gems’ dress ($21.99) from Modcloth (now 70% off), cotton slub moto jacket ($39.00) from Dress Barn, & buckled faux suede booties ($29.80) in light grey from Forever 21. For some extra flair, since the Coley frames offer so much versatility, I styled the look with the Mossimo Supply Co. stud belt ($14.99) in grey from Target, a super cute novelty cat wallet ($14.95) in black from H&M, & lastly, Charming Charlie‘s fair & square earrings ($6.00) & big bash stretch bracelet ($10.00) in silver.

Warby Parker - Coley Crystal Night Look

 

For a professional & polished look when headed to work, I immediately thought of the Oliver frames in striped olive. The hue is spot-on for fall, & perfect for coordinating with neutrals like black, navy, chocolate, & charcoal. I was excited to style these frames with Dress Barn‘s solid cowl neck tank ($19.50) in olive, Jaclyn Smith’s tuxedo style knit jacket ($13.99) in black onyx from KMart, LOFT‘s ponte trouser pencil skirt ($69.50) in black, & DSW‘s Franco Sarto ‘Mumba’ pump ($29.94) in black.

Warby Parker - Oliver Striped Olive Work Look

Accessorizing when it comes to work looks can be tricky, especially when you want to impress your boss & colleagues, which is why I simply added the braided chain bracelet ($9.97) from New York & Company & the diamond texture full tights ($16.03) from Express. Both mixed metals & textured tights are staples for any fall wardrobe & allow for a sophisticated layered & interesting overall look.  

Warby Parker - Annette Petal Tortoise Weekend Look

Finally, my absolute favorite new design in the Wary Parker collection is the Annette frames in petal tortoise, which immediately makes me think of spectacle-wearing icons of old Hollywood. These are perfect for the weekend look since they capture the playful side of any Style Darling. I started building the outfit with the patterned cotton shirt ($29.95) from H&M, Old Navy‘s sweetheart gray super-skinny jeans ($34.94) in mudcave, & the Rocket Dog ‘Sayla’ vintage worn boots ($49.95) in mushroom from Zappos. For such a minimal outfit, I wanted to dress it up with some elegant & effortless accessories, which is what a weekend look is all about. For example, the gauzy crinkled infinity scarf ($9.99) from Charlotte Russe works well with the colors in the shirt. Also, I haven’t shared anything with pearls & here’s my chance with the pearl hinge bangle bracelet ($34.00) from BaubleBar & Ann Taylor‘s modern pearlized triangle studs ($29.50) in gold.

And since we’re still on the topic of glasses, I wanted to share some more notable designs in the collection, for their shape, colors, & androgynous appeal:

Warby Parker Fall Collection frames

The above styles include (clockwise, starting at upper left) Baxter Ti in sugar maple, Chandler Ti in English oak, Durand in whiskey tortoise, Greenleaf in woodgrain tortoise, Annette in striped sassafras, & Eli in crystal.

And if looking like a real life Clark Kent or the (insert your hometown here)-equivalent of Tina Fey isn’t enough, here are a few other incredibly attractive famous people to help inspire your frames fetish for fall! Whether you’re trying to recreate a vintage look, sport some menswear inspiration, or play with different trends, eyeglasses are a must-have, as seen on actress Anne Hathaway, musician / singer Alicia Keys, No Doubt frontwoman & fashion icon Gwen Stefani, R&B crooner Ne-Yo, mega hottie Ryan Gosling, & talented boy-next-door Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Anne Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Neyo, Ryan Gosling, & Joseph Gordon Levitt.

Which frames are your favorites? How would you wear some of these new designs? What trends are you most looking forward to during this season’s fashion week? Who are your favorite spec-donning celebs? For more fashionable posts, be sure to check out Emma Stone’s Venice Film Festival looks, buzzworthy music videos from Iggy Azalea & Nicki Minaj, shoe inspiration from Tom Ford, & budget-friendly skirts as seen on Chrissy Teigen & Lily Collins. Happy Styling!

P.S.: Thanks to Warby Parker for the exciting opportunity to form a marriage of stylish eyewear with Style Darling! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Watch This Style: Female Empowerment In Music Videos Never Looked So Good (& Stylish)!


While trying to catch up with the latest music burning up iTunes, I’m guilty of surfing around YouTube to see what some of my favorite & the most talked about recording artists are up to these days, especially since it’s been a while since I posted music videos on Style Darling. One thing has been made clear: Female empowerment is a strong message in so many of the most current pop & rap hits, from well-established artists, to the most controversial ones, & to the up & comers who are certainly making headlines of their own.

Meghan Trainor, Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, & Nicki Minaj.

Of course, I need to talk about style here too, so here goes. First & foremost, I am obsessed with newcomer Meghan Trainor & her positive body image-themed booty shaker “All About That Bass,” which I’ve shared with so many friends in the last two days. Then, my favorite Aussie Iggy Azalea teamed up with Brit singer Rita Ora for a Kill Bill homage in the music video for “Black Widow,” where the duo look sleek battling against the likes of villain Michael Madsen. Katy Perry‘s party pop song “This Is How We Do” takes fans on a modern art museum tour, making references to pop art, as well as the more geometric side of artists like Mondrian (at the same time celebrating the carefree party lifestyle in a rainbow of wig choices & latex outfits). Taylor Swift‘s uber-pop debut single off her upcoming 1989 album, “Shake It Off” shows the former country crooner as a quirky dancer sporting a tutu, cheerleader uniform, daisy dukes & mega hoops, a letterman jacket & pleather skinnies, as well as an all-black Audrey Hepburn-inspired ensemble. Lastly, the most buzzworthy of them all is Nicki Minaj‘s ” Baby Got Back” reboot, “Anaconda,” which glorifies a healthy rear end in the most explicit & aggressive ways possible, but I say that if she’s got it (which she totally does!), she should flaunt it.

Which music video is repeating on your flat screen? Which artist’s message most applies to you? Who do you think went too far? For more fashionable music videos from Watch This Style, check out videos from Destiny’s Child, Spice GirlsJennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, & Alicia Keys! Also, for the latest style posts, take a look at bargain pointy toe flats inspired by a Tom Ford design, actress Jamie Chung’s fashion blog ‘What The Chung?,’ budget-friendly skirts inspired by Lily Collins & Miranda Kerr, & Lauren Conrad’s newest LC Lauren Conrad collection for Kohl’s, Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The 55th Annual Grammys Featuring Jennifer Lopez, Carly Rae Jepsen, Taylor Swift & more!


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The 55th Annual Grammy Awards are currently underway & there was a lot to talk about during tonight’s red carpet, especially since there was a lot of buzz going around behind the dress code & baring of certain body parts in order to keep the event classy & not trashy. Well, based on what we’ve seen from Beyoncé (in Osman), Rihanna (in custom Azzedine Alaia), Carrie Underwood (in Roberto Cavalli), Jennifer Lopez (in Anthony Vaccarello), Carly Rae Jepsen (in Roberto Cavalli), Kelly Rowland (in Georges Chakra), & Natasha Bedingfield (in Emerson), the night was all about effortless elegance, trendy black dresses, pretty lace accents, celebrating décolletage, & lots of sheer overlay. Some other favorites included Katy Perry (in Gucci), Adele (in Valentino), Florence Welch (in Givenchy), Taylor Swift (in J. Mendel), Nicole Kidman (in Vera Wang), & Faith Hill (in J. Mendel).

Who was your favorite on the red carpet? Are you excited to watch the telecast? Which trends are you following on the red carpet? For more from Red Carpet Review, check out the latest galleries from the BAFTA Awards, SAG Awards, & Golden Globes. Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review / Watch This Style: All The Sparkle & Skin From The 2013 People’s Choice Awards!


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While I didn’t get a chance to see the ceremony last night, I was pleased to learn that red carpet favorites like Lea Michele in Elie Saab, Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren, Naomi Watts in Alexander McQueen, & Julianne Hough in Tony Ward Couture didn’t disappoint when they hit the red carpet.  Also, I was pleased to find out who was wearing which gown / dress & ultimately, the winners chosen by the people.  Winners from the ceremony included Katy Perry (who wore a demure Valentino dress), Jennifer Lawrence (in black sheer sparkling Valentino), Jennifer Aniston (in a black leather Christian Dior frock with Tom Ford shoes) & Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo (in Lanvin). For a complete list of the night’s highlights, check out this link to Entertainment Weekly!

For more water cooler fashion talk, check out other posts featured in Red Carpet Review, including Anne Hathaway & Amanda Seyfried’s appearances for Les Miserables, the top 10 Style Darlings to watch for 2013, & the sleek & flirty styles of Emily Blunt, Rachel Weisz, & more!

Also, just b/c I found the videos, I wanted to share Christina Aguilera‘s performance of “Blank Page,” & Alicia Keys singing “Girl On Fire” & “New Day” at the People’s Choice Awards… simply b/c their music can do no wrong in my book! For more from Watch This Style, check out Alicia Keys’ top 5 most stylish music videos, Christina Aguilera’s top 5 most stylish music videos, as well as Christina’s video for “Your Body,” form her latest album, Lotus. Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The Best Looks From The MTV European Music Awards!


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Last night, the hottest names in music gathered in Germany for MTV’s European Music Awards & Style Darling is happy to share the best looks from the evening’s red carpet.  My favorites include Alicia Keys in a body-conscious Stella McCartney masterpiece, as well as the always-golden Taylor Swift rocking out in her favorite designer, J. Mendel.  Check out the gallery & share with us who wore your favorite looks of the night?

For more from Red Carpet Review, check out previous posts, including Top 10 Celeb Sightings featuring Krysten Ritter & Sarah Jessica Parker, Pippa Middleton’s street style, & Carrie Underwood’s 12 looks from the 2012 CMAs! Happy Styling!

Watch This Style: The Top 5 Most Stylish Music Videos By Alicia Keys (+ Her Latest ‘Girl On Fire’)!


Alicia Keys is one of my all-time favorite singers & I don’t think I need to explain why.  She’s a powerhouse performer, prolific songwriter, & clearly a Style Darling! Her latest & 5th record, Girl on Fire, has released its first single of the same name & it’s clear that Alicia herself is indeed on fire! Check her out in looks from Victoria Beckham, Valentino, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, in Christian Louboutins with her red & black butterfly dress, & Camilla & Marc.

In celebration of her upcoming record, due out November, I thought it was appropriate to celebrate her music, as well as her style by sharing her latest music video for “Girl On Fire,” where the singer is hoswing off her style with neon trends, smoky eye makeup, & figure flattering duds.  Basically, she’s never looked better, but this post isn’t just about that since I’m including my top 5 favorite videos from the new mom.  This includes (in no particular order) “If I Ain’t Got You,” “No One,” “Empire State of Mind” with Jay-Z, “Teenage Love Affair, & “Karma.”

You can’t forget about her chart-topping hits like “Fallin’,” “Girlfriend,” & “You Don’t Know My Name,” but I think 6 music videos in one post is plenty to enjoy the talents of this very admirable recording artist.  Surely she’ll be hitting up all of the red carpets during the awards season, promoting her record, as well as appearing on all the pertinent talk shows to spread her love of music, so we’ll have to keep an eye out.

Which are your favorite videos by Alicia? Do you like her style? Which hairstyle of hers is your favorite? For more videos from Watch This Style, check out the latest from Solange Knowles, No Doubt, & Christina Aguilera! Happy Styling!

Luxury Look-Alikes For Less: Black & White Inspiration from Stella McCartney & Carolina Herrera Found @New York & Company!


We know that colorblocking is a big trend right now & Alicia Keys proves it as she struts her stuff in a black & white Stella McCartney design.  We’ve seen this cute before by McCartney, but it looks brand new, fresh, & super stylish every time! Kate Winslet, Liv Tyler, & Penelope Cruz have all been seen in it.

I wasn’t able to find the particular dress that Alicia is wearing in stores, but Neiman Marcus has a similarly designed frock by McCartney, costing nearly $1500.00, which can be viewed here.

Also, while I was flipping through the pages of the new April 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar & saw the Carolina Herrera colorblock dress ($2290.00), which is available @Saks.

However, I gasped when I saw these black & white versions b/c they reminded me so much of the black & white ponte colorblock sheath dress ($11.99) that I featured in Inside A Style Blogger’s Closet from New York & Company last month! The dress is now marked down significantly from its original $59.95 price, which is an incredible bargain! So it’s no secret that this design is figure-flattering & just about every hand in fashion & retail is trying to reach the stylish consumer with it.

For more Luxury Look-Alikes For Less, check out the last post about recreating Golden Globe looks worn by Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, & Jessica Alba!

What do you think about the colorblock dresses by Stella McCartney & Carolina Herrera? Which version is your favorite? Do you like the New York & Company version? Happy Styling!