Fashion Flashback: 200+ Red, White, & Blue Glamour Looks on the Red Carpet, Including Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, & More!


In honor of Independence Day, I’ve gathered fashion from the past in gorgeous red, white, & blue designs–blue, of course in shades of navy, royal, & pastel. Mostly dresses, the below slideshow & gallery showcases some of my favorite red carpet looks from not only recently, but also for the last decade (or more) at awards shows, premieres, film festivals, & more!

Who is your favorite celebrity to watch on the red carpet? Which red, white, & blue looks are your favorites? Which gown surprised you the most? For more stylish posts, check out: Natalie Portman’s cover shoot for Variety, Stranger Things star Maya Hawke in denim, & Selena Gomez’s Alexander McQueen dress for her Rare Beauty Launch! Happy 4th of July! Happy Styling!

Hats Off for Summer Beach Style!


What makes summer one of my favorite seasons of style is the accessories! There are so many options to choose from, especially when you’re headed out for a day on the boardwalk or getting away for the weekend. Totes, flip-flops, belts, & kimonos come to mind, but also, floppy hats are such a fun way to add some flair to your look, while also protecting your skin from the sun. Check out some summer floppy hat inspiration from stylish celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Freida Pinto, Miranda Kerr, Suki Waterhouse, Jessica Alba, & Jennifer Lopez.

Summer accessories don’t have to be an expensive investment either, especially when so many retailers offer a great variety of fashionable options, including classic floppy hats (& some with a twist).

A New Day hat @TargetEliza May Rose hat with poms @WalmartMade for Shade hat @Francesca’sMudd tassel hat @Kohls

striped ribbon hat @LOFT

What’s your summer hat style? Do you prefer a fedora over a floppy hat? Where are you shopping for summer accessories? To shop more affordable straw hats for the season, head over to Forever 21, Land’s End, Gap, H&M, & J.Crew Factory. For more stylish post, check out spring skirts inspired by Janelle Monae & Lily Collins, watermelon accessories from Old Navy, & Kate Spade New York’s newest campaign with Julia Garner & Sadie Sink! Happy Styling!

Top 10 Celeb Sightings: The Gals from Ghostbusters, Glitter, Glitz, & More!


While I’m working on a new essay based on my recent trip to New York City to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Manus x Machina exhibit, my attention has been drawn to the latest & greatest of celebrity red carpet appearances. Just to clarify, I don’t share these celebrity images to praise the thin & privileged, or to negatively reinforce that beauty is supposed to look a certain way (like a white Hollywood actress). I’m inspired by the style in the images below, from sequins to lace to cut-outs to draping to accessories & all that. Not only do I appreciate the craftsmanship of a beautiful garment, but how an outfit is assembled (to me) is like a work of art, setting a tone & inspiring something beautiful with texture & colors.

Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander shimmered in a silver Louis Vuitton gown with Bulgari Serpenti jewelry at the Jason Bourne premiere. The Shallows star Blake Lively continued to show off her on fleek maternity style in a salmon lace dress by Jonathan Simkhai (shop similar here) with a Christian Louboutin Paloma bag (shop similar here), Sophia Webster Rosalind crystal sandals (shop here), & jewelry by Anita Ko in New York City. German actress Diane Kruger wowed in a red sheer lace Jason Wu design with a mini nude Chanel clutch (shop similar here) at the premiere of The Infiltrator. Indian beauty Freida Pinto went for a monochromatic all-white look in a beaded embellished top with white leg pants & a menswear inspired jacket by Ralph Lauren Collection & neutral pumps at the Wimbledon Men’s Finals. Julia Stiles showed off her curves in a honeycomb-patterned Rubin Singer halter gown (see runway look here) with jewelry by Amrapali & Jerome C. Rousseau sandals at the European premiere of Jason Bourne.

Alicia Vikander, Blake Lively, Diane Kruger, Freida Pinto, & Julia Stiles.SNL star Kate McKinnon was all smiles in a blue Versace gown with jewelry by David Yurman (shop similar here) at the Ghostbusters premiere, alongside Kristen Wiig who wore in a pink strapless sweetheart tropical palm print Jenny Packham column gown with pink Irene Neuwirth gemstones. Funny lady Leslie Jones stole the red carpet in a red off-the-shoulder sweetheart Christian Siriano gown with studded ankle strap sandals at the Ghostbusters premiere. Aussie actress Margot Robbie stood tall in an embroidered peach Miu Miu column gown with diamonds by Messika at the London premiere of Tarzan. Melissa McCarthy glowed in a yellow lace floral embroidered 50s inspired A-line dress by Judith B. Swartz & Daniela Kurrle with strappy cream Aldo sandals (shop similar here) at the Ghostbusters premiere.

Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Margot Robbie, & Melissa McCarthy.I love how even after so many years of following celebrity fashion & blogging that I’m still surprised & impressed by what’s happening on the red carpet. I love how classic silhouettes can work for so many different shapes & sizes, proving that fashion can not only be evolutionary, but also timeless. Dressing glamorously isn’t just for the red carpet either. Take some inspiration from these ensembles & try a little extra sparkle for your next night out. Break out some ankle strap sandals to amp up your street style. Don’t be afraid try a head-to-toe color for summer & experiment with white. Which celebrity look is your favorite? Who inspires your summer style? Happy Styling!

 

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Top 10 Celeb Sightings: Head-To-Toe Black & Summer Prints, Including Kate Hudson, Karlie Kloss, & More!


It’s been a big week for Style Darling Daily, but also the red carpet has been sizzling with plenty of style inspiration from our favorite celebrities. There are a lot of surprising trends this summer, including head to toe black looks, minimalist hues, & fun colors & prints. Anything is game this summer, so take a look!

Cara Delevingne, Diane Kruger, Freida Pinto, Halle Berry, & Karlie Kloss.

Actress / Model Cara Delevingne went for head-to-toe black in an Alexander McQueen blouse with high-waist black pants & patent black pumps for an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. German beauty Diane Kruger mixed prints in lattice-print separates & floral jacket by Giambattista Valli & black Stuart Weitzman sandals at  Women in Film event. Freida Pinto was gorgeous in a black satin crepe Kate Spade New York jumpsuit with a white Kate Spade New York clutch & pumps at the Amazon Prime Summer Soiree. Oscar-winner Halle Berry made a red carpet appearance for the 2015 ESPY Awards in a lace-paneled LBD with leather accents, jewelry by Sylva & Cie, & black satin Brian Atwood sandals. Supermodel Karlie Kloss hit the Paper Towns red carpet in a minimalist nude & pink sheath dress with matching nude pumps.

Kate Hudson, Michelle Monaghan, Nina Dobrev, Olivia Palermo, & Rachel McAdams.

Actress Kate Hudson showed some skin in a black cut-out sheer Julien Macdonald gown with a black minaudiere & ankle strap platforms at the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Gala. Pixels star Michelle Monaghan took a risk in a red tailored Zac Posen shorts suit with LFrank mosaic earrings, an Edie Parker clutch, & nude sandals at a Dinner Honoring the Women of the film. Former Vampire Diaries actress Nina Dobrev was ethereal in a white & gold beaded Reem Acra gown, a sparkling Charlotte Olympia clutch, jewelry by Csarite, & sandals by Stuart Weitzman at the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Gala. Style icon Olivia Palermo walked the streets of New York City in watercolor separates by Tularosa with a mustard bad & snakeskin ballet flats. At the premiere of Southpaw, Rachel McAdams mixed a classic & sexy look in a cut-out Self-Portrait LBD with diamonds by Tiffany & Co. & black Stuart Weitzman sandals.

Which look is your favorite? What’s your go-to summer trend? Are you on board with all the lace & sheer panels? Whose style do you follow? For more posts, check out a Calvin Klein dress for less at Dress Barn, Taylor Swift’s stylish music videos from 1989, ankle strap sandals inspired by Miranda Kerr & Jennifer Lawrence, & must-have summer wedges for $10 from Payless! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: This Year’s Cannes Film Festival, Featuring Nicole Kidman, Carey Mulligan, Rooney Mara, & More!


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The Cannes Film Festival is still underway; however, I’ve been ravenously collecting a slew of glamorous day & evening looks from the event’s red carpets, including premieres / screenings, press junkets, & parties. Some of the most buzzed about films are being celebrated overseas, including The Great Gatsby, As I Lay Dying, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Bling Ring, & Inside Llewyn Davis. Jennifer Lawrence has been in out & about in several head-to-toe Dior looks. It’s also no surprise that Gatsby actress Carey Mulligan has been making headlines with a series of black & white minimalist ensembles from Vionnet, Balenciaga, Dior Haute Couture, & Chloe.

Other favorites include Nicole Kidman who is promoting Grace of Monaco, where she portrays the always enchanting Grace Kelly. The Aussie Oscar-winner has been staying loyal to her classic elegance with a touch of flair in a leather belted Calvin Klein dress, Alexander McQueen LBD, dreamy Dior Haute Couture tea-length dress, & fun printed column gown by L’Wren Scott. A star who I’ve been keeping an eye out for, especially from earlier this month at the Met Costume Institute Gala, is Rooney Mara who continues to share her androgynous sense of femininity in Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, & Giambattista Valli.

Be sure also to check out the gallery since I’ll continue to add more images to it, including looks by Ziyi Zhang, Freida Pinto, Emma Watson, Isla Fisher, Jessica Biel (especially in Marchesa), & more! Which has been your favorite look so far? Which movies are you most excited to see from the festival? For more from Red Carpet Review, check out previous posts including this week’s Billboard Music Awards featuring Kelly Rowland & Miley Cyrus, mini dresses on Anne Hathaway & Alexa Chung, black & white looks from Gwyneth Paltrow & Kate Beckinsale, & Revenge actress Ashley Madekwe’s Topshop jumpsuit outfit.

Splurge Or Save… On A Black Peplum Tank!


During a recent shopping venture, it occurred to me that my wardrobe lacks a peplum piece. This was surprising because of how flattering a peplum silhouette is for any & every shape. I’ve seen plenty of peplums on the red carpet, designed into gowns, styled with pencil skirts, paired with pants, & accented on cocktail frocks. This is seen on Glee actress Naya Rivera in a Monique Lhuillier sleeveless top with a printed pencil skirt. Also, Star Trek’s Zoe Saldana celebrated Prabal Gurung in a belted top & shorts look by the designer. Oscar nominee Amy Adams is feminine in a polka dot Jenny Packham design with Jimmy Choo stilettos.

Naya Rivera, Zoe Saldana, Amy Adams, Olivia Palermo, Freida Pinto, & Cate Blanchett.

Style muse Olivia Palermo matches a tweed Rebecca Taylor top with skinny jeans & silver pumps. Indian beauty Freida Pinto took in Burberry Prorsum‘s recent runway show in a jewel tone ensemble. Aussie actress Cate Blanchett attended the Dubai International Film Festival in a peplum top by Peter Pilotto with a pencil skirt & studded evening sandals.

When you’re planning to invest in a trendy piece, it’s always important to consider how often you’ll wear it to get the most for your money. This is especially true in the case of the Trina Turk peplum top ($228.00) from Nordstrom, which is also available in pink & white to lighten up your tougher looks as we transition from winter to spring. For a more relaxed look, you can head over to ShopBop for the Only Hearts ladder back peplum camisole ($110.00) to wear with skinny jeans, liquid leggings, or a satin mini skirt. Banana Republic‘s ponte knit peplum top ($49.50) offers a chic alternative to stuffy work looks with suit separates or printed trousers.

At a lower price point, the Romeo & Juliet Couture high-low peplum blouse ($34.30) from Last Call by Neiman Marcus has been recently marked down from its original $130.00 price tag. For my curvier Style Darlings, the Mossimo sleeveless peplum top ($22.99) is available @Target in sizes XS – XXL. Also, it’s sold in white stripes & orange stripes so that you can play with prints & mix it with a pair of floral cropped pants or a polka dot skirt. Lastly, the most affordable is the zip back peplum tank ($17.94) from Express, however sizes are limited & will probably run out due to the store’s current 40% off sale.

Clearly, peplums are pretty easy to find so many varieties, especially sleeveless ones that are perfect for layering over long-sleeved shirts in the cooler months, over a sheath dress to add more structure, & with any & every bottom in your current wardrobe. Do you follow the peplum trend? How do you like to wear it? For more from Splurge or Save?, check out previous posts including blue leather moto jackets, Kim Kardashian’s silver pointy toe Jimmy Choo pumps, pink jeans from Michael Kors & J Brand, Diane Kruger’s floral Stella McCartney pants, & polka dot pants from White House Black Market & Ralph Lauren. Happy Styling!

Color Me Style: Spring Into Neon Yellow This Season!


Last month I blogged about neon blouses at different price points, sharing the big neon trend that will help Style Darling transition from winter to spring. I’ve seen so much in stores lately in neons, especially in the highlighter yellow variety in tops, dresses, pants, skirts, & accessories, which are perfect for mixing with essentials like dark denim jeans, crisp white pieces, & other bold separates.

Neons have been on the rise for quite a while now, especially on the red carpet & seen on celebrities on the street. This includes Indian beauty Freida Pinto in a lace Atelier Versace peplum gown at the Cannes Film Festival. Also, Jennifer Lopez‘s honey-hued glow looks even more chic in a long-sleeved Michael Kors sheath dress with hot pink pumps by Casadei. Hollywood it-girl Chloe Grace Moretz was all smiles at the People’s Choice Awards in a floral Simone Rocha party dress with black ankle-strap pumps.

Freida Pinto, Jennifer Lopez, CHloe Moretz, Kristen Stewart, & Beyonce Knowles.

At last summer’s Comi-Con, Twilight actress Kristen Stewart mixed a neon BCBG Max Azria skirt with a cropped tee & leather Barbara Bui high tops. Beyoncé knew about the neon trend a few years ago when she hit the streets of Manhattan with neon accessories, including a straw hat & ankle-strap platform sandals with an over-sized tank & grey shorts.

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to neons is that you must wear them in moderation. I did recently show neon yellow in a head-to-toe monochromatic look in a Basics for a Bargain post, however these separates & dresses are perfect for any style. For example, the Prabal Gurung ruffle dress ($39.99) & Mossimo ponte colorblock v-neck dress ($27.99) from Target are timeless & affordable essentials to wear at the office with a blazer or for date night with some textured pumps. Also, Expresssplit back dolman sweater ($23.94), Forever 21‘s contrast racerback trapeze tank ($6.80), & New York & Company‘s two-pocket blouse ($20.00) are cute, affordable, & versatile tops to mix with patterned pants, colorful jeans, or neutral pencil skirts. The varying neon hues from bright & bold to soft & near-pastel are elegant & modern.  

Next, the cropped high rise trousers ($19.80) from Forever 21 are ideal for elongating the legline if you dare to wear neon on your bottom half. Also, for a softer look with neon, I recommend the Worthington colorblocked pleated skirt ($25.00) from JC Penney for a white scoop neck tee or a lacy button-down blouse. You always see celebs wearing shorts & the H&M shorts ($29.95) can work for both casual & dressy occasions, if paired with pointy toe heels, ballet flats, or a sleeveless top.

As for accessories, a neon pop of color is always a great choice. Bags that I just couldn’t resist sharing are the Nine West tech mini cross body bag ($19.95) from DSW & H&M‘s clutch ($24.95). Not to mention chic jewelry pieces like the BCBGeneration Le Piaget neon & crystals stretch bracelet ($24.99) from 6PM & enamel coated stretch ring ($6.00) from Charlotte Russe can turn a day look into something ready for cocktail hour. Lightweight gauzy scarves are always fun to consider with your casual look when you’re running errands or headed out shopping with girlfriends, which is why I picked the plaid scarf ($29.95) from Gap to wear with a denim jacket, leather bomber, or twill blazer.

We can’t talk about neon without mentioning shoes, which are always my favorite part of an outfit! I selected the Prabal Gurung pointy toe pump ($39.99) from Target, neon cap toe ballet flats ($19.99) from American Eagle Outfitters, & Forever 21‘s neon strap platform sandals ($26.80).

What do you think about the neon trend? Would you wear it? Do you like the pieces of clothing or prefer the accessories? Which trends are you following this season? For more posts on affordable fashion, check out spring must haves from Old Navy & Payless, stylish stilettos from Forever 21, all-white looks inspired by Kerry Washington & Emmy Rossum, stylish stud earrings for any occasion, & the latest collection for Kohl’s by Lauren Conrad! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Featuring Amanda Seyfried, Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Garner, & More!


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In this latest Red Carpet Review post, we’re one step closer to rounding out this year’s awards season with the red carpet looks from tonight’s 2013 Screen Actors Guild Awards. The ceremony is currently airing & there’s so much movie news to report, however some of the hottest & most-talked-about celebrities have made a splash in couture, following the runway trends, including black gowns (like what we saw at the Golden Globes) on Anne Hathaway (in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture), Elisabeth Moss (in Dolce & Gabbana), Naya Rivera (in Donna Karan), Michelle Dockery (in Chado Ralph Rucci), Tina Fey (in Oscar de la Renta), Jaimie Alexander (in Marc Bouwer) & Kelly Osbourne (in Jenny Packham).

Also, side parts for hair are big, as seen on Jessica Chastain (in Alexander McQueen), Katrina Bowden (in Badgley Mischka), & Naomi Watts (in Marchesa). Colors of the night that popped were pretty pinks & purples on Lea Michele (in Valentino), Nina Dobrev (in Elie Saab), Freida Pinto (in Roland Mouret), & Sally Field (in J. Mendel).

There was a classic & regal combination of blue & navy hues hit the red carpet with Amanda Seyfried (in Zac Posen), Jordin Sparks, Nicole Kidman (in Vivienne Westwood), Jennifer Lawrence (in Christian Dior Haute Couture), Giuliana Rancic (in Max Azria Atelier), & Edie Flaco (in Chagoury).

Lastly, colorblocking & mixed tones in black & white were a hit, featured on Claire Danes (in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci), January Jones (in Prabal Gurung), Julianna Margulies, & Julianne Moore (in Chanel Haute Couture).

Which looks were your favorites? Are you watching the show tonight? For more red carpet looks this season, check out gallery posts including the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, all black & leather looks on Miranda Kerr & Scarlett Johansson, Louis Vuitton’s checkered runway pieces on Kerry Washington & Jessica Alba, & the 2013 Art of Elysium Heaven Gala! Happy Styling!