Holy Fashion, Foxes! The MTV Video Music Awards and Emmys aired back-to-back the past couple of evenings. In case you missed them, that is more than 10+ hours of red carpets and award shows to absorb. Yay for DVRs; I was able to take it all in just under four…
At least, pretty dresses and dapper duds were there to dull the pain of segments like the obligatory accountant intro. Even better? The not-so-pretty dresses and less-than-dapper duds. It’s so mean but also sort of fun to be hater for an hour our two or four (or even longer writing this post. Wish I had it to you earlier today, Foxes, but it’s long. Here’s who I loved and who I didn’t. Agree? LMK in comments or on Facebook or Pinterest.
Emmys
There were not a lot of misses last night and a lot of great style. It was hard to narrow it down for, so I picked the best, boldest choices and styles that I immediatel reacted negatively toward.
Best Dressed
Allison Williams in Giambattista Couture
This might have been my favorite dress of the Emmys. I love the pretty, classic shape meeting the modern graphic print. The soft pink (blush?, it’s hard to tell in photos) mixed with bright yellow is an unexpected combo that emphasizes a young, fresh look. She’s quickly earning Style Crush status.
Kate Walsh in Stephanie Rolland Haute Couture
Maybe I am secretly (even to myself) into yellow right now, but when I saw Kate Walsh step on stage to present an award I thought she was wearing the most stand-out dress of the evening. The sunny silhouette and color are amazing and the sparkle on the oversized peplum, perfect!
Lizzy Caplan in Donna Karan Atelier
Lizzy Caplan is a bit of a style break out star this Emmy season and she surely saved her best look for last. Backless, cut-outs, a train. It is super hot and totally appropriate for someone who stars in a show called Masters of Sex. (Also, can you believe she was Janis Ian?!)
Gwen Stefani in Versace
I’m a total Gwen fan girl and my admiration for her only grew when she shined (literally) on the Emmy’s red carpet in head-to-toe Swarovski Crystal-studded Versace. I’m not sure if it’s a dress or separates. Either way, she looks glam, cool and effortless in a way only she can.
Anna Gunn in Jenny Packham
If it’s good enough for K-Mid, it’s good enough for Skyler White. The Breaking Bad star was a big winner on the Emmys stage and on the red carpet wearing the Brit designer. I loved how the bright blue popped against the red carpet and her gold shoes were perfectly blingy as she crossed the stage to accept the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama.
January Jones in Prabal Gurung
When I first saw this dress it was from the waist up and I was eh towards it. After taking in the full, full skirt, I changed my mind. Between the volume, the peekaboo front and train, it brings major drama. The styling was very smart too, January picked a select couple of accessories (just one earring!) with major impact that let the dress shine.
Kate Mara in J Mendel
This is such a cool take on a draped Grecian-inspired gown. The intricate lace, cut-out gathering and asymmetrical hem are edgy against the feminine, pleated chiffon. So pretty, yet modern. Those Mara girls know how to do it.
Cat Deeley in Burberry
Cat did not get a lot of camera time, but reviewing the red carpet photos this Burberry gown was a clear winner to me. It’s so dreamy and such a beautiful color. I love how the ombre deepens around the waist– super flattering!
Matthew McConaughey in Dolce & Gabbana and Camila Alves in Zuhair Murad
Definitely the sharpest and maybe most daring couple of the evening. Matthew’s blue tux is a great alternative to basic black and I’m a fan of the vest. Camilla’s cut-outs show lots of skin (the nude underlay is short!). Side-by-side, they look so Hollywood. Also, Alex (my sister-in-law), if you’re reading this, I still maintain you look so much like her, lucky girl (and lucky baby brother)!
(Most of) The Cast of Orange is the New Black
These ladies came to play! I guess if you are forced to wear a baggy orange jumpsuit on screen you’re hungry to show some glam whenever you can. Clockwise: Yael Stone in Falguni & Shane, Danielle Brooks in Nathaniel Paul, Natasha Lyonne in Opening Ceremony, Taryn Manning in Vintage Azzaro, Taylor Schilling in Zuhair Murad (the ear cuff, perfection!), Uzo Aduba in Christian Siriano (LOVE him!), Laverne Cox in Custom Marc Bouwer.
Ladies in Red
Red was THE color at the Emmys. Several stars stunned in the hue (or very close pinks and oranges). Clockwise, Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting in Monique Lhuillier, Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Carolina Herrera, Claire Danes in Givenchy (some are saying this rips off Kim Kardashian’s Givenchy wedding dress, thoughts?), Heidi Klum in Zac Posen.
Worst Dressed
Mindy Kaling in Kenzo
Ahhhh, I hate to do this because I usually am in l-o-v-e with her and her style, but this dress doesn’t flatter her and there is something about the shiny satin I wish were different. A rare miss from one of my faves.
Lena Dunham in Giambattista Valli
OK, here’s the deal, I love the idea of the look and, honestly, I think it’s a lot better than a lot of the things she’s rocked on the red carpet in the past. Pink is really pretty with the new platinum hair. Problem is, it wears her instead of her wearing it and something about the fit looks frumpy, as always. Wah wah.
Laura Prepon in Gustavo Cadile
It looks like this dress is swallowing Laura Prepon. The color is flattering to her, but it is just too much of too much and makes her look boxy. She is really the only cast member of OINTB that didn’t look fab in my book.
Michelle Dockery in Rosie Assoulin
Another worst dressed selction I wish I didn’t have to make. I like Michelle Dockery, but I am obsessed with her stylist Micaela Erlanger (Lupita Nyongo anyone?). Both ladies are known to take risks and I think that this dress is almost great, but it just falls flat. The colors are kinda weird together and remind me of an Easter basket and the flaps on the side are bad. I wish I had some scissors. She would be amazing.
Betsy Brandt in A Designer Who is Wisely Keeping Identity Secret
Breaking bedspread. So bad.
Jonathan Silver Scott in Really Bad Boxers
I mean, really? My inner HGTV addict could have sworn he was a designer and could be trusted to have good taste.
MTV Video Music Awards
Obviously the stars were saving the good looks for the Emmys because there was not a ton on this red carpet I really loved. It’s always a fun one to watch because people take risks, they all just seemed end up bad…
Best Dressed
Ke$ha in Johanna Johnson
Often worst-dressed Ke$ha has had a complete style turn-around. This dress is such classic Hollywood glam and, paired with the (amazing) rainbow hair, it looks so rock star to me. She’s gone through some tough times recently and I think the fact she wears it with confidence and happiness also shines through.
Beyonce in Nicolas Jebran
It was Queen Bey’s night and she dressed like royalty on the red carpet. The only person who could upstage her, her mini-me. How cute was Blue Ivy’s dancing and clapping for her momma?
Jennifer Lopez in Charbel Zoe
JLo showed the newbies how it’s done. So many cut-outs plus a thigh-high slit could go wrong fast, but the shimmery bodycon silver was perfection on her.
Iggy Azalea in Versace
I’ve really enjoyed watching Iggy Azalea’s style during her breakout summer. She does a great job of mixing of street and edge and glam into her wardrobe and I appreciate the way she always looks like herself and shows off her assets (watch out Kim & JLo). I can’t stop staring at the intricate beading on this dress and totally dig how the cut-outs and almost shield-like motif at the bust add toughness to a glam silhouette.
Jordin Sparks in Unknown Designer
I love a little white dress and Jordin Sparks picked a particularly good one. She was often pictured cozying up to longtime beau Jason Derulo, but I loved seeing the deep-V and tulip skirt when she stepped away solo. The hints of skin were perfectly balanced by a sleek silhouette complete with long sleeves and a midi-length skirt…not quite midi enough though. Shapewear malfunction!
Kelly Rowland in Kaufmanfranco
Maybe it was pregnancy glow, but I think the amazing blush/nude color of this dress made Kelly Rowland look amazing. The sequins look like liquid and the shape flatters her and her bump beautifully.
Laverne Cox in Marc Bouwer
This girl does no wrong and incidentally is the only person to make my best dressed list both nights. She (and designer Marc Bouwer) won the red carpet this week.
Nick Jonas in Vivienne Westwood
I had to throw in a guy and to me, the cream of the cuties was Nick Jonas. This is how a rockstar tux should look. The pop of blue on the jacket and vest, a little bit of hardware, maybe leather/satin/waxed trousers and boots. He looks totally dapper, but these little twists on classic styles make him rock-and-roll.
Usher in Pyer MossIf Nick Jonas was rock and roll, Usher was street chic. I love the crisp white shirt and kicks. He looks totally true to his impeccable style, yet completely appropriate for the VMA carpet.
Worst Dressed
Katy Perry and Riff Raff in Versace
I was digging all of the B. Spears tributes at the VMAs, but this wasn’t the best look then and it isn’t the best look now. Also, Katy Perry may be able to hang with Miss Spears, but let’s be honest Riff Raff is more Federline than Timberlake.
Amber Rose in Laura Dewitt
I actually think this would be a great stage costume, just not the red carpet. It wasn’t great for Rose McGowan in 1998 and doesn’t do anything for me now. Put on a skirt. Or at least hot shorts!
Taylor Swift in Mary Katrantzou
And speaking of hot shorts…I am SO happy Taylor has ditched the neverending parade of gold sparkly gowns. I am also SO sad this is what she picked. The shape is cool, but what is up with the weird alphabet soup design and sickly blue? A silver lining– I really liked the shoes. Super into that color right now.
Kim Kardashian in Balmain
Just no. I wish the skirt were longer and the top were sleeker and didn’t look like a camping tent. Her waist is one of her best assets and it is completely hidden. Fabric in all the wrong places.
Chloe Grace Moretz in Louis Vuitton
I actually love this look, I just think it’s a) not right for the VMAs and b) too old for such a young, fresh star. Done right, it looks like something a grown woman on the UES would wear to lunch. Done bad, those pink pants borderline senior citizen to me. Pretty, but just too old.
Charlie XCX in Moschino
It’s like the worst Wilma Flinstone imaginable. The orange is too orange. One shoulder is too much. I’m all for pattern mixing but the clutch fights the jumpsuit. I’d tame it (ha ha). A little styling and it could be OK.
Honorable Mention – Sarah Hyland in Kaufmanfranco (VMAs) and Christian Siriano (Emmys)
I had the Modern Family starlet ranked high both nights and ultimately decided that there were others who were better as bests in my book. Still, up against style heavyweights like Gwen Stefani who also walked both carpets, it’s impressive she beat them out. Sarah’s always gone big on the red carpet and I wouldn’t be surprised if she became a best dressed regular as her style evolves.