Top 10 Looks from the 2014 Emmys

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So…it’s been awhile. I have to admit I meant to continue blogging over the summer, but I kept putting it off. Mostly because there was not much happening. (I enjoyed my summer internship, especially setting up and maintaining a variety of social media accounts, and I made a few trips to some of the local wineries on the CT Wine Trail—who knew that was actually a thing?) Generally though, I just spent the majority of my summer relaxing and being a bit lazy.

Regardless, I’m back at William & Mary now, for the first time in what feels like forever. (Forever, nine months, same thing really). I’ve moved in and had all of my classes, and I could write about that, or I could write about fancy dresses from the recent Emmys. Anyone who knows me at all, or I guess anyone who actually read the title of this blog, knows which one I’m choosing. So, you’ll just have to wait for the riveting (I’m sure, this is me we’re talking about) account of the first week of my senior year.

Therefore here are, in no particular order, my choices for the top 10 looks at the Emmys this year:

Keke Palmer in Rubin Singer

I absolutely adore the dramatic look donned by the star from Masters of Sex, which admittedly I do not watch (but I remember her from her Disney Channel days, I’m sure that counts). The bold sapphire color is seriously eye-catching, though the plunging neckline and exaggerated mermaid cut certainly help with that. The rest of her look was fairly understated, so the focus was definitely all on the dress itself.

Claire Danes in Givenchy Haute Couture

Admittedly Claire Danes makes this list in part due to my enduring love of her from watching her in Stardust (although I generally find Homeland enjoyable, if a bit intense). However, I do love the color and silhouette of her Givenchy Haute Couture dress, and the interesting styling choice of adding a belt along with a cutout waistline. I am somewhat ambivalent on the subject of the statement collar necklace, but otherwise I like the look.

Cat Deeley in Burberry

I love this soft, feminine look. The dark blush color is especially flattering, and doesn’t wash her out like a lighter shade might. A paler rose is incorporated by the ombre touch to the gown’s skirt, which keeps the look from being too traditional.

Michelle Dockery in Rosie Assoulin

I had never heard of Rosie Assoulin before seeing this dress, but as soon as I saw this unusual dress on the Downton Abbey star I had to check out the rest of the collection, with which I am now seriously in love. I love the color-blocking, the draping, and the subtle cutout. Basically, I love everything about it.

Alison Williams in Giambattista Valli

Honestly I think this gown looks like a lot of fun. I love the full, billowy skirt and the general princess-y (is that actually a word?) feeling of the dress. More importantly, I love the modern pop of color in the sash, which definitely makes the look.

Lizzy Caplin in Donna Karan Atelier

This is the first time I’ve seen a dress like this. The silhouette from the front seems like a very classic black, halter-necked gown, but gorgeous white train made the whole look something completely new and new. It was still classy if not really classic.

Sarah Hyland in Christian Siriano

At first this look seems like a classic ball-gown, but it’s got a bit of a twist. By pairing this adorable white crop top with the amazing coral skirt, a completely modern take on the ball-gown was born. Color-blocking and separates all in one outfit. Even better, I can’t help but imagine that both pieces can be combined in a multitude of ways with other pieces, and the crop top could even be made into a casual piece with a pair of jeans.

Lucy Liu in Zac Posen

Lucy Liu is another actress that may have gotten a bit of a boost from my adoration of her. I love her as the reimagined female version of Dr. Watson in CBS’s Elementary, but the original source of my love was the frankly terrible Charlies’ Angels movies, which I absolutely loved when I was younger. Regardless, I love her look at this year’s Emmys, despite the more subdued color and silhoueet. The off-white is very flattering and the draping is beautiful and vaguely Grecian.

Julie Bowen in Peter Som

I remember seeing this dress in pictures from the Fall/Winter 2014 Peter Som Collection on the runway, and I fell in love with it right then. Standout prints are not really the norm at major awards ceremonies, but when paired with the simple, and flattering, silhouette, this look became particularly amazing.

Taylor Schilling in Zuhair Murad

The angelic look of this champagne-colored gown is made infinitely more interesting by the intricate beading that covered it. The statement ear cuff was a cool, on-trend addition to the look was striking without distracting from the beautiful dress. 

Top 11 Looks from the 2014 Met Gala

This post is basically serving as both, another method of procrastinating about studying for finals (my next one is this Saturday, Saturday exams...eww) and as a fulfillment of my addiction to fancy clothing. Unlike with the Academy Awards, see my earlier post on the subject, I don't even have to pretend to be interested in anything other than the fashion, because that's basically the point.

Even better, at the Met Gala (formally the Costume Instiute Gala) it is completely acceptable to make over-the-top fashion risks. So it's a bit like couture Halloween and celebrates fashion as an art form. This year's theme was Charles James, a famous British-born fashion designer known for a highly structured and elegant aesthetic.

Arizona Muse in Ralph & Russo

This dress is definitely classic old-hollywood glamour. I love the color, and the silhouette. I'm not crazy about her super slicked back hair though.

Beyonce in Givenchy

I have to admit that I adore this beaded creation, despite the fact that I would probably not be brave enough to wear something like this. I also love her birdcage veil, it's such a classy hair accessory. I'm not completely sure how well this fits with the theme, but it's Beyonce so she still pulls it off.

Blake Lively in Gucci

The train on this gown is gorgeous, as is the shimmery blush color. Blake Lively is one of those people who I feel looks unrealistically gorgeous all the time, but I have to admit this outfit is particularly lovely.

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu for Hugo Boss

 Sometimes Diane Kruger's fashion choices can be a bit risky, so they don't always work, but this one definitely does. I love the neckline, it's definitely not one of the more common ones, and the half-train that the skirt has going on.

Dree Hemingway in Proenza Schouler

Compared to some of the other looks of the night, this is pretty casual. I definitely still like though. Despite the plunging neckline, this well-tailored dress looks pretty classy. On a side note, I wish I could get my hair to look like that, you know...ever.

Emma Stone in Thakoon

Emma Stone proves the old idea that redheads can't wear pink wrong (although I suppose technically she isn't a true redhead, but hey I think it counts). This two-piece look is definitely not typical for the Met Gala, especially with a theme where the ballgown seems to be the look of choice, but it's so cute. I would definitely wear this, which is more than I can say for other outfits on the red carpet, and I adore her relaxed braid.

Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa

This structured, asymmetric ballgown is so cool. The color choice is lovely, and apparently the flowers are hand-painted! I do have to wonder how combortable it is though.

Suki Waterhouse in Burberry

This dress looks like it would be a lot of fun. I love the color and the tiered skirt. It's definitely one of those looks which is classy, but not too stuffy.

Tabitha Simmons in Dolce & Gabbana

I'm admittedly a bit on the fence with this one. It's clearly a bit out there, and you definitely couldn't get away with wearing something like this in the real world. But, it's the kind of dress that every little girl, or at least me secretly wishes she had when she's pretending to be a fairy princess (don't lie, you know you did). So I'm going to have to give it a pass for that alone.

Taylor Swift in Oscar de la Renta

Now it comes as no surprise that Talor Swift did well with a theme focused on feminine, retro glamour. I'm especially fond of her hair in this look, yet another one of those looks that requires hair far more cooperative than mine (or at least far more hair product and time than I am ever willing to invest). Her embroidered, rose-colored dress isn't especially impressive from the front, but the show-stopping train more than makes up for it.

Liu Wen in Zac Posen

This is definitely my favorite look of the night. I will admit to being a sucker for the classic ballgown, even if I do look like I'm drowning in fabric should I ever try one on, and I would try to steal this one if I could. I love the structured skirt, although it's another one where I have to question its comfort, and the slightly asymmetric neckline. Her simple and elegant hair and makeup are a good balance for the gown's dramatic silhouette.

Best & Worst Looks from the 2014 Academy Awards

As many of you may know, I love movies and I also love clothes. So basically the Oscars are a wonderful occurrence (and not just because the fact that Jennifer Lawrence tripped again is completely hilarious).

I will admit however that I am vastly more interested in the actresses' choices of gowns than I am in the movies chosen by the Academy. No matter what choices are made in the winners of different categories, there is always going to be something that bothers people. I do think that everyone who was recognized this year deserved their win, so did many of the other nominees, but unfortunately they cannot all win. It is probably a good thing that I am not one of those who chooses the winners because, when it comes to movies, I basically love them all (even if they're terrible).

Anyway, on to the fun part, fashion (which I am totally capable of judging). Every year I look at the lists of best and worst dressed from the Oscars, sometimes I agree and sometimes I definitely do not. This year, since I have my own blog, I'm going to put my opinions out there.

Now, I'm just going to note that I'm only talking about the ladies of the red carpet, because I have no idea what I'm talking about when it comes to men's fashion (unless they do something spectacularly awful I'm just excited to see a man in tux). Sorry if you feel left out.

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior

As has become her standard, Jennifer Lawrence wore Dior to the Oscars. I do like the dress, it's a really gorgeous, saturated color and she looks amazing in it, but it definitely wasn't my favorite of the night. Fortunately, Jennifer Lawrence's awesomeness far overshadows her less amazing gown choice. Classy, but not thrilling.

Anne Hathaway in Gucci

I can't decide if I like Anne Hathaway's gown or not. It puts me in mind of armor, which I'm not completely sure is a good thing, but at least it's interesting.

Cate Blanchett in Armani

As always, Cate Blanchett looks ethereal and elegant. I know this gown is the same color as her skin tone (and not all that far off from her hair color), but I still really like it.

Emma Watson in Vera Wang

I really like that Emma Watson's dress is sort of casually elegant, and it actually looks like it would be comfortable! The colors may be a bit subdued, but the sparkle gives it a bit of life and I like the pop of her red lipstick.

Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab

I don't care how many best dressed lists I see this dress on, I hate it. It doesn't really flatter her, or fit all that well, in my opinion. I'd probably like it better if it weren't so loose at the top, because it just looks like a bag covered in (admittedly pretty) sequins.

Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta

I love Jennifer Garner's flapper-esque silver dress. It looks like it would be so much fun to dance in. I also like her understated hair and make-up, since the dress is definitely a statement piece.

Kate Hudson in Versace

I'm surprised by how much I like this dress, normally I would think the cape feature was a bit weird. But I guess if you can't try fashion that's a bit out there at the Oscar's, where can you?

Charlize Theron in Dior

I don't particularly like or dislike this one. I think the top half is rather pretty, but I don't really like the bottom. I do like her hair and jewelry though, so I guess that puts it over on the positive.

Amy Adams in Gucci

I really like this dress, it's a really timeless silhouette and the color looks great with her skin tone.

Lupita Nyong'o in Prada

Finally, my absolute favorite of the evening. I would definitely love to have this custom Prada gown in my closet. The color is spectacular (she apparently said that the blue reminded her of Nairobi); the pleated skirt and plunging neckline are dramatic and eye-catching without being too over the top. Plus, she totally deserved to win Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave.