News flash: some celebrities do their own shopping! The horror, I know.

See what Jennifer Love Hewitt and Brittany Spears picked up at Lisa Kline ... okay, so Brittany hasn't exhibited the best judgment lately but she does have a #1 album, so we'll give her some credit.

Oops! Telltale white marks on a black dress, out of control static, gaping blouses and embarrassing “tic tacs” in a cold room. They happen at all the wrong times. Well, I guess there never is a good time to suffer a fashion meltdown.

There’s no shame in zoning out on a Sunday afternoon watching the pre-Oscar special on E! Unfortunately, all those martinis the night before caused you to doze in and out of a splendid nap. In between dreams of Leonardo DiCaprio you caught snippets of seemingly useful fashion and beauty advice (imagine that, information you can actually use from a celebrity gossip station). Don’t worry, I’ve got the lo down for all you Sunday nappers. And I’ve put a more approachable slant on it too—so us normal gals can look star-studded even if we’re just going to pick up the dry cleaning (you know, when our personal assistants have the day off).

While most of us won’t be hitting the red carpet (well, at least not the Hollywood kind), there is absolutely no reason why you can’t look like an Oscar starlet.

From clutch trends to the right undergarments, here are some essentials for looking extraordinary, award-winning actor or boardroom diva:

First, get your skin ready with a gorgeous tan (and don’t even think about hitting a tanning salon, unless it’s to get Mystic Tan). Instead of subjecting your skin to harmful UV rays, salons and spas like Elite Spa in Miami, and even dermatologists offer airbrush tans that are much more even than self applied tanners. The key to keeping your tan is using a good moisturizer. The Napoleon Perdis Whipped Dream Tan Enhancer moisturizes with Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Shea Butter and Hazelnut Oil, helping you to maintain and enhance your enviable sun goddess tan. Whipped Dream Tan Enhancer will hit Napoleon Perdis stores, Saks Fifth Avenue and select independent retailers March 2007.

Seamless beauty

Before you put on any dress, you’ve got to have the right undergarments. VPL, bra straps, unsightly bulges. So not Oscar appropriate. If you show up to any social event with lines and bumps of any kind, you’ll invoke the wrath of Jay Manuel faster than you can say I should have worn Spanx.

When wearing any dress, think seamless. Victoria’s Secret has “reinvented” the bra (again). Wearing a strapless gown? A dress with a plunging neckline? A sexy backless number? No problem.
 

The new, Very Sexy® Secret Embrace™ vertical cup bra is perfect for a deep neckline. Get the support you need with seamless underwire and lightly lined cutaway cups.

Get an “enhanced,” seamless look with the Very Sexy Secret Embrace push-up bra, and the vertical cup convertible push-up bra looks great with any backless dress.

Clutches galore

It wasn’t long ago that everything was getting smaller. Not so anymore! Belts are big, phones are big and purses are big—even “smaller” bags are big—with the one exception of hard-shell clutches, like this crystal shell pillbox by Leiber. For a special event, a clutch like this  Chase Satin Clutch from Net-a-porter screams Academy Award.

For the “real” world, you need something more practical. The  is great for an evening out—not too big, not too small (so you can stash more than your I.D. and breath mints), and it folds out into a tote for daytime. With so many uses you can totally justify dropping the cash on this show-stopping bag.

The red carpet is a hodge-podge of fashion risks and safe ensembles. It’s the same in the real world—and it’s perfectly okay to opt for simplicity. After all, this spring is all about understated style. The clutch by Ananas easily transitions day to night, casual to dress up, and is anything but pedestrian.

If you want to take a walk on the wild side, this soft crocodile clutch by Bottega Veneta is a happy medium.

Take the platform

Platform shoes were seen all over the red carpet, and they work for everyday too. According to the style mavens, the shorter the hemline, the heavier the shoe should be, so if you plan to cash in on the mini dress trend, make sure you have at least one pair (and what fashionista only has one pair?) of platform shoes. On the carpet you may have seen kicks like these Valentino Halter Sandal Pumps.

Satin is great for charity dinners and weddings, but try patent leather for a night on the town like these peep-toe patent leather Marc by Marc Jacobs platforms.

For budget conscious—or just value conscious—ladies, these platforms by Oh Deer Shoes are inspired by high-end labels you see on the red carpet.

And the award goes to …. The mini dress

SoI saved the best for last. You’ve got the lingerie, the shoes, bag and a gorgeous tan. Now you need a fabulous dress. And if you’ve been salsa dancing those gams to perfection, now’s your time to flaunt it if you’ve got it. Just keep in mind that while teeny hemlines are in style, looking trashy is not. Knock ‘em dead and still look like a class act in this sophisticated and sexy LaRok gathered chemise dress or the V mini dress by Woo . For special events Diane Von Furstenberg and Vera Wang  are always leading ladies.

~Amy N. Covington for Belisi Fashions