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Look like an Oscar starlet

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 Vertical 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 EmConvertiblebrace 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 arShelle big, phones are big and purses are big—even “smaller” bags are big—with the one exception of hard-shell cluJimmychooclutchtches, 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. TheLamb  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 redAnanasclutch 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 nighClutcht, 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. AccorPlatformding 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 towPeeppatentshoen 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 perfectioVminidressn, now’s your time to flaunt it if you’ve got it. Just keep in mind that Verawangwhile 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

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Comments

  1. mom2ashley on Feb 27, 2007 10:41:49 PM:

    i agree..we don't have to be a celebrity to look like one...as long as we know where to find the right stuff to use/wear:)

  1. KK on Feb 27, 2007 10:45:14 PM:

    Now the mystery is solved. I have wondered why do stars look like stars. Now I know.

  1. Jemma on Feb 27, 2007 10:46:21 PM:

    I just love a bit of gossip to keep me going. Great blog.

  1. J.E. on Feb 27, 2007 10:52:39 PM:

    If only the stars would take this kind of advice. I can't believe some of the outfits I saw last Sunday night while watching the Oscars!

  1. Julie on Feb 27, 2007 10:54:22 PM:

    I also heard the comment about "the shorter the dress, the heavier the shoe." It doesn't really make sense to me because wouldn't that create an imbalance in the ensemble? Common sense would say light dress = light shoes---but I guess this is fashion --- what does common sense have to do with it?

  1. Sara on Feb 27, 2007 10:58:28 PM:

    Thanks for breaking this down for me. I always know when someone looks great but now I know WHY they look great & it isn't so daunting.

  1. William on Feb 27, 2007 11:00:39 PM:

    Nice fashion tips. The Oscars were great!

  1. Emily on Feb 27, 2007 11:03:50 PM:

    Unfortunately, not everyone can carry the look of an Oscar Starlet even if she has all the right "tools".

  1. Angie on Feb 27, 2007 11:08:17 PM:

    This Florida girl loved hearing about the newest tanning options. You know we don;t actually go out in the sun in Florida :) Nonetheless, I like to have a healthy looking bronze just as much as the next gal.

  1. hodgepodger on Feb 27, 2007 11:10:49 PM:

    I am all about those wonderful shoes!

  1. TIna Silva on Feb 28, 2007 12:27:12 AM:

    I love your tips and advice!!

    The platform shoes are stunning!!

  1. -Princess Shin- on Feb 28, 2007 12:46:08 AM:

    Thanks for your post! Its always so hard finding the perfect bra. And the perfect dress! Thanks for sharing! =)

  1. Sesame on Feb 28, 2007 12:56:07 AM:

    Your tips about undergarment so make sense. Have seen many fashion faux pas on that front!

  1. Martin on Feb 28, 2007 1:39:29 AM:

    Is the question 'What would J Lo wear?' something I should be asking myself?

  1. Blake on Feb 28, 2007 1:47:52 AM:

    I wish more starlets would have spent some time on our blog--maybe some of the mishaps could have been avoided! I enjoy your take on fashion so much--I just wish I had your keen sense!!

    Another great post!!

  1. Blake on Feb 28, 2007 1:49:03 AM:

    Sorry--that would be more starlets spending time on Your blog! Some how the Y got missed! They would have looked much worse had they spent time at "our" blog!! No fashion sense there!!

    Whoops!

  1. Ann on Feb 28, 2007 3:47:22 AM:

    As usual, Peter Belisi is on top all things fashion. I really like the beauty combined with practicality of what he shows us on this blog. Almost anyone can participate in this kind of fashion!

  1. Tami Loves Luxury on Jun 25, 2007 3:20:03 PM:

    I love your website. I have a party to go to and even though it's not the Oscars these fashion tips will help

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