THE SCOUT: GRAPHIC GOLD

 

Leading up to the Oscars there's a lot of conversation around what really happens to prep for a red carpet moment, how do stars choose that one look that will be judged by millions and could make or break their career.  If you had to pick out one look that said everything about your style, could you?  Enter Sam Spector.  He's an adorable, charismatic celebrity and red carpet wizard stylist (he styled Neil Patrick Harris's six Oscar looks last year!) This week he's on my podcast sharing firsthand the politics, pressure and behind the scenes conversations that happen to leading up to the biggest night of some celebrities lives.  

In my group of friends, I'm known as the one to lean on for help with the look that will make them hire you, the perfect first date outfit that makes him want to ask you out twice and style ideas that just make you look as cool as you really are (we all need a visual reference for this- especially on those days that you've tried on a hundred things and nothing seems right!)  When it comes to the black tie convo however, I agree, it's a tricky one to navigate.  Most of us aren't socialites or philanthropists and don't have a go-to black tie look in our closet.  So when that once-every-five-year invite comes around with the attire listed as "BLACK TIE," we panic.  As a red carpet stylist, you can imagine that Sam gets the same exact question from his girlfriends and very honestly he shared that he had to really think about where he would send someone to shop- even though he dresses women in glittering gorgeous gowns everyday, the reality is the dresses he styles his clients in are borrowed from designers, a luxury that most women don't have.  Our convo lead me to really challenge myself to come up with your perfect style solution when that big invite comes down the pike...

SCOUT STYLED:  BLACK TIE (THE NEW RULES)

1.  STICK TO THE TRADITIONAL BLACK TIE COLOR: BLACK

Don't take your style risk in the cut or color of the gown.  We know black will be appropriate.  Your goal is to add personality through the statement pieces you add to the dress.  the dress is your blank canvas 

 

2.  STYLE A BASIC GOWN WITH A MODERN ACCESSORIES  

EARRINGS + CUFF + CLUTCH or NECKLACE + CUFF + CLUTCH

Think of the accessories you add in a story.  If you lay them out together, do they all have something in common?  The story I pulled above is all very graphic shapes....the circles in Lele Sadoughi's necklace, the graphic lines in the cuffs and the geometric shapes in the pattern on Rafe's clutch. Stylist's often use one piece (above it's the clutch) as a "roadmap" for your look.  The story I pulled above is all graphic and gold with elements of black and metallic.  The clutch ties all the pieces together.

3. UP YOUR STYLE GAME, RENT THE RUNWAY

The biggest style mistake women make that aren't going to black tie events that often is wearing something for decades ago that is dressy but looks outdated.  I was blown away by the amazing designer selection on Rent The Runway.  In fact, I pulled my Kaufman Franco black dress above and the accessories story from them one day before I had an event.  I'm a fashion chameleon who changes her mind with her mood and it's an amazing resource to borrow a look that's on trend without the commitment to your closet.

 See you on Twitter for the Oscars red carpet this weekend!

xAlia

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