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Comments 15

Snap Judgment - Leighton Meester

Spotted: Leighton Meester on the red carpet in fashion-forward lace getup.

Not one to shy away from avant-garde pieces, the "Gossip Girl" starlet wore a Marchesa jumpsuit from the designer's Spring 2011 collection while attending the Harry Winston Court of Jewels recreation launch in New York City.

The jumpsuit, which featured sheer black lace, an aggressively plunging neckline, and an open back, left very little to the imagination.

Possibly as a form of rebellion from their über-preppy alter egos, the "Gossip Girl" ladies have recently been seen sporting the black lace trend in some scandalous styles.

Blake Lively wore this Elie Saab backless, black lace frock in October while Taylor Momsen sported thigh-high lace stockings in August.

Meester completed her lace look with a funky ball purse, black Nicholas Kirkwood heels, loosely pinned waves, and bold red lips.

For another racy lacy Marchesa look, check out Kelly Osbourne in this revealing cutout dress.

And check out Blake Lively's most questionable looks.

Comments 88

Michelle Obama Recycles Festive Michael Kors Red Dress for Medal of Honor Ceremony

Michelle Obama amped up her holiday cheer in a red brocade shift dress by Michael Kors and purple flower brooch.

The first lady wore the festive number during a Nov. 16 Washington, D.C., ceremony at which President Obama presented Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta with the Medal of Honor for his bravery in Afghanistan. She wore the same dress last December for a holiday event at the White House.

A big fan of classic brooches, Mrs. Obama adorned her red frock and three-quarter-length black cardigan with a large purple Alexis Bittar gem flower pin. In this case, the purple embellishment pulls the sweater-shift ensemble together nicely.

Her signature bob, natural makeup and simple studs completed the holiday-ready look.

Want more? Click here to check out the fabulous ensembles Mrs. O wore while traveling through India and Indonesia.

And for more holiday styles, visit our holiday shopping preview.

Comments 115

Jeans: Five Women's Favorite Pairs

Roey Ebert Jeans Denim

Roey Ebert in Lucky's Sweet and Low Jeans. Photo: Roey Ebert


Life is an endless search for denim.

Women go years trying to find the perfect pair of jeans that hug curves in all the right places, flatter the behind and keep the muffin top to a minimum. We asked ladies of varying styles and body types across the country to weigh in on the best jeans for their bods.

Read their thoughts below and then click here if you want to send us info on your fave pair of pants.

Name: Roey Ebert
Body type: Not pencil thin
Style: Comfy and easy but stylish and current
Blog: Momperks
What I tried: Lucky's Sweet and Low Jeans in Old Lovenote wash
The item's main characteristics: Dark denim with shading in all the right spots
Did they look good? They are easy to move in and easy to care for, and all my parts are covered up when bending down or reaching high, so I don't accidentally expose my underwear or dreaded stretch marks. It's hard to find jeans that fit all of those requirements, but I have!
What is the fabric and construction like? They have a bootleg, which I love. I am able to pair them with low boots or wedges, but it is not too much of a boot cut, so I can definitely still pair them with ballet flats.
When you sit down or bend over, what happens? I am fully covered when I bend over. The waist is perfect, right below my belly button, but not too low.
Where and how would you wear these? These jeans flatter my slight mom-belly and legs that aren't so long. At $99, they were a steal for something I plan on wearing most days out of the week. Love my Lucky Sweet and Lows!


Christina Majaski Jeans Denim

Christina Majaski. Photo: Christina Majaski

Name: Christina Majaski
Body type: Thin and petite; 5-foot-1, 90 pounds, size 0
Style: Trendy but not childish
What I tried: Aéropostale Bayla skinny jean, Style 0237
The item's main characteristics: Low-rise waist, slim fit, skinny jean in dark wash
Did they look good? Yes, they don't cling and leave enough room to create some shape as opposed to a lot of skinny jeans that make my behind look flat and my legs like two sticks. People assume that skinny jeans look good on skinny people, but this is not always true.
Where did they fit well? The waist fit well, and the length was perfect. It is difficult to find jeans that are not too long, especially skinny jeans. It is important for skinny jeans to be the right length, as the bunched-up legs on jeans that are too long look silly.
Where did they fit poorly? A little too low in the back, but I wear them with a thick, chunky belt to avoid glimpses of panties.
What is the fabric and construction like? Typical denim feel and comfortable. A little stretchy, so the skinny legs aren't too tight.
When you sit down or bend over, what happens? These jeans are fine when I sit or bend over. They are not so tight that I feel like they're going to rip and don't squeeze any part of my body when sitting.
Where and how would you wear these? Because of my height, I wear skinny jeans with ankle boots, heels or knee-high boots. Pumps with short heels would also be appropriate. Ballet flats don't work for my height as I tend to look like I'm 12 in flats. Skinny jeans can easily be worn casually or dressed up with a longer tunic top and heels.

Erin Gilbert Jeans Denim

Erin Gilbert. Photo: Erin Gilbert

Name: Erin Gilbert
Body type: A small 5-foot-3 but not the stick-thin kind. Skinny but athletic.
Style: Casual and comfortable
What I tried: Mek Denim in Capetown
The item's main characteristics: Medium-dark rinse with bit of a boot cut. The waist is definitely low-rise and fits tight. (It's one of the few Mek styles that offers a no-flap pocket.)
Did they look good? They look awesome! They make my legs look longer than they are, which is great for a short girl.
Where did they fit well? They hug my bum perfectly, showing off the fact that I have some bump back there.
Where did they fit poorly? A typical 34-inch inseam comes with these jeans, so they would need tailoring if you ever want to wear them with sneakers.
What is the fabric and construction like? They're like wearing hot sweatpants. They stretch enough to move around in and are stiff enough to accentuate your assets.
When you sit down or bend over, what happens? They don't gap anywhere or hike up because the rise is too high.
Where and how would you wear these? A night out with a cute flowy top and heels or a V-neck tee and ballet flats.
Would you buy these? For as multifunctional as these jeans can be, they are worth every penny.

Alesia Michell Jeans Denim

Alesia Michell. Photo: Alesia Michell

Name: Alesia Michell
Body type: Petite, 5-foot-2, 105 pounds, 24R
Style: Casual, preppy chic
What I tried: Hollister Co. Venice Boot Jean
The item's main characteristics: Boot-cut, low-rise, dark-blue rinse
Did they look good? Yes! These are the perfect jeans for a night out or a night in.
Where did they fit well? I'm short, so it is hard to find the right length. These jeans hug my hips and are the perfect length.
Where did they fit poorly? I wish I had a bit more overall "bum coverage," but that is the trade-off with lowrider jeans.
What is the fabric and construction like? The jeans are super soft and stretchy. They have the feel of jeggings, but the strength of denim, and they are machine washable.
When you sit down or bend over, what happens? I was able to avoid bum cleavage, which is hard to do with low-rise jeans. After a quick adjustment, you are safe to bend, stretch and sit.
Where and how would you wear these? To a club with a flowy halter top and my royal-blue ankle boots.

Elsa Hall Jeans Denim

Elsa Hall. Photo: Elsa Hall

Name: Elsa Hall
Body type: Short with an athletic build
Style: Comfortable enough to complement my very active lifestyle, but still stylish
What I tried: Urban Outfitters Silence & Noise Premium Jean Leggings in gray, SKU No. 18214098
The item's main characteristics: Straight leg, tight fight, light color, and high waist
Did they look good? Yes. I went from casual to more sophisticated and dressed up without wearing actual pants.
Where did they fit well? They were perfectly snug all the way through and really showed off my rear end.
Where did they fit poorly? If you have hips or a large butt, these are not for you because they really cling.
What is the fabric and construction like? They are super stretchy, soft and comfortable.
When you sit down or bend over, what happens? They move and stretch with your every move.
Where and how would you wear these? I wear them with my cute black boots and a flowy top if I'm hanging out with friends or dress it down with sneakers and a plain tank if I'm running to class or errands.

Meanwhile, check out these fabulous jeans under $40.

Comments 33

Four Work Outfits for Modern Career Women

Rachel McAdams is business casual in a scene from her new flick "Morning Glory." Photo: Macall Polay, Paramount Pictures / AP

Women far and wide will be flocking to the theaters this weekend to catch "Morning Glory," the Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams comedy in which the latter stars as a newbie television producer dealing with two seasoned on-air vets.

In honor of the film, we've culled together four outfits for fashionably-inclined working women. Whether you are cutting your teeth at a major broadcasting station (as McAdams' plucky Becky Fuller does) or are a seasoned vet of the fashion industry (a la Rachel Zoe), here are some professional looks that would be office-appropriate.

Which career gal look do you lean toward? Find the outfit that matches your job description below.

TV PRODUCER:
If you tend to channel McAdams' "Morning Glory" character on a daily basis, you may need a look that says "I mean business" even if you are young and fun. To pull off a professional facade, pair a pencil skirt with a classic button-up shirt. If you're brave, take liberties with accessories to show your youthful side. But if you prefer to play it straight, then a simple pair of studs and a thin gold chain watch will do. Pull it all together with a Kate Spade quilted tote to lug around all those scripts.

FASHIONISTA:
If you're an editor, a stylist, or even an intern at a top fashion mag, looking cool is the name of the game. Don't be afraid to dress up some denim by selecting a slim-fitting pair of black jeans as your foundation. Add a sweet turtleneck sweater (it's practically winter after all!) and top it with a fur (of the real or fake) variety. Oversized sunglasses and sassy black booties will provide the added edge to look like you just stepped off of a runway.

ARTIST:
For the creative darlings who spend the days wiling away the hours in their studio - writing, painting and generally reveling in the arts, here is a comfortable and cute version of lounge wear. A slouchy pair of pants complimented by a chunky knit sweater. The laissez-faire look is perfect to go from art class to the coffee shop and the addition of patterned clogs and a funky hat will solidify your status as an impressive bohemian princess.

BANKER:
For the high-powered financier, an expertly tailored suit will show that pesky old boy network that you're not only a threat in the boardroom but also the wardrobe. Peek a sleek black number that looks Savile Row-worthy and add some strategically placed accessories for some subtle style nuances. Those could come in the form of a cluster of brooches (a la Michelle Obama) or a fun animal print scarf for a dash of color.

Meanwhile, for more celebrity style shopping tips, check out Julianne Moore's look for less.

Comments 1

Talbots Quilted Down Vest - Testing the Garment


With fall in full force and winter approaching, there is no time like the present to shop for stylish insulation.

A down vest is a fabulous layering piece to pair with sweaters and hoodies or wear under a fall coat.

We're all different shapes and sizes so it can be hard to find a vest that does not overwhelm a petite frame or add unnecessary bulk.

So for this week's testing the garment segment, we decided to send a devoted crew of fashion reviewers to Talbots to find out if the Quilted Down Vest is as flattering and functional as it appears on the rack.

The swat team of savvy shoppers (some of whom are bloggers, others are not) headed to their local mall to try on this relatively reasonably priced vest ($99). Made with cozy micro-fleece lining, this two-way zip vest is built to last.

But don't take our word for it. Find out what these women, who are of varying style and body types, had to say about size, fit, and fabrication as it pertains to this particular garment. The overall take-away: the vest is practical and surprisingly slimming.

Make sure to enlarge the gallery to full-screen -- and let us know if you're a fan of the style of this vest by leaving a comment.

For simple fall pieces to wear with your chic vest, check out how to wear the minimalist trend.

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