Mad for Mod

Ever wish you were born circa 1945? Not so that you could see the Beatles live, or even witness Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, but so that you’d be in your late teens/early twenties when Mod was in style? Well I have, and it looks like I’m getting my wish!

Mod is back in a big way, and thanks to the special two-hour premiere of Mad Men’s fifth season on April 7, a few companies are introducing Mad Men inspired collections. Whether you prefer shimmery makeup or mini skirts pick up an  item from one of these two brands to “mod”ify your current wardrobe.

Rich, Rich Lipstick in Pinkadelic

Nail Lacquer in Pink Paisley

See-Thru Blush in Light Snow

Sheer, shimmery pastels for lips and nails plus a cheek color so sheer it looks shockingly nude. Estee Lauder’s Mad Men Collection offers a limited edition lipstick, blush and nail lacquer reminiscent of the popular 1960s subculture.

In stores today, the third installment of Banana Republic Mad Men focuses on the lively graphics and form flattering silhouettes of the 60s style. The 52 piece limited edition collection is designed by Mad Men costume designer Jamie Bryant and features pieces for women and men, including geometric silk scarves, gingham pants and straw fedoras.

Honey Help Me! Flower Power

A lot of celebs are fortunate enough to have stylists that make sure they’re always well dressed. Unfortunately, celebs also have too many yes-men – people who are afraid to tell them they’re making a bad decision.

Between stylists and yes-men sometimes Hollywood’s finest step out in looks that stun us. Other times they step out in looks that just scream, “Honey, Help Me!”

Fall floral is definitely in this season, and celebrities are not afraid of this trend – especially those in warmer climates. Lauren Conrad, Elisabeth Moss, Kaley Cuoco and Emma Roberts all tried the look last week, but where they floral dos or floral donts?

Reality star/Designer Lauren Conrad

Reality star turned fashion maven Lauren Conrad wore a mock-turtleneck A-line dress with nude pumps to the Hollywood Reporter beauty luncheon in Los Angeles. LC had the right idea pairing simple hair, makeup and shoes with the bright multi-colored print – anything else would be too distracting and busy.

Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss

Mad Men star Elisabeth Moss tried for tough-girl chic in an all black shorts and booties look topped off with a Mulberry motorcycle jacket adorned with floral-print. Ummm. Yes all black can make your sloppily put together ensemble look chic, but the addition of tacky flowers makes it look like Grandma is trying to rediscover her inner bad girl. And if she’s wearing shorts why does she need a leather jacket? She would have been better off in all black pieces that go together, like more structured shorts or just a better jacket. Maybe the stars of Mad Men are deliberately trying to sabotage their personal wardrobes, to distance themselves from their well-dressed characters on the show.

Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco

While Elisabeth Moss is running around like an edgy old lady, Kaley Cuoco seems to have resurrected her kindergarten Easter dress for the People’s Choice Awards nominations announcements. This floral Asos dress is REALLY cute for a young child, but for an adult actress not so much. I’m CERTAIN there was a better option for the red carpet out there somewhere.

Celeste and Jesse Forever’s Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts donned a white cocktail dress with orange and green flower to an outdoor event in LA. Her accessories? Simple. Nude shoes, a tiny white and gold clutch and medium-length earrings. The reddish orange lip is probably the BEST complement to this dress, as it incorporates the colors in the dress and helps offset her pale complexion. Looks like ladies could take a lesson from the Celeste and Jesse Forever star “Keep it simple, stupid” style.

Floral prints are fun and give off a youthful vibe, but only when you wear them properly. Don’t try too hard to make the print make a lot of statements and keep the rest of your look simple to avoid an overly busy ensemble. Pay attention to the cut and style of the dress – if it looks like it was intended for someone 20 years younger or older it’s not for you.

Honey Help Me! Christina Hendricks at Ginger and Rosa premiere

A lot of celebs are fortunate enough to have stylists that make sure they’re always well dressed. Unfortunately, celebs also have too many yes-men – people who are afraid to tell them they’re making a bad decision.

Between stylist and yes-men sometimes Hollywood’s finest step out in looks that stun us. Other times they step out in looks that just scream, “Honey, Help Me!”

Last week Mad Men star Christina Hendricks made  appearances at two California screenings for her newest film Ginger and Rosa, but was her style a hit or miss?

Christina Hendricks in Tommy Hilfiger

Christina Hendricks stepped out to the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills  for a screening of her new film Ginger and Rosa wearing a totally on trend oxblood belted Tommy Hilfiger dress and attached cape. Her accessory of choice? Black heeled boots. Christina usually misses the mark, failing to work with her shapely body, and this turtleneck is no exception. Everything else about the dress fits her perfectly, except the high neck. Could she have made it a scoop or square-neck instead? The cape doesn’t seem to do anything positive for her either.

To add insult to injury she pairs the dress with dumpy boots. A nice pointy toe black heel would have exposed a bit of skin and may have countered the unflattering top, but the slouch in these boots covers her up even more and just makes her look dumpy. Better luck in Hollywood?

Christina Hendricks in L’Wren Scott

Christina tried again at another screening of her film, this time at Grauman’s Chinese theater show in Hollywood. She’s definitely stepped her game up in this slimming yet sparkling black L’Wren Scott cap-sleeve sheath dress and peep toe Jimmy Choo heels. While showing a bit of cleavage with the squareneck is a good idea, she would’ve been better off if the top of this dress gave her bosoms a little more breathing room. They seem suffocated just sitting on top like that.

The lesson here? When you’re working with a lot of goods too much material will make you look sloppy, too little a bit slutty. Aim for a delicate balance that properly skims the body.

Best & Worst Dressed: Primetime Emmy’s 2012

Last night ABC presented the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards. Television’s finest gathered in LA to honor the best actors, supporting actors, and hosts in our favorite dramas, comedies, varieties, and reality shows. This creative girl not only noticed who worked hard for recognition,  but who was working the red carpet as well.

There were a few trends most of the ladies seemed to be following: For hair it was all about carefree updos, or long flowing waves. On dresses we saw a lot of sweetheart tops and mermaid bottoms.

So which stars actually did these trends justice? See below for my picks of the best and worst dressed of this year’s Emmy’s.

Hayden Panattiere

This young actress has been impressing me with her acting skills since she played a football loving youngster in Disney’s Remember the Titans but last night was the first time she truly impressed me with her style skills. Panattiere wowed in a metallic blue Marchesa gown. I LOVE the golden underlay and her ‘Oh, this? I just threw it up real quick’ bun only helps bring more attention to this gorgeous gown. Work it girl!

Sofia Vergara

Can this lady do any wrong? Voted TV’s sexiest woman, Modern Family‘s Sofia Vergara seems to always be conscious of shapes and colors that flatter her figure and skintone – last night was no exception. This sparkly green Zuhair Muhad design worked great with her tan skin and the halter with minor keyhole detail draws attention to her cleavage without over overdoing it.

Julie Bowen

Perhaps Ms. Vergara should be teaching her Modern Family stepdaughter a thing or too about dressing to flatter yourself. Yellow seems to be the new “it” color and many of the ladies were doing it justice last night – Julie Bowen however, was not one of them. Her yellow is way too bright, especially for her pale skin and blonde locks. Can someone explain the frizzy hair? Better luck next time!

Christina Hendricks

Mad Men‘s voluptuous vixen always seems to be hit or miss. She’s either conscious of how to work her curves or making herself look dumpy. Between the cream color, sweetheart cut and belted waist, last night’s Christian Siriano frock was more of the former! To be a complete hit she should’ve had the dress tailored to be less bulky and better complement her frame. The perfectly coifed hair and proper balance of eye makeup with lip color help distract from the bulkiness of the dress and make her look a bit better.

Kat Dennings

I thought poorly covering up her massive tatas was just a part of her character as “Max” on 2 Broke Girls, but last night showed it may just be part of Kat Dennings personal style. She’s working the color but the sweetheart top on this J. Mendel gown gives her absolutely NO support. This look would have been PERFECT if she just found a better way to tuck the girls away.

Zooey Deschanel

I know that being “quirky cute”is her thing but award shows are not the place for that – and I’m glad that the New Girl star found a new support team to help teach her that. Although I’d personally alter the bottom of this ice blue Reem Acra dress a bit this is probably the best I’ve seen Zooey Deschanel. The hair and makeup is STUNNING, the color surprisingly works wonders for her and the sweetheart top complements her bosoms well. Keep it up Zooey!

Edie Falco

Nurse Jackie nailed it with this Stella McCartney dress. Colorblocking the navy blue with a nude color on top and white at the bottom sides is simple yet sleek and the gold belt is the perfect accessory for this minimalist look. Although going for a simple ponytail and red nails seems safe, their simplicity avoids distracting from the dress. Love it!