1. Give the One Shoulder

One shoulder dresses throughout this Award Season have been all the rage. Try something like this Halston Long Wrap Dress if you loved the look that Sheryl Crowe sported during this year’s Grammy Awards.

2. Go Strapless

Strapless dresses are always a classic choice, from Jennifer Lopez to Mylie Cyrus most celebrities and luxury wearing fashionistas wear a strapless dresses now and then. Try this Gold Embroidered Marchesa dress if you want to go strapless.

3. Wear fabulous shoes.

Most commentators, like those on E! and NBC will ask “who are you wearing?” but do celebs usually tell them about their shoes? Rarely, unless you are watching E! and they put their shoe on their shoe cam, you’re rarely going to get a picture of their shoes, but, in the real world, shoes make the outfit. So, wear the heck out of those stunning shoes!

4. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!

Wear great earrings, necklaces, and rings. Of course, don’t go overboard. It all depends on the type of dress you are wearing. If you are wearing something strapless with a bit of detail, you may want to try some dangling bling. If you have some very subtle colors, black, white, or lavender, try some rings or necklaces.  Look at these Anita Ko Diamond Encrusted Panther Earrings. They’re interesting and could make your evening look pop.

5. Embrace the Greek

Angelina Jolie wears Greek inspired clothing well. Of course, not all of us can look like Angie everyday, but we can try! Check out this Roksanda Illincic number.

6. Wear Great Colors

Colors are all  over the place this Spring season, so why not do it in the evening as well? Pinks, Limes, Blues, Purples, you choose! Getting dressed up for a luxurious event means making bold decisions, so pick a bold color! Try this lime Alexander McQueen Silk Twist Front Dress.

7. Carry a clutch

No need to carry around your whole life in the evening, a cell phone, some lip gloss and a a little cash should be enough for the evening. Carrying a small handbag should be enough for you. Try this Celestina Abalone box clutch if you want to add a little bit of sparkle to your ensemble.

8. Cuffs

Cuffs are one of the top jewelry accessories for an evening out. Gold, Silver, expensive, inexpensive, they’ll make your friends talk like crazy. Look at this Tory Binns Blue Crystal Cuff for color and the cuff style.

9. Go Full Length

No need to always go above the knee for these types of events. Of course, dress for the event. For the Oscars, a long dress would probably be the best (unless your Abigail Bresslin) . However, for New Year’s Eve out and about from club to club, a short dress is not out of the question.  I love this Erdem Annecy Silk Gown (it’s floor length).

10. Wear Black

Trends come and go, so no matter what color may be in now, a black will always be right. So, if you can’t find the right color, always pick up a few black dresses and try those on before making a decision. I love this D&G Fitted Bustier Dress.

Now that we’ve come to an end,  just take note, see if all the celebrities did all of these things and keep a tally of the best and worst dressed of the Oscar Night!

Thanks again to Net-A-Porter.com for that great e-mail! Good luck Slumdog Millionaire I’m pulling for you!

Photos from: PR Photos & Bauer Griffin

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Ten Ways to Liven Up Your Oscar Wardrobe

If you need a way to dress up a formal piece with something funky, this black formal feathered cap could be the right ticket. It’s feathery and jet black, with an internal comb to anchor the whole thing to your crown. Embrace it and love it; it works perfectly with formalwear and is therefore great for prom!

You can get it for $28.00.

Photo (c) Torrid

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Top Prom Accessory: Feathered Cap

A little thrilling pick me up for you all. . . eDressMe has plus sizes! I was thrilled when doing my usual scan to see dresses in chiffon, ruffles, and lace– in all the colors of the rainbow. While they are essentially top picks from Kiyonna, Monif C., and a few house surprises, it’s worth a peek if you need a concentrated shopping experience. Get over there when you need a little dressy something and you have no time!

Photo (c) eDressMe

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E Dress Me Has Plus Sizes? Where Was I?

Wrapture Wrap Dress: This vintage inspired piece looks great in khaki, which is so versatile. I’d wear it with a white bolero, which goes up to size 14, and peep-toe heels for a good-girl feel. Might as well go for it. . .

I also like this black and white Daisy Tube Dress from Torrid, which I know would look awesome with loose curls and sandals like these from Go Jane.

Now could the weather just warm up a bit to put this all into play?!

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Spring Dress Fever Continues

I love helping people choose their formal wear! Rich satin dresses, black lace, and sumptuous formal fabrics are all a treat, but what I like are all the teen formal features that are popping up. There are so many options for full figured women out there, and that includes accessories like full-length opera gloves and fancy stockings complete with lacy garters.

Torrid has a new section called “Celeb-Worthy Style,” and you’ll be so impressed with all of their options. Check out my favorite dresses below!

The Chocolate Satin Halter Dress is unexpectedly glam and rich– I’m a convert to halters after this own. Do they remind you of something that Nikki Blonsky would wear, too?

This Black Satin Strapless Dress is just right for a girl who’s got shapely shoulders and arms.

Lastly, this fetching Black V-Neck Dress has great decorative appeal.

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“Celeb Worthy” Style Over at Torrid

Does anyone here shop at Kiyonna? I’m hoping to take a look at some of their items soon, but I’d love more feedback while I’m waiting. Their dresses are so beautiful, especially the ones in satin, cashmere, and silk. Check it out: it’s marked down from $128 to $89.50.

This is another one of my favorite pieces from Kiyonna. The fit is romantic, the color is fun and it’s a totally unique piece. I’d love to accessorize it with one of these bags I picked out for a busy lifestyle at Fabcrush.com.

You can get it for $102 marked down from $146.

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Kiyonna’s Having a Sale!

Do you have a new favorite piece that you can’t stop wearing? I’ve got a few right now. I’ve been wearing funkier pieces from Fashion Overdose during the day, and jazzing things up at night with some exciting pieces I found over at Size Appeal. I loooove the Cindy Dress, as you know, and I’ve found a few others, too, like the one pictured above. Check out my new favorite piece at Size Appeal.

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What’s Your “New Favorite” Piece This Season?

I couldn’t just show off a gorgeous wrap without a beautiful dress to follow! Lately I’ve been trying to do the “basics thing,” but it can get frustrating when you’re surrounded by beautiful plus pieces. It seems like every plus shop around has been taking their designer creativity in strides, and that’s so exciting. It’s a perfect time of the year to slip on a soft, flattering dress that’s very possibly festooned with fun sequins and other bits and bobs: a grogeous brooch, a fun sash, a beaded neckline.

That’s why I chose this Ruched Surplice Dress from Kiyonna. . . it’s rather romantic and soft, but you can toss a wrap or poncho on over it and still look amazing. Shop for Dresses: Cocktail & Special Occasion Dresses by Kiyonna here. I’m sure you’ll find something that you like. . . but you have to tell me what it is!

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Little Black Dress to Match My Wrap

I’m always checking out C.enne.V, one of my favorite sites for sumptuous jersey creations, and today I realized that this amazing colorblocked ankle length dress comes in jet black! Now is this wouldn’t make a gorgeous LBD, I don’t know what would! You can also get it it the colors shown and in green as well.

Check it out!

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Lovely Holiday Dress!

I may already be married, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love browsing through the super-flouncy dresses and veils. (Okay, and I also designed wedding dresses earlier on in my career, too.)

If you’re having trouble finding wedding dresses for you, I suggest checking out So What If’s wedding dress guide, which includes lots of shops that cater to our sizes, like Igigi, Roman’s, and Sydney’s Closet. What makes it even better is a star rating system for each resource–check it out! I found the most gorgeous vintage-inspired bridal gown at Lane Bryant via So What If for just $149.50 in 14 & 16, and similar styles in sizes up to 30/32 just today.

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Will You Be a Plus-Size Bride?