Full Metal Belt: Born to Shine

You’ve seen it. Its shine caught your eye. And if you’re like me, you can’t get it out of your mind. It’s the sleekest, chicest accessory to hit the red carpet.

It’s The Belt of the Season, made of solid, smooth metal.

Before the metal belt made such an impact at award shows and A-list parties, it appeared in early 2012 on the runway for the fall Calvin Klein Collection and in the lookbook for Stella McCartney’s fall evening line.  We saw McCartney’s gold version several times last year from her favorite “Saskia” gown. The “Most Worn Dress of 2012” was sported by Gwyneth Paltrow, Shalom Harlow, Brooklyn Decker and Kira Miro, to name a few.

Raf Simons also used it to nip waists and add modern edge to his debut for Christian Dior Haute Couture. His fall 2012 collection reimagined the groundbreaking premiere of Dior’s “New Look” from 1947.

Later that year it topped more looks from geometric print dresses at the Juanjo Oliva show to Prabal Gurung’s black and white ensembles.

A metal belt used to evoke childhood memories of my brother practicing to be a WWE professional wrestler in our living room.  Luckily I survived those matches intact and I can appreciate today’s metal belts, which seem equally futuristic and rock & roll.  The accessory’s allure is that it adds that little something extra to make almost any dress more edgy, yet polished. 

How to Rock It:

(Almost) Any Dress - Seriously. A metal belt will give some sass to a romantic dress with lace or ruffles and put a simple, sexy dress over the edge.  Consider adding a jacket or long cardigan over or under the belt.

A Skirt and Top Combo - See above.  Plus it will accentuate the waist even more.  I think a metal belt would look very bad ass with a leather pencil skirt and a simple top.  For a tamer outfit, pair it with a flowy midi skirt.

Skinny Jeans - Pair it with dark skinny jeans, a boxy cropped top and booties for a rocker look; a tunic sweater and flats for a casual day or a sexy tank top for a party look.

Additional Note: Keep jewelry minimal or even better, wear none at all.  If you must, try multistring mixed media pieces, a metal cuff bracelet or stud earrings.

 

Photos courtesy of Getty, InStyle/Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com and Joseph Kerlakian/Rex

 

 Wide Metal Waist Belt from Topshop - $36

Clean Metal Bar Belt from Topshop - $50

Nicholas Roxanne Silver Plate Belt at Shopbop - $120

UPDATE 2/10/13: Natasha Bedingfield continues the metal belt’s reign at the 2013 Grammy Awards!  That and her matching gold clutch add a little rock and roll to her red lace Emerson gown.

Photo courtesy of Getty and The Huffington Post

2012 MTV VMAs: Sexy & Sleek but Short?

The style at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards was characterized by sexy and sleek silhouettes.  But while the celebrities were chic, unfortunately the line of stars fell short.  Does anyone go to this thing anymore?   Luckily, I managed to find some inspiring looks and hints at evolving trends worthy for fall, so here goes…

[caption id="attachment_1415" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Photos courtesy of Getty and Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Rihanna debuted an equally sexy and adorable pixie cut with red lips and a back-baring white dress from Adam Selman.  While I wasn’t crazy about the shape of the front of the dress – it seemed a little sloppy – I adored her new hair, the simple and sultry makeup and her beautiful back.  I welcomed the more refined turn for the normally edgy pop star.

[caption id="attachment_1417" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photos courtesy of Getty and Matt Sayles/Invision/AP[/caption]

Also in white, Taylor Swift was Miss Sophisticate in a J. Mendel suit and strappy, metallic heels with her hair worn long and straight.  Ignore the old "no white after Labor Day" rule as winter white will be hot this upcoming season.

Both Taylor and Pink brought a change of pace when they stepped on stage in black shorts.

[caption id="attachment_1408" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic[/caption]

While Taylor’s red and white striped top and pony tail were much more youthful then her menswear-inspired suit, she kept the androgynous look with a pair of deep red oxfords.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Lester Cohen/Wire Image[/caption]

Pink’s pinup worthy getup of fishnet stockings and ankle strap stilettos also had a dash of masculinity with a pair of suspenders.  Menswear will also be on-trend this fall.  When wearing masculine attire, keep it sassy by choosing well-tailored pieces and tall stilettos.

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic[/caption]

The dress Pink arrived in with husband Carey Hart was a silver, long-sleeved number by Stella McCartney that fit her slender post-baby body immaculately.  Her cropped wave of hair topped the glamorous, rock star style.

[caption id="attachment_1399" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Reuters/Mario Anzumi/Landov[/caption]

Miley Cyrus rocked a similar look from the hair style to the dress silhouette.  But her long Emilio Pucci dress was low cut and had sheer panels.

[caption id="attachment_1394" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Rihannna’s BFF, Katy Perry, looked especially pretty in a black floral Elie Sab dress with sheer skirt.  I loved her long, wavy black hair, which had a slight retro feel, and smoky eye makeup.  Her sexy look was less playful, more “Hey, boys,” than usual and she looked adorable whispering to RiRi during the show.

[caption id="attachment_1395" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Kirkland/Picture Group[/caption]

I was most impressed by Ke$ha.  She looked the best I’ve ever seen!  She looked beautiful with sultry makeup and a retro wave in her long peroxide blonde hair.  Her lace dress with “some glitz on [her] bits” was more subtle, yet still sexy, than usual.  Black lace continues to be chic, especially since an updated spin on gothic style is gaining popularity.

[caption id="attachment_1396" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo courtesy of Getty[/caption]

Lastly, I must mention the lovely, limber U.S. Gymnastics team.  McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, Gabby Douglas and Alexandra Raisman looked gorgeous and so happy to be there.  I adored the light pink dress McKayla, aka my lookalike, wore by Erin Fetherston.

[caption id="attachment_1392" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Gabby was on fire when she graced the stage alongside Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj.  America's Golden Girl lept, flipped and smiled during Keys' inspirational song "Girl On Fire" in a sparkly top and leather-like leggings.