Fashion in 2010 Gets Back to Basics

While the best things in life are free, the most beautiful are simplistic in nature. This simplicity is the cornerstone of recent red carpet fashion. The minimalism that is characteristic of designers such as Karan, Klein, Kors and Lauren is on display at many of 2010's red carpet events.

Kristen Bell at the Golden Globes

Kristen Bell started 2010 in style at the Golden Globes. The beauty wore a strapless cocktail dress in white satin from Jasmine di Milo. The dress is not short on design as the intricate twisting of the fabric provided elegant folds that worked with the white satin. A simple choker from Van Cleef & Arpels and glowing skin set off this beautifully sparse red carpet look perfectly.

Rachel McAdams at the Academy Awards

Rachel McAdams was simply lovely at the 2010 Academy Awards. The Elie Saab couture dress (slide 6) she wore made her a floating goddess in watercolor on the red carpet. The strapless gown features a crisscrossed bodice that falls in beautiful draped folds to the floor. The gown made elegant use of lightly smoky blues, greens and pinks along with the natural drape of the fabric to add interest to the basic empire silhouette of the gown. The dress used a basic shape made interesting with a solid choice of fabric.

Zoe Saldana at the MET

Zoe Saldana worked her magic on the red carpet in May at the MET Costume Institute Gala. Zoe wore an elegant Calvin Klein off the shoulder black gown. The silhouette remained simple and slinky, molding to the actresses form. The sparkling fabric is not overdone as the black color tones down the shine. Zoe sported glowing skin and a simple chignon to complete the minimal look.

Dressing minimal does not mean you have to sacrifice style or design interest. Find dresses with a basic silhouette in a monotone or muted print. Let the fabric hold all of the interest. Drapy fabric that falls into soft folds or pleats, lightly sequined fabrics or a fabric with a slight sheen can up the style meter on the most basic silhouette without appearing over-the-top. You have the simple dress formula, now go out there and apply the equation.

SOURCES

Leader, R. (2010, May 7). Do You Dare To Go Spare? Retrieved May 15, 2010, from Style.com: http://www.style.com/stylefile/2010/05/do-you-dare-to-go-spare/

Posh24. (2010, May 08). Minimalism, simply the best! Retrieved May 20, 2010, from Posh24: http://www.posh24.com/monet_mazur/minimalism_simply_the_best