Who Wore it Better? (Celebrity Showdowns Explained)

Picture it. You step into a glitzy party wearing a new and fabulous outfit. You're feeling pretty good about yourself...that is, until you spot a woman across the room wearing the exact ensemble. But is she equally fabulous? Maybe-maybe not. This scenario happens in Hollywood more often than you might think. Lifestyle and gossip magazines and websites frequently feature "Who Wore it Better?" columns. They're always fun to read as the segments typically depict various celebrities who have been seen out and about wearing the same designer duds. A public vote is collected; and the resulting percentage is displayed beneath each celeb's photograph. But the question remains, how are these two celebrities judged on who wore the outfit the best? We all know that critics' (professional or otherwise) have differing opinions. Ironically, the outfit that garnered the most votes will fall flat in another publication. Let's take a look at some of the criteria that sets one celebrity's ensemble apart from another...

Facts and "Figures"

In many instances, a celebrity's figure will be the dictating factor in whether an outfit is working or not. For example, a woman who is taller or more statuesque will earn the winning "percentage" against a more petite celeb when wearing longer hemlines. The same sentiment applies to those whose décolletage is better represented in a plunging neckline. While beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, certain physical measurements can look rather awkward in some garments.

Personal Style

One of the most interesting "Who Wore it Better" competitions exists between starlets who have opposite styles of dress. For instance, in an issue of "In Touch Weekly" magazine, model/designer Camila Alves earned a 52% vote over actress Michelle Trachtenberg, who was photographed in the same white Foley+Corinna caftan. Camila's funky ankle-cuffed pumps gave the look more of an edge, while Michelle's strappy pumps were deemed too "dainty."

Accessor-eyes

Sometimes a celebrity's choice in accessories is simply too much for the eyes to bear. In most cases, the star has simply gone overboard in jewelry department, and as a result overwhelms the outfit. But it is also quite common to see a celebrity who has accessorized in way that doesn't compliment the garment's style very well. On the other hand, those Hollywood stars who have gone for an understated look, with very few baubles-also lose out because they tend to look too bare.

Skin and Hair (Too Dark or Too Fair?)

A woman's hair is her crown and glory. But when that hair clashes with the color of her dress, then you will most often find her on the "who wore it worse" side of the page. This is because hair color is a big deal in Hollywood. Another good "Who wore it better" example? Both Nicole Richie and Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon were photographed wearing the same deep cobalt-blue Zac Posen evening gown. However, according to gossip rags, Richie wore the dress the best. The explanation given was that Nixon's bright orangy-red hair color clashed with the dress' hue, making it an odd pairing. Hairstyles in particular also have a great deal to do with whether a celebrity gets the winning style vote. Disheveled hairdos can easily distract the viewer away from a classic outfit, while perfectly coiffed hair can look too stuffy on younger stars. All in all, crafting the perfect look requires a studied approach and consideration of all the dozens of fashion variables.

SOURCES:

www.intouchweekly.com
www.lifeandstylemag.com
www.radaronline.com
www.mediatakeout.com