A dark wash jean with a flared bottom – always elongating and can be dressed up or down:

Bianco Dark Wash Jean - available at Two Blondes Boutique

A great black dress that can work day into evening:

Jenny Helene black v-neck dress - available at Two Blondes Boutique

Jenny Helene black dress with lace detail - available at Two Blondes Boutique

A cardigan with interesting detail (to avoid that generic librarian look).

A feminine top with the flourish of a ruffle or a halter style neckline. Works great under a jacket or a cardigan, or can be a statement piece on its own without a cover-up, with a skirt or a pant:

Julian Chang top - available at Two Blondes Boutique

A flat front tropical wool trouser in a dark color, such as charcoal or black. Also can go day into evening and works great with a multitude of top options.

A pencil skirt, also in a seasonless fabric. Looks great in cooler weather with boots or with a great pair of heels.

And what’s up with Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams tapping into their inner child with headbands? There is no need  for all kinds of do-dads in one’s hair. Just keep it clean, simple and elegant for formal events.

Other than that, Michelle Williams’ gown was quite pretty. Charlize Theron’s gown was a lovely color. (I’m always a fan of soft pinks and “nude” colors – very feminine and subtle. Makes a statement, without being over the top.) Nonsense to the naysayers who say flesh tones “wash me out”. What they are really saying is I don’t care for this color, which is fine, it’s a free country.

Claire Danes – whyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!? First of all, I dislike the white top, black bottom of her J. Mendel gown. I find it distracting and too reminiscent of a waitress uniform. Also, and this is a big one, did anyone else but me notice that she needed to wear “petals” and/or have a soft cup sewn into the lining of her dress? I find it vulgar to expose every detail of one’s bosom.

I liked Rooney Mara’s Nina Ricci dress – it had a nice contemporary feel in its formality:

There’s no need for a gown to get too fusty and Cinderella-like. And don’t ever be laden down with accessories. A beautiful earring and/or necklace or bracelet. Less is more (unless of course we’re talking about an overtly plunging neckline or excessively sheer fabric).

It’s never boring, always chic and flattering, and you do not already have too much. Details like lace and ruching keep it fresh and different:

Adding a touch of glitz takes the look to the next level:

Teetering on four inch spike heels that look like weapons of mass destruction – I think these also have a built in stereo system that plays a number of snappy tunes:

Walking like Frankenstein in clunky platforms that look more like (to me, anyway) pieces of furniture than shoes.  I think Sly and the Family Stone wore these at Woodstock:

The ungainly and leg-shortening look of something like this, so you can look like some crazy, Minnie Mouse type character, with club feet:

I prefer a sleek, feminine shoe for when the occasion calls for it – love the added texture of the snake-embossed leather:

Heel height optional, and there are chic, stylish, options.  From a “Louis” (or kitten) heel to a stiletto that doesn’t look like a weapon.  I love the strap and pleat detail on this shoe – unique and stylish without being over the top:

A classic pump, with contemporary contour details.  Updated basic:

…Or shall I say to suit your personal comfort level.