The 2015 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards took place on Sunday night, bringing plenty of stylish stars from television and film to the red carpet, leaving us with jitters and jealousy over the many gorgeous gowns and flawlessly styled accessories we spied.
Below is 10 our favourite looks from the night, as well as the wardrobe lessons we learned from the star’s who wore them. Take a peek and see if the SAGs can teach you a trick or two for when it comes to red carpet dressing yourself;
1. Do it Twice
Making our top 10 in a double helping is a real life BFF duo made up of actresses Laverne Cox and Danielle Brooks of Orange is the New Black, who looked simply elegant at the event, Laverne wearing a Johanna Johnson gown, Stuart Weitzman heels, Forevermark diamonds and a Judith Leiber clutch, and Danielle turning up in an equally impressive navy Christian Siriano number.
The pair did gorgeous in tandem and if you’re to hit an event anytime soon, we suggest you do as these stars did and head out with your partner in crime. If she’s dressed just as fly as you are, well, the two of you will simply slay…
2. Do Yellow. It’s Basically the New Black.
One of the night’s winners, Uzo Aduba was an absolute vision in her long, yellow Angel Sanchez gown and Forevermark jewels, and we loved her sleek, swept-back hair too.
Staying classy without being boring can be tricky, but as the star’s proved, it’s totally doable with a bold, unexpected shade. Try your night time look in a bright orange, yellow or even pink, and pop yourself onto best-dressed lists for the morning after. Thanks, Uzo…
3. Do Rock Star-Chic in Head-to-toe Black
Let us pause for a moment while we take in this image…
Longtime no-see, sexy singer Lenny Kravitz stepped out looking super suave in head-to-toe black and had most girls’ hearts skipping beats. Does he not look like he’s been on the most relaxed vacation from the spotlight, ever? Whatever he’s been drinking, we need in double-helpings please – plus, whatever he’s been sleeping in, we’re gonna need that too… For purely unrelated purposes.
Was it Lenny’s simple, blacked-out look? Or is it the man himself we can’t get enough of here? Whatever it is, recreate his rockstar swagger with an ensemble of all-black-everything, topped with cool-guy shades. Et voila, you’re red carpet (and Lenny) ready.
4. Try on a Texture
And then along came a stunner…
It’s pretty hard to ignore Paula Patton on a good day, but she looked ridiculously radiant in this all-white, beaded dress, matching golden clutch and Kimberly McDonald jewels.
Somehow ticking the trendy box along with the one marked ‘Greek Goddess’, the star simply glowed – and to steal a little of her limelight when you’re on that red carpet, you’re going to need to try on something textured.
Beads, sequins, ruffles, embroidery – whatever it is you can get your hands on, and in heapfuls, too. The way to hit the carpet and have all eyes on you is with the killer hit of luxury which only a textured layer can provide.
5. Keep them Guessing.
The ever-flawless Emma Stone stepped out to drop jaws in a tailored Dior Haute Couture number that – surprise! – featured a sheer train. Just wow…
Not the typical way to do a full-skirted dress, the red-headed actress’s ensemble just stunned onlookers. We mean, peep the guys in the back – even they weren’t ready! (That guy on the far right though, don’t worry – he’s checking the look out again on Twitter and Tweeting #OMFGEmmaStonesDress).
To have that ‘Stop What You’re Doing and Look at My Look’ impact, which few have managed though many have tried, you need to be playful, expressive and unexpected with your outfit, and heaven (and Emma Stone’s stylist) knows, that means a sheer skirted train at the SAG Awards.
Proof this feature alone stole the show? The fact that you don’t even care to know she completed her look with Repossi jewels and Christian Louboutin pumps. #JustSayin’
6. Plunge
Another star out for our attention (albeit in the middle of her chest) was Jennifer Anniston, who showed off her cleavage in a plunging, gold gown that we need in our wardrobes, asap…
Why do we need it in our wardrobes, like now? Because it tows the line between ‘too revealing’ and ‘too major to leave at home’ – which is exactly the type of dress every woman needs in their lives. Especially if they’re heading to a red carpet event, where others with equally awe-inspiring looks will be lurking. Just don’t be surprised if no one notices the amount of hard work that went into your makeup.
7. Suit Up
So Julia Roberts took a risk, rocking tailored pants to the SAGs and wearing a Givenchy jumpsuit and Tiffany & Co. jewels for a masculine-chic look that was totally memorable – even amongst all the skin on show elsewhere.
What we’ve learnt here is that the only way to compete for attention at an event like this, where everyone will have on their best dress, is to not wear one. Instead, show up in a suit (skimming your body or deliberately drowning it, but always with a pair of heels) and you’ll have won, by simply choosing not to compete.
8. Be a Blimmin’ Butterfly
Lupita Nyong’o showed off her prowess in mixing prints, as well as her talent for bursting onto the scene like a stylish social butterfly, fresh out of the cocoon that is her wardrobe – a place we’d love to see inside.
Printed, bold and flowing from the waist down, Lupita’s latest reincarnation – featuring this gorgeous Elie Saab dress – ticked off all boxes required of any prefect look and proved the star knows how to have fun with fashion too.
Played up with dangling Fred Leighton earrings, the actress came out looking fabulous and reminding us how freely she moves between different style, silhouettes and shades – something to try out when you’re getting ready for your own big night and are seen reaching for that worn-to-death, go-to outfit…
9. Keep it Classy
No matter what you wear, one should always remember to keep it classy. And, showing us how that’s done even while wearing a plunging neckline (someone already knew about number 6 on our list), Rashida Jones stunned in her monochrome, floral Emanuel Ungaro dress and Norman Silverman jewels.
The trick, really, is to think about the amount of skin on show (if you’re go-to dress is as short as a top or your name’s Rihanna, you might want to refer back to number 5) and keep 65% (minimum) of your assets covered. Hence, Ms Rashida’s well-done look includes a gown gone down to the floor, and classier features still in the form of her dress’ thick straps.
But we at SPICE suppose you’ll go do your thing despite what we say here – and if you’re a bad gal like Rih Rih, you’ll probably be looking to merge items 2, 3, 5 and 6 on our list all in one go… Or ditch rule 5, go nude and stick a coat on, again.
10. Default Back to the 70s
And showing us that fashion’s latest obsessions will always work, no matter the scenario, Viola Davis stepped up the stakes in her all-white Max Mara dress, and harked back to the ’70s with its styling.
Ms Davis’ ‘fro do, halter-style top and big, blingy jewels by Van Cleef & Arpels made for a disco-fied take on the trend, which is set to be big news this Summer. Made totes appropriate for the SAG awards though with the floor-length fit and chic Sidney Molepo bag, we’re sold on the fact that no matter how high profile the event we’re attending next season, we can always default back to the era and land on our feet, as well as on anyone’s style radar.
What did you learn about red carpet dressing from the 2015 SAG Awards? Share it with us below in the comments box or on Twitter via @SPICETVAFRICA.
Image source: TheYBF.com, Popsugar.com
