FabSugar

Compare & Contrast: Heidi Klum, Oscar's Lady in Red

FabSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:00:22 PST

Last night, as I was covering the 2009 Oscars red carpet, I got déjà vu. Out walked Heidi Klum in her red Roland Mouret number - and blam - flashback to her Oscars look last year. Of course, the silhouette of the dress was entirely different, but it exuded the same futuristic aura and was the same fiery red color. And, her jewels were pink again! Let's dissect Heidi's 2008 and 2009 Oscars looks shall we?

Dress: John Galliano made sure Heidi stood out on the '08 Oscars red carpet in this red, larger-than-life Dior gown. There is nothing shy about it - it's as red as red gets, has a huge collar, long side trains, and futuristic vibe. Oh, and Heidi chose red to benefit women's heart health.

Jewelry: It's apparent the Super loves the combination of red and pink. In 2008, her pink jewels from her own line complemented her red gown to a tee. She donned dramatic red and pink drop earrings, matching bracelets, and a red and pink ring.

Dress: Heidi went down the same red path this year by wearing a red dress in honor of her Diet Coke Heart Healthy campaign. Roland Mouret created this frock, which is not as voluminous, but just as in-your-face and futuristic. It also has a heavy sheen. Once again, the collar is the focus, but the skirt is equally attention-grabbing.

Jewelry: Red and pink it is again. Heidi chose to further sass up her red dress with light pink accessories. Like last year, the earrings were the focus, but stacked bangles and rings were also lavishly loud.

Source

Compare & Contrast: Red Dress, Leopard Belt, Black Pumps

FabSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:00:22 PDT

Red dress, leopard belt, black pumps - a killer combination both Rihanna and Elizabeth Banks recently took on. Fashion coincidence? The items are similar but the styling is vastly different. Rihanna is dressy and chic, while Elizabeth is more casual and sassy. Let's break their looks down shall we?

Rihanna: The singer chose a tomato red Monique Lhuiller Resort '09 dress at the Spirit of Life Awards dinner in LA. Very fancy-dinner appropriate.

Dress: So as not to be the average lady in red, she sought funkiness and got it with the origami detail bodice. The taffeta fabric elevates the look to black tie status.

Belt: The slim leopard belt breaks up the look and adds a touch of casual. Without it, the look would be too mature for Rihanna.

Shoes: The black satin pointy pumps maintain sophistication without distracting.

Elizabeth Banks: The actress wore a bold red square-neck mini dress to the MTV TRL studios in NYC. MTV appearances require lightheartedness and this delivered.

Dress: This dress is not nearly as elaborate as Rihanna's; it's equally modern, fun, and flattering.

Belt: This overly wide leopard belt distracts from the dress. Plus, it does nothing for her figure besides hide it.

Shoes: The black patent round-toe pumps save the look. They provide some much-needed shine.

Source

Compare & Contrast: The Olsens vs. The Trainas

FabSugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:00:22 PST

Can it be that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have some fashion competition? Danielle Steel's daughters, Victoria and Vanessa Traina, are in the same social circles the Olsens are, and they have equally amazing wardrobes to match their jetsetter lifestyle. Basically, the Trainas are taller versions of the Olsens. Everything else - style, attitudes, famous friends - are pretty much the same. Let's compare and contrast . . .

The Olsens: Mary-Kate and Ashley's avant-garde wardrobes are one of the most coveted in the fashion world.

Style: Though very different from one another, both MK and Ashley have a fashion sense that is uniquely their own. MK takes more risks, while Ashley is more clean cut and chic. What they do share is their love for leather, fur, ruffles, turbans, dramatic heels, and all black.

Attitude: When is the last time you saw them smile really big? I can't remember either. The petite sisters are serious but not pompous.

Famous Friends: Among the long list of designer and celeb pals are Jenni Kayne, Selma Blair, Giambattista Valli, Christian Louboutin, Calvin Klein, and of course, the Traina sisters.

The Trainas: Sisters Victoria (left) and Vanessa (right) are the socialites of the century with closets full of unique designer duds and edgy accessories.

Style: Like the Olsens, the Traina sisters don't have much color in their closets. What they do have a lot of are simple and one-of-a-kind party frocks. Victoria's slick style is comparable to Ashley's, and Vanessa's disheveled vibe is similar to MK's.

Attitude: They too rarely smile in public. Instead, they're cordial and reserved.

Famous Friends: Ever the social butterflies, Vanessa and Victoria's social circle includes Jenni Kayne, Nicole Richie, Tom Ford, Rachel Zoe, Brandon Davis, Vanessa Getty, and of course, the Olsens.

Source

Compare & Contrast: Wearing a Winter White Coat

FabSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 04:00:22 PST

White coats are snowballing as the latest outerwear trend. They're bold, cozy, and the best foray into the season without actually having to freeze. That said, there's a right and wrong way to bundle up in them . . . the proof is in these examples of Kate Moss and Eva Longoria.

Kate Moss: Kate knows how to rock every piece of clothing she owns and a bold white coat is no exception.

Coat: Staying true to her street-chic style, she dons a fancy fur-trim coat yet makes it look casual and effortless.

Shoes: Though she's wearing a stark white coat, she knows better than to go matchy matchy with her footwear. Instead, her suede over-the-knee boots give her a rock 'n roll edge.

Accessories: Because her outerwear is loud, Kate kept the accessories to a bare minimum: a simple clutch and no jewels.

Eva Longoria: The actress opted for a long white coat to keep her fully covered.

Coat: Because she's petite, the long coat is overbearing. Still, the slight flare at the bottom and tie-waist belt lend a girly flair.

Shoes: Pairing UGGs with a classy coat took the look from potentially chic to tacky and immature. They make her legs look unnecessarily stumpy.

Accessories: Can you tell Eva loves to pile on the accessories? A white fedora, jumbo black patent bag, and a tassel - it's all too much. Less would have been way more.

Bauer-Griffin

Compare & Contrast: Divo vs. Down-to-Earth Ben Affleck

FabSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:30:22 PDT

Have times changed for Ben Affleck or what? I just had to say something after I saw the photos of the current Bennifer strolling the farmers' market for Ben's 35th birthday. Just think about it: the happy and casual couple spent Ben's birthday shopping for groceries. During the Jennifer Lopez years (2002-2004), Ben would have celebrated by getting bottle service at Winstons in LA. Better yet, he would have rented the entire club out. Granted, Ben has always been Ben, but depending on the woman he's with, he has gone from complete divo to down-to-earth. Let's compare & contrast his double Bennifer looks...

Top: Divo Ben looks sharp as a knife in his ruched zip-up hoodie and form fitting blazer.

Bottom: Though he's wearing casual jeans, they have a vintage-wash that makes them extra stylish.

Accessories: He's wearing pretty-boy aviators and brown boots that are manly but still tidy. His hair looks like he spent hours and a whole bottle of gel on it.

Top: Daddy Ben is comfortable in a loose t-shirt; no fancy jacket required.

Bottom: His jeans have a more relaxed fit to them; very reflective of his current lifestyle.

Accessories: He's still sporting aviators but it looks completely different with a cap. He probably didn't feel like gelling his hair as that's too high maintenance, even for his birthday. His tennis shoes are sporty and more comfortable than heavy boots.

Source & Flynet

Compare & Contrast: Angelina Jolie, Pre and Post Mommyhood

FabSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:00:22 PDT

Mommyhood has done Angelina some good! Besides affecting her behavior, it has also worked wonders for her wardrobe. I do think she often dresses too old for her age, but it sure beats her old goth and defiant self. She's traded leather for cashmere, baggy pants for pencil skirts, masculine boots for feminine flats. But most importantly, she's traded trashy for refined. Is it because she has adapted her style as a multi-tasking mommy? Or has she simply grown up and gotten sophisticated with age? Let's compare 1999 and present day for clues...

Top: The old Angelina said no to bras and
yes to ill-fitting tops. Cringe! She should really give that hideous coat back to the cast of
Lord of the Rings.

Bottom: A leather mini skirt a la
Ashley Olsen is fashion-forward, but a long one is fashion-backward.

Accessories: Because she wasn't very feminine, she doesn't even have a purse or
any jewels. And her shoes are square-toe... enough said!

Top: Mommy Angelina is wearing a form fitting cashmere sweater in a classic bold color; she is polished and chic.

Bottom: A gray pencil skirt is the ultimate sign of sophistication and she wears it well. She flaunts her slim legs.

Accessories: The cream bag is mature and the nude flats are very mommy-appropriate. The aviator sunnies and diamond stud earrings round out the classy look perfectly.

Source

Compare & Contrast: Ashley & Mary-Kate Olsen

FabSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:02:19 PDT

Forgive me for sounding like a broken record, but Ashley and Mary-Kate are serious style icons in the making. We should look to them for inspiration whenever we can because they really are designer muses; it is wise to follow their dramatic trends-in-the-making choices. Though there are favorite similarities (shoes!) between the avant-garde sisters, they do use different approaches to dressing. Ashley's look is more streamlined and modern, while MK's is more tousled and vintage-inspired. I thought it would be fun to compare and contrast the recent outfits they wore while shopping at Maxfields in Los Angeles. Both are edgy, both are Fab, but which do you identify with more?

Top: Leave it to Ash to make a black scarf and a men’s t-shirt look androgynous chic!

Bottom: Black cigarette jeans are always
flattering.

Accessories: The Fendi bag reinforces her sleek look by adding clean lines. Those Alaia platforms are killer! The dramatic straps make the shoes the focus of the outfit. I’m guessing that was her intention. The bulky watch compliments her boyish look and her modern aviators are bad ass.

Top: It’s no surprise MK is wearing a voluminous cardigan as a dress; she can get away with it because it’s loose and she’s petite.

Bottom: Non existent. But props to her for letting her skinny stems breathe!

Accessories: Her Prada fringe bag adds some much-needed texture to her otherwise simple outfit. Her patent mule Loubs are very old Hollywood and the traditional aviators are classic.

Flynet

Color Inspiration: Ivory and Brass

Elka Karl — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:49:26 PST

Last night, Viola Davis glowed at the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Decked out in a white Marchesa gown with a metallic embroidered bodice, the color read more brass than gold, especially when compared to the color in her gold bracelet. I love the contrast between the milky dress and the metallic accents and set out to find some home decorating pieces that embraced a similar color scheme.

I'm a major fan of brass lamps, so it makes sense that three of the items I've chosen are types of lighting. Start with your overhead illumination needs with the infinitely affordable Brass Tiered Pendant Shade ($64). Made from a material mix of plastic, brass, copper, and glass, it's an inexpensive way to get in on the brass trend.

My favorite lighting choice, however, is the Hammered Brass Sconce ($165) from Serena & Lily. A concave, hand-hammered brass oval shape reflects light and will cast a warm glow throughout your room. I'm tempted to switch out my bedroom sconces with a pair of these brass sconces - they'd add such ambiance!

The ladylike curves of the Ethan Allen Hepburn Sofa ($2,200) would work perfectly with a classic, feminine decorating scheme. The sofa is a beautiful piece, from its modern straight tapered leg to its rolled arms and sleek camelback.

Shop the rest of the brass and ivory selections by clicking on each image.

See the New Hangover Part II Posters Side by Side With the Originals

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 25 May 2011 05:30:00 PDT

The Hangover Part II is out this week, and Warner Bros. has released these of one-sheets featuring the famous Wolfpack. The banners are strikingly similar to the posters that were released to promote the first movie, which doesn't come as a surprise considering the trailer for The Hangover Part II seems to be following the original formula pretty closely. Still, it's fun to compare and contrast, so check out how the guys look then and now!

Actually, You Might End Up Richer If You Rent

Emily Co — Fri, 13 May 2011 03:05:17 PDT

Although we saw the housing market crash, most people still think buying a home is a better option in the long run. However, renting doesn't mean that you're throwing money away. The New York Times cites a paper written by Jordan Rappaport, a senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, which shows that renting can actually make you wealthy:

[Yet the] analysis in this article shows that while homeownership often builds more household wealth than renting and investing the saved cash flow, it also often does not. More specifically, for most ten-year occupancies beginning during the 1970s and 1990s, homeownership unambiguously built more wealth. In contrast, for most occupancies beginning during the 1980s, renting and investing unambiguously built more wealth. Renting and investing is also likely to build more wealth than homeownership for many of the occupancies that started in 2000 through 2009. These results suggest that either homeownership or renting and investing can be reasonable strategies for building household wealth.

In other words, the conventional wisdom that homeownership is usually the better strategy is probably too strong. For many households in many years, renting and investing the saved cash flow has built more wealth than homeownership . . .

Of course, buying would make sense in some cases in which the price is worthwhile and if you're planning on living in a place for a long time. If you're a renter, you can take all the extra dollars that you would've spent on a home - mortgage fees, property tax, repair and maintenance expenses, closing costs, insurance - and investing it to see a good return on your money. There is a definitely a lot of downside to buying in some property markets, so you'll be wealthier down the line if you choose to rent in those circumstances. If you're mulling over the decision of whether to buy or rent, be sure to check out this neat calculator by The Times which compare the costs of buying and renting.