2016 ACADEMY AWARDS

Was it just me or were most of the gowns at the Oscars, just hideous this year? I hated more than I liked, so many people missed the mark. But rather than focus on the negative here are my favorites. I seem to favor the more simple dresses with cleaner lines, it felt more elegant and modern.

Charles Randolph and Mili Avital

This dress is super cute, I love this 50's silhouette and so refreshing to see a short dress amongst a sea of gowns.

Charlize Theron  in Dior Couture

I love her choice of bold color with the deep V neckline. It's simplicity works well with this matte fabric I'm not sure it work as well in a shinny material. 

Dorith Mous in Dennis Diem 

This goes against my style aesthetic of clean lines and a slender silhouette but I love this dress. It's like a romantic gothic meets Victorian. I'm also not a huge fan lace, but it's minimal here and almost graphic like. 

Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne

I always love a Grecian column dress and the gold beaded detail keeps it from being boring.

Mindy Kaling  in Elizabeth Kennedy   

It's clearly inspired by Audrey Hepburn's classic LBD in Breakfast at Tiffany's. However, the blue sleeves and train make it a modern and fresh.

Joy Mangano 

Another dress inspired by Audrey's Breakfast at Tiffany's LBD, only in white. It's simple yet chic, and I love it. Shame about the creases though it makes it look a bit messy.

Eniko Parrish and Kevin Hart

Another black Grecian column dress however with the high slit and one shoulder makes it a sexier style.

Lady Gaga  in Brandon Maxwell  

I generally love a pant suit on the red carpet, and I especially love this one. It has an architectural feel to it and is both masculine and feminine at the same time.

Margot Robbie in Tom Ford

I love how this dress has sleeves; I think they're going to make a comeback. Before you could never find a dress with sleeves but recently I've seen more and more. I also love the deep V and she has the perfect chest for it.

Olivia Munn in Stella McCartney

I love the simplicity of the dress and her jewelry, it's clean and minimal but in this bright color she stands out.

We saw a couple of dresses inspired by style icon Audrey Hepburn but Rooney Mara actually looks like Audrey.

NEW WORK: Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Valentine's Day Abloom

NEW WORK: Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Get Happy

TOP TO BOTTOM: Lace circle skirt, $59.99, by H&M. H&M Multi stripe kite bow back dress, $440, by Kate Spade. Rainbow badge pack, $14, by Topshop. Lady key ring charm, $370, by Gucci. Regent fitted wool blazer, $198, by J.Crew. Pop Heart intarsia merino wool sweater, $445, by Bella Freud available at NET-A-PORTER.com. Go fly a kite clutch, $398, by Kate Spade. Georgina leather clutch, $1195, by Anya Hindmarch available at NET-A-PORTER.com.

NEW WORK: Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Chic Boots Made for Winter Walking

GET THE LOOK: Top Handle Handbags

Lupita Nyong in Boss by Hugo Boss

I'm currently obsessed with top handle handbags with a flap front, and I LOVE Lupita's Boss Hugo Boss bag. If you're a fan too here are just a few of my favorites.

GET THE LOOK

LEFT TO RIGHT: Leather tote, $1192.50, by Victoria Beckham available at theoutnet.com. Leather ‘Bamboo Daily’ handbag, $2450, by Gucci. Patent leather handbag, $717.50, by Marni available at theoutnet.com. Python skin ‘Wave’ mini handbag, $3995, by Tod’s. Italian calf hair ‘Bespoke’ handbag, $1,202.99, by Boss Hugo Boss.

FASHIONABLE INVITES: March

Dior's “An affair to remember” at Nordstrom is located at 55 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 312.464.1515 or email Andrearichards195@icloud.com