Fashion

Grammys Fashion & Style: Looks for Less

By Mary Hall | January 30, 2014

Some of our red carpet favs: Katy Perry, Rita Ora and Taylor Swift

How many of you watched the 2014 Grammys Sunday? It was a great show both on and off the red carpet. The looks we loved this year were streamlined and elegant like Rita Ora in Lanvin and Taylor Swift in a metallic Gucci gown. Katy Perry looked stunning in a musical Cinderella type ball gown by Valentino. Not so stunning was Madonna in an ill-fitting suit, accessories with a cane and a gold grill. Here’s our look at the good, the fugly and where you can get some of these looks for less.

Kate Perry’s Valentino resembled the full skirt and corseted bodice of Bridal gowns. Pictured are two David’s Bridal gowns.

Truly Katy Perry’s white Valentino gown has no peer. Jake Bailey, the make-up artist who did her Covergirl look at the Grammys told me the gown had music from an actual Italian Opera on it and took about 1,900 hours of seamstress time to perfect. This is not a look you can buy on the rack. The dress chiffon dress just opened the Valentino Spring 2014 Runway show in Paris last week. However, the dress is similar to some bridal dress styles with it’s corset. Check out some of the gowns are David’s Bridal that have the same full skirt, cinched waist and strapless bodice underneath chiffon.

Lower priced versions of Taylor Swift’s Gucci Illusion Sheath Dress

Taylor Swift wore a Gucci gown with a a sheer bodice and collar attached to a sold silver column of a dress The entire dress was overlaid with silver mesh. The short-sleeved Gucci gown was accented with a small belt at the waist. A similar style dress, although not a replica of Taylor’s gown is Tadashi Shoji’s Illusion Sequin Sheath Dress for $385.00 at Nordstrom. It has the same glittering sheath dress under a illusory mesh overlay. If you like the sparkle of Taylor’s dress in a the form of a sparkling cocktail dress, check out the L’Wren Scott for Banana Republic Sequin Wiggle dress now on sale at Banana Republic for $119.00. For a cheap and cheerful look that is reminiscent of Rita Ora’s Lanvin gown check out ASOS Long Sleeve Hologram Sequin dress for $100.00.

Madonna at the Grammy’s in a Ralph Lauren suit and matching black hat, photo via Tom and Lorenzo

So what was the worst look of the night? Fashion commentator Juanita Dillard singled out Madonna in a Ralph Lauren suite and Cindy Lauper’s hair. It definitely wasn’t Madonna’s finest hour. “Madonna. OMG that black suit with the hat made her look like she was about to escort someone to their seat! Never put that much black on someone that pale”, said Ms. Dillard. As for 80’s sensation Cyndi Lauper I loved her Alexander McQueen tunic with embellishment and her leggings, but I have to agree with Ms, Dillard on the hair. “Cyndi Lauper hair, puts a new image of what “sexy bed head” should be. More like, I forgot my mirror and comb!, ” says Juanita Dillard author of The Beauty Files.