So this weekend I went to my parents' house and decided to watch the SAG awards with my 2-year-old son, Harrison, my stepdad, Bruce and my Mom. A little background: My son has been sick all week and now I am sick and all I wanted to do was go to bed and ask my mom to put Harrison to sleep for me. However, I came to watch the SAG awards, and watch the SAG awards I did. But I'm not that excited about it, especially after last week's Golden Globes. I couldn't help but wonder why this was so important to me. I mean -- yes, fashion is my life -- but why is it that I don't even care who wins any of these awards? I just want to see what they are wearing.
Not to mention I spent all weekend isolated in Orange County with my parents and my little boy just sick and in a bubble. I forgot all about the competitive world of clothes while losing myself in family and Disney movies. All that said ... this is what I have to say about the SAG awards ... WOW! How much fun was it to watch these women in their dresses? I was hard pressed to find a least favorite. But I am committed to popping a judgmental eye into my head like a dirty old microscope and seeing what I can dig up. So don't fret my fellow droogies, I will throw someone under the bus before my jjjittery cold-medicine-filled fingers stop typing, and hopefully will give a few of you (or at the very least PRsucks) something else to be pissed off about.
But first let me praise who I think might have been both the best dressed and the most stunning person on the red carpet at the SAGs: Cate Blanchett. God was she a sight. Some kinda Armani Prive gold lame perfectly fitted beaded nudish wrap of perfection. And accessorized very well. She vibrated with poise, beauty and chic in a class all her own. I was restored with hope.
My mom really loved Vanessa Williams' gown ... I was in the middle of a sneezing fit and missed it, but do remember thinking that it was OK, except for the color. Harrison seemed to take notice of Patricia Arquette, who is one of my personal all-time favorite actresses, and I had to agree that her dress was beautiful. It seemed vintage and historically beautiful ... Which leads me to trends (I hate trends) but I do have to take notice of them, and one that I actually don't mind is this trend toward vintage and retro. I like a certain amount of nostalgia in current fashion, and I happened to see a lot of it here.
Watching the different women really felt that way ... nostalgic, that is. There were a lot of nods toward "old Hollywood," starting with the set and decor of the event, and carried through by women like Arquette, 'Ugly Betty' bad girl Becki Newton (in a strapless red dress), Elizabeth Perkins in a ruby red Max Azria, Reese Witherspoon looking like a '50s housewife (again), Kate Walsh in a '70s inspired citron colored flowy chiffon piece, and my second favorite: Ellen Pompeo's Lanvin. I thought Heather Graham looked beautiful, and Katherine Heigl was amazing. It was fun to see that everyone put a lot of care into the thought of their outfits.
The men -- of course -- stayed the course. What a bore. I feel so bad for us men ... It seems we have misused the luxury of choice when it comes to dressing soooo much that we aren't even allowed to do anything different anymore. It's funny how the goal of dressing the man for these events is to create an image of strength, virility and character ... but when everyone is wearing the same thing, all I can think is "gee ... when will your mom stop dressing you?"
A few men stood out to me -- like Forrest Whitaker and Eric Mabius in all black ... but for the most part I have to say that the worst dressed of the SAGs goes to: ALL THE MEN!!!!
If I closed one eye and focused the women out of the picture, I could swear I was looking at a group of men gathered for a political rally. A sea of rented tuxedos and suits ... with some slight variations on the tie color. Some grey, some black ... I even saw a white tie, however can't remember who was wearing it because I started sneezing again and got into a little bit of an argument with Harrison about why he shouldn't throw things at Grandpa's head. (He's 2!)
He already loves to pick out his own clothes. I encourage him to wear whatever he is feeling at the moment. His mom will often stop us before leaving the house and interfere ... usually self-conscious and wanting to make sure Harrison looks like every other 2 year old on the block ... insisting that this is important, but I know different. I can only hope that when the time comes, Harrison will be the man in that crowd of sameness who gives hope to other men and helps open the door of possibilities a little bit more.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-31-2007 @ 5:43PM
Mark Rose said...
What can us men do in formal wear? It seems like the tux needs a major overhaul.
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2-03-2007 @ 9:08AM
highschoolhellcat said...
Harrison sounds gorgeous. You must post a more recent photo of him on your MySpace!
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2-04-2007 @ 5:17PM
niki7 said...
Hey Jeffrey! Sorry you werem't feeling well. But I do have to agree with you on how fun it is to check out the dresses and how beautiful (or not) the actresses look. Now I'm curious about what Ellen Pompeo was wearing because I didn't care for her Globes outfit.
Sorry to disappoint you but I don't think you said anything that could piss anyone off. That would only happen if they were just a pissed-off person at all times, spewing abuse everywhere they go.. haha. We all know someone like that.
Okay, let 'er rip, if you don't piss anyone off maybe I will.
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2-04-2007 @ 5:24PM
Amanda said...
Ha ha great commentary as expected. I totally agree with the whole men wearing bland tuxedos thing. But then I also get tired of the whole evening dress thing too. Slot of the time it just looks like a bunch of prom dresses. I mean occasionally one or two stick out, but if I pick up a magazine with the worst dressed list I end up liking the worst dressed more than I like the best dressed just because its different. Like when Bjork(sp?) wore the swan(yea I know that was forever ago) I was like ha thats great!
Back to the guy thing though, I think the guys need to give nods to the 20s suits and whatnot. With the longer jackets and slightly bulky sholders. I love those.
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2-04-2007 @ 5:30PM
nikki said...
Cate Blanchett is a Goddess. Arquette's dress looks ill fitting not flattering to the waist area. Harrison must have been hungry.
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2-04-2007 @ 5:30PM
Jeff said...
Jeffrey! (first off, huge huge huge fan of yours.. and i love your name! lol).
I completely agree with u about everyone being so BLAH and boring but whats a man got to do? the choices are rather slim and i can only think of one suit that i liked which was different. I believe it was woody harrelson with that white kinda modern looking suit. Anyway.. I think your on to something. If u made a suit i'd buy it... hell i aleeady own most of the shirts from cosa nostra and am sooo close to being able to buy that hoodie! lol. once again... HUGE FAN!
-Jeff
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2-04-2007 @ 5:35PM
Rachel Eaton said...
I totally agree with you, and similarly my son and i were also sick and watching the awards. i LOVED Cate she looked stunning but doesn't she always? i feel like Reese needs a new stylist, not that the one that she has now is necessarily bad, we have just seen it before, i feel like she has worn the same dress in different colors for the last 2 years! And the men, i don't even see them anymore, it's 'wow she looks amazing and isn't that what's his face?' Jeffery it's up to you, you are the only one with some originality left, give the men something to look forward to other than their pretty dates...
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2-04-2007 @ 5:40PM
JohnnyVirus said...
Dude, I have been sick for the past week as well, due to Saint Louis' most awful and unfortunate 10-degree weather/snow. What winter coat is both functional and looks awesome? Either I am warm and look like the little brother in the Christmas Story or am cold and look awesome and have snot pouring from my face. It sucks.
REMEMBER NYQUIL IS YOUR FRIEND
SUDAFED PM IS ITS SIDEKICK
BE WELL JEFFREY
jV
myspace.com/snakes
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2-04-2007 @ 9:36PM
Brittanica said...
guys are boring at award shows, yes. but its about time they get creative. the men should look just as glamorous as the women, it's just not fair. lol
-B
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2-04-2007 @ 10:09PM
Joseph Calabrese said...
Jeffrey, I couldn't agree with you anymore about Cate Blanchett. There is something about here that is very old Hollywood, and no matter what she wears that always seems to shine through. It is a crying shame about men and their lack of originality, but I suppose many of them would fall under the "if its not broke don't fix it" philosophy of dressing. I perosnally think keeping the same tuxedo/suit look is fine, but I would love to see different shirt/tie options or perhaps different silhouettes of pants/jackets. Only time will tell if this can change, but with the help of great designers like you, perhaps it will. I hope you have a speedy recovery from your cold.
- Joseph Calabrese
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2-04-2007 @ 10:57PM
Chiffa said...
Men need a fashion "muse"
I think it's too easy for dress themself without style
What is men's 'fashion' style:
4 tuxedo pants/coats styles (inter-changable vests/ties color.
It's safe, it's boring and the men they end up being "accessories" to the fabulous women's dresses.
They need some one to 'show them' different cuts, fabrics and to teach them to 'take chances' and help them express what is their own 'individual' style.
Show them the way!
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2-04-2007 @ 11:12PM
amy marie said...
Great commentary jeffery, very fun to read! too bad i didn't actually see the sag awards, now i wish i had,..but you made it really come to life for me.. :D
looking forward to more commentaries...and more fashions!....from you in the future!
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2-05-2007 @ 2:47AM
Bee said...
An actress from the movie Babel, Ms. Rinko Kikuchi, wore something so different to the Golden Globes that it was a fresh breath of air amidst the crowds of the predictably poofy prom-like dresses that usually always come with either lots of sequence, like Jessical Biel, or a lot of pom-pom (showing boobies), like Ali Larter, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Beyonce, etc. Regarding many other of the dresses... Well, I became very indifferent. Cate Blanchett and a bevy of others were, as they say in the Project Runway world, too safe. I am talking about Jennifer Garner, Hilary Swank, Drew Barrymore.
These are all very beautiful women with glittering Hollywood careers and they can be better when it comes to these award shows! I saw Nicollette Sheridan and said, "She looks better with no make-up and stretch pants walking through Beverly Hills in her recent paparazzi snaps!"
It was a great year in movies and a great year overall for entertainment. Why does it come from an Asian actress, the most inspiring ensemble?? And this only for her to be criticized by fashion "critics" all throughout the States. Please: be open-minded. Other of my favorite-dressed women were Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, and Kate Winslet. These women, like Rinko, came pampered and prepared, luscious and with an air of elegance. ...Flowers strolling across the red carpet.
I did not tune into the SAG awards. ...To watch Helen Mirren take home another award for best actress? Boring. (Not a fan of "The Queen.") As soon as I saw that, I flipped channels. However I must say that Ellen Pompeo looked about right. That is an image of glossiness. More: she knew she was going somewhere important and that she would be photographed many times. When I see a woman like this, it inspires me. I can think of her as a woman with a mind, somebody that doesn't abuse her time in the spotlight by failing to acquire a fashionable sensitivity. Pompeo's look was stylish, and like Rinko's GG dress, it was delicately pieced, gentle and charming. Hopefully these women continue to gloss on, not only through magazine covers and with the help of Vogue stylists, but on their own and especially at these very popular award shows.
As for the men, let it not be too politcal as I've concluded from the girls of blah-land! It seems like they (the men) play it "safe" the most. And again, all it takes is to focus some of their anthropomorphic-size personalities into the world of style and pow! ...Stars again. (Subsribe to Italian Vogue for men!)
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2-05-2007 @ 2:55AM
Bee said...
And, hello to Jeffrey! Get well soon!!
Cheers to a blog! More, please!
What's next of Jeffrey coverage?
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2-05-2007 @ 3:00AM
Bee said...
PS Did I write sequnce? I meant SEQUINS. Sorry for the error.
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2-05-2007 @ 6:06PM
Karen said...
Hello Jeffrey,
I honestly don't remember much about the fashion at the Golden Globes, except that one dress with the odd pom-poms hanging off it. Very strange!
Thanks for the commentary...and I am really looking forward to your take on the Grammys!!!
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2-05-2007 @ 6:44PM
Erica said...
Good to see you getting comfortable with your new blogging duties over here. I enjoy the conversational tone of your writing. Well done.
And I like how you're encouraging Harrison to be an individual, though he may have to take some crap for that stance along the way. I know I did.
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2-05-2007 @ 6:46PM
Erica said...
PS. Hope you're feeling better soon. I think I have what you have. Blah.
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2-18-2007 @ 1:17PM
Mama said...
Sorry to hear about the cold Jeffery. I too thought the Women were all dressed beautifully. When I attend a formal function knowing everyone is in sportsjackets or black tux I will go to an extream NOT to wear the SOS (same old S*#@). I have worn fabously outrageous jackes with brocade, color, and more color for example. I will ALWAYS press the enveloe far beyond what anybody i know would even consider. I keep waitiing for the day I can get you to design a formal coat that can be worn to "Black Tie" gatherings. And I should mention, I never wear the same thing twice to a formal so I am deeply challenged to find the Flash that will cause ALL heads to turn when I enter a room.
Cheers Jeffery and greetings from Bancouver, Washington!
Mama aka Jamison
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2-23-2007 @ 1:29PM
Kris said...
Too bad the guys aren't into the retro/vintage look. They could do alot with the past fashions. I loved Katherine Heigl, but thought Patricia Arquette could've gone with move coverage, less shimmer and a darker color considering her body type. I love. love. love vintage dresses. I'm also partial to some mesh and alittle more lace. I like low-cut backs, but leave the cleavage with a little to the imagination. Vanessa could make a gunny look great, but liked the refreshing color see wore. Thanks Jeffrey for the bulletin. I love fashion and WAS a sewing fool, so I apppreciate someone who's into it and has some wit to boot. Kris
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