Fashion Statements: 8 Looks to go from Drab To Fab in seconds

What is one surefire way to turn an office-chic ensemble to the talk of the party? Statement jewelry, of course! Hollywood favorites have adopted the art and have been dropping jaws with their “simple” red carpet looks ever since. Here’s a look into all that it takes to go from drab to fab in seconds-

SHINY ROCKS

Take a cue from Emma Stone as she sizzles in red Lanvin at the red carpet premiere of her new film Gangster Squad on January 7, 2013, at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

A plain tube dress- fine for a day at the office desk but really comes to life, add some sparkle with a few humungous rhine/gemstones- nobody cares if it’s even real anymore. Stone funked up this look with not only the neckpiece but the detail on the belt as well (not to mention her sleek hairdo).

Verdict- Chunky is the new way to go.

FILIGREE

Star of House MD Jennifer Morrison checks all the boxes (and how!) for her ensemble at the debut of Tommy Hilfiger/ Zooey Deschanel’s New Castle collection at The London Hotel on April 9, 2014, in West Hollywood, California.

A nice flowy white dress gets an instant glam-job with statement antique gold filigree accessories. The matching, yet plain, gold clutch (and the blood red lipstick) doesn’t do much harm to the look either. Not to mention everything matches with her blond curls.

Verdict- Brownie points for the perfect melange of intricacy and size.

FEATHERS

Jessica Alba keeps it alive at the Keep a Child Alive organization's 5th annual Black Ball at The Hammerstein Ballroom on November 13, 2008, in New York City.

Once you get past the Sin City scorcher’s super severe blunt bangs, check out the OTT (over-the-top, silly!) long neckpiece with the feathered and gemstone detailing- the plain black, deep neck, almost casual dress gets its oomph factor upped by godly bounds (which, of course, is accentuated by the updo and the matching lipstick).

Verdict- So, maybe, feathered accessories aren’t the worst.

CONTRAST

Cameron Diaz gets it right at the Poiret: King Of Fashion benefit gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2007, in New York City. The star of There’s Something About Mary pulls off an unconventional pairing of a hot pink Christian Dior couture ballgown with a turquoise choker and earring set (from Fred Leighton) like she was born to do it.

The non-traditional color pairing and her “I don’t play by the rules” attitude is the new way to dress up!

Verdict- Unconventional? Just go for it!

SEMIPRECIOUS

Jennifer Lopez rocks Lanvin at the UK premiere of her film The Back-Up Plan in April 2010.

The black leather off-shoulder dress gets a splash of color with a statement neckpiece set with a horde of semi-precious stones. Simple solitaire studs and a black Jimmy Choo clutch completed the look. The key is to not take any of the attention away from the main element of the ensemble (in JLo’s case, the massive neckpiece)

Verdict- It’s okay if your jewelry weighs you down- as long as there’s only one piece.

EARRINGS

Sofia Vergara in red and statement earrings has sort of become an Emmy red carpet tradition. Yet, she outdoes herself every time. The bodacious Modern Family babe manages to carry a flaming color and doesn’t take it too far courtesy of her larger-than-life contrasting gemstone earrings (she obviously likes to have her earlobes stretched out, doesn’t she).

Sofia Vergara is probably the reason giant emeralds have become red carpet staples and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like the color of envy?

Verdict- Emerald green is definitely the color of the season, every season. Hallelujah.

LAYERS

Sandra Bullock managed to fuse the pearl and layered jewelry trends with her ensemble at the premiere of her film The Proposal in June 2009.

Who would’ve thought a black asymmetrical dress could go from zero to hero when paired with a layered pearl/antique gold chains necklace?

Verdict- Whoever said black, white and gold is old-fashioned was seriously mistaken.

MINIMAL

TV’s How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders smoulders with understated glamor in J.Mendel at the 2013 Emmy Awards’ red carpet.

While the strapless nude gown is beautiful, it’s Cobie’s simplistic jewelry (by Irene Neuwirth) and kohl-rimmed eyes (let’s not forget the long bob hairdo) that steal the show- a hassle-free look that really puts the person’s natural beauty on a pedestal.

Verdict- Less really is more.

Written by Jyotsna Shiv Kumar

Eater of the cupcakes. Art nerd. Lov...er, reeeally liker of psychological horror novels. Your friendly neighborhood tumblr expert.