Translate 2016 Red Carpet Style to Everyday Looks

While the opinions below are my own, I was provided product and compensated by Depend for this post.

What’s Popular on the 2016 Red Carpet?

Winter award shows can signal longer-term fashion trends. I even prefer the red carpet pre-events to the actual award part most times. I enjoy seeing both my favorite actresses and what they are wearing. Whether it’s Susan Sarandon rocking cleavage in a white suit, or Viola Davis in elegant satin, midlife women on the red carpet lead the way for upcoming fashion trends.

Here are fashion trends for the coming year I saw on the recent 2016 award show red carpets.

Capes

I have waited my whole life for capes to be in style. I love their ease of wear, graceful drape, and how they instantly provide a touch of class. While I was in Paris last fall, I saw capes in shop windows and on fashionable women.

While capes on evening gowns, as seen on Jennifer Lopez and Regina King at the Golden Globes, are chiffon or lace, capes translate perfectly to daywear in wool or tweed. I’ve seen beautiful casual capes in department stores from brands ranging from Burberry and DKNY to Topshop. They transition well as the weather changes, and will be back for next fall.

Sparkle

A bit of sparkle should be a component of every outfit, according to Clinton Kelly and Stacey London of the show What Not To Wear. Along with pattern, color, and texture, sparkle adds dimension that perks up even the simplest jeans and blazer.

All-over sequined gowns are big on the red carpet. Julianne Moore shimmered in head-to-toe blue sequins at the recent Golden Globe awards. While you are unlikely to wear a fully sequined gown to the grocery store, shine and shimmer can be added to everyday looks through jewelry, metal belts, or embellished trims on tops, sweaters, and jackets.

White

Not just for summer anymore, white is perfectly appropriate for every season. Look for white coats, dresses, and jeans available now. No reason to wait until after Memorial Day to dress in this clean, chic way.

Be careful with head-to-toe white. It can wash out fair skin or not provide enough contrast to fair hair. Pure white needs contrast to be most flattering. Consider winter-white if bright white doesn’t look great on you. Also, white shoes or white tights are hard for even the most fashionable to pull off. If it’s your thing, rock it, but avoid looking like an old-fashion nurse.

Black Velvet

I was so excited to see black velvet on Kirsten Dunst and Lady Gaga at the Golden Globes. It’s not usually popular on red carpets or other televised events because of its difficulty to photograph. The texture of the fabric absorbs light and can come off as flat on camera.

In real life, black velvet is one of the ultimate luxury fabrics. Like George Costanza, I would swath myself in velvet daily if I could.

Definitely a seasonal fabric, velvet is perfect in cold weather. Dress up your day look with velvet flats, or casual trousers paired with a crisp white button-up. Pop on a tunic in burnout velvet for a cozy evening event. Add just a touch to any look through velvet trim or accessories.

Ultra Feminine

A friend who owns a boutique just returned from the spring buyers’ market and told me ultra-feminine is in for spring and summer 2016. This was signaled on the recent red carpets by Nicole Kidman’s Gucci gown that was glittery and pink with faux ruffles.

Look for this to translate into casualwear via flowy dresses, floral prints, and ruffled hems. This is potentially a tricky look for a midlife woman to wear. While thinking of a garment as “age-appropriate” is outdated, be critical when trying on this look that it’s not overwhelming. Consider mixing ruffles or florals with something edgy or tailored to balance the look.

Foundations

No matter what you wear on the outside, starting with the right foundation undergarments can be your best bet for pulling off a look. Whether it’s the right bra for the neckline of a top or little figure-smoothing help from shapewear, what’s underneath an outfit can help any woman feel her best so she can look her best.
For the one in three women with bladder leakage, Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs are a moderate-absorbency brief featuring a thin design for complete comfort and the trusted protection of Depend.

These briefs have a lower rise for an underwear-like look, fit and feel. Also, they feature a cloth-like fabric that is smooth under clothes, no matter if you put on activewear or eveningwear. For those who like choice, the product is available in black and beige colors.

Can you tell that she’s wearing Depend brief Silhouette Active Fit? I tested one out all day under yoga pants and my teenagers–notorious fashion critics–never spotted it.

If you’d like to learn more, visit Depend.com to request a free product sample and get a coupon.