Gladiators Galore!

Sarah Jessica filming SATC

Sisters Olsen




The Original Gladiators

Hautespot is long overdue for a quick entry on gladiators. Lately they've just been virtually inescapable cropping up in malls, on runways and televisions.

One reason I think, for their popularity is their extreme versatility. They can certainly be worn casually and as Sarah Jessica Parker illustrates with something as high blown and grand as a wedding dress.

The contrast between the chunky gladiator and the pristine wedding dress' yards of soft tulle is very compelling. It offers the eyes much more than the typical white satin strappy sandal or otherwise delicate shoes one might expect. It's jolie-laide, providing an otherwise very sweet look with a much needed edge.

And that is, in a word, the advantage of the gladiator. It gives everything instant edge. Edge is inherent to its very name which conjures images of the bloody death-matches that, centuries ago, incited crowds to absolute delirium.

One things for sure. These shoes ain't for sissies.

The Skinny Jean- STILL In!!!

The other day a friend of ours went to a party where some backhanded blonde proceeded to gush over her brand new J-Brand skinnies. She said "Oh you are just too cute with your skinny jeans! You know I love my skinnies even though they went out a LONG time ago. *Riotous laughter*"

Because the pen is mightier than the fist we here at the Haute Spot have been prompted to pen a response to this Skankalicious Hater as opposed to knocking her cold on the spot.

SKINNY JEANS ARE STILL IN.

They will be in until either the next ice age or the apocalypse- whichever comes first.

If they are good enough for the fashionable folk above I dare say they are good enough for the rest of us mortals.

The Red Lip: Rules of Application

Backstage Valentino Fall 2007

1. Prep your lips

If your lips are chapped or peeling coloring them red will just draw attention to that. So exfoliate first. Soap them up and buff off dead skin with a facial puff, a damp washcloth or a soft toothbrush. Moisturize with a lip balm.

2. Wear lipliner

If you define the parameters of your mouth before picking up a lipstick tube you're simply less likey to go awry and get a mess. It can also can protect you from looking clownish after lunch because it prevents running and bleeding.

3. Apply uniformly

4. Stay in the lines

Now that you've made use of the lipliner all you have to do is stay within the parameters you've set. We're sure you learned this way back in grade school art class but everyone needs a little reminder now and then.

If you apply your lipstick straight from the tube make sure you always use the same side of it for application. Random use wear the tip round and makes it imprecise. If that's too much work you can always cut your lipstick at a slant or use a lip brush instead to ensure precision.

5. Blot and reapply

This gives the color staying power.

The Red Lip: Finding the Right Shade

A few good reds to check out:

If you're fair like Jaime King try Dior Red Premiere and Dior Liner in Holiday Red.

Medium/Olive skin tones find a good match in the much adored MAC Viva Glam I as well as MAC Lady Bug

Someone with dark skin might try L'oreal's Colour Riche in Drumbeat Red for a mere $8 or NAR's slightly pricier rendition- The Fire Down Below.

Rihanna

If like Rihanna you really feel like kicking things up a notch. Put on a few slicks of NARS Diablo or another red gloss over the liner/lipstick for an intense look that really pops.

The Red Lip: Introduction

Jessica Stam for Valentino Fall 2007

Roberts, Dunst, Stiles and Gyllenhal

Jillian

Mulberry Spring/Summer 2007 Ad

Rachel McAdams in the Notebook

A good look encompasses not only clothes but hair and makeup. It doesn't do to be splendidly arrayed if your eye liner looks like it was applied by an epilectic and your hair is a hay stack. That is why the good-hearted, altruistic folk at Haute Spot have taken it upon themselves to educate the masses about beauty. Today's lesson: The Red Lip.

The red lip is quite possibly the most classic makeup look around. It's been helping women look pulled together, polished and powerful for decades (i.e. Marilyn Monroe, Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth).

Afraid you can't handle it? Well once mastered the red lip will be one of your most powerful assets so the Haute Spot says you owe it to yourselves to at least try. You CAN own it! It's all in finding the right shade, knowing the rules of application and determining what other makeup, hair styles and clothes to pair with it once you get it right. We're going to walk you through each of these three points in posts to follow so get ready! Our chronicles on this classic look have just begun!

High Waisted Pants

Christina/Keira Working the Sailor Look

Amerie in High-Waisted Shorts

Eve in High-Waisted Corset Jeans

Beyonce channeling Kat Kepburn

Victoria Secret's Version of this Trend

If you haven't tried out this trend we here at "haute spot" think it's high time. Corny pun aside it really is something to spice up your wardrobe if you're in a rut. Heres why we love em.

1. They're figure enhancing.

Eve's jeans are proof of that. High-waisted pants accentuate a small waist and suck in the gut like a corset. When coupled with curved stitching at the waist they become even more figure enhancing and can help create the illusion of curves for those who have none. If you like Eve's look these Guess jeans are almost identical and not that pricey.

2. Variety is the spice of life and high-waist trend comes in oh so many forms!
Skinny high-waisted denim is trendy but when made of a nice wool or silk high-waisted pants can be classic and work appropriate like Beyonce's. Try these satin ones by Bebe, the Victoria's Secret ones shown above, or these at Shopbop. They're also great for evoking a retro nautical theme as in the case of Knightley and X-tina. the possibilities are endless.

3. Good for any shape.

As we mentioned before those with skinny pant legs and curved stitching can make a bombshell out of a boy shape. If you have big hips balance your proportions by going for high-waisted pants with a wide leg. If you're short this style will naturally make your legs look a mile long. Gut? This nips and tucks.

There ya have it. We just love it. Happy buying!

How to Wear a Beret

Ralph Lauren Fall 2007


Beyonce Rocks Leather Beret in Concert

Penelope in Cream Beret

Cute Cafe Girl

Jennifer Lopez

Various Other Hot Folk

Overgrown Lawn Gnome Lady

Hmmm....something is amiss! Here at the Haute Spot we put our flesh and blood into gathering shots of various people wearing the beret right but to keep you on your toes we threw in a dummy, a vile imposter and disgrace to the fashion race! Can you guess who it is?

That's right! BLOODY BRILLIANT HOLMES! It's "Overgrown Lawn Gnome Lady" who's guilty of working this trend all wrong! Need we expound upon the reasons? No, but we've made a list anyway.

Why this hurts our eyes:

1.First off she's wearing no makeup. Pssssst!!!! I'll bet she thinks she's a natural beauty. *Laughs riotously*

2. Second, we strongly suspect she's using that poor hat as cover for her unruly, greasy, hot ass mess of hair. Somebody call the police! We've got a hostage situation here! Do it quick!!!! Before she hurts someone with that thing!

3. Coveralls which cover naught.

4. That roll is talking to us.

That being said....

The Rules on How to Wear It:

1. Small diameter. Never exceed a diameter of 12 inches for a beret or else you'll look like a pancake or mushroom head. Take your pick.

2. Pull it down a bit so that you get rounded not sharp edges. That makes for a much softer, less severe look that's easier to pull off.

3. The side-cock. Practically fool proof way to look stylish, cosmopolitan and in the know.

4. Either with a wintry fabric or a wintry color. If your outfit doesn't have one of those things people will be baffled as to how it fits in at all. (See coveralls photo) So don't try and pair it with Summery items or you'll look like a crazy cat lady.

5. Attitude. If there's any doubt about whether your beret works your confidence can sell it to others. You believe it works...so automatically they do too. So wear it with pride .

Suggestions on What to Wear it With:

1. Fifties inspired stuff (See photo of Dita in previous post)

2. Black tights. *Snaps fingers* (See Cafe Girl")

3. Trendy outfits with street-wise vibe + black leather beret= hotness.

4. Anything sleek and form fitting. (See Penelope Cruz)

Where to Find it

1. GreatLookz despite the dopey name offers the right size and fabric in an astounding array of colors.

2. Kangol Anglobasque. A favorite of many.

3. Thrift Stores

4. Ebay. This is the best way really. Just a couple clicks. No diving in dusty thrift store bins day after day till one turns up. You can easily find high quality berets on there; the genuine article- french basque. They will be old but they are high quality, silk lined, leather trimmed berets for under $20. Can't beat that.

So can you wear a beret?

Oui. Oui.

Good. Get out of here. Make us proud.