Off the Rack

We’ve been spotting red lips pop up on everyone from Cameron Diaz to Beyonce, but some stars are taking the look one step further with a dark crimson. More dramatic and edgy than the old Hollywood scarlet lips, these dark reds are turning up on the mouths of trendsetters like Kate Winslet, Ashley Olsen and Gwyneth Paltrow. Not for the weak of heart or the imperfect of skin, a color this dark has to be worn carefully — try a nude lip liner underneath to keep it from creeping and a hit of blush to keep you from looking like Elvira is key. Just remember to keep eye makeup to a minimum to amp up the hit of color on your mouth.

Click here to see more Red Carpet Beauty Trends in our gallery.

Photo: Sara De Boer / Retna; Travis Farrell/WireImage; Chance Yeh/PatrickMcMullan/Sipa Press

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The stylist best known for making pricey Manolo Blahniks, Christian Louboutins and Jimmy Choos mainstream on Sex and the City told us a shocker that would have Carrie Bradshaw tripping all over herself. Patricia Field, an Oscar nominee for Best Costume Design for The Devil Wears Prada, will be walking the Academy’s red carpet in budget footwear. “I’m going to be wearing a pair of Payless shoes,” says Field, who created a line of footwear for the brand. “Oh, they’re gorgeous. They’re metallic snake in a couple of different colors, gold and silver.” Cheap really is chic!

Click here to see more Red Carpet Fashion in Off the Rack. And for more of the latest news and gossip on the award shows, check out our Red Carpet Confidential blog.

Photo: Payless ShoeSource/Newscom; Michael Tran/FilmMagic

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Unlike Jim Carrey, Orlando Bloom has always struck us as a man who looks great with longer hair. Maybe it’s just because we’re so used to seeing him that way — whether on screen or in everyday life. The actor turned up at Global Green’s Pre-Oscar bash at Avalon in Hollywood last night with radically cropped locks — messy and rakish, to say the least — and had even a jaded Hollywood crowd buzzing about his new look. Bloom tells PEOPLE of the new cut is a way to say good-bye to his Pirates of the Caribbean character, saying it’s “the end of Will Turner [and] the beginning of a new thing.” We want to know what you think of the daring do. Tell us: Do you love Orlando’s new look? Or hate it?

Click here for more Guy Style in Off the Rack.

Photo: Jill Johnson/JPI

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Many would say that women get to have all the fun when dressing for the red carpet, but male actors aren’t shying away from showing their own bursts of individuality this award season. Just witness Djimon Hounsou at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where the Blood Diamond actor slipped a red shirt under his tailored suit for a look that was composed, a bit original and effortlessly elegant. Can we look forward to a similiar look from the Best Supporting Actor nominee at the Oscars? Other actors — like the polished Will Smith and Forest Whitaker — opted for a monochromatic look, pairing black shirts and ties together for a sleek and sexy look. Tell us: Do you like a colored shirt with a tux? Or should the men just stick with the basics?

Click here to see more Red Carpet Fashion in Off the Rack. And for more of the latest news and gossip on the award shows, check out our Red Carpet Confidential blog.

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage; Flynet

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Nominated for Best Actress for her role in Little Children, Kate Winslet is the Minimalist of this year’s award season.

Signature Look:Solid colored gowns in simple and classic silhouettes, accented by major bling. Hair is either in long, loose waves, or pinned into a clean bun.

Favorite Designers: Who isn’t her favorite? Zac Posen, Dolce & Gabbana, Carmen Marc Valvo and Escada are just a few she’s worn in the last few months. She also likes Rodo and Roger Vivier clutches.

What Will She Wear: Because she’s such a designer butterfly, it’s tough to predict. But count on clean lines and a vibrant hue for her Oscar-night look.

Click here to see more Red Carpet Fashion in Off the Rack. And for more of the latest news and gossip on the award shows, check out our Red Carpet Confidential blog.

Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty; doug peters/empics; Sara De Boer/Retna

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Leopard print has been popular since the fall, popping up on shoes, handbags and coats. But there is still something about Mischa Barton’s super-slim leopard print pants that makes us pause. Is it just the fear of wearing attention-getting prints on our lower halves? Or is it that the trendy print is more appealing in small doses? From what we’ve seen of the Fall ‘07 fashion shows, this is look that’s here to stay. Tell us: Would you wear leopard print pants like Mischa?

Click here to read more about Mischa Barton’s style in Off the Rack.

Photo: X17

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