FRIDAY FASHION FACE-OFF feat. DAME HELEN MIRREN & DARREN CRISS

DAME HELEN MIRREN
Robyn: I worship this Dame. In her 60s, as sexy as hell and impeccably dressed. A class act as they would say. I particularly like the clean line maxi skirt and gold belt combo which is very, very contemporary, without losing any dignity. The plunge of the lurex top is decorous and yet festive and age-appropriate. Seriously. How could this be better?
Marco: Well you have said it all haven't you? She embodies all that is class and sophistication while looking quite hot indeed. Just imagine the glitz and fun we could have with the real queen. Probably minus the plunging neckline, of course.

DARREN CRISS
Marco: I could have chosen a 'No Doubt'-er or Ryan Gosling again but this boy really stood out for me. For those of you googling his name, he's on Glee. I just love the fit of this suit, the sharp lapel, the simple bow-tie and the fact that he combined it with those shoes! It's precisely what I would have done. Even if you end up saying they look like bowling shoes Robyn I don't care, because it's a lovely look.
Robyn: Oh relax, dear, I love the shoes of course. They are a classic and I adore the way they are worn in and he may have actually been hoofing in them for years. What a treat. The suit and bow tie is good too. It’s just that this strange wee chap looks a bit sweaty. Like a good shower and eyebrow wax wouldn’t go amiss. Just saying. 

Friday Fashion Face-off feat. Leighton Meester and Ben Barnes

LEIGHTON MEESTER
Robyn: This is unquestionably the prettiest outfit worn by anyone all week. But I kinda want to look at the outfit separate to the Gossip Girl Queen Bee, in that I cannot scour from my mind that Marchesa lace jumpsuit monstrosity of last week. Seriously. Nor, frankly, can I usually ignore her odd legs and generally off-putting smugness. But props where due. Beautiful dress paired with gorgeous shoes has to count for something. And hair and make-up are rocking.
Marco: Leighton really is a girl who either gets it very wrong or very right. I don't know why she insists on all those "edgy" looks when we all know she is much better off dressing like Blair Waldorf. Do we need to bring up that Thom Browne suit she just wore? But In this case I cannot help but agree with you. It's pretty and understated and those shoes are the perfect colour and design. It's like she has to remind us from time to time that she actually has learned something from Gossip Girl.
PS: Ahem, Marco, just posted on that suit she wore and I loved it. Sorry mate.

BEN BARNES
Marco: I'm all for Harry Potter versus the kiddies who disappear into a cupboard. But I am rather liking the fresh young face of Ben Barnes from Narnia's latest installment. His look is sleek and clean and I know I say that a lot but - compared to smelly Rob - a clean shaven look does wonders. Instead of insulting you with yet another Hollywood tuxedo, I'd rather talk about someone who is young and dapper. Plus he's wearing a three-piece suit and you know how much I love that!
Robyn: Yikes! No offense, but all I can see are those crazy Dr Spock ears! It is scaring me a bit. Like all this kiddie-fantasy-movie malarky is scaring me away from the cinema. So unless this guy really does play Dr Spock in a movie for the grown ups, I have no opinion on him. Although his suit is very nice.

FRIDAY FASHION FACE-OFF feat. KIM KARDASHIAN AND RYAN GOSLING

KIM KARDASHIAN
Robyn: Yikes. I never thought I would feature a Kardashian. But I know this frock got quite a bit of 'Marmite' coverage this week (either you love it or hate it) and I thought that I would pitch in. I think it is pretty and striking and actually quite suited to the KK. I like the neckline very much. Mostly because building in the neckpiece is like a two-for-one sale. Bargain.
Marco: A Kardashian? Robyn I'm shocked. I can't tell, is it a bib? Is she getting her hair cut? I kid, but the neckpiece loses something in this pale blue dress. Wouldn't it be more striking with say, coral? I don't know, I'm a bit bored with it, really. I'm a marmite man, but this dress gets a no from me... Hungry now.

RYAN GOSLING 
Marco: The Gos used to irritate me back when he was a teenage star. It was the hair mostly. No one is naturally that white-blonde after 5, right? Now I'm all for him. He's rugged and sensitive and dresses impeccably. Just look at this double-breasted beaut. On trend, perfect fit and just the right length. He wears it with an ease that makes you question if he hires a stylist.

Robyn: I imagine he does have a stylist for this sort of thing. And didn't the stylist do well? I think it is just weird enough for the guy who played the lead in Lars and the Real Girl, but also super-sharp. Great find, Marco, old chap.

FRIDAY FASHION FACE-OFF feat. GWYNETH PALTROW & JOSH DUHAMEL

GWYNETH PALTROW
Robyn: Lady Gwyn is someone that usually just annoys me so much that I want to dig my nails in my arm just to distract myself from her smug piousness. And yet look at how beautiful she looks here. My six-year-old niece would think her a princess to see this. I sort of do too. Draped ombre with a gentle sparkle. So very pretty.

Marco: Robyn she may be very, very pretty in the tie-dyesque frock but for goodness sake she looks like shops on Avenue Disney. She's like a Barbie. Or at least some sort of costume version of her. And I would prefer the cut of the dress without the side-ab panel. We get that she has a hot yoga body without it. No need to brag.

JOSH DUHAMEL
Marco: He gets my vote not for his new movie role, his good looks or his great taste in modern suiting, but for being the gentleman that he is. Wearing this sleek rounded lapel suit with just a silver tie for modest flair, Josh is allowing his wife to shine on her night at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Good chap.

Robyn: Whatevs. If I was casting the fictional movie 'Robocop - The Return' I would cast him in a heartbeat. I mean sure he looks dishy, but just too tan and plastic-looking for my tastes. And that tie is gunmetal grey, my dear.

FRIDAY FASHION FACE-OFF feat. EVA MENDES & CHRIS PINE

CHRIS PINE
Marco: I know what you're going to say, "Is it brown? Is it corduroy". Mind you, it could just be an intricate pinstripe. But in this case I really think it works. And you know how I love a three-piece. The fit is perfect, the paisley is unexpected but a nice touch. Perhaps that's why I like this look so much, because how many other young actors would step out in this?
Robyn: Dude, that is definitely not corduroy. A woollen pin stripe is what it is and it fits immaculately. Well done to Captain Kirk for that. And he is soooo pretty, innit. But jislaaik I feel uncomfortable just looking at the oke. Layering the jacket over the waistcoat in such a dense fabric just makes me break out in a sympathetic sweat.

EVA MENDES (AGAIN)
Robyn: To me, Eva looks like a tall, chilled glass of Haute Cabriere Pinot Noir. This Gucci column of beauty is perfection without looking too try-hard. Hair loose and accessories minimal help with creating this perfect balance. Worried about my mental balance though. Two times Eva and two consecutive red long dresses - hey Marco, do you think I may have a type?
Marco: Perhaps a teeny moratorium on Ms. Mendes eh, Robyn? But agreed, she is rather fetching as usual. Especially in red. This women can do no wrong on the red-carpet.

FRIDAY FASHION FACE-OFF feat. HALLE BERRY & JAKE GYLLENHAAL

JAKE GYLLENHAAL

Marco: He has the makings of someone to loathe. You know, charm, good looks, talent and the perfect beard. I should be jealous of him but alas am too busy taking cues from you Robyn, by imagining our bro-dates wherein I am doing something outdoorsy. But before that may I just commend Jake on his effortless and relaxed styling. I actually prefer it sans accessory. Modern fit, great shoes and no fuss. Easy enough to follow, eh boys?

Robyn: Sooooo, Jake and Taylor, eh? Why does that make me feel a teeny tiny bit grubby? So in a week where JAYLOR sightings seem to keep coming, you post a picture of Jake and ask me to comment on his style. Blonde, perchance? Oh, you mean the clothes. Well, he looks jolly nice in his suit. Sleek and simple. I like it.

 

HALLE BERRY

Robyn: Now this is the cat-woman style we know and love. YSL red silk asymmetric drapery. You absolutely can not fault it. As I said on my blog last week, she is an alien life form, such is her perfection. Done.

Marco: Is it possible that she looks more beautiful now than when she donned this look the first time? I prefer the darker hair too, it's a mature version of her former self without making it look any less sexy. 'Meow' if there ever was a reason to say it. She really is knocking them back these days with her outfits. Gold dress anyone? Yes okay, i'll go see your movie.

FRIDAY FASHION FACE-OFF FEATURING DANIEL CRAIG AND SIENNA MILLER

SIENNA MILLER

Robyn: Who knew HRH Sienna, Queen of the Boho, could do classic chic? A jaunt across the pond to France seems to have pulled the best out of her as she looks, fresh, pretty and elegant. A modern take on animal print with her Twenty8Twelve dress, paired with life-long-courts and a Chanel  2.55 handbag seems to work wonders for her. Add the red lippy and you have a winning look. See kids, there is a first time for everything.

Marco: For an actress who is more famous for her on-again off-again relationship with Jude Law than you know, her acting, it is a surprise she has lasted in the limelight this long. I do however enjoy her style thoroughly. Particularly her pixie cut phase. Hopefully we will see more of this lass because she does continue to have 'something' going on, whatever that is.

DANIEL CRAIG:

Robyn: Ah, who doesn't fancy a rugged, can-do kinda man? And when the clothing is classic and understatedly expensive, rugged looks all the more attractive. An excellent sartorial choice. Of course Mr Last-Name-Is-A-First-Name is also demonstrating the age old men's jacket button rule from the top - always, sometimes, never - which is a useful reminder for everyone I think.

Marco: Keeping the theme British this week I am quite fond of 007's wooly attire while filming the Girl with the Dragon tattoo. I love the tonal overcoat, It almost makes me miss Winters in London. Yeh no, scratch that. If anyone needs me this weekend I'll be on the beach.

FRIDAY FASHION FACE-OFF feat. Dominic Cooper and Isabela Lucas

ISABELA LUCAS
ROBYN: I'm having a mustard kind of week. Loving all outfits in this challenging hue. And this 70s style dress is bang on the money. I also love that it is styled with the gold plaited belt and flats. Perfect for supporting a cause. And the lippy is good too. I just wish I knew who she was... Any ideas?


MARCO: Australian actress, Robyn. "Home and Away" to be precise and now she has done just that and fled for the Glitzy lights of Hollywood. That look reminds me of a young Brooke Shields in 'Blue Lagoon'. That dress, the hair, all lovely. Lovelier so because although she is going after Hollywood she isn't going the Boobs and Blonde route.

DOMINIC COOPER

ROBYN: I used to work with a guy called Graeme in the U.K and old Dom here reminds me of him. Slim fits, classic Mod styling and a twinkle in the eye. Sir Paul Smith has taught them well. But Graeme would have had a buttoned-up cardigan on under that jacket and been all the better for it.

MARCO: Even though his red carpet poses remind me of a chameleon most of the time, I do however enjoy his style. While I wasn't able to confirm if the suit was Versace or Boss, we can look at what we do know: Sleek, tailored to his size with just the right amount of detail on the tie. British boys proving once again how it's done.

Friday Fashion Face-off feat. Penn Badgley and Blake Lively

BLAKE LIVELY

ROBYN

This is the fashion 'it' girl of the moment. Promoting her new film, Town, she has not put a foot wrong. And this dress by Antonio Berardi is no exception. With a simplicity that hints at Victoria Beckham, this is the perfect dress for a girl previously known as Boobs Legsly to show that she is growing up into a certifiable style star.

MARCO

I've always favored old lip-biter's red carpet style to Leighton Meesters. She embraces her athletic build and curves with figure hugging dresses and the right amount of accessory. Certainly one way of gaining Hollywood brownie points is to do as Blake Lively; please the men with the body and please the ladies with the outfit.

PENN BADGLEY

ROBYN

Ooookaaay. This is a risky kinda look. All tuxedo jacket and Caledonian Society reel tie. Does this outfit know what it is and where it is going? I like me a bit of Penn, and he does sit awfully well next to the lovely Ms Lively. But this outfit? I may just fast forward through this bit of the show. Sorry.

MARCO

Mmm...Because it's completely normal for a 17 year old to wear designer suiting. Dan (Penn Badgley)grabs a cup of joe before shooting scenes for Gossip Girl. I fear another dramatic quarrel at cottilion coming on. I love the lapels and the moody colouring but combined with that hair perhaps he may be looking a little like a sports commentator or similar.

TILDA SWINTON:
Robyn: To my mind The Swinton can do no wrong. And at the Venice Film Festival this past week, she has continued in her winning style ways. Minimalist, interesting, true to herself and so very elegant. I just think that it is flawless. And she is a ginger. That's a fashion bonus not a handicap, peeps, contrary to popular opinion.
Marco: Swinton is the first lady of androgyny. Wait, is that right? Either way she has managed to take her long, lanky, awkward looks and turned them into something beautiful. It just shows what difference a couture gown can make when you pair it with a pretty English accent. 


RYAN REYNOLDS:
Marco: For a cover (October issue of GQ) this a pretty basic look but he pulls it off with such ease. Besides, how can you fault a man who is both a party liaison and an X-man at same time? Not to mention he married Scarlett Johannson and that right there is a finished sentence.
Robyn: I know it's got to be about the clothes. Not the incredible old-fashioned gorgeousness of the guy involved. Now as I attempt not to drool, let me say that I love the crumpled shirt look, with the rolled up sleeve. Very manly and 'bring home the bacon'. I also adore a flat front trouser on a dude of some heft. But I am going to vote out that tie. Just too Post Office circa 1997 for my taste. And that pesky wedding ring.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS:


ROBYN:
I am a sucker for any kind of version of Peter Pan collar. And it is perfect with the gamine hair crop that it appears Ms Williams has pioneered for all the other wee blonde girls in the movies. This lady has made a habit of wearing interesting and quirky dresses on the red carpet that combine personal style with evening elegance. She almost always gets it right too. And while this colour is not my favourite on her (the mustard oscar dress, anyone?), she really does look swell.


MARCO:
Oh how I enjoyed 'An Education'. Wait, that's not Carey Mulligan, it's Jen Lindley! I've always been a fan of her non-conformist style. Even her casual-wear is stylish. So, yes this Jason Wu dress is phenomenal and certainly must have taken forever to complete but it does make her hips look a lot wider than they actually are, no? Kudos either way. 


STEPHEN DORFF:


ROBYN:
There is nothing a certain kind of girl likes more than a bit of rough scrubbing up well. Mr Dorff is a total hottie. Always has been. And many women would have thought that they could make him the marrying kind...and failed. But look at him now. All lovely and clean and still with a twinkle in his eye. Got to say I am also a sucker for the scoop waistcoat. Delicious.


MARCO: 
Close your eyes. Say it with me: Tom Ford. One more time. Tom Ford. Black notch lapel tuxedo, white plisse evening shirt and black bow-tie with a white silk pocket square to finish it off. Completely appropriate for the Venice Film Festival. Note the expensive Swiss Jaeger le-coultre watch which just so happens to be a festival sponsor. Coincidence? Doubtful. Looking good though, Stephen!

NICOLA ROBERTS

ROBYN:
Always considered the least attractive member of the girl band Girls Aloud, Nicola Roberts has recently managed to successfully establish herself as something of a fashionista and last week launched a line of cosmetics for fairer-skinned girls. Personally I have always rather liked her. Everyone knows how I like the gingers. But also I think that she had something about her. Here, in this image for News of the World, I think that she has grown into her difference. She has become bold with her colouring and used it to turn a fashion story into something that hints at art. The blood red lips and burgundy skirt are perfect for her colouring and the nude bustier is fashion gold. I think she has become the member of the band that is most beautifully loud and proud.

MARCO:
Okay so she does look quite gorgeous, if not a little doe-eyed in this image. What I enjoyed the most was the styling; two simple pieces, no jewelry, light trickery, or disastrous "two-brewers" drag make-up. I give her prior attempts a thumbs up because even though they didn't always work at least she didn't sell out her ginger roots, she celebrated them.

NEIL-PATRICK HARRIS

MARCO:
Hollywood's most loved gay couple Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka show the boys how it's done on the red carpet. Harris, looking sleek and dapper in Calvin Klein is a great example of what other options men have to these events. A simple black tie is boring but coming out like this gives us boys something to appreciate! A smile though, would be a good accessory, Neil. David has it.

ROBYN:
Shiny? Really? I know that the shiny grey evening suit is much loved by many, but the day that the memo went out about it being acceptable stylistically I was drinking mojitos in Havana. I actually was. What I do think is that it makes NPH look even littler and that's never a good thing. I do like the dicky bow and shawl collar tux on David though. I'm sticking with the classics on this one, Marco

REESE WITHERSPOON

MARCO:
My heart skips a beat when I see Reese Witherspoon. She's adorable and sexy and just the epitome of 'Southern Belle'. What's better is she can actually act which makes her that much more of a commodity in this Hollywood Salad of 'talent'. This green Shirt dress is so perfect for her colouring and the accessories make sense. Note to Jersey Shore fans, this is what class looks like.

ROBYN:
On the money. This dress is the definitive main course for a summer fashion lunch. The belt and gold gladiators, the perfect side dish and the straw trilby, a shortcut to a cool iced pudding. But mixed in with all this style-nailing is the fact that it is totally do-able by you. Or me. Or our girl friends. This is not some unattainable fashion mission. It is real. And maybe it loses some magic for me in this truth.

ISAIAH MUSTAFA

ROBYN:
So the delicious Isaiah Mustafa has won an Emmy for his turn as The Man Your Man Could Smell Like (if they didn't use lady-scented body wash) in the epic Old Spice ads. I say well played. On that and this impeccable dinner suit and tie. Modern, sleek and effortlessly cool. Like him. If only he was on a horse, then it would be perfect. PS: I think that I love him

MARCO:
Not since Barney Stinson appeared before me on-screen have I felt such an instant Bro-mance develop. Often stylists choose a look that wears the actor they dress but if you have any idea who Mustafa is, or more accurately how he smells, you'll see that HE wears THAT suit. Catch his Hilarious Old Spice commercial below. Now excuse me while I look for a stable in Cape Town...

JULIA ROBERTS
ROBYN: On the one hand Jules copped some flak for wearing shorts (gasp, at her age? gasp, on a red carpet?) and on the other hand she was accused of being too boring. Seriously? Can this incredibly beautiful, talented, successful woman never win? I think that she looks amazing. Look at those pins! She totally rocks the DVF shorts and smartens it all up with the Stella McCartney jacket. I think that it is a bit risky and a bit summer fun, probably unlike the movie. But that may just be me since I must be in a team of about seven people who haven't bought into the whole Cult of Eat,Pray,Love. Just call me an outlier, Gladwell.

MARCO: Obviously a better choice than the tent-like Kimono dress she wore this week in Japan. She has quite the body on her and those stems could belong to any 20 year old girl. Anyone hating on this look is just jealous or close-minded. She keeps it classy by choosing to show a lot of leg and covering the rest. A Tux jacket, the simple jewelery and the shoes, the rich brown of her hair accenting the black; I think it's hot, however old she is. I'm a proud cultee!

CHACE CRAWFORD
MARCO: There are so many things to love about this look. This is what happens when a pile of seemingly ordinary pieces pull together and make magic. It says, "this man doesn't take himself too seriously but he knows what he's doing". It's the simplicity of the styling, nothing is over-worn, in saying nothing he's saying a lot! We all know my thoughts on rolled up trousers and boat shoes, but look how he wears it without looking like a trend-follower. Chuck may be better dressed but his style is obvious whereas Chace, well he proves that you can be fashionable without back-handing people with his superior styling when he walks in a room.

ROBYN: I think we need to be honest here. This is just sheer deliciousness. And it is unseemly and unprofessional of me to drool quite so much over this poor young boy. I also think that the total scrumptiousness also diverts attention from the actual styling. It is probably a bit self conscious, no? And certainly not original, right? But who cares when Boy Chase + some lovely clothes = one rather overheated old lady. A little gift from us to you on a Friday. Sigh.

Style Guide CT Editor and I will be featuring and commenting on our picks of the week every Friday. This week we have chosen the young and stylish American Actor 'Zac Efron' and GLEE star 'Jayma Mays'.




ZAC EFRON:

ROBYN COOKE: You can't help but love the retro styling of this. I know the garments are probably the epitome of all that is uncool, and yet the deliciousness of The Zefron coupled with the very New England locale and excellent styling (see the watch and shoes especially) makes it super hot. Actually this whole story made me think that Zeffers is probably at his best in photoshoots when he is doing something active like throwing a ball or balancing sideways on a pole, and this is no exception. And I kinda like a guy who needs to be doing something or else he feels a bit awkward.

MARCO RIEKSTINS: Take one pretty boy Disney star, add Steroids and a hot yet scarily untalented girlfriend who takes suggestive photo's of herself and Hey Presto! A star is born. I'll admit, he wasn't half bad in "17 again". In fact I have been watching his style with one eye open since he pointed out in the movie that nobody, not even 17 year old boys should be seen wearing Ed HARDLY. The New England Prep styling of the shoot is all well and good but personally I would roll up the sleeves to modernize the look. And would you believe the Olsen Twins had something to do with this outfit? Just saying...

JAYMA MAYS:

ROBYN COOKE: The delightful Jayma Mays, better known as Emma Pillsbury in Glee. I think that she is the best dressed character in the show by a country mile and it seems that her style is just as solid, yet quirky, off camera. Obviously we all know green on a ginger is a winning solution, but I love that the length is perfect - not that hideous starlet short look where you are afraid you may catch a glimpse of her lady bits if the wind picks up. Elegant and simple and interesting and well chosen to suit her. With special leg-lengthening nude heels and a glorious smile as bonus points.

MARCO RIEKSTINS: Big fan of ginger girls going Au natural. Statistically men prefer a less done-up girl and the simplicity of the styling proves my point. Everything done just so, and she looks ten kinds of classy. Showing off her fantastic legs versus Kardashian Cleavage. Jayma Mays: The Anti-Lohan.