Playing Dress-Up

It is rare that I watch an awards show, but I wait eagerly for red-carpet photos of nominees and winners to come online. Last Sunday was the Emmy awards, so I curled up with my laptop on the couch and clicked through photo after photo of celebrities. Their designer dresses and tuxedos are not in my budget, but luckily, you can get the look for less here.

For a dress similar to the one Lea Michele wore, look for the same color and overall shape, like a royal blue mermaid dress. To channel your inner Heidi Klum, try a strapless black mini dress that shows off your legs. Mother/daughter duo Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri looked simply stunning together. Get Sarandon's look with a sparkly black off-the-shoulder dress. Copy Ammuri by wearing a classic strapless satin dress in ivory.

Bright colors were big this year on the red carpet. You can pull off a young, flirty look in a pink Marilyn-Monroe-style tea-length dress like Keri Russell did. Jenna Fischer looked incredible in a deep coral strapless dress. However, if evening means wearing black to you, then copy Eva Longoria's rosette-covered black gown.

The men of the red carpet also did not disappoint. While there were some interesting, modern tuxedos, I prefer the traditional style, like Jon Hamm's classic tuxedo.You just can't go wrong with a black bow tie and a two-button jacket with satin lapels. If you liked Neil Patrick Harris's grey tuxedo with black trim, but you aren't ready to veer away from black, look for a tuxedo with satin trim on the lapels.

Which award show looks were your favorites? Do you have secret longings for tuxedos and evening gowns?

Posted by Meredith Boone