After a rather long impromptu “vacation” from blogging (also known as “buried in work”), I’m back with another best list of sorts. Hope you enjoy!
Most of the Golden Globes fashion in 2013 was more meh than wow in my opinion, but there were some beautiful clothes. I thought it’d be fun to share the high points and pair those with perfumes.
Best Dude: Ewan McGregor. He is such a talented actor, and I love the candor of his expression in this photo. He looks like a man with character.
I’d match Ewan to a slightly earthy, natural, unisex scent with a playful side. Something like Coeur de Vetiver Sacre or Saffron Troublant by L’Artisan or Vetiver Tonka by Hermes.
Best Accessories: Connie Britton. The beautiful Connie Britton seems to have almost flawless taste. This is probably not my favorite of her red carpet dresses; it’s very pretty, but not a major wow. What does strike me is that she isn’t taking the event too seriously with her bracelets, earrings, and nail polish. They are all tonal (and great match with her make-up), but a little bit funky as well. Brava! Would I lose the prom clutch, though? Yes, I would.
I’d love to pair this dress with a perfume that feels “big” in the manner of classic perfumes and restrained in the modern manner. Some that come to mind are L’Artisan’s Mure et Musc Extrait de Parfum, MDCI Peche Cardinal, and Frederic Malle’s Portrait of a Lady.
Best Make-Up: Adele. Adele is consistently on target with her hair and make-up. She really seems to know what suits her, and I like seeing that she varies her look to keep things interesting. For the Golden Globes, she didn’t go with her usual winged eyeliner; instead she opted for an almond shape with heavier lining underneath. Her lipstick is also peachier than her usual nude lipstick.
Since this look is pretty mod, I’d highlight it with a little ironic contrast: something very classic and opulent, like Chanel No. 5 or No. 5 Eau Premiere.
Best Shoes: Marion Cotillard. I don’t love Marion’s overall look, but her shoes are a different matter. Perfection!
In my mind, these shoes call for something fun, but also sexy and—naturellement—French. Parfums de Nicolai Sacrebleu or Parfumerie Generale Felanilla would fit the bill.
Best Try: Naomi Watts. I am often bored by Naomi’s red carpet choices. I have wanted her to take more risks, be less Doris Day-ish. Now that she’s done so, wearing a gown that is both glamorous and film noir inspired, I think it looks all wrong on her.
If someone like Lauren Bacall were wearing this, I’d go with a smoky, dangerous, sexy scent. That won’t work with Naomi’s good-girlishness, so we need to bridge her look and this dress. Une Rose Vermeille by Andy Tauer or Tolu by Ormonde Jayne would fit the bill. I also recommend a strict regimen of rich perfumes and Dashiell Hammett novels in advance of the Oscars. Naomi needs to get in touch with her dangerous side.
Best at Being Herself: Julianne Moore. Julianne was the Cate Blanchett of the Golden Globes this year. Her dress has a big personality, and she wears it with casual ease. The simple tie at the back is a nice feature, and the strong shoulder is very flattering to her petite frame.
Why not pair this with something angular but feminine, like Balenciaga’s Paris or Frederic Malle’s Iris Poudre?
Best Dressed: Kate Hudson. In my opinion, Kate’s Alexander McQueen was the only possible choice for “best” at this year’s Globes. It’s absolutely heartbreaking (because I can’t whip out my credit card and buy it).
This is a glamorous dress that needs a glamorous perfume, but like Julianne’s it looks effortless. The undone hair and simple make-up were an excellent choice. Dior’s Dolce Vita is similarly va va voom (it was launched in 1994, but it has a hint of the 80s about it), but also warm, lively, and likably frank and genuine.
Photos from around the Internet. Apologies to all sources that I stopped keeping track after trying to find just the right shots.
I loved, LOVED Adele’s look. She rocked the London Mod 1966 hair and makeup. Stunning and a well deserved win for “Skyfall”. Speaking of Bond I thought and always do think Daniel Craig is so well dressed but why the shades? We want to see the most beautiful aqua blue eyes since Paul Newman. As for Mrs. Craig….Ewww that dress was just so wrong.
And of course I agree with you about Kate Hudson… not a hair, nail, lash or foot wrong. She looked wonderful. And I heard her say the dress was a very last moment choice. Great taste under pressure Kate!
Natalie you really lifted my spirits with this post. Thank you!
Thank you for reading! I agree she deserved to win for Skyfall. As far as Rachel Weisz – yes! Not one of her better looks, and she is normally so well put together.
Kate Hudson did look amazing! I also liked Michelle Dockery’s look.
I actually thought Naomi Watts’ dress was pretty great. I only saw it in pictures after the fact though, not sure how it looked with movement on film.
I had to google Michelle Dockery’s – I hadn’t seen it, and you’re right that it’s gorgeous!
I love Naomi’s Dress, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t think she is pulling it off. She looks too angelic.
They look great.
They do, don’t they?
Dolce Vita for that gorgeous dress??! Well, only if she’s on a strict budget after buying it. Otherwise I’d do something from Guerlein’s gourmands (e.g. Iris Ganache or Rose Barbare). But it’s your “bests” list
Ha! I’m glad you commented (and disagreed)! To me, the Guerlains take themselves too seriously for that dress. It’s not a stuffy dress at all, so I felt it needed something a little more … Dior-ish.
Nice to have you poke your head out from under that rotten work mountain, Natalie!
Lovely fun post, really enjoyed it. Agree that Adele’s make-up is just perfect, the best I’ve seen it. Eau Premiere is a great match. I always love Kate Hudson’s style and that dress is amazing.
Nice to see you, Tara!
Wow – I enjoyed looking at the frocks and the couple of “up-do’s” very much and thought your perfume picks were pretty spot on. I see Marion Cotillard in something a bit lighter, maybe, as befits her elfin beauty – and very possibly her own tastes. Though I don’t have anything specific in mind. Those orange shoes were especially amazing – and there’s me thinking pointy toes are so 2005!
Good point about MC’s perfume. Maybe something a little more carefree. (And gosh I hope pointy shoes aren’t too 2005 – I was wearing some today!)
Oh, the work pile. Glad you could climb out! Your picks remind me that I love the unstuffy hairdos. Adele is of course the exception: perfect retro up-do for her 60s voice and Bond connection. I have every confidence in your perfume picks. Back to my cave. Grrr.
Thanks! It’s nice to be back. I agree about the unstuffy hairdos; it just felt right for this year.
It took me forever to realize that Naomi Watts had a train on her dress. I thought there was some weird optical illusion going on in that photo, and that I was somehow seeing a ripped panel to the dress that allowed me to see through it!
My vote for best dressed/best look overall is with Julianne Moore and Kate Hudson. Great picks, Natalie, and I agree that I would love to imagine Julianne wearing Iris Poudre. It would go so well with her creamy skin!
Ha! Forevermore known as the optical illusion dress.
This post- matching people up to scents- reminds me of something. A secret, you could say, that I’ll tell you because after months of reading your blog I feel perhaps you might understand.
I once fell in love with a boy.
I don’t know how to describe him, after everything, its the little details that come to mind.
His name was Jacob. He had gray eyes and long blonde and shaggy hair-in-the-eyes Leonardo-DiCaprio-in-titanic-esc look. When he looked at you, it was that sort of side-smirking dimpled smile that made your stomach drop- that’s what I first noticed about him. He was one of those slightly trashy but oh so tempting aspiring artists who wore wrinkled white tanks tucked into black pants, under suspenders and a frayed denim vest and those hipstery hats. He always had paint on his hands, strong and boney calloused hands. He was a risk.
Our story isn’t important really, but I wanted you to have a picture of him in your mind. Because he smelled divine.
I’ve looked for years for that scent, a journey that sparked a comforting love (bordering on obsession) with perfume.
I want to tell you how he smelled, but I’m not good at describing scents. There’s more than a few things that come to mind when I try to remember just what all it was, so I’ll tell you now.
He smelled of leather and tobacco, mouthwash, paint thinner, that old paper they print those cheesy paper-back novels on, oakmoss, sage, amber, vodka, and peeled oranges. It sounds so strange written down like that, but it was intoxicating and to this day I’ve never found anything as good.
So here’s the secret… while other girls (believe me there were many) fell in love with his drawings or his smile or his charm or his overall bad-boy-ish-ness… I fell in love with the way he smelled.
Thanks for telling us about Jacob – he sounds like he smelled amazing.