Fashionista - Fashion Designers, Models, Shopping, Style

Nov 14, 2007 @ 2:36pm

Whether or not a person has killer style is truly up to debate. We can’t remember how many arguments we’ve had over whether Rachel Zoe always looks amazing or just 70's.

But whether or not someone actually has style- as in, a manner of dressing which is so recognizable it can be copied or even repackaged and sold on TopShop- is not really up to debate at all.

The newest US Weekly has chosen a curious pair to headline its “20 Best Makeovers” issue. It heralds Katie Holmes as “Most Improved” and Carrie Underwood as rocking the “Sexiest New Style.”

Now, we’re not saying that we expect US Weekly to cover anything other than celebrities looking either stunning or like train wrecks, but this line up of celebrities with enviable “style” just doesn’t make sense.

We can’t imagine anyone ever saying, “God, that dress is so Katie!” We’re not even going to bother retyping that with Carrie’s name, too.

At least US Weekly has given us a whole new style debate to dive right into: does it really count as style if you have a professional laying your outfits out for you?

posted by guest

Nov 14, 2007 4:22PM

i dont think it counts if someone else is picking out your clothes. and sure katie and carrie look better than they used to..but they just look pretty. definitely not style icons

posted by DC Goodwill Fashionista

Nov 14, 2007 4:26PM

...oh, I'm sorry, I fell asleep looking at that cover. What were you saying about style something-or-other?

posted by mpw

Nov 14, 2007 4:33PM

Hell no. Whenever magazines say stuff like "Steal Jessica Alba's style!" I'm like "What style?" I think you have to have personality to have style.

I could see someone pointing out a dress as "so Katie" though -- as long as it's boring and black and looked as though it came from some mom's closet.

posted by FashionNoob

Nov 14, 2007 5:06PM

I don't know if I would call her a style icon, but Katie does seem to be developing a style, which I guess would qualify her for "Most Improved." She's got kind of a classy and sophisticated look going on recently. And I have heard more than a couple of my friends coveting the Katie haircut. But I'm just a noob; what do I know?

posted by leia

Nov 14, 2007 5:21PM

It's funny, I was just in a store today, working with a buyer, and she was lamenting how the customers get their style from tabloids now.....

posted by Cassette Love

Nov 14, 2007 6:45PM

"We can’t remember how many arguments we’ve had over whether Rachel Zoe always looks amazing or just 70's."

Shouldn't it read "or just 70"?

Nov 14, 2007 7:04PM

Zoe totally got a face-lift! I saw her sometime last year on a trip to LA, and now when I see shots of her her face is def worked on! maybe she didnt think the name Raisin Face was in style

Nov 14, 2007 8:08PM

Absolutely not....Katie has basically knocked off Jackie O's style, which is never a bad reference, but so safe (expensive, though, which is impressive). Carrie to me has looked the same since Idol, she's just thinner...The big texas hair (not to be confused with amy winehouse/marc jacobs sp 08 big hair) has got to stop! LA stylists have made everyone into clones in their Leger dresses (which I loved last spring) and Louboutins (again, overexposed much?) People should take cues from Chloe Sivegny, Nicole Kidman and MK who take risks and dress more "fashion". Reese and Renee don't count, cuz they are literally walking billboard$ for Nina Ricci and Carolina Herrera. With that said, I'm totally getting US this week anyway!

posted by southweststyle

Nov 14, 2007 10:11PM

Katie has a style...if you count brainwashed as a style...

and Cassette love, I think the 70s comment was a reflection of Zoe's decidedly Charlie's angels 'do. However, as skinny and bag-like her skin is, I could see you confusing her with a septuagenarian...

Nov 15, 2007 7:31AM

ugh NO, having someone dress you is not the equivalent of actually having style.

Nov 15, 2007 3:38PM

Katie's new style is (ironically) too old for her, plain and simple. Not only that, she shows no personality in it either. She's the the same and yet the reverse as Posh Spice...one classic one trashy, neither having taste in super expensive togs.