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" May 7, 2008 BRIGHT COLOR  Katie Holmes&amp;#039;s usual mantra is uber-hot mama and while she looks stunning in this crimson color, a blue closed-toe heel channels Wonder Woman a bit too literally. It&amp;#039;s common to think that a long gown in all one color needs &amp;quot;additions&amp;quot; through accessories, however, these strikingly bright colors are so pronounced in a floor-length version that you should think of the bold color as an accessory itself. Instead, take a cue from Kate Mara, Melania Trump and Jacquetta Wheeler and tone the look down with a cool silver or keep the look completely monochromatic. RUFFLES  You have to hand it to the woman that is adventurous enough to try a ruffled gown because what looks incredible on the runway can turn into an &amp;quot;is it so ugly, it&amp;#039;s cute?&amp;quot; moment off the catwalk. I love Karen Elson&amp;#039;s cranberry colored Marc Jacobs one shoulder ruffle (I know it&amp;#039;s going to be controversial\u2013talk amongst yourselves)\u2013but ruffles can be chic if you wear them correctly. The rest of Elson&amp;#039;s dress is sleek and sexy and the ruffle adds the right amount of interest. A lot of the trouble with wearing ruffles is in the design. Don&amp;#039;t choose a dress that has ruffles anywhere near a part of your body that doesn&amp;#039;t need the added padding. Eva Longoria&amp;#039;s gown is open in the back and then fitted (but not too tight) until the ruffled train so you can still see a silhouette of her body. Model Chanel wears an adorable 3.1 Phillip Lim number that is broken up with a thick belt so you can see a defined waist. ONE SHOULDER   Fergie tried to give us Old Hollywood glam here but somehow it gets lost in translation. The extra fabric on the shoulder creates an awkward neckline, making it appear to be a one-sleeve gown and making her appear to be much larger than she is. Take a cue from our current favorite Gossip Girl we all love to hate- -Michele Trachtenberg, and look for a one shoulder gown that cuts across the body at more of a 45 degree angle. She rocks this look with a vintage gold skirt and rope belt and I love that Tory Burch added a necklace. EMBELLISHMENT  It seems as though the navy part of the first gown wanted to be its own little dress (and would make a cuter mini-dress without the long black skirt). Diane Krueger and Blake Lively do embellishment the way it&amp;#039;s done best- in doses. Sparkle, feathers and texture shouldn&amp;#039;t overpower the wearer. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elle.com/fashion/news/a676/standout-gowns-from-the-met-costume-institute-gala-3896/>