www.CasualCelebrityStyle.com

The bow as the popular styling element had been around for as long as fashion exists, but this year the bow is really popular among celebrity trendsetters. We’ve noticed lots of bows of different forms and sizes on the red carpet this year. Here are a few celebrities who think that the bow enhances their style!  

Pictured above left to right are: Scarlett Johannson in Peter Som lace Princess dress. Eva Mendes in a black silk camisole. Karolina Kurkova in a light grey silk dress. America Ferrera in Nanette Lepore. Penelope Cruz in Oscar de la Renta. Leighton Meester as Blair on the set of “Gossip Girl.” Vanessa Hudgens in a black top with bow belt. Jada Pinkett-Smith carries a Felix Rey patent leather leopard print clutch. Gracious Paris Hilton in LBD. Sienna Miller in Twenty8Twelve. Liv Tyler in Oscar de la Renta gown.

Celebrities are being photographed pretty much everywhere they go, 24/7. Celebrities may even feel little pressure to look their best at all times to avoid entertainment web sites and weekly magazines publish their unflattering pictures. So, when celebrities want to look extra chic, they wear fancy evening dresses – but they usually tone down the effect with carefully chosen styling elements.

Let’s see how some of the stars make their evening dresses look a bit more casual by day while they are running errands.

Rihanna pairs her funky Catherine Malandrino sequined mini dress with a piece of luggage (left photo). Elsewhere, Rhianna hides her bedazzling red sequined dress under black blazer. Rhianna’s Chanel Diamante jelly sandals contribute to her casual look. Rihanna is not the only celebrity who likes to cover her dresseses.

Fergie, Sienna Miller and Christina Rcci have done this too.

It’s mid-June now, but the gladiator sandal is undoubtedly still the “it” footwear of this summer. For that, we can thank gladiator-toting celebrities such as Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller, Kirsten Dunst, Naomi Campbell, and many others who played significant part in making gladiators a hot trend. Almost every famous female in Hollywood has been spotted wearing gladiators — from chunky platform heels to casual flats.

Gladiator sandals are so versatile, they go with practically everything. They can be paired with rolled-up jeans, skinny pants, all kinds of dresses, tunics for the beach and shorts. You can wear gladiators even to your wedding if you wish!

Dark-leather gladiators have an earthy appeal ideal for the day, while a gold or silver pair is a fresh alternative to glam heels. Whether gladiators are part of a casual or a glam ensemble, pedicure would be an essential accompaniment.

Pictured below (L to R): Heidi Klum in black gladiators; Heidi Montag in blue Balenciaga gladiators; Sarah Jessica Parker in Dior Extreme Platform gladiators; Sienna Miller in metallic gladiators; Tallulah Belle Willis (Demi Moore’s daughter); Naomi Campbell in black patent leather gladiators; Kirsten Dunst in A.P.C. gladiators with ankle ties; Mischa Barton in embellished gladiators; Jennifer Connelly in Balenciaga gladiators; Gwyneth Paltrow in Givenchy gladiators.

Balenciaga creates beautiful, practical and exclusive designer bags made of naturally distressed goat leather.

 Barneys New York sells them. www.Fetucci.com sells authentic bags at discount price. The Internet is flooded with web sites offering fake Balenciagas for as cheap as $20. Even Wall-Mart has a knock off replica (we’re chuckling) — see snapshot on the left.

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Just about any female celebrity I can think of has Balenciaga bag. Below are pictures of some celebrities who really love their Balenciaga bags.

 Lindsay Lohan

Amanda Bynes in Dear by Amanda Bynes from Steve & Barry’s.

Amy Adams in black Jovovich-Hawk shift dress.

Demi Moore in a $25 chain-link H&M sweater.

NEW YORK – Last year we kept noticing celebrities in sleeveless shift dresses popping up here and there, and we thought it was great to see shift dresses back in fasion. The shift dress, sometimes referred to as the chemise dress, continues its run this year.  Designers Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta (!), Michael Kors (!), Calvin Klein, Reem Acra, Vera Wang, Doo. Ri, Narcisco Rodriguez and Max Azria all included the shift dress in their Spring 2008 and Fall 2008 collections shown in New York earlier this year. High-profile celebrities support the trend as well (see photos below).