| How fabulous that you've been invited to an | | | | do-it-yourself idea to make a truly showstopping |
| Oscar party! Okay, so it might not be an A-List | | | | ring. Go to the hardware store and buy a clear |
| soiree where you share shrimp skewers with | | | | plastic faucet handle. This is the type of faucet |
| Leonardo DiCaprio or Britney Spears, but it's a fun | | | | handle that looks like a humongous faceted |
| excuse to get all dressed up, nonetheless. What | | | | diamond. The handle comes with a long screw |
| do you wear, though, if you don't have a celebrity | | | | that sits in an opening at the top. Tie the end of a |
| stylist in your entourage? Fortunately, you've got | | | | 10" piece of wire around the head of the screw, |
| some top fashion school students in your corner | | | | and place the screw back in the opening, along |
| with some great ideas for Oscar party fashions. | | | | with the rest of the wire. Apply a dab of hot glue |
| Dust off the formal wear. If you've held on to | | | | to where the screw goes in the opening so it |
| that bridesmaid or prom dress, now is the time to | | | | stays secure. Then loop the remainder of the |
| take it out of the closet. Don't worry if you find it | | | | wire around your ring finger. Now you've got a |
| tacky. Has that ever stopped some of today's | | | | piece of jewelry that would make Elizabeth Taylor |
| starlets? The thrift shop is a good place to start | | | | envious. |
| as well. One way to give your dress a facelift | | | | Go as the paparazzi. If you don't want to fuss |
| (well, this is Hollywood) is by adding sequins or | | | | with a dress, go high concept by dressing as |
| beading. If you don't want to bother with sewing | | | | paparazzi. That way, you can wear anything you |
| them on, you'll find sequined appliqués at the | | | | want, as long as you have a camera at all times. |
| fabric store that you can just glue on the dress. | | | | And since paparazzi are always sneaking behind |
| Stores also carry rhinestones that have been | | | | bushes for the perfect shot, take a small potted |
| already laid out in a decorative design, and you | | | | plant with you to hide behind throughout the |
| just iron them on as is. | | | | party. |
| Wrap yourself in mink. While you're at the fabric | | | | Dress like a nominated star. Make a big entrance |
| store, grab a yard of faux fur to make your own | | | | by going as an Oscar nominee, your favorite star, |
| mink stole. It will up your elegance factor, and | | | | or a character from a movie. (Hint: Audrey |
| hide any unwanted puffy sleeves. Just cut the fur | | | | Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's is an easy |
| into a long trapezoid shape. (That means it would | | | | choice.) If you're going with friends, you can all |
| look like a long upside down boat.) There's no | | | | dress as the cast of a nominated film. |
| need to sew the edges, but be sure to remove | | | | Go as the red carpet. Here's an idea that only a |
| the loose hairs from where you've cut. A quick | | | | fashion college costume design major would |
| vacuum job will do the trick. | | | | dream up: dress as the red carpet. To create the |
| Remember the accessories. One of the rules of | | | | look, start with a red turtleneck or long sleeve |
| Oscar fashion design is that the little details | | | | t-shirt and red sweatpants. Sew or safety pin the |
| matter. For old-fashioned Hollywood glamour, don | | | | back of the shirt and pants to a rectangular piece |
| a pair of formal satin gloves. Carry a glittering | | | | of red felt that is as tall as you, and as wide as |
| clutch, preferably with a folded up acceptance | | | | your arm span. Be sure to sew the sleeves so |
| speech peeking out. And don't forget the | | | | your arms will be outstretched, holding up the red |
| sunglasses to escape the glare of flashing | | | | carpet on both sides. Red mittens, red shoes, and |
| cameras. | | | | a red cap will complete the look. |
| Bling it on. On Oscar night, the stars shine with | | | | Oscar parties are always a lot of fun because we |
| jewelry, and so must you. You don't need to | | | | get to play along with the stars. And with these |
| wear a lot, just a few pieces; the bigger and | | | | ideas for what to wear, the winner of Best |
| danglier the better. If you don't have any good | | | | Dressed will be you! |
| costume jewelry of your own, here's a fun | | | | |