2016 Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge

It's that time of year again and YEAR 6 with this contest! I need help finding a dress for Oscar Nominations morning on January 14, 2016.  It's early again this year and we are going to have to do this over the Christmas break. Remember though, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice. For those of you that are new to this challenge, YOU get to chose the dress that I wear for a one of Hollywood's biggest events. 

Here are some guidelines:

1.  It is not a red carpet event: I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5' 3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note:  Even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way.

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day: I want a dress that is easy, comfortable and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress while I am working. Also, I LOVE pockets!

3.  I like color: It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera. I've done two blues, two purples and a hot pink, so maybe a green, orange or yellow this year?

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $250 and it has to be available online in sizes 0 or 2. 

Here are the winners from 2011-2015 to give you an idea of what has won in the past:

For more information on the winning dresses from 2011-2015 click here, here, here, here and here.


2015:  Dress by Eliza J


2014: Dress by Eliza J.


2013: Dress by ModCloth


2012:  Dress by Aqua


2011: Dress by Banana Republic


Are you up for the challenge? 

The Rules:

1. Find me a dress by Monday, January 4 at 11:59 p.m. PST. It must be available online. So post the link in the comments below with your contact info.

2.  The dress must be available in the U.S., but international contestants are welcome to join us for this contest. 

3.  Two finalists will be announced on Tuesday, January 5 and the winner will be announced on Thursday, January 14.

4.  Winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.


If you have any questions, post in the comments below.  Ready, get set, shop!

Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge 2015

It's that time of year again! I need help finding a dress for Oscar Nominations morning on January 15, 2014.  It's early again this year and we are going to have to do this over the Christmas break. Remember though, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice. For those of you that are new to this challenge, YOU get to chose the dress that I wear for a one of Hollywood's biggest events. 

Here are some guidelines:

1.  It is not a red carpet event: I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5' 3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note:  Even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way.

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day: I want a dress that is easy, comfortable and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress while I am working. Also, I LOVE pockets!

3.  I like color: It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera. I've done blue, two purples, and a hot pink, so maybe a green or yellow this year?

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $250 and it has to be available online in sizes 0 or 2. 

Here are the winners from 2011-2014 to give you an idea of what has won in the past:

For more information on the winning dresses from 2011-2013, click here, here, here and here.

2011:  Dress by Banana Republic

2012:  Dress by Aqua

2013: Dress by ModCloth

2014: Dress by Eliza J.

Are you up for the challenge? 

The Rules:

1. Find me a dress by Monday, January 5 at 11:59 p.m. PST. It must be available online. So post the link in the comments below with your contact info.

2.  The dress must be available in the U.S., but international contestants are welcome to join us for this contest. 

3.  Two finalists will be announced on Thursday, January 8 and the winner will be announced on Thursday, January 15.

4.  Winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.


If you have any questions, post in the comments below.  Ready, get set, shop!

Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge 2014

Red Carpet Closet because it is so much fun! I need help finding a dress for Oscar Nominations morning on January 16, 2014.  It's early again this year and we are going to have to do this over the Christmas break. Remember though, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice. For those of you that are new to this challenge, YOU get to chose the dress that I wear for a one of Hollywood's biggest events. 

Can you believe it's that time of year again?  This is one of my favorite events that I run over here on

Here are some guidelines:

1.  It is not a red carpet event.  So, I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5'3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note:  Even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way.

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day.  I want a dress that is easy, comfortable, and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress while I am working.

3.  I like color.  It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera. I've done blue and two purples, so maybe a green, pink or yellow this year?

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $250 and it has to be available online in sizes  2 or 4.

Here are the winners from 2011-2013 to give you an idea of what has won in the past:

For more information on the winning dresses from 2011-2013, click here, here and here.

2011:  Dress by Banana Republic

2012:  Dress by Aqua

2013: Dress by ModCloth

Are you up for the challenge?

The Rules:

1. Find me a dress by Monday, January 6 at 11:59 p.m. PST. It must be available online. So post the link in the comments below with your contact info.

2.  The dress must be available in the U.S., but international contestants are welcome to join us for this contest.

3.  Two finalists will be announced on Thursday, January 9 and the winner will be announced on Thursday, January 16.

4.  Winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.


If you have any questions, post in the comments below.  Ready, get set, shop!

Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge 2013

Can you believe it's that time of year again?  This is one of my favorite events that I run over here on Red Carpet Closet because it is so much fun! I need help finding a dress for Oscar Nominations morning on January 10, 2013.  Yep, it's earlier this year and we are going to have to do this over the Christmas break. Remember though, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice. For those of you that are new to this challenge, YOU get to chose the dress that I wear for a one of Hollywood's biggest events. 

Here are some guidelines:

1.  It is not a red carpet event.  So, I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5'3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note from last year, even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way. 

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day.  I want a dress that is easy, comfortable, and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress because I feel self-conscious.

3.  I like color.  It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face since my hair is currently light blonde.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera.

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $200 and it has to be available online in sizes  2 or 4. 

Here are the two winners from 2011 and 2012:

For more information on the winning dresses from 2011 and 2012, click here and here.

2011:  Dress by Banana Republic

2012:  Dress by Aqua

Are you up for the challenge?  

The Rules:

1. Find me a dress by Wednesday, January 2 at 11:59pm PST. It must be available online. So post the link in the comments below with your contact info.

2.  The dress must be available in the U.S., but international contestants are welcome to join us for this contest.  

3.  Two finalists will be announced on Thursday, January 3 and the winner will be announced on Thursday, January 10.

4.  Winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice. 


If you have any questions, post in the comments below.  Otherwise, ready, get set, shop!


If you haven't entered my Holiday Giveaway, enter here.  There are lots of fun items and it's so easy to enter.  

The Winning Dress for Oscar Nominations Day

I know there has been a BIG debate this year over which dress I was was going to wear.  The blue one or the green one?  The interesting thing is that everyone was drawn to one or the other and there was no in-between.  Those that were in favor of the green dress loved the cut and color.  Those that were in favor of the blue dress thought that blue was a better color for me.  Several were concerned that the blue dress would be too baggy.  That's the beauty of online shopping, you don't know what it's going to look like until you try it on.

So please, congratulate Ali and Julia for picking the winning dress from Bloomingdale's.  Yes, the blue dress won.  It fit like a glove and it was a fun dress to accessorize.  The green dress from Banana Republic was huge on me.  I loved the color, but I needed a week with a tailor to remake the dress.  That is the one caveat with Banana Republic:  if they don't offer it in a petite size, a regular size 2 or 4 is often cut more like a size 6 or 8.

In case anyone wants to know, Julia is 12 years old.  I think we have a budding fashionista on our hands.

The details on the dress:

Dress:  Aqua by Bloomingdale's.  (With coupons and Ebates, this dress was under $75.)
Shoes:  BCBG Girl
Ring:  Forever 21 (Also seen in this post.)
Bracelet:  Gifted from a Gift Bag long ago.
Necklace: Jessica Matrasko 
Belt:  Roni B (I wore this belt backwards..buckle in the back.)
Hair: Lisa Cavalone

Dress Challenge 2012: The Finalists

Okay, the day has come to let you know who the two finalists are.  I have ordered both choices and they will hopefully be waiting for me when I return home.  I have no idea which one will be the winner, so you will have to wait until Tuesday, January 24th!

The two dress choices are:

I talked about these dresses in two different posts here and here.  The green one is from Banana Republic and I love the color because it is an unexpected one for me.  I haven't worn a soft green shade to an event in ages.  As for the Bloomingdale's blue dress, I love the possibilities for accessory choices....a belt, a necklace, a hot pair of shoes.   So, congratulations go out to Eli and Ali/Julia, you are the finalists in the 2012 Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge!  Let me know what you think of the dress choices.  Which one do you think I will pick?

Dress Challenge 2012: Dress Choices, Part 2

We are hitting the final dress challenge day!  There's still time to enter as long as you get your choice in by midnight ET.  I will let you know what the two finalists are this weekend and the winner will be announced on Oscar Nominations Day, January 24th.  The entries I have received so far are great, so here's a look at a few more that have come in the last few days.  Let's take a look:

This one of three dress that Ali and Julia picked and I love the dress for the rich blue hue which always looks amazing on camera.  I do have a DVF dress with a similar design, but it is a very flattering cut on me.  This is another selection by Lauren by Ralph Lauren.  It seems like Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic are the clear frontrunners for everyone's shopping list this year.

This was also a dress picked by Ali and Julia and I like it because it has an unexpected twist.  It's hard to see in the photo, but it is a polka-dotted print.  The color is strong for an on-camera look, but it is a bit simple in design.  The simple design didn't deter me though because I think this could be accessorized with a belt and a great pair of earrings.  This dress is by Bloomingdale's.

Here is a final dress to look at that was selected by Sarah and I think this is a sweet and classic silhouette.  Believe it or not, it is a bridesmaid's dress by Alfred Sung in a soft firecracker color.  I know this dress would be appropriate for the event, but I have to find out if it is available online since my time frame to order is so short.  

Okay, that's a was a quick peek into some of the dresses picked so far.  If you missed Round 1, click here.  Remember, there is still time to enter.  You have until Midnight ET tonight.  All of the rules and comment form to enter is here.  Good luck and come back this weekend to find out the two finalists!

The Dress Challenge: A First Look (2012)

The dress choices are rolling in for Dress Challenge 2012 and I thought I would give you a sneak peek at what other have selected for me so far.  I am seeing a color family scheme pop up quite a bit.  Let's start with the very first entry that came in and a color I really like because it is deep, rich, and something I don't wear often enough:

Bentoboxx selected this one and I love the raisin color.  It is by Lauren by Ralph Lauren and it is available at Nordstroms.  My one thought is that I might have to hike up the hem to show a little more leg, but this is a very classic design.

Next up is this Banana Republic dress selected by Eli and yes, Banana Republic was the winning dress last year.  I think Eli is going for a known winner.  This dress is available in four colors and Eli went straight to the Geranium Pink for me, but I think I like it in Fresh Fern.  I am posting both photos for comparison.  Which color do you like better?

Here is the final selection I am going to show you today, it is from a New Zealand fashion house, but I like the simplicity of the design because it can be easily accessorized and the Berry Red color is one I don't wear too often because red can be hard to wear on camera.  This shade has just enough pink in it, that it could work.  Thanks for this pick, Donette!

So, do you see anything you like so far?  I would love to hear your comments or see your picks for me for the Oscar Nominations.  Remember, the winner who picks the perfect dress receives a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.  To enter, read the rules here and enter the link to your dress here in the comments below, on Facebook, or on Twitter.  You have until Wednesday, January 11th to enter.  Now, get shopping!

Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge: 2012

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope you are all off to a great start to 2012.  I'm two for two on workout days and my house is the most organized it has ever been thanks to my holiday vacation clean out.  This week kicks off a whirlwind two months for me.  My work will take me to 4 cities all while trying to cover awards season.  It makes my head spin, but I am so excited about this year's slate of films and I cannot wait to cover all of the action.

Like last year, I will be covering the 84th Annual Academy Awards nominations live from the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre on January 24th.  I am so excited to be returning for all of the excitement and waking up at 2AM for hair and makeup.  YES!  Since I had so much fun with last year's dress challenge, I am officially announcing this year's Oscar Nominations Dress Challenge.  The rules are similar to last year, but here they are:

1.  It is not a red carpet event.  So, I am looking for a dress that is simple, classic and understated.  Think of a DVF wrap dress or a Jackie O. sheath.  I am short (5'3"), so I want to show off my legs versus lots of cleavage (which I don't have anyway) to give the illusion of height.  I love shoes, so I want to pick something hot and sassy from my shoe wardrobe.  One note from last year, even though I want a dress to show off my legs, please no so-short-I-can-see-your-hoo-ha dresses.  The Oscar Nominations are a very conservative event, so I'd like to keep it that way.

2.  I will be working at 5AM PT that day.  I want a dress that is easy, comfortable, and not fussy.  I hate pulling and tugging at my dress because I feel self-conscious.

3.  I like color.  It looks great on camera and adds brightness to my face since my hair is currently light blonde.  Please avoid red or crazy patterns because they have a tendency to moray on camera.

4.  The budget is important.  Let's keep the dress under $200 and it has to be available online in sizes 2      or 4.

Last year's winner was a dress by Banana Republic in deep violet.  It was perfect, comfortable, showed a little leg, and it had pockets (total bonus!).  I think we should avoid the same color for this year, but you guys have a pretty good guideline this year for what I am looking for.

The Challenge:  Can you help me find a dress?  I know so many of you are fashionistas out there with amazing style and taste.  Add the links in the comments section below or on Facebook or Twitter and I will post some of the best ones to vote on. (Make sure to post the exact link to the exact dress you are picking for me.) After last year's enthusiastic responses, I cannot wait to see what you guys pick for me this year.  Don't forget, the winner gets a $25 gift certificate to the store of their choice.  U.S. residents only, entries must be in by Wednesday, January 11th at Midnight ET.  The two finalists will be announced on Monday, January 16th and the winner will be revealed on Tuesday, January 24th.  On your mark...get set...SHOP!

Oscar Nominations Dress Winner

I just returned home and changed back into my pajamas to file all of my Oscar Nominations stories I have to take care of before I nap.  I wanted to post the winning dress before I hit slumberland. (My call time for the Nominations announcement was 3:30 AM!)

Congratulations to Lula for choosing the Banana Republic dress.  It was perfect for the occasion.  I looked professional, but I was comfortable and I was pleased the dress had pockets.  I was constantly on my phone or camera during the event, so they were very useful to me at 5 AM.  I was thrilled with the color and the stretch of the fabric because I don't usually have a lot of luck with Banana Republic. I decided to buy one from their petite line and that was definitely the right call for a 5'3" gal like me.

The cost of the dress is $150, but with free shipping, a 25% coupon, and 6% back from Ebates, my total cost was:   $116.72.

Dress:  Banana Republic
Shoes:  Guess, DSW
Jewelry:  Ring, Bracelet:  ShopTheLook.net
              Earrings:  Roni B

Lula, be sure to contact me so I can send you a $25 gift certificate to the store of your choice. Congratulations and thanks for picking such a great dress for me!

The Dress Challenge: The Finalists

After much deliberation and searching at the dresses you picked, we have two finalists!  I think you might be surprised at one of the choices because it doesn't exactly fit all of the criteria, but I think it could be a perfect choice with a cute little jacket or sweater. There would have been three finalists, but we can thank Bloomingdale's for running out of inventory.  The winner will be announced on Oscar Nomination Day:  Tuesday, January 25th.  In the meantime, take a look at the two finalists:

From Andrea:   Dress by ModCloth (a favorite of mine), $162.99
I know there isn't a lot of color here, but the possibilities for accessorizing are endless all the way down to my shoes. It's a blank slate, so I think it makes the outfit a bit playful and fun. 

From Lula:  Banana Republic, $150
I think this cut and color are terrific for camera and I cannot wait to try it on.  I am hoping the ruffles add the touch of drama that I want to this dress without being overwhelming.  

The Runner-Up:

From Krystyn AND Kimberly:  Cynthia Steffe, Bloomingdale's, $110.25

This would have been a finalist, however, the dress is out of stock at Bloomingdale's. Boo! This would have been a strong contender. 

The Dress Challenge: A First Look

Thank you for rising to The Dress Challenge.  I am so happy that many of you are excited and shopping online for my big event.  I want to show you some of the entries that I have so far. It is not all of them, but it certainly gives you an idea of what is catching my eye. I will showcase a few dresses the next couple of days to show off what great taste in fashion you all have. Keep them coming, I am having a blast with your choices.

Take a look at some of my virtual wardrobe:

From Andrea:   Dress by ModCloth (a favorite of mine), $162.99
Not a ton of color for camera, but this is so feminine.  I would get a lot of wear out of this. 

From Robin:  Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Nordstrom, $124.
Love this color, classic design, might want to shorten to show a little more leg.

From Lula:  Banana Republic, $150

This one hits almost everything I am looking for: color, a little leg, yet classic.  

If you want to enter your choice for my on-camera wardrobe for Nominations Day, here are the rules.  Remember, there is a $25 gift certificate at the store of your choice at stake!