Oscars 2008: Hilary Swank, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Garner

The Oscars in 2008 were quite a glittering affair, with simple dresses no where to be seen on the red carpet... here's our round up of trends and fabulous dresses on the red carpet...


While red may have been a hot red carpet colour, black was also out in force thanks to red carpet regulars, though there was enough embellishment and detail to decorate an entire wedding party. Hilary Swank’s one shoulder Versace dress was very pretty, giving the Oscar winning actress a soft feminine appeal.
Mum-to-be Nicole Kidman chose a chic simple black dress, but blinged it up with a gorgeous diamond necklace designed by her stylist, L’Wren Scott.
Penelope Cruz’s dress ruffled and draped at every curve, emphasizing her slim body before flaring out into a fish tail train. My first thought was 'oh my, could there be too much detail on her small frame?' Meanwhile, Andrea at Shiny Style loved Jennifer Garner’s Oscar de la Renta gown. With it’s seemingly simple bodice, if you look closely it’s all ruched before opening out into a Spanish style ruffled skirt.

None of these dresses blew me away, but they are pretty dresses for pretty women.

Jennifer Garner goes floorlength and strapless at the Glamour Awards

Typical - you wait for one actress called Jennifer to wear a strapless dress at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, and then two come along at once.

But while Jennifer Connolly looked frankly fabulous in a dazzling, short dress, I'm really not sure about Jennifer Garner's choice for the same event.

Is it because it looks like a summer maxi-dress, and I'm feeling vicariously cold as I look at her on this chilly autumn day? Is it because it looks like something Margo from The Good Life would wear? Either way, I'm afraid it's a thumbs down, Jen. Sorry. I know you just won 'Woman of the Year', but you can't have everything.

Red Carpet Alert: Jennifer Garner's 'The Kingdom' style

How gorgeous does Jennifer Garner want to be? The gal with the biggest smile next to Julia Roberts (with dimples to boot!) has been traipsing around Europe to promote her latest action flick The Kingdom. On Wednesday, Jen was in Paris wearing a figure hugging fuchsia gown by Zac Posen with oversized clutch and shiny curls. The next day, she flew into London for the UK premiere in a gorgeous navy blue dress with black sequin detailing and train. Which look do you prefer?

[Images: Getty]

Get the Look: Copy Jennifer Garner's chic Dolce & Gabbana LBD outfit

Ok, so I'm a little bit in love with Jennifer Garner this week but isn't it obvious why? The actress is winning huge fashion brownie points for her fabulous style including this outfit above. In between strutting her stuff on the red carpet, Garner was snapped around Paris during the week in a cute LBD from Dolce & Gabbana's Resort '08 collection. With a pair of oversized shades, a cream wrap to keep the chill off and shiny black bow platforms, she effortlessly epitomised Parisian chic.

Like what you see? Then keep reading to find out how to copy her look for much less...

How to copy the look for less:

Starting out with a simple LBD may not be as easy as you think, so why not start with Oasis's stretch satin version (£80), which is part of their new LBD collection. Team the dress with some sophisticated heels such as this pair by Salvador Sapena from ASOS.com (£140) and a cream wrap (£18) from Accessorize. Finally, complete the Jen look with some large fly-like sunglasses like this brown pair from Topshop (£16). Hey presto you've been Garner-fied!
[Sources: TFS / Style.com]

Red Carpet Watch: "The Bourne Ultimatum" premiere, LA

Forget Matt Damon, last night's premiere of the Bourne Ultimatum was all about the ladies. Julia Stiles led the charge in a floor-sweeping crocheted number which doesn't really grab me. It's a little too doily for my liking and I'm not loving the overkill of straps up top from her slip. Jennifer Garner, on the other hand, radiated in this black and white mini dress complete with Christian Louboutin peep-toes. For once she actually appeared at an event with hubby Ben Affleck in toe! I'm also a fan of Joan Allen's strapless frock and silver stilettos - taking a leaf out of Posh and Cam's book... snaps for that!

Jennifer Garner Slips Into Pine IV Jeans

Ah, mon chérie. J’taime.

Today’s fashion find is none other than my personal favorite celebrity, Jennifer Garner. A sassy tipster spotted Garner slipping by in a pair of Pine IV Jeans. The green spin is that for each jean sold, the company will make a donation to one of several different conservation organizations who will plant one tree on that customer’s behalf. The program comes at absolutely no cost to the consumer, but you’ll definitely be shilling for the jeans. Each pair sells for a cool $200.

But what’s so great about Pine IV Jeans? Here’s what one reviewer had to say,

“Girls who want great-fitting jeans should check out Pine IV, a line of denim out of Redmond. First, the jeans aren’t too low; they come to just four fingers below the belly button. Second, they’ve got just the right amount of stretch to be comfortable, but they don’t bag out. Finally, they seem, well, accommodating, whether you’ve got a little excess junk in the trunk or an abdomen that isn’t perfectly flat.”

Interested? You can grab a pair here — and Jennifer: Keep wearing the green. I don’t mind telling the world at all.

Jennifer Garner is the new face of Neutrogena

Jennifer Garner will soon be gracing the TV and print adverts for cosmetics company Neutrogena after signing up to be their new face.

The ‘Alias’ star has signed a 1 million dollar deal with the company, and will now be an ambassador for the firm's new Anti-Oxidant Age Reverse treatment range.

Garner’s contract with the company will last till December 2008.

The star, who has been using products by Neutrogena for years, said that she was excited to be associated with the firm, as it ‘represents healthy beauty’.

"For me, Neutrogena has always been a part of my life; I have used the products for years. I feel an emotional connection to the brand because it represents healthy beauty - and that's something that I strongly support," she said.

"I am excited to be a part of the Neutrogena family," she added.

The actress will now be seen on the big screen alongside Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, and Brooke Langton in Peter Berg’s The Kingdom.