The best off-shoulder dresses that were worn on the red carpet
Baby, it's cold outside — but that won't stop us from showing off a little shoulder. Celebrities have been all about baring some face-framing skin lately, though they're usually doing so from the comfort of California's mild fall temps or well-heated red carpets in colder climes. The look is effortlessly glamorous, a little bit retro, and appropriate for a wide variety of party settings and dress codes.
Those of us in chillier regions will gladly take the extra steps to transition the summery Bardot neckline into full off-the-shoulder drama this party season — lengthen the hemlines, stack on the sleeves, and deal with slightly more teeth-chattering, if necessary. (Hey, this type of outfit is exactly why we invest in solid outerwear, right?)
We've got some pretty good examples to follow: Ahead, check out how some of our favorite celebrities have been shedding the shoulder coverage this season.
Jessica Biel's
Jessica Biel's dusty-pink gown plays with volume and draping to take a simple silhouette up a notch. In lieu of any embellishments or hardware, this Monse dress uses fabric to create whimsical, shapely sleeves that resemble an oversized bow, drawing more attention to Biel's exposed shoulders (and that Lorraine Schwartz necklace).
Gina Rodriguez
Gina Rodriguez ups the LBD game with sophisticated cutouts: A perforated, horizontal strip of fabric crosses over the neckline of a simple, slim-cut, and sleeveless silhouette, creating an intricate layered look out of a staple shape.
Solange Knowles
The neckline on Solange Knowles' Milly dress is straight edged, but the rest of the silhouette is anything but: The frilly, flowing three-quarter sleeves playfully open up at the elbow. And the bright orange-red hue adds to the fun — and makes our dancing-emoji dreams come true.
Gwendoline Christie
At the British Fashion Awards, Gwendoline Christie expertly balances red carpet glamour with a dash of punk — in Vivienne Westwood couture, no less. (Christie has modeled for the designer before.) The silhouette is ultra-feminine — an exposed collarbone, a high cinch at the waist, a draping high-low hem. But the neckline is slightly slouchy, giving it an uneven finish. The metallic dress also has a subtle shimmer, a trend we've been seeing, and loving, on many a red carpet lately (and one we're certainly drawing on for inspiration while dressing for the holidays).
Alexa Chung
Put her shoulders front and center at the British Fashion Awards in this "Victoriana" midi-dress from Erdem's spring '16 collection. The piece is strong as a stand-alone strapless number. But the addition of sleeves and intricately stitched florals, contrasted with the garment's raw edges, lends it a slightly antique vibe that isn't too precious or fusty.
Kerry Washington
Takes a cue from Taylor Swift with this retro-nodding matching set (yes, that's a Saloni top-and-skirt combo!), and elevates things a bit, thanks to a slight V-shaped neckline that barely grazes the actress' shoulders. The horizontal stripes highlight the cut.
