StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

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May 2, 2008

Gwyneth Gets Glam...and Slammed?!

Gwyneth chopped off her Rapunzel-esque locks in favor of a modern shoulder-length bob, and she's been stepping out at premieres in rockin' mini dresses and high-fashion frocks.  She looks sexy.  She looks elegant.  She looks chic. She looks like a movie star (duh).  AND she's a Mom.

Gwyneth goes glam in Balmain

Antony Jones/Abaca

Despite all this, every day I find a new blog post or article slamming her for getting her hair cut "daringly short" (to be read with a disapproving, ominous tone) or chastising her for dressing "slutty" or suggesting "firing her stylist."  That is not to say that there haven't been rave reviews -- The Daily Mail wrote about "The Gwyneth Effect," crediting the long-limbed stunner for inspiring skyrocketing sales of skyscraper stilettos in London during the past week -- but I'm simply flabbergasted by those who need to cast stones.

Today, for example, pictures surfaced of Gwyneth wearing a 70's-inspired jumpsuit by Stella McCartney.  She looked great.  It fit her like a glove (someone sniped that there were wrinkles in the leg region -- well guess what, celebs have to sit down when they ride in cars and generally don't have their outfits steamed between exiting a limo and stepping onto the carpet). She took a risk, and it worked.

In fact, I tried on a khaki Tibi jumpsuit while shopping in NYC last weekend, and I just saw Karen Millen's Fall 2008 press preview this week which prominently featured an elegant trouser jumpsuit.  Furthermore, jumpsuits were all over the runways at the Fall 2008 shows, and mark my words, I bet many of her critics will end up wearing them -- or wishing they could wear them -- in five months.  This is what it means to be fashion forward. 

Gwyneth undoubtedly has the body to carry these fashionable ensembles (perhaps workout buddy Madonna is an inspiration?).  She's looks sexy yet tasteful. She's not endangering her children. She's not dancing on tables.  She didn't shave her head.  She's simply doing her job.

I say stop trashing my golden girl Gwyneth.  We're not in 7th grade anymore (thank God), and it's time to stop being catty -- especially when someone looks stunning.  Are we really that insecure?

Sure I'd love to have her legs, her wardrobe, her fame and her bank account, but I don't.  Those things belong to her, and that's ok.  Why try to feel better about yourself by knocking a celebrity off her pedestal, especially when we're largely responsible for putting her there in the first place?

I want to know:
Why is everyone being so harsh on Gwynnie?
Do you love or hate the new look and WHY?

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She looks hot! She's still a fashion trail blazer!

Posted by: Engreida | June 05, 2008

oh please, if i had her body I'd wear that everywhere. If I had her body I'd be naked all the time. ha ha well that was a joke.

but really she looks stunning, and if she had amazing legs why not show them off? it's not like she's going it in a trashy way. she's being both sexy and chic. let it go.

and the hair looks good too. I personally did not like her long hair, it was too long and that makes me think of damaged old hair. short = healthier ends!

Posted by: Marie | May 31, 2008

I went on record at my hairstyle blog praising Gwyneth for cutting her hair. It was long overdue (pun intended) and it seems to have sparked an entirely new fashion attitude as well. I think she got stuck in "mommy mode" and forgot she was gorgeous.

Gwyneth is back and more fab than ever!

Posted by: CindyM | May 09, 2008

what can I say, its all about gwen's shoes. not the hair, not the legs and not the mini dress.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/1931914/Gwyneth-Paltrow's-skyscraper-heels-in-demand.html

apparently some of the heels she was wearing were in the 7 inch range. not for those who are walking more than a red carpet, or as the article states--taxi shoes--although I doubt gwen's chariot of choice when wearing these skyscraping heels is a taxi.

but thats just me.

SF.

Posted by: shoe fiend | May 08, 2008

For a woman who has worn her hair exactly the same for so many years (long, straight and yellow), the new cut was definitely daring!

It's kind of cute and it does flatter her face, but for Gwyneth (whom I adore by the way), it was a big change indeed! That's why I stand behind my "daringly short" comment. :-)

Posted by: Diana - Gossip Guide | May 08, 2008

i think she looks hot - and way happier than she did before being a mom. it's the critics' job to trash celebs - especially when the celebrity changes their look.

Posted by: teri | May 04, 2008

Good for you, Style Spy!

Gwyneth is evolving and being true to
THE PERSON SHE IS TODAY, and you KINDLY recognize that!!!

Furthermore...."shoulder-length bobs"
ARE 2008 HOT.....for mothers and daughters and GWYNETH!


Posted by: Sadie Lady | May 03, 2008

I think she looks like HER mom! I'm not sure how I feel about that. I agree with Michael about dancing on tables. I wonder how her hair would look while she was dancing on a table? That may be the true test...

Posted by: Nikki | May 03, 2008

Seriously, guys....and I DO respect your venerable opinions, but can we be honest here for a second?

Gwyneth wears UNIFORMS. She wears flats, tees and jeans with her kids. She went through an INSANELY long phase where all she wore were nude colors to match her ridiculously long blonde hair. Thankfully, she has now cut said hair though is tragically fancying a cut similar to her mother's instead of having been a bit more....bold.

And now she is wearing ONLY black minis with louboutins. Black black black. Sorry - one promo out of the six hundred she has done for iron man where she wore color does not consitute "variation".

Gwyn is no icon. No fashion plate. She is a boring girl who plays it safe.

Long gone are the days of Gwyn the Calvin Klein dish, wearing red velvet gucci tuxedos and her hair as short and as blonde as her then beau's, Brad Pitt.

We miss those days. Come back, Gwynnie!

Posted by: keren Eldad | May 03, 2008

I just wanted to opine on your excellent narrative concerning Gwyneth. It was one of the best written fashion statements that I have ever read!
I wanted to cast my vote in favor of her new look. Doesn't everyone know that shorter hair is so in? And with legs like Gwyneth's shorter skirts are completely acceptable.
Again, thanks for your exquisite writing and "right-on" fashion sense.

Posted by: white fang | May 02, 2008

I am sure if we were all in the spotlight all the time like these celebs with photogs following them day in and out, they would catch us in some unflattering moments. Taking risk is refreshing and should be rewarded rather than chastised. And if you are hard working & lucky enough to have amazing legs like that after 2 kids ... i say SHOW 'EM OFF. Great topic Katrina :)

Posted by: Alana | May 02, 2008

You're right, she looks perfectly fine and the critics are just silly critics. But I wouldn't suggest that there's anything so wrong with dancing on tables.

Posted by: Michael | May 02, 2008

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