The Best and Worst of the ESPY's Red Carpet

The most talked about names in sports stepped out for an evening sans uniforms and warm-ups for the ESPYAwards (aka the Oscars of sports) held in Los Angeles. The event provided a rare glimpse into the red carpet personae of some of the worlds' most apt physical specimen. Here's a quick recap of some of the evenings best, worst, and just plain memorable looks.

Worst:

Colin Kapernick - The football legend did seem to put together a color-blocked ensemble of ill-fitting cobalt pants and a red blazer with more effort than usual. And although his white button-up tied the pieces together, we would have preferred the man of the hour in pro-football to don something a bit more tailored for sports' biggest night out. Also...matching the shoes to the jacket, and the hanky to the pants? Classic rookie faux paus.

Lolo Jones - The track and field athlete attempted a look that did little for her fit frame. The halter mini with ruching in a standout lemon yellow and embellished neckline needed no additional accessories, but she insisted on adding drop earrings and a stiff overdone updo. Softer hair, minimal accessories, and perhaps an easier cut of dress would have equated to an ensemble of red-carpet calibre.

Best: 

Maria Sharapova - the tennis great looked effortless and chic in a shimmering halter frock from J. Mendel's Resort 2014 collection. The easy hair, gold strapped pumps, and sheer black hem only further accentuated her statuesque frame.

Dwayne Wade - arguably the best dressed player of the NBA, Wade brought the heat with a more refined look consisting of the classic black tux with a textured scarf draped over the neck. His signature pop of course, consisted of the unconventional red high top shoe, the perfect touch for a night of sports recognition. Girlfriend Gabrielle Union complimented his look in a modern embellished LBD with plunging neckline.


Most Memorable:
Lebron James - Some might say the next best thing in NBA legends is allowed to wear whatever he wants, and Lebron continuously tests those limits with his recent fashion choices. He donned a head to toe crimson tux (was that a peplum we spotted in the back?), something a normal man of his frame and stature would typically shy away from. The winner of multiple awards tonight, including male athlete of the year, certainly left an impression. Like it or hate it, the world is most likely remember this statement look for years to come.

Ramadan Chic: Your Style Guide for Taking It From Day to Night

The blessed month is finally upon us. After weeks of anticipation and preparation, we all hope to extract from the spiritual treasures bestowed to us during these special days. The focus is primarily on the inner as we struggle for a deeper level of existence, every single day.

But like it or not, part of that struggle for some of us includes the daily grapple of what to wear. For busy days and nights spent in more than the yearly load of worship, one must take into consideration the wide variety of events, crowds, and elements to dress for. For those of us who work or go to school in the day, head straight to iftar at a friend's place afterwards, then try to catch a few rakats of Taraweeh at our local mosque...it may seem daunting and sometimes impossible to put together an outfit that will translate across the board.

If the easy way of throwing on an abaya as a cover-up doesn't quite tickle your fancy, fret not. It's not as complicated as it may seem. Sure, maxi dresses and skirts are everywhere and may seem the obvious choice, but their flowy element can lack the structure some of us need when dressing professionally in the am (if this is not a concern, then by all means...think of the maxi as your modern day "abaya" suited for all your Ramadan needs!) If you crave variety or indeed require more structure for work or school, then read on.

Career Muslima: AM to PM Elements

Ramadan Day to Night by stylebydesign-sbd featuring a long sleeve cardigan

Aaiko long sleeve cardigan
$180 - welikefashion.com

Zara print blouse
zara.com

Tara Jarmon long sleeve blouse
$150 - johnlewis.com

Zara high waisted pants
zara.com

Lanvin high heels
lanvin.com

BCBGMAXAZRIA strappy sandal heels
bcbg.com

Alexander McQueen evening handbag
$2,080 - liberty.co.uk

Diane Von Furstenberg black handbag
forwardforward.com

Trina Turk LA ball ring
trinaturk.com

Tory Burch cuff bracelet
$125 - harrods.com

Gold charm
ylang23.com

Humble Chic patterned scarve
humblechic.com

Jigsaw leather belt
$58 - jigsaw-online.com

Miu Miu matte sunglasses
net-a-porter.com

Fossil Georgia Mini Three Hand Leather Watch White
evosy.com

High Waisted, Wide-Leg Pants: Instantly hip and mindful of all prayer positions, this conservative cut will help you cover the full leg (no ankle exposure when sitting!) and eliminate low-riding waistlines, even in your most vulnerable sajdah position. Luckily the look is of-the-moment and readily available in stores these days. Just be sure to wear at least a two to three-inch heel to avoid pooling of fabric at the feet, as well as to give shape to this classically feminine cut (like the Zara pair pictured above).

The Ladylike Button-Up: Push aside the expected, boyish cotton-woven work shirt. Given current warm temperatures and the high probability of layering in the pm, a top in a flowier fabric - silk, chiffon, or georgette - adds a feminine touch to your structured pants and reduces bulk if you need to layer up for worship later in the day. With the wealth of fun prints and styles available right now, the piece can be easily personalized into a look of choice just for you. Another pro? This type of top typically seems to favor a full, to-the-wrist sleeve (vs. the frustrating three-quarter length we see on most of the more "halal" tunic tops out there) and a derrier-skimming length, perfect for all your holy month needs. Leave it out, tuck it in, or sport my fave - the "half-tuck" (front in, back out) as you need throughout the day.

The Updated Scarf: Whether or not you wear hijab "full-time", the lightweight, gauzy versions frequenting most stores today comes in the perfect size and need NO ironing, making them the perfect item to stash in your am bag if you need a quick cover-up for prayer time. In addition, the modern texture has some serious GRIP...allowing you to focus on your prayer versus whether or not it will slip off your head.

Added Layer for Taraweeh: So you're all covered up from head-to-toe in chic fashion, but still feel a little self-conscious for your eight to twenty rakats? Fear not. Your feminine blouse is the perfect candidate for light layering (as mentioned above), so simply add a duster, cardigan, or blazer in a THIN summery fabric in order to survive most internal mosque temperatures of shoulder-to-shoulder action.

The Clutch: Keep one in your car at all times, and you are empowering yourself to toss essentials from your larger work tote into one of these instant style boosters. The mini-handbag is a hot item available just about everywhere right now, so choose a fun animal print (snake or cheetah anyone?) or a bright solid to keep the added accessory fun, polished and updated.

Jewelry: Where earrings and chokers may get lost in all your modest wear, long necklaces, statement rings, and cuff bracelets should be your very best friends. Again, add on to your night look as needed if it feels a bit much for day.

Written by Saba Ali - stylist, writer, and founder of SBD - Image Consulting

Comments? Questions? Leave below or email us at stylebydesign.sbd@gmail.com