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

5 Tips for Modest Summer Fashion

Summer is officially here. Love it or hate it, the season surely throws a wrench into the daily task of getting dressed, especially for those of us with a penchant for a more, let's say, restrained approach to our aesthetic.

So, how do you cover up in the heat, if tanks and shorts aren't your thing?

Here are 5 easy tips to dress on trend and keep it modest as the temperatures rise:

Ditch the Jeans - sure, they go with everything, but this is one piece I subconsciously leave behind every summer with reckless abandon. It's an intuitive choice - the thick fabrics, constricting cuts (skinny jeans are the antithesis of summer wear!), and the simple fact that there are plenty of months in the remainder of the year to wear them means you should have no qualms about moving those baby blues (or your greens, or pinks) to the back of your wardrobe until fall hits. Substitute with cargoes, harem pants, palazzos, or chinos (aka man pants) - the list of loose and demure bottoms in stores these days is absolutely endless. Incorporate them into your look as an effortless and easy choice for summer.

Maximize those Maxis  - unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably noticed maxi skirts and dresses have been back in mainstream fashion for quite some time now.  Given their consistent ride in the past few years, it's safe to say the look is here to stay! What does this mean for us, the quintessential, year-round modest dressers (who wear this look regardless of whether or not it's "in style", per se)? An abundance of choice. Prints, solids, silks, chiffons, brights, neutrals...the maxi world is your oyster. Take advantage of the fact that they now come cling-free, slit-free, and extra-roomy, the equivalent of every modest lady's wardrobe dream come true. Stock up, and rejoice that the only layer you may need to add is a slip. Just realize that whatever top you choose to pair it with, it need not be AS roomy as the one you sport with pants and jeans. Silhouette is everything, so be sure to balance your voluminous maxi bottom with a more tailored shirt or cardigan.

Shop For the Latest in Summer Fabrics - what do gauzy scarves, breathable tops, and airy bottoms all have in common? Technological advances in textiles have opened the door to delicious blends of cottons, linens, silks, and nylons which flow to perfection. Look for thin, printed pieces (solids tend to be more see-thru) which eliminate the need for that extra layer. Gone are the days of thick yet transparent linen (yuck! talk about fabric fail) which wrinkled up to the equivalent of your worst ironing nightmare, even after just one wear.

The High-Low Shirt - this amazing piece should be your new best friend.  It's like they designed it just for us modest girls. It comes in thin, dreamy fabrics, punch-drunk trendy colors, forgiving yet FLATTERING cuts, and covers up all the parts we need to hide. Also dubbed the "waterfall" cut, the high-front, low-back top is pretty much the perfect summer shirt.

Minimize Layers By Buying the Right Items - by heeding the advice to incorporate the items above, you are essentially eliminating the need for excessive layering, the bane of every discreet girl's existence. You know all too well how it goes:  sleeves not long enough? Add an undershirt. Oh, wait...length too short? Add a big cardigan. Before even making it out the door, you're sweating in an effort to say true to your demure style. But this need not be the case any longer. If you take care to invest in the right pieces, the need for more than one layer is automatically reduced. This is because of the amazing fact that apparel out there today is looser, longer, and more modest than it has been in years. (A short while ago, jeans couldn't have gotten any tighter or lower and skirts couldn't have gotten any shorter, so fashion had no choice but to start regressing in the opposite direction. And we were right there applauding when it happened!) Updating your wardrobe with a few key items of choice is not only fun and exciting, but a crucial step in cutting out the need for multiple layers in an effort to stay covered.

  Light summer layering inspiration - add in coverage as needed :)

And there you have it! A few easy to-do's to get your closet in shape for the heat ahead.  And please keep in mind this post is in no shape or form trying to dictate how one should dress - that's a personal choice. It's simply a guide on what to look out for from someone who has tried and tested just about everything in an effort to keep it all covered yet updated. Whatever your level of personal modesty, we can all agree it's a daunting task getting dressed and staying comfortable in the warmest months of the year.

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

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