My 5 Red Carpet Styling Tips • Mama Latina Tips

From time to time, I get the chance to walk the red carpet at a movie opening, awards show, or other media event. Very posh, right? Well, to be perfectly candid, I get a little nervous at them. But they're still fun and I do learn something new each time I do one.

For that reason, I thought we could compare styling tips and then share them, so we could all benefit from everyone's style experience.

Thanks to JCPenney for making this style post possible. As always, my comments, opinions, and love for dressing up are my own!

My most recent experience found me swooshing down the great red way at the Tecla Awards in Miami. (And no, if you must know, I didn't win, but it was kind of fun seeing my nomination picture up on screen anyway… and there's always next year!)

At any rate, anticipating the stroll meant having a chance to learn a few professional secrets for looking and feeling my best. To that end, here are insights I gleaned for you to consider for your next big event.

5 Red Carpet Styling Tips

Create a personal profile. Start by defining what you like. What's the point of wearing something that makes you feel or look uncomfortable. If you're not sure what you like, try this: Write down which part(s) of your body you would like to flaunt, and which you'd rather hide. List which brands you like, celebrities you admire, colors you like, etc. In doing this, a pattern may emerge that helps you define your personal style.
Create a Pinterest board, or if you're old school, keep magazine cuttings and fabric swatches of things you are drawn to. Here is my Pinterest Board:

Keep an open mind. Don't be afraid to try new things: Tips 1 and 2 notwithstanding, you might look great in something you've never considered for yourself.

During my stylist appointment at JCPenney, before the Tecla awards at Hispanicize, Silvana, a professional stylist picked out a selection of dresses for me to choose from. In the end, I wore a dress I would never have considered on my own.

It was modern and very comfortable, which was the best part.

Accessories are important, choose carefully. If your dress has a nice neckline don't hide it, go for earrings and bracelets instead. If you are wearing long sleeves, a bracelet may get lost. Better to choose a nice necklace or earrings. You get the idea.
Ask for Help: We are not always going to have a personal, professional stylist to help out, so take a friend you trust to give it to you straight, or go to a store representative with whom you've built a relationship of trust.

3 More Tips for Petites

I'm barely 5 ft., so I need to find clothes that help me look longer, here are a few tips from the experts:

The length of the dress or skirt should neither be too long, nor too short, but just right, which probably is just above or below the knee.
Consider choosing nude colored shoes if you want to make your legs look a little longer.
Don't forget to check the Petites section at the store.

Thanks again to JCPenney, where I found everything I needed including my dress, shoes, and accessories for the Tecla red carpet walk and awards ceremony.

And here are my outfit and accessories. And you know what? JCPenney has salons inside many stores, so you can leave right from the store, ready for your red carpet event!

Now, how about your own styling tips and ideas? Join in the conversation and share your experience.

Enjoy!

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Silvia Martinez

Silvia started bilingual website Mama Latina Tips in 2009 to connect and share her stories, recipes and culture with readers. Silvia loves dancing, cooking, watching movies, reading, throwing Mexican parties and spending time with family and friends. Silvia is the winner of The Great American Recipe.

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