Recent Red Carpet Faves: Cate & Leighton

Speaking of fashion inspiration, I've found that few things are as inspiring to me as seeing a celebrity look really beautiful on the red carpet. Of course, they rarely (if ever) choose pieces that you could actually snag for yourself, but I adore seeing how they (or their stylists!) put themselves together. Here are a couple of my most recent red carpet faves:Cate Blanchett looked amazing in this Ossie Clark gown at Vogue Australia's 50th Anniversary Party at the end of July. I like how she took a dress that could've easily veered into Mrs. Roper territory with the wrong accessories and made it look elegant and understated, despite the bright red hue. The barely-there makeup and neutral necklace are the perfect counterpoints to the dress's bold swath of color.And, finally, Leighton Meester atones for some of her recent red carpet sins (witness Exhibits A, B and C) with this fun, flattering black and white striped Louis Vuitton party dress at last weekend's Teen Choice Awards. She keeps her makeup simple but adds a huge shot of sass with those gorgeous red patent leather Brian Atwood heels. I covet this outfit. And her legs!

- Theodora