When a high-profile woman is captured wearing an off-the-wall outfit she’s certain to be the subject of heated debate.
The fashion world thrives on controversy, and most women are not slow in coming forward to voice their opinion on celebrities who dress to impress.
But since those they should surely be seeking to impress are men, it’s noticeable that the male viewpoint is often in short supply.
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So are men really clueless when it comes to fashion - or merely maintaining a diplomatic silence?
We asked a group of switched-on men to take a good look at the style world’s current darlings to find out whether they agreed with the verdicts handed down by the glossy magazines.
VICTORIA BECKHAM - POSH POLISH
Long haul flight? No tracksuits in sight for the fashion designer who seems to look her most chic after she’s just stepped off a plane.
MAG’S VIEW: “When Mrs Beckham tweeted: ’The airport’s my runway!’ boy, did she mean it. Keep up the good work, Victoria, those outfits are well and truly first class.” (Look)
MALE VIEW: Since we all know how much effort she takes to look just slightly glamorous, doesn’t it defeat the purpose somewhat? It’s a weirdly dedicated kind of posh-casual that’s mostly just very dull.
RIHANNA - EDGY STARLET
Her recent S&M confession in Rolling Stone magazine only adds to her controversial style: acres of skin, a dash of sex appeal and that trademark neon red hair.
MAG’S VIEW: “She’s up there with the uber-elite of the A-list in the fashion stakes, with designers falling over themselves to dress her and front row seats waiting for her at every top show.” (Grazia)
MALE VIEW: Rihanna has a style that’s half Disney princess, half sweaty dance hall, and it’s so eclectic that even when she takes a misstep it doesn’t really matter.
LILY ALLEN - VINTAGE VIXEN
Lily’s vintage shop venture has worked its nostalgic charm on her own wardrobe. From twenties to seventies, the singer really knows how to rock a retro silhouette.
MAG’S VIEW: “She’s not afraid to experiment. Lily’s eclectic style has gotten her as much attention as her music, and every designer clamouring to dress her.” (Elle)
MALE VIEW: Lily can wear pretty much anything she likes because she’s so cool and confident. Dresses, jumpsuits - actually, she could pretty much wear a bin bag and it wouldn’t matter. She makes the clothes work for her.
CHERYL COLE - WAG CONVERT
From footballer’s other half to Britain’s sweetheart, there’s no denying Cheryl has got the X Factor when it comes to red carpet dressing.
MAG’S VIEW: “Her wardrobe choices have become as successful as her singles. While filming for X Factor, she had fashion fans watching her every sartorial move.” (Vogue)
MALE VIEW: It’s refreshing to see a bit of simple sophistication - it often feels like there’s an arms/legs/boobs race between celebrities on the red carpet, when, frankly, there was never anything wrong with the old Hollywood kind of glamour.
KATE BOSWORTH - MINIMALIST MAGICIAN
The actress has that rare superhero quality with clothes, transforming something super-simple to a red carpet success story. A slick of eye-popping lippy is all the accessorising she needs.
MAG’S VIEW: “Kate has an amazing ability to take any trend and adapt it to her own style, rather than appearing like she’s wearing a ’look’.” (More)
MALE VIEW: Just goes to show that being over-the-top isn’t everything - all you need is one distinctive (yet classy) piece of clothing, and you can hang everything else around that.
SARAH JESSICA PARKER - HEEL MAVEN
The diminutive Sex And The City star raises her fashion profile by always being the first to get her toes into the towering new ’It’ heels.
MAG’S VIEW: “This lady doesn’t have a shoe cupboard - we reckon it’s more of a warehouse - but either way we’d kill for a rummage.” (Look)
MALE VIEW: Not a fan of her ’statement’ shoes - she always looks like she’d be more comfortable if she had hooves. And her style brings to mind a little girl playing dress-up in her mum’s clothes, which is bizarre but somehow apt.
CAREY MULLIGAN - PRIM ’N’ PROPER
Championed by US Vogue’s Anna Wintour, the British actress has adopted a demure style that sets off that cool elfin crop.
MAG’S VIEW: “With her pixie haircut and sophisticated schoolmarm style, Carey Mulligan has captured the fashion flock’s attention. See how she manages to flawlessly channel a mix of classic and sophisticated (think Audrey Hepburn) with offbeat (think Tilda Swinton).” (Vanity Fair)
MALE VIEW: There’s something about Carey that harks back to the teacher at a school disco. Not in a bad way - she would be the teacher all the boys would be sort of awkward and staring at their feet about - but a teacher nonetheless.
KATY PERRY - KITSCH QUEEN
With an impressive collection of wigs, wacky dresses and neon-bright accessories, the newlywed has made kooky her own brand of fashion. Often cartoonish, she’ll take a look to the limits of taste with rubber dresses and cheeky prints.
MAG’S VIEW: “Strip away the pink and blue extensions, comedy bras and other frills of her cartoonish persona and another side of pop star Katy Perry emerges: a sophisticated femme fatale.” (Harper’s Bazaar)
MALE VIEW: Katy’s never exactly been one for modesty, but she knows how to create a distinctive look and she sticks to it. If there was a dress made out of candyfloss, Katy Perry would be first in line to buy it.
