Part of the fun of writing this post was digging back into the archives of our photo agencies for some “older” photos of Jennifer Lopez. To start, I found a pretty amazing picture of JLo and Cris Judd (that backup dancer/2nd husband) — remember him? — at the 2001 premiere of Angel Eyes. Unfortunately (and aside from JLo’s clearly established “history of serenading crooks and defenders), my impression of Jennifer Lopez’s fashion sense has swiftly changed as a result of a simple column in Redbook. Witness:
1. Remember the golden ratio: one part heat to one part demure. “If you’re showing a lot of leg, don’t do cleavage. If your dress is tight, it shouldn’t be short. You cross the line into trashy when you reveal a lot.”
2. Balance a loose shape with flirty fabric. “My favorite blouses are flowy with touches of sheer material, so you see skin through it. They’re sexy in an easy, effortless way.
3. Ignore the age police. “I don’t care who thinks I’m not the right age for something. Right now, I’m in love with leather pants! If you have the legs for a short skirt and can pull it off, do it. When it doesn’t feel right to you anymore, you’ll know it’s time to stop.”
[From Redbook]
I hate to say it, but Jennifer Lopez is absolutely correct on all of these points and especially on her “golden ratio.” Even if one considers her daring and risque Grammys dress from 2000, the heat-demure ratio is respected. While it appears that JLo is showcasing more than one area of her body at a time, there’s really only the (massive) cleavage at work, and her legs are (relatively) covered by a sheer overlay. Ahh, Versace. You used to be amazing.
Jennifer also makes some excellent comments about ageism in fashion. I say that if you have the body (and you’re proud it it), then go for whatever fashion you so desire. I kind of hate myself for appreciating her style principles now. Here are more examples of the JLo ratio.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN
With that first pic, I now see why she’s w/Caspar. My first thought was that he was a grown up Caspar. I don’t know why, because they don’t really look alike, but there it is.
I don’t like the way she dresses sometimes because to me, it doesn’t feel like it’s her. She seems like she’s trying way too hard to be sexy, to ‘that girl’—the one that everyone’s eyes follow. Well, then there’s the fact that she seems to think that because she made two good movies in the nineties, and a boatload of shitty ones for the last thirteen years, that she’s hot stuff.
But that’s just my opinion.
I will never forget that movieline interview she did, back in the nineties, right after she did U-Turn (some posters put the link up)…..wow. What really got me was when she told the interviewer that if she hadn’t been engaged (to this funny lookin’ dude) and Sean Penn hadn’t been married, they’d have started something. Really? You really think that’s something appropriate to tell the world? There wouldn’t have been a wedding, if my fiance said something like that to a reporter.
I wouldn’t call her style demure.. but eh.. she’s right on the principles. What surprises me is that Wkipedia has an entire page dedicated to that monstrosity of a green Versace dress. ugh
What part is demure?
Seriously. I think from her comments here and in other posts that she sees herself as much more classic, demure and ladylike than she actually appears. Didn’t she compare herself to Jackie O and Grace Kelly? I think she may look sexy and even beautiful sometimes, but there’s always something tacky about her. Always.
I’m thinking maybe she means demure in a “covered up” kind of way. Like if she has a really deep V on top (as with the red gown in the 2nd pic) then the arms are covered and the length is to the floor…so it’s more demure-ish.
That said, I do find some of her fashion choices to be tacky, but I can respect the fact that she does know when to exercise a bit of restraint.
de·mure
/diˈmyo͝or/
Adjective
(of a woman or her behavior) Reserved, modest, and shy.
(of clothing) Lending such an appearance.
Synonyms
coy – modest – unassuming
She doesn’t k ow what “demure” even means.
Lady MTL & GoodNamesAllTaken
Very well said. I think that covers it perfectly
so fashion.love it.
And one part ice skater, one part 90s fashion, and one part hairspray.
That top dress isn’t short and tight? And terrible?
I love the longer gowns though, especially the red. And I agree she can pull off looks like that regardless of her age. But demure? No.
She’s got one of the craziest bodies in Hollywood. and looking at some candid pictures of her (sans make up) I think she’s naturally gorgeous too.
There is nothing demure about this woman. She simply should not use words she does not know the meanings of in her press releases or interviews. I did some research and she did graduate high school but ” She excelled athletically rather than academically, competing in national track championships”. This explains a lot. If it was the opposite she might have more brain cells to make far more sense. Can she honestly look back at the infamous Versace number she wore and call THAT demure?
did she say demure? she means hollywood demure
I don’t think that was her original saying about the ratio, but it’s absolutely correct. However, she doesn’t exactly follow it. Covering the rest of you with SHEER material is still showing too much. And if you have a good body, or just feel confident in yourself, wear whatever, but you do have to have some awareness of what looks right. I mean, Justin Bieber is 19 and looks like an ass in the backwards hats and baggy pants, and he’s relatively young. Jennifer Aniston has a great body, but 44 isn’t really the age for a pleated dress.
Bedhead, it’s funny that you posted a photo with Cris Judd because today is his birthday (also Ben Affleck’s).
I think Jennifer Lopez always gets it right with her red carpet style. That rule is golden.
Demure, no. But you cant expect her to be able to know the word, be able to pronounce it and use it correctly in a sentence. Dont ask too much. But she seriously does look stunning for her age. Her style choices are either flawless Riviera estate or budget harem.
i think hollywood demure = no flash of vulva
Oooh, I have always been good at fractions, especially mixed numbers. So, I’ve got the answer to this one.
One-part demure added to one-part heat equals a hot f*ckin mess which is J. Lo’s wardrobe and fashion sense.
She needs to STOP IT!
I’ve always felt like one of the few people who don’t think Jennifer Lopez’s body is spectacular. I don’t think she looks bad…I just don’t think she’s spectacular either. (If I could look like anyone, I would choose someone with more of a true hourglass shape….Maybe Jessica Alba.) But I think she dresses for her shape really well and chooses flattering designs.
i dont see it either but i fear the villagers and their torches
I feel like she breaks her rules all the time or doesn’t understand the concept of demure. When. You wear a dress that fits everything tighter than a skin on a grape I don’t think it counts as “covered up”. Like, do a neckline “down to there” but then cover up with something that skims and flatters your hips, maybe.
I’ve never been a fan of her try-hard fashion style so maybe I’m just biased.
Wrong. 3 parts heat, to 1 part demure, maybe, but I think her body type is the culprit for that. I won’t give her any crap, though, I’m shaped similarly and it’s a big bitch to dress. Personally, I think she dresses great for her body type, it’s her style choices that I can’t stand. I commend her for being able to keep her boobies and bum double-stick taped down so they down emerge on the red carpet, but let’s face it: her ‘demure’ will never be Kirsten Dunst demure or Kate Bosworth’s demure, and it shouldn’t be, so she gets a pass from me.
But please, honey, stop with those hair sculptures that pull your strands into a stiff oblivion…