Hollywood stylists meet with celebrities months before events to perfect gowns, shoes, jewelry, makeup and hairstyles for clients. But can there be too much to look at as stars sweep down the Red Carpet? Is there a danger of  becoming over-styled? Over-styling could mean that there are too many focal points.

FOCAL POINT – A dominant center of interest in a garment or an outfit, created by the use of line, shape, color, texture, and/or pattern. A point for the eye to rest on for a period of time. (An outfit without a focal point appears uninteresting, boring, and unfinished.)

According to blogger, Debbie Reynolds Harper, “When it comes to wardrobe building and basic fashion sense, the number one rule is “focal point.”

For men, this is easy, the focal point is usually their tie. But for women, it’s not so easy. We have to create a center of interest.

A focal point is where the eye is naturally drawn. A focal point should ideally be near the face, to direct attention to the smile and to the eyes.

Let’s  test our focal point-finding skills and see where the eye lands on these ladies:

When you look at Selma Hayak, where does your eye travel? Well, mine (and my husband’s) went directly to her beautiful bosom. The cut of her neckline brings attention to one of her best assets, but what about her face?

The focal point for both these ladies is the incredible COLOR in their gowns. Solid and simple. The perfect color and clarity for hair and skin tone does not detract, but brings light and emphasis to the face.

Between Alicia Vikander’s lovely updo, jewels, scalloped neckline, layers of flounce, and lace-up heels, I’m not sure where to look. Too many focal points? You be the judge.

Color, gem-encrusted headband, long earrings, high lace neckline, red lips, blue ribbon.

Can you find the focal point?

One might think this is all too much, but everything seems to work together seamlessly to frame Ruth Negga’s face and bring her incredible eyes to the forefront.

Halle’s hair. Most of us are used to seeing Halle Berry with her pixie cut, so this fuller, curlier style took us by surprise. It is a definite focal point. And if it has brought attention to her eyes and smile, it has done its job.

But what if Halle had worn this hairstyle, and a dress with vivid color, and loads of jewelry?

Look in a full-length mirror after you get dressed.  Are you comfortable with where your eye is traveling? 

You can add interest and personality to an outfit using focal points, but beware: too many focal points can confuse and detract from a beautiful view–of you.

Last year when my daughter was  looking for wedding dresses, I remember something she told me as she was trying on gowns.

She said: “Mom, When I walk down the aisle, I don’t want people looking at the dress I’m wearing. I want them to see ME.“

I’m pretty sure they did.

Wow…you can learn a lot from your kids.