The Kids Are Alright

Ever since the awards season, all the buzz on the red carpet has been for Hollywood's new up-and-comers.  And with good reason.  After what has seemed like a decade of teen starlets imposing tacky extensions, too much makeup, and overexposed bods, these girls are changing it up and giving something to look up to.

Hailee Steinfeld made her mark in the film "True Grit," and now she's scoring more on the carpet.  Keeping it classy, Steinfeld chooses hemlines to or below the knee with delicate fabrics such as chiffon and lace.  She channels a modern-day Audrey Hepburn with her elegance and charm.

 Elle Fanning, of "Somewhere" and "Super 8," is giving big sister Dakota a run for her money in the fashion world.  She's lighting up the red carpet with her fashion choices - often straight-from-the-runways of designers such as Chanel and Marc Jacobs.

Emma Watson may be a few years older than these girls, but she's kept it classy for years during her "Harry Potter" stints.  Now just at 21, she gives younger actresses something to aspire to.  She seamlessly transformed from a teen star to a woman this past year by chopping off her locks for a chic, short do - but never let her skirt follow.

These actresses are showing their talents without showing too much skin.  They're bringing back both innocence and sophistication to the looks of young Hollywood.  Hopefully, the likes of others will take note and ditch the trashy looks we've seen for far too long (ahem, Miley).

Icon-t Get Enough of Her Look: Kirsten Dunst

 In the early 2000's, Kirsten Dunst was THE it-girl on the big screen and red carpet.  A few missteps in her career - and personal style - and she dropped off Hollywood's radar.

But now, in 2011, she's back an better than ever.  As the new face of Bulgari, Dunst is getting critical praise for her movie roles, and also street cred for her sublime fashion choices of late.  That, and her fabulous "lob" haircut.  Not only have I copied her latest chop, I'm also getting ideas from her closet.

Here, Dunst wears a bold, marigold Chloe dress with the slightest accessory of stud earrings.  With a look-at-me color like that, why add more?

In this gorgeous dress, Dunst leaves all eyes on her detailed frock with no accessory other than her braided hairstyle.  She perfects it all with simple makeup - a pretty pink lip with downplayed eyes.  The combination of it all works magically with her fair skin.  Hollywood starlets with spray tans and heavy eyeliner could take a few notes from Dunst here.

Dunst leaves the spotlight on her Chanel dress by foregoing on accessories altogether.  An unfussy updo is the perfect accent to a metallic bodice and intricately-skirted dress.

Again in a Chanel dress, she modernizes a 1930's Hollywood look by mixing black and navy - all while keeping it sophisticated with a simple clutch, blazer and hairstyle.

Old Hollywood glamour comes to life again as Dunst dones this Rodarte dress on the red carpet.  This time, she resembles a modern-day 50's bombshell with a mermaid cut and retro curls.

Though her fashion statements of late have been mostly feminine dresses, Dunst shined in a perfectly tailored Patrik Ervell tux.  An easy chignon played up the look, along with classic black pumps.

Kirsten Dunst has made an in-ignorable presence on the red carpet this year.  She's brought something fresh and exciting to a fashion world filled with an abundance of metal hardware, over-exaggerated shoulder pads, and Gaga-like stunts as of late.  It's a welcome change and I hope this is only the beginning of much more to come.

A Little Magic Pixie Dust

There is a vexing little style that's sweeping across Hollywood and the rest of the fashion world alike: the pixie.  No haircut is easier to maintain yet at the same time entrancing as this one.  All over the country, women are chopping off their long locks (or extensions) and trading them in for a look that's chic and effortless - yet versatile.

Vanessa Hudgens

The pixie became popular in the 1920's as part of the iconic flapper look.  It had another resurgance in the 1960's with actresses such as Mia Farrow and models like Twiggy.  Women all over America embraced it - and never looked back.  Again, the pixie is back in 2011, with many of Hollywood's leading ladies welcoming it with open arms.

Anne Hathaway (it's a wig for the film "One Day")

No longer does long hair define beauty.  Beautiful faces need not hide behind a full mane.  Damaged, dry hair and split ends be gone. It's the perfect (and possibly most economically-friendly) way to get a major makeover.

Michelle Williams

Another great benefit to the pixie is that it works with many face shapes - especially the hard-to-style round face.  The shortness elongates the neck, defines cheek bones, and brings attention to the eyes.  It also pairs great with extra-feminine looks.  It's the perfect balance to a girlie dress.

Emma Watson

Perhaps a pixie cut isn't for everyone - but it works for so many.  Never has a hairstyle been so magical on and off the red carpet - yet so simple all at once.  This cut might be replaced again by long locks or mod bobs, but it's timelessness will surely make it popular for decades to come.