The Look

One-Shoulder Dresses

Penélope Cruz

Hollywood's hottest stars have been showing some serious scaps in single-strap gowns with goddess appeal. Stylist Philip Bloch considers the asymmetrical look an elegant, sophisticated one that flatters all body types: "By baring a shoulder, you can be sexy without being tawdry or cheap." Bloch recommends limiting accessories to face-framing earrings or a simple bracelet. "If the single strap is very thin," he says, "then you can go for a choker, like Keira Knightley at the Oscars." And when the temperature drops, he suggests skipping a plain wrap and choosing a cover-up that shows off the look's asymmetry: "When you juxtapose a one-shoulder gown with a jacket or V-neck, you can play with weird angles for a cutting-edge look."

—Betony Toht