Let me first say that I really do adore Estelle’s music. That’s why it’s so painful to see her falter in fashion so often. So I was delighted to spot this recent photo of her at The Circle in NYC looking nicely put together.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love LOVE that she risks. In fact her failures are at least more interesting than the many popstars that do nothing but try to be pretty or oversexed. Still, she just hasn’t quite yet found the style rhythm that works for her. Let’s hope this chic ensemble is a harbinger for better things to come.

A couple Estelle fashion mishaps:

at The Grammys

at The Brit Awards

In fact, maybe it’s simply that Estelle tries to hard at big events. When you see her in more casual situations, she quite stylish. Maybe she just needs to take a more laid back approach to the red carpet.

Here she is rehearsing for the same show for which she show up wearing that awful puff sleeve contraption. Cute.

Take a look at some Cult picks from the red carpet. Now, not all of these people had stellar success with their looks. But if they weren’t chic, they at least tried something interesting. We’ll let Cult darling Janelle Monae lead the way…

Audrina Patridge is looking a bit too thin here, but her belted dress and easy chignon are so good that we’ll give her a pass for those platforms she’s wearing (luckily, you can’t see too much of them).

Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson was incredibly sophisticated and fashion forward. She looked great in a sparkling black number when she sang as well.

Continue for more good/interesting looks from the red carpet crew…

Bangladesh

Deadmau5

Latoya Luckett

Estelle

Katy Perry

Keyshia Cole

Maiysha

Raheem Devaughn

Phoebe Price

M.I.A – 9 months pregnant!

Will.I.Am