Style Icon: Vanessa Hudgens

It's been awhile since I blogged but I've been rather busy, and to be honest, I will be till the end of the year, but I will try my best to do something whenever I can.

For now, here's a look at my favorite red carpet looks of Vanessa Hudgens'. Her style has definitely evolved over the years, and while I much prefer her red carpet style in the earlier years, I still dig her occasional out and about looks with a touch of bohemian. But let's take a peek at some of the looks in which the actress had attended events:

Vanessa attended the 58th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards with her High School Musical cast-mates and the show picked up two awards during the ceremony. It was the first formal look seen on Hudgens and while I didn't love it, it was an appropriate dress that was elegant with the soft satin material while her braided locks adds an edge and youthful vibe to the look.

Vanessa was gorgeous in a floor-length thin strap dress when she attended the Billboard Music Awards in 2006 as HSM swept home the Soundtrack Album of the Year award. It was my first favorite look of hers on the red carpet. Her long rosary-style necklace added a little touch of goth to her embellished dress that was also sheer strategically down the chest and waist area. I love that the look was sexy but not overly seductive. Her side-swept hairdo also added to the sultry look. LOVE.

The bunch then went on to attend the 2007 MTV Movie Awards and Vanessa was donned in a summery floral maxi. The color on the dress was bright and the prints were loud, cleverly contrasting against both the pink carpet, as well as Vanessa's soft, almost-nude make-up. The outfit was fun and suitable for the event. What I didn't like about the look was the heavy, black heels she wore beneath her dress. Something in a lighter color and also less chunky would've been great.

At the ABC Summer All-Star Party, Vanessa was in my second favorite look (of all time). The grecian look was complete with her halter-style nude frock by Jay Godfrey that featured a special gold accent, which was well-matched with her giant gold hoop earrings. Not to mention, her curled, messy up-do is so pretty (a personal favorite for red carpet) and the statement-making stretches on to her snake-print pumps.

Out supporting her then-boyfriend Zac Efron at the premiere of Hairspray, the Sucker Punch actress wore a short, single-shoulder Jay Godfrey frock with a large ribbon detail. The plain dress was accented with metal details on her ankle-strap heels, bangles and black clutch, and not forgetting her unique, single-side long earring worn on her right ear.

Vanessa's bold red gown was a perfect contrast against the sea of blue at the premiere of the second installment of High School Musical held at Disneyland. The look was elegant without heavy accessorizing except for the gold teardrop earrings and matching clutch. The messy up-do really works on Vanessa.

Vanessa was cute at the TCA's green carpet back in 2007, as she opted for a strapless floor-length Thread Social dress. It's not the perfect, nor her best red carpet look, but it was event appropriate. I was crazy over her initial-V pendant necklace! Still wish I had one like this. What I hated, though, was her choice of clutch, that didn't fit into the look at all. 

Vanessa showed off her legs in a short sparkly dress by Marc Bouwer at the American Music Awards the same year. The young star demonstrated how gold works for her tan complexion as her strappy sandals and earrings complete the look.

Vanessa was effortlessly chic in a black number by BCBG Max Azria which featured a unique sleeve design. It was one of the few occasions I see Vanessa wear silver accessories and she managed to wear them so well too. I wouldn't like the silver heels individually, but with this outfit, they seem to work. Doesn't she look amazing with bangs?!

At MTV's TRL with her HSM mates in 2008, Vanessa looked smart in an Eric Hart grey dress worn with a blazer. She kept things stylish with thigh-high socks and black heels. I love how Vanessa's make-up and hair is always so perfect. 

Vanessa was flirty in her short, floral Rebecca Taylor dress worn to the premiere of Watchmen. The colors looked great on her and she cleverly matched the pinks and purples with a pair of lilac ankle-strap suede heels (which I absolutely love, by the way). The outfit showed the right amount of skin, at the same time, elongating her tanned and toned legs. A great casual outfit, this made.

Vanessa kicked start a great year 2009 with an ultra feminine Alberta Ferretti gown at the Golden Globes. The dress was absolutely sweet and I love how the bodice reflects the light of the shutterbugs and ends with a softer fabric towards the floor-grazing hemline. The Beastly actress looked gorgeous, with just the right amount of accessories.

At the MTV Movie Awards in 2009, Vanessa was glowing in her orange BCBG Max Azria number. The asymmetrical hemline showed off her tribal heels by Jimmy Choo. The color worked wonders against her sun-kissed skin and nude make-up, I was so glad to see her in a bright color, and that almost made me forget how shapeless the dress made her look. It's still a "yes" for me.

Then at the TCA's, Vanessa hit all the right notes with her altered, short version of the Christian Dior dress and Brian Atwood pumps. Her matching eye make-up was equally amazing. I loved everything about this look.

I wasn't exactly a big fan of this look, 'cause I didn't really like the dress. What I did like love, was her blowout and her bangs. The hairstyle was really fresh, and I was always so envious of how she could carry both permed and straight locks. 

Supporting Zac Efron at his 17 Again premiere was Vanessa in a Zac Posen frock. The actress stylishly added some elements of edge by belting up her dress with a leather waist belt and throwing on a pair of gladiator-style heels. Needless to say, her hair, make-up and accessories (consisting of a peach-colored clutch and giant gold hoops) are perfect, as always.

Vanessa looked like a goddess at the premiere of Charlie St. Cloud, also in support of then-boyfriend Zac Efron, as she wore a backless Reem Acra satin frock. I was crazy over this look, as the embellished neckline of the dress sets off her eyes and beaming smile. I thought she could have picked better footwear over this pair of Jimmy Choos though, 'cause the silver seems to sing a different tune with the dress and her Ferragamo clutch.

I love Missoni and it's signature print and here's Vanessa at a Neutrogena event wearing a brown dress by the label. I loved everything about the look, what's there not to? From her piled on necklaces, to the dress, to her pretty hair and ankle-strap platforms - I like!

Vanessa made a statement at the Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides premiere when she showed up in a high slit black wrap dress. The dress gave the illusion of longer legs as focus is drawn to them, thanks to the thigh-high slit. It was a great look, and a great pair of shoes (*drool*) but I wasn't sure about showing this much (plus cleavage, plus backless) at family-friendly Disneyland.

This look at the Beastly premiere reminded me of how much I love Vanessa in color. The colorful strapless Julien MacDonald dress brought some color to the red carpet event, especially with that train, which was held at night. Cobalt blue suede heels by Giuseppe Zanotti and contrasting red Judith Leiber clutch completed the look with perfection.

Finally, the latest look of Vanessa's that I dig, was that at the Concept Korea presentation for Fashion Week in New York sometime ago. The velvet knee-length dress was modest but spelled elegance. Loved her look from head to toe.

Sadly, most of Vanessa's recent red carpet looks were a turn-off for me. It could be her personal style shining through, but she still needs to know what works before the cameras and for her. However, I take consolation in that she's taking risks and finding her own style, which is always a good thing. 

So which look did you like?