NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Issa Rae attends the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)
This is such a good color on her, but I'm as low on things to say about bra shirts as we used to be about sheers. I am out of ways to ask whether this is really the best option.
Tiffany Haddish
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13016866a)
Tiffany Haddish
Disney Influencer Panel, Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - 03 Jul 2022
This is a lovely and floaty dress and I'm just going to pretend the heeled thong sandals aren't happening. It's easier that way.
Ashanti
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Ashanti poses backstage during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Louisiana Superdome on July 1, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Essence)
She performed in this, which doesn't make it BETTER, but at least... she wasn't just milling around a party wearing an homage to pulling bubble gum from your clenched teeth. The pelvic situation here is also not ideal. A hundred wrong decisions came together in one garment.
Jazmine Sullivan
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 02: Jazmine Sullivan performs onstage during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Louisiana Superdome on July 2, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Essence)
I think this is the polar opposite interpretation of a pink catsuit.
Lauryn Hill
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Lauryn Hill performs during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Louisiana Superdome on July 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
Lauryn Hill's dress is quite lovely. I would have accessorized it differently, but then again, I have never been able to pull off a bucket hat.
with Wyclef
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: (L-R): Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean perform during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Louisiana Superdome on July 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)
I gather this was a surprise reunion. The Fugees had to cancel a tour because of Covid, so she dropped by his set to sing some Fugees classics.
Lori Harvey
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Lori Harvey attends the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)
As double denim outfits go, this could be worse... except for the pants having a green cast and being so long that they're practically also socks.
Patti LaBelle
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 03: Patti LaBelle poses for a photo during SiriusXM's Kirk Franklin Praise Channel broadcast from Essence Festival at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 03, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Miss Patti is demonstrating that the one benefit of cutting your pants in the front is that they can be long WITHOUT looking like socks.
Mickey Guyton
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Mickey Guyton attends the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)
I love her, but this looks like someone stole it from a bin at American Idol marked "Cheap Basics for Designated Country Starlet."
Yvette Nicole Brown
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Yvette Nicole Brown speaks onstage during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)
Well THAT is fabulous.
Marsai Martin
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Marsai Martin speaks onstage during the 2022 Essence Festival of Culture at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 1, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)
Marsai is serving up an early aughs classic going-out top.
Janet Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Janet Jackson attends "Be Bold" Dinner Series honoring Janet Jackson presented by Coca-Cola at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans on July 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for CMPR Inc.)
This dinner was in Janet's honor. I really like that dress on her, but I am concerned that someone jammed her feet into some giant marshmallows. Or, even grimmer, some Marshmellos.
Angelica Ross
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Angelica Ross attends "Be Bold" Dinner Series honoring Janet Jackson presented by Coca-Cola at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans on July 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for CMPR Inc.)
She and Janet are dressed for opposite climates.
Nia Long
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13016867j)
Nia Long
Target Brunch, Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - 03 Jul 2022
That short fabric was very unforgiving. I assume it's linen?
Sheryl Lee Ralph
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 01: Sheryl Lee Ralph attends "Be Bold" Dinner Series honoring Janet Jackson presented by Coca-Cola at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans on July 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for CMPR Inc.)
She is always a joy.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149b)
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
See? A DELIGHT.
Tamron Hall
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149g)
Tamron Hall
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
I would like very much to embrace THIS vibe for what might be the last summer in which we enjoy anything.
Keke Palmer
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149r)
Keke Palmer
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
Keke arrived to this slideshow late, so she missed my thing about pant-socks.
Laura Kariuki
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149j)
Laura Kariuki
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
This is great.
Saycon Sengbloh
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149v)
Saycon Sengbloh
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
And this! I love this.
Sasheer Zamata
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149ac)
Sasheer Zamata
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
I like this about 85 percent. It's confusingly swirly in places there.
Nzinga Blake
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149bg)
Nzinga Blake
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
Perfect.
Dule Hill
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149l)
Dule Hill
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
At least a patterned shirt, perhaps, sir? The ladies are coming in hot here.
Kim Fields
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ray Tamarra/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock (13015149ak)
Kim Fields
Essence Film Festival at Essence Festival Of Culture, New Orleans, USA - 01 Jul 2022
I like the robe, but that top looks crazy uncomfortable. Let's reject chafing this summer.
