NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 07: Keke Palmer attends during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is slick on her, although that seems like a LOT of extra toe space in those shoes -- in a designed way, not a "they're too big" way. How is she not tripping on those points?
Serena Williams
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Serena Williams attends the 2024 ESSENCE Black Women in Business Dinner at the Four Seasons New Orleans on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
She's been blond for a while now, but it still throws me off, although I like that shade on her. She looks pretty great in this, forgettable though the frock may be. I would also swap out the blush shoes for gold or silver, I think, but when WOULDN'T I do that.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Serena Williams speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is also good! She's a babe.
Regina King
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 07: Regina King speaks onstage during Day 3 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
I would like her to read to me every day, to be honest.
Caroline Wanga
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 07: Caroline Wanga attends during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Caroline is the CEO of Essence, and she NEVER punts on the ensembles. Ever. I have to bow to her. How does one even evaluate this as an outfit, per se, when it's clearly not trying to even BE an outfit so much as a whole EXPERIENCE.
Carolina Wanga
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Caroline A. Wanga, CEO, Essence Ventures attends the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
And she threw a fun shoe in there at the end here. RESPECT.
Caroline Wanga
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Caroline A. Wanga, CEO, Essence Ventures speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
I love that pattern. She is glam as hell.
Danielle Pinnock
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: Danielle Pinnock attends 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This dress is so pretty, and I love that her makeup softly plays off the colors.
Wayne Brady
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: Wayne Brady attends during 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Someone give this man a rum cocktail. He needs an umbrella drink and a lilting island breeze.
Jay Ellis
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 07: Jay Ellis attends during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Excellent.
Natasha Rothwell
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: Natasha Rothwell attends during 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is also so good. I just wish for a spicy lipstick.
Flau'jae Johnson
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Flau'jae Johnson attends during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
That scarf is going to end up a hand towel.
Lela Rochon
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Lela Rochon attends the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
LOVE the earrings.
Tatyana Ali and Keshia Knight Pulliam
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: (L-R) Tatyana Ali and Keshia Knight Pulliam attend during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Two of TVs favorite younger siblings!
Keshia Knight Pulliam
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: Keshia Knight Pulliam attends during 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
She looks adorable here, too, even if I want to chuck the black shoes for something livelier.
Garcelle Beauvais
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Garcelle Beauvais attends the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
But a black shoe is better than the appearance of NO shoe.
Sanaa Lathan
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Sanaa Lathan attends the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is summery and delightful.
DeWanda Wise
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: DeWanda Wise speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
This is the second thigh-high-based outfit on GFY today. I truly hope they are not having a moment.
Ava DuVernay
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Ava DuVernay attends the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
I fell for this as a shirt-dress until I zoomed in, and it's a skirt and a tie top. Not that it matters really. She looks as chic and professional as always.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 5: Cynthia Addai-Robinson attends The ESSENCE Of Black Men With Larry Morrow & Tank at Hide & Seek Nola on July 5, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
Fabulous color, but all the seams bum me out, especially with satin (or whatever satin-esque material this is). It's the worst. It forgives nothing.
Morris Chestnut
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 06: Morris Chestnut speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Damn, sir, okay!
Aldis Hodge
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 5: Aldis Hodge attends The ESSENCE Of Black Men With Larry Morrow & Tank at Hide & Seek Nola on July 5, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
ALSO DAMN.
LeToya Luckett
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 5: LeToya Luckett attends The ESSENCE Of Black Men With Larry Morrow & Tank at Hide & Seek Nola on July 5, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
I at least appreciate the effort this outfit made to have a bra top that plays off the jacket. Even if that IS a lot of pearls.
Deon Cole
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: Deon Cole attends Day 1 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
He always had such style, but the recent trend of looser clothes veers SO quickly into dumpyness.
Tisha Campbell
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: Tisha Campbell attends 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Neither of the separates is doing ANYTHING for her and I would, indeed, like to separate her from them.
Janet Hubert
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 07: Janet Hubert attends during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for ESSENCE)