Yea, Nay, Or Eh? Leighton Meester’s Fringe Appeal

At the premiere of her new film Date Night last night, Leighton Meester wore one of the fringed stunners from Giambattista Valli’s well-received Spring 2010 collection. The front of her dress is a pretty standard Valli super-mini—his fans no less than his models have got legs for days—but the back is a full panel of suede fringe. We love the look, which Meester paired with chunky, multi-strap boots from the much-missed Phi. We happened to sit next to her stylist at a dinner last night, who confided that Meester cleaned up at the label’s 90-percent-off closing sale, where she’d copped the boots and much else besides. He also let drop that she’s scored a pretty sweet invitation to this year’s Costume Institute Gala. She’ll be at the table of one of the most sought-after designers in the business—young, ultracool, and (befitting the evening’s theme) all-American. What do you think? Does Meester make fringe work, or is this a look better left home on the range?

PLUS: Check back later for our full coverage of Date Night’s NYC premiere.