AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Posted Mar 13 2010 @ 09:36 PM

Looking uber sophisticated, Hayden Panettiere reminds us she's doing her best to grow up at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Viewing Party in LA on March 7. At an event where she could easily have played it safe with one of her trademark tube minis, Hayden went the elegant route with a luscious chocolate brown gown with a keyhole knotted neckline and playful pleats around the bust enhancing the tulip shape of the skirt (to get your maxi on at your next glam event, try Sue Wong's Ombre Beaded Long Dress in Mocha/Brown or Tt Collection's Cristophe Double Layer Gown in Taupe/Black with a gorgeous back cowl). Love the croc clutch adding texture to the silky satin gown (try Jalda's Croc Original Clutch in Chocolate) but her heels could have been a little more exciting (a neutral like Samanta's Viv Peep in Brown would be less distracting and would continue to play up the textural mixing). What's up with so many celebs ruining great looks with heavy black heels these days? As a final touch, Hayden wore her hair pulled back with tons of volume at the crown, showing off an ornate pair of earrings (loving the vintage vibe of Allison Daniel's Double Vintage Floral Vine Earring in Jet Stone). I'm definitely getting the vibe that with the dark hair and sophisticated attire, Hayden is really trying to impress us with her maturity – is anyone else feeling this? Besides reminding us she's growing up, HP might have another reason to strive to look a little older – she's smitten with her new beau, Ukrainian boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, who at 33 yrs old comes in as her oldest bf to date. HP and WK were first spotted together in Miami frolicking in the sun over the holidays, bringing in the New Year together in the southern hotspot. She then attended a German music event with her beau as her escort, and you can see from the pictures at 5'1" she barely comes up to his shoulder, even with heels on! Despite what some may think about their 13 year age gap, Hayden confidently told the press: “[Age is] just a number. It’s not something that comes up in a typical conversation.” Unless that conversation involves HP's string of past loves, including 32 year old Heroes co-star Milo Ventimiglia, 28 year old restaurateur Harry Morton and 32 year old Briitsh TV presenter Steve Jones. Hmm, I'm sensing a pattern here! What are your thoughts on young girls dating older men, readers?

Hayden Panettiere seen in Los Angeles, CA on Mar 07 2010.