With entertainers channeling more and more of their fashion influence from the runways of Fashion Week across the globe (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan and Berlin) they’ve managed to pull off some of the most interesting looks we’ve seen in a long time. Artists like Rihanna, Estelle, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Pharrell and Kanye West stay at the fashion forefront with their eye-catching looks on and off the stage.

Of course we as viewers are inspired by their style and want to find a way to make it our own, but there’s one important thing to keep in mind: what looks good on TV usually won’t make the grade in real life.

Remember Lil Kim’s monochromatic ensembles with matching Technicolor wigs in the “Crush On You” video? It looked great in the video, but when you started seeing ladies in the party rocking fire engine red and royal blue hair–not so much.

Rihanna’s sexy Mad Max look in “So Hard” wouldn’t work anywhere else except on film and on stage. Where exactly would any of us wear high-waisted briefs and a skin-tone bustier?

All of that is not to say that we can’t take elements from runway fashion and apply them to real life. Consider these examples.

As-is, this look from the Alexandre Herchcovitch Fall 2010 show in New York is very goth-porn. But if you pair the dress (worn with a dark or skin-tone sheath) and belt with a pair of pumps–leaving the fishnets, chunky boots and headgear behind, you have a great rocker-chic look.

This brother’s look at the Y-3 runway show has him bogged down in layers. However each of the pieces are strong independently. The shoes work with the black sweater and pants. The topcoat and hat coordinate well over a less chunky ensemble. And the knit, tomato-red jacket can be pulled off with dark denim and the shoes he’s wearing (by a brother cool enough to rock a tomato-red jacket).

This look is all about scale. I’m sure this model from the Lacoste show is between 6′0″ and 6′3″ but his lean frame is swallowed by his coat and cardigan. A man with more bulk to match his height could wear both pieces (although not together) very well. And let’s just lose the beret for good.

There really is a way to make runway style work in real life situations.

(images copyright Getty Images 2010. Used with permission)

– Quia Querisma

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Quia Querisma is a freelance writer, Dallas Glambassador, and enthusiast of dresses, shoes, premium denim and socializing of all varieties. She is many things to many people at QuiaQuerisma.com