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The Fashion Star Finale Is Tonight: Here's the Best and Worst From Season 1

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Tonight marks the end of Fashion Star's first (but not last—it's coming back) ten episode season on NBC. So there's no better time to reflect on some of the ho-hum highs and very lows. Highs: Just, you know, anything Nicole Richie and most things Terron Schaeffer said, as well as the two perfect moments in which Jessica Simpson alluded to her high-waisted jean history: Lows: The canned applause, odd dance routines, amateurish models, and Ross Bennett.

But really, we're concerned with the clothes. Specifically, the best and worst of those purchased looks.

The 5 Best:
Looking back, there are more bests than we remembered—which is good!

Sarah Parrott's tuxedo pants, week 2 at H&M:
So chic yet so cheap! And back in the days before the designer become a self-questioning drama monster.

Luciana Scarabello's bib-front dress, week 4 at Saks:
What a great little season-less, timeless dress! We loved that shirting-style detail.

Kara Larick's suit separates, week 7 at Saks:
Ugh, this stuff was all gorgeous—and Saks produced each individual piece! That said, this spot could've gone to the designer's tuxedo shirt or miniskirt.

Orly Shani's deconstructed blazer, week 9 at H&M:
It wasn't enough to keep her in the game but it was really beautiful.

Kara Larick's Trench, week 9 at Macy's:
It was refreshing to see the most directional of the designers do something a little more mass market. Especially something that's still so smart and chic.

The 5 Worst:
We limited these picks to sold looks because, let's be honest, everything on the list would be Edmund Newton's (and/or we'd have to include Kara Laricks for thinking it wise to send a dickie down the runway first week out and we like her too much to do that.)

Nikki Poulos' Halter Jumpsuit, week 3 at Macy's:
How did Macy's buy this? Isn't Macy's supposed to be the most mainstream and commercial of these retailers? There's nothing commercial about a maxi-length halter jumpsuit.

Ross Bennett's Tailored Shorts, week 3 at Macy's:
Fashion Bug called, they want their shorts back (this spot could also have been devoted to the designer's other missteps—those matronly blazers or perhaps the copycat lingerie.)

Barbara Bates' hooded mini dress, week 4 at Macy's:
Again, how did Macy's buy this? Just hackneyed and odd and unflattering—who is this customer?

Ross Bennett's cropped waistcoat, week 5 at Macy's:
It looked like it didn't fit at all and it looked really freaking cheap. Jessica Simpson might call that a "two-fer!"

Nzimira Oputa's Sack Dress, week 6 at H&M:
Stick to menswear, bub! That said, is it just us, or is his menswear is pretty goofy, too?

Thoughts? Feelings? Arguments? Share 'em all in the comments.
· All Fashion Star coverage [Racked]