Jane Fonda in Elie Saab at “This Is Where I Leave You” Press Conference

We really wanted to like this because it’s Jane Fonda, who never met a red carpet or photo opp she didn’t immediately sink her teeth into and fight to submission. Figuratively speaking.

What we’re saying is, as she’s gotten older and the red carpet/stylist complex has increased in popularity, she’s shown an admirable aggression toward the whole enterprise. Like so many other things in her life, when she decided to tackle it, she really decided to tackle it. And she aced it, when other, younger actresses like Meryl Streep and Michelle Pfeiffer still find it confusing and overwhelming. She’s not of the Old Hollywood guard, who are pretty much all gone now, but she’s of that pedigree and grew up surrounded by legendary female stars of the Golden Age, which means she has an old-timer’s understanding that she has to give the fans and the press something to look at. She has an innate understanding of glamour and how to use it.

But oof. Jane, honey:

PinJane Fonda attends press conference for “This Is Where I Leave You” during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival in Elie Saab.

PinElie Saab Fall 2014 Collection

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That doesn’t say “Hollywood Legend” so much as it does “Senior’s Sexy Cruise.”

The top is salvageable, but she does have a tendency to wear everything a little too tight and this is no exception. The pants make the angels cry gentle tears of anguish. And the matching shoes make the whole thing look like a male figure-skater’s costume. And that is so very the wrong necklace, dear. Let’s just agree to forget this one, hmm?

[Photo Credit: Getty Images, IMAXTree]

• Elie Saab
• Festivals
• Jane Fonda
• Toronto Film Festival