Jessica Sanchez color-blocks, the rest keep it casual on 'American Idol'

Only Jessica Sanchez marched to a fashion forward beat last night on American Idol. She experimented with a seasonal trend…color blocks. Her first look conjured a stylized athletic jogging suit – white with black racing stripes amped up with a powerful pop of cobalt blue at the shoulders set off by huge sparkly blue earrings. It was so-so, but fit in with the less dressy fashion tone of the evening. Second time around, she brought in a juicy a hit of raspberry on one sleeve of her short dress that featured a cutout at the waist, and another hit of cobalt. Very cute!

Hollie Cavanagh went in a new, relaxed direction. She looked lovely and comfortable during her first performance wearing an asymmetrical scarlet silky high-low top that bore a cute fuchsia back bow, which she paired with slim black leggings and booties. The loose jumpsuit she wore later resembled a mechanic’s uniform and was not particularly flattering or high fashion.

Of course, high fashion and Phillip Phillips do not belong in the same sentence. For him, it was a gauzy blue shirt topping a muddy colored tee with dark pants and lace up shoes. Later he threw on a khaki sports jacket.

Even Joshua Ledet ditched formal for normal the first time down around in a bisque jacket, drapey white shirt and blue jeans, which he wore with light-colored bucks. Not so much for his second performance, in a slim shiny black jacket with a flattened blood red flower at the lapel, black shirt and pants. All a little devilish.

But if Ledet went to the dark side, it was Randy Jackson’s glad pink plaid ensemble that lightened the night. “When I look at you I just want to buy an ice cream,” said Ryan Seacrest of the cheery ensemble.