Red Carpet Fashion at the Oscars

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Red Carpet Fashion at the Oscars

— by Angie

on February 28, 2011

Yesterday was an extremely tough day and my heart wasn’t with the Oscars like it normally is. But I did see most of the frocks and do have an opinion so here it goes.

Halle Berry made my worst dressed list for the Golden Globes, but was amongst my favourites last night. I don’t usually like nude toned dresses but hers was sublime. I LOVED her hair and make-up.

In my world, Cate Blanchett walks on water and can do wrong. I didn’t love her pastel pink gown, but it was daringly different and her hair looked so fresh and natural — so she makes my best dressed too.

14 year old Hailee Steinfeld looked youthful, rosy and beautiful. Her fashion stylist deserves an award!

Anne Hathaway in her first bright red gown was stunning. Well done Rachel Zoe.

Annette Bening was killer in her beaded art deco dress. I adored the green earrings and swept up short hair. I was hoping that she would win.

Lasses that didn’t look so fab: Florence Welch, Michelle Williams and Sharon Stone.

Over to you. Who made your best and worst dressed at last night’s Academy Awards?

Click the thumbnails to see these dresses in all their glory at the Gardian UK.

Celebrities

35 comments · Add a comment

Fran

Active Member

Favorite dress: The lavender gown worn by Mila Kunis. Second place to Hilary Swank, but I just love feathery things. Most amazing blunder: Scarlet Johansson’s hair. WTF?

February 28, 2011 at 5:55 am

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

I loved Anne Hathaway’s fringe dress and her tux – so fun (maybe a bit biased since I wore a tux to my senior prom).

I think Scarlet Johansson was just a hot mess all around – the dress was just a wretched color for her, the shape wasn’t all that flattering and her hair was just awful.

February 28, 2011 at 6:18 am

Diana

Veteran

Loved Halle Berry, Annette Bening, and Sandra Bullock (I think hers was the best red dress, by the way). I think Halle looked great in nude whereas most of the other women did not because her skin tone provides sufficient contrast to the dress.

Sunrise Coigney (Marc Ruffalo’s wife?) was my least favorite of the night – the black side of her confused gown was funereal and the gold side was like channeling the Oscar statue. Also did not like Michelle Williams or Sharon Stone.

I’m not sure about Cate Blanchett’s dress. I love the shape and how different it was, and of course Cate is just stunning, but I do not like the lumpy yellow things on the back… still, it is a very interesting and edgy dress, as well as being a very difficult one to wear, and I applaud Cate for wearing it so well!

February 28, 2011 at 6:33 am

Linda

Helen Mirren! I also liked Anne Hathaway’s first two dresses.

February 28, 2011 at 6:56 am

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I also loved Annette Bening’s ensemble, it really stood out as being something something different but in a way which translated well on the red carpet. Anne Hathaway did look spectacular in the red Valentino but I’m beyond bored of strapless gowns. I think I liked Gweneth Paltrow’s gown but have only seen a 2d picture. Colin Firths wife wore a gown which was interesting and recycled too.

February 28, 2011 at 7:06 am

rute

Veteran

Loved your choices. Loved also Mila Kunis and Mandy Moore!

February 28, 2011 at 7:06 am

Steph

Veteran

Angie, I’m glad you disliked Michelle Williams as well. I thought she looked horrible–the color was just awful on her–but she was a big favorite in the YLF blog yesterday and I thought I might be going insane because I disliked it so much.

I agree about Halle Berry as well, and thought that the large majority of women in those nude colors (particularly Michelle and Mandy Moore) looked washed out. Hailee Steinfeld was an exception and looked great, as did Steven Speilberg’s daughter. Also very washed out, although not wearing a nude color, was Sandra Bullock.

I thought Natalie Portman looked great, and I loved the color on her. I loved Mila Kunis’ dress, but would have loved it more if it hadn’t been such a pale color–she has dark coloring and I thought she would have looked best in something a little deeper.

My other favorite was Amy Adams, although I didn’t adore that necklace with the neckline of her dress. I did like the green jewels with the blue of her dress, but would have been happier had she gone for big earrings and left the necklace off entirely.

February 28, 2011 at 7:18 am

Joy

Veteran

I thought many of the dresses as well as Anne Hathaway’s tuxedo looked great. My favorites were Gwyneth Paltrow and Helen Mirren. I’d love to own those dresses.
Annette Bening looked better than ever.

February 28, 2011 at 7:46 am

Carole

Veteran

I always love Helen Mirren’s gowns. Lovely! Anne Hathaways gowns were a treat to see. Halle Berry looked beautiful and I loved Natalie Portman’s too! Such fun!

February 28, 2011 at 8:25 am

sinead

Active Member

I thought Anne Hathaway was so stunning in the red and blue gowns- her colors! The teen girls in my house loved Mila Kunis’ gown. And I also loved seeing Helen Mirren continue on her “can do no wrong” streak.

February 28, 2011 at 8:52 am

Mac

Veteran

Gwyneth in her gold Calvin Klein looked lovely.

February 28, 2011 at 9:01 am

taylor

Veteran

I totally agree with your assessment! LOVED Hailee Steinfeld…Her tea/ankle length gown just perfection for her age and style!!

February 28, 2011 at 9:32 am

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I agree about Halle Berry – there was something magical about her last night. I liked Michelle Williams! The problem is that she looked so incredibly amazing in 2006 – one of the best Oscar looks of all time, in my book – that she has made herself a tough act to follow. Here she is, back then:

http://www.google.com/imgres?i.....CEEQ9QEwAw

February 28, 2011 at 9:33 am

Sihaya

Veteran

Helen Mirren can do no wrong in my eyes and I liked her dress. I also liked Scarlet Johansson – different and beautiful. Something about Cate’s dress didn’t work for me, probably the sleeves though I too usually really like her style.

February 28, 2011 at 9:53 am

Mac

Veteran

Gwyneth’s dress: http://www.google.com/imgres?i.....29,r:3,s:0

February 28, 2011 at 10:08 am

Aziraphale

Veteran

So, so sorry to read about your little dog, Angie. Losing a beloved pet is so hard.

I thought Anne Hathaway was stunning in her red gown (love the loosely swept up hair too). Amy Adams looked smashing in the colour she chose, but I thought the neckline of the gown was unflattering. Cate Blanchett epitomizes elegance, and her haircut looked so fabulous I might even copy it, but I couldn’t get on board with that gown — especially the yellow bumps on the back that looked like some kind of skin fungus. Helen Mirren demonstrated again that she is the sexiest 60+ woman on the planet.

Worst looks: Scarlett Johansson — bad hair, bad makeup, and that dress turns her ample bosom into an ugly boob shelf. Also it’s a hideous colour. And the weird outfit award goes to: Sunrise Coigney.

February 28, 2011 at 10:08 am

Lisa

Veteran

Natalie Portman made my best dressed list. Loved the purple color she choose and the overall look was elegant and simple. Nicole Kidman made my worst dressed list, I did not feel the color, material or shape worked well for her.

February 28, 2011 at 10:26 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just saw Helen Mirren’s dress and she makes my best dressed list too.

Lisa, I love Nicole Kidman but also didn’t like her dress.

I forgot to mention how disappointed I was with Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz – who usually look killer.

Steph, I also liked what Nathalie Portman wore. Better then at the Globes.

February 28, 2011 at 11:21 am

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

In Penelope Cruz’s defense, she did just have a baby a month ago. It is hard to get dressed when your body size changes daily and sometimes hourly.

February 28, 2011 at 11:45 am

Zoe B.

Active Member

I didn’t see the Oscars on TV, so I’m just judging only from pictures. I like Gwyneth Palltrow, Amy Adams, and Anne Hathaway’s blue gown (I love the red color on her but not the gown itself). I must be on a minimalism-appreciation streak because I like Reese Witherspoon’s black and white simple dress. I did not care for Mula Kunis’ gown and the color, or Natalie Portman’s (she always gives off the vibe of a good schoolgirl and that irritates me–I know, a narrow-minded thing to say, but there it is). And although I would never choose Cate Blanchett’s or Penelope Cruz’s gowns for myself, somehow both pulled it off, in my eyes at least.

February 28, 2011 at 12:39 pm

Tiffany

I loved Amy Adams’ dress, but agreed with the comment above about the necklace over the neckline. Scarlett Johansson was a mess. Cate Blanchett looked absolutely regal but I couldn’t actually LIKE the dress, even though I could appreciate her wearing it, if that makes sense. Also agree that Michelle Williams’ dress just didn’t work (sleeve length unflattering?). Florence Welch looked horrible. I did think Hilary Swank’s dress was divine, but softer hair might have been prettier … Such fun to look at all the frocks.

February 28, 2011 at 12:42 pm

summerbl4ck

Active Member

Mila Kunis and Gwyneth were the most interesting, I thought. There were lots of other nice dresses but all kind-of tame and boring, I thought. Even Helena was more subdued than usual, which was really too bad. It’s the really outlandish stuff that ends up being memorable. What Oscar dresses do you remember? I remember the gold am-ex credit card dress, of course Bjork’s swan dress, and everything by Cher. Jennifer Lopez’s green dress, that wasn’t an Oscar dress, was it?

February 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm

Stephani

Best Dressed: Helen Mirren (she looked so amazing and beautiful and sophisticated and yet still fashion forward)

Next-best-dressed: Mila Kunis

Best kooky: Helena Bonham Carter (she actually didn’t look as messy-weird as usual, just a fantastically off-beat enough)

There were too many “eh” and “really?” and “what was your stylist thinking?” to bother mentioning with.

February 28, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Poppy

Active Member

In my opinion.. Helen Mirren and Sandra Bullock were the best .. Cate Blanchett and Michelle Williams were really bad .. Anne Hathway’s Red carpet Red and of course her Tuxedo was awesome

Also chk tylor swift at after party.. http://oscars.movies.yahoo.com.....mgPhoid=14 Loved it.. Gwyneth Paltrow looks Super Pale..

February 28, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Marley

Veteran

Loved Halle Berry. Loved Cate Blanchett – but those yellow bumps were a little weird. Loved Annette Bening. Loved Helen Mirren. Loved Mandy Moore.

February 28, 2011 at 4:29 pm

Melllllls

I agree with your choices. I also liked Scarlet Johannson’s dress though. Also liked Gwyneth Paltrow. Didn’t like Sandra Bullock; don’t think the dress fit her and her make-up was waaayyyy too pale. Natalie Portman definately looked much better last night than at the Golden Globes.

February 28, 2011 at 5:46 pm

Kyle

I loved Michelle Williams. Loved. Also Reese Witherspoon, Mila Kunis. and Helen Mirren. Yes, Halle Berry looked amazing. But that overall look/style is getting a bit cookie cutter, in my opinion. Not sure what is happening to Nicole Kidman, but she seems to have lost her fashion mojo. Hailee Stanfield was refreshing and delightful.

February 28, 2011 at 6:04 pm

Antje

Veteran

I liked a lot of dresses last night! Including: Halle Berry (my favorite), Mila Kunis (so so pretty), Scarlett Johansson (though not a good color on her), the red Anne Hathaway dress (perfect), Helen Mirren (so chic and classy), Gwyneth Paltrow (very Gwyneth), Jennifer Lawrence (wow! not quite glamorous enough for the Oscars but beautiful).

I liked Sandra Bullock’s dress from the front, but hated the butt bow. Amy Adams would have looked stunning without the necklace on top of the dress – and I thought this dress was a great example for why sleeveless or sleeves work better than cap sleeves! LOVED the color and beading, though, and her open hair, she just glowed. Cate Blanchett’s dress did not work for me, though I appreciate the fact that it was unique. Michelle Williams looked awful I thought. Oh, and I did not care for Annett Benning, neither the dress nor the hair.

So many different opinions, wow. But that keeps it interesting!

February 28, 2011 at 6:24 pm

Maya

Veteran

Anne Hathaway’s dress looks like it is growing a giant tumor

I much preferred her in a tux! I wish I could pull off a tux with such panache.

February 28, 2011 at 6:35 pm

Gracey at Fashion for Giants

(website)

My favorite was definitely Cate Blanchett, because I think she is beyond awesome and I know some people thought her dress was odd, but she just looked so gorgeous. I loved her whole look. I also really loved Mandy Moore’s look. Hailee Steinfeld looked amazing and I also really, really liked Mila Kunis’ dress.

I like Amy Adams’ dress, but thought it would have been better on someone taller, like Nicole Kidman. I didn’t like Nicole’s dress at all (well, maybe a little from the front) and didn’t like Marisa Tomei’s either.

Michelle Williams was just okay for me – but a far-sight better than that awful daisy mess.

February 28, 2011 at 6:57 pm

Lena

Active Member

I also liked Reese Witherspoon.

I’m sorry to say I didn’t like Michelle Williams. I did make a mental note that the slightly longer sleeve wasn’t a cap sleeve. But the color and makeup and hair just looked too pale.

Halle Berry looked like she was emerging from sea waves (in a good way). Stunning dress and overall look. I would like to see the dress in real life.

February 28, 2011 at 9:05 pm

chellebrate

Active Member

I liked Gwenyth Paltrow’s dress. I like the minimalist styling of it and that neckline and deep V. *swoon*

March 1, 2011 at 8:27 am

Marley

Veteran

I got a better look at the dresses last night on “The Fashion Police” and I just got to say that I LOVED Cate Blanchett’s dress – although Joan Rivers gave her the “Worst Dressed” award! LOL.

March 1, 2011 at 11:24 am

san

Veteran

I think Penelope Cruz always looks great. I loved Annette Bening’s dress, but I’m getting tired of that hairstyle in general.
I’m not a fan of this years Cate Blanchett dress. Scarlet Johansson’s hair and makeup looked terrible.
I was disappointed in Michele William’s look because I think she is gorgeous. The heavy eyebrows take away from her pretty face.
Ann Hathaway looked gorgeous as usual. What was up with her co host though? He didn’t seem to be into the job.

March 1, 2011 at 1:09 pm

Amy H.

My favorite of the entire night was Anne Hathaway’s opening red Valentino. Wow. Gorgeous hair and makeup too. Also loved loved loved Halle Berry.

I know I’m in a tiny minority here, but I liked Melissa Leo’s dress. Still liked her Golden Globes dark dress even more (that was my favorite of this year’s Globes) but I like this one a lot. Also liked Natalie Portman’s look, esp. the color.

Least favorite: Scarlett J., Nicole K., Michelle W. (so sad because her canary yellow is one of my favorites of all time!) and Gwyneth.

March 2, 2011 at 10:29 am

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