Oscars Red Carpet Round-Up

I won't even go into the trainwreck that was the Oscars last night.  Let's just talk about the pretty clothes.  There wasn't a lot of high drama or risk taking on the red carpet, but there were some lovely, lovely gowns that deserve to be shown off (and some less than lovely gowns).

Anne Hathaway in Valentino, Natalie Portman in Rodarte: From the neck up--yes.  Gorgeous.  But that dress makes her looks like she has weird growths on the bottom half of her body, and that is generally not a good thing.  Also the material just looks cheap, no?  Natalie Portman, on the other hand, looks absolutely radiant.  I like that she went with something simple and flattering, but not boring, and that color is wonderful on her.

Givenchy Haute Couture, Versace: Now, Anne wore like 15 gowns throughout the ceremony as one of the main hosts.  Some of them were prettier than others.  For instance, this white Givenchy looks odd on her.  The way it hits her hips is not flattering, and while I like the concept of the dress I don't think it works for her body at all.  Look how much smaller she looks in this gorgeous Versace that she wore later in the show.  I love this dress.  It's venue appropriate and flattering but it's still a little edgy and sassy. 

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab, Michelle Williams in Chanel: Mila has my favorite dress of the night.  The pale lilac is very flattering, as is the cut of the dress, but what really makes it is all that deconstructed lace paneling.  I'm sure it's over a nude base layer, otherwise that would be a little too scandalous, but it manages to walk that line between sexy and elegant so, so well.  As for Michelle Williams, I really wanted to like this, but it feels so boring and sad.  Also not fancy enough for the event, no?  And it's not very flattering.  Girl needs a new stylist because clearly she's gorgeous and doesn't deserve to be stuck in such duds of gowns (see her Golden Globes dress)

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa, Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein: What I really love about Hailee's ensemble is that it's age appropriate.  She's not showing a ton of skin for a young teen, but she still looks cute and fun, plus she manages to pull off an awkward skirt length and a top knot very well.  Props to her.  I like the simple makeup and styling against the full volume of the skirt.  Well played.  Jennifer Lawrence made a risky choice going with such a simple dress, but I think she pulled it off.  Dresses like this really make your body the center of attention, and when you have a body like she does you can definitely work it out.  I wish there was a little more bling, but overall she looks fantastic.

Amy Adams in L'Wren Scott, Jennifer Hudson in Versace: Is it just me or do these two girls look much thinner than normal.  Amy Adams practically disappears here!  The dress is a pretty color and the shape is relatively flattering, but I wish she'd traded the necklace for a statement cuff or some earrings, because that neckline looks pretty busy.  Now, Jennifer Hudson's body looks AMAZING, but that dress...it's like a bad '80s prom dress.  The color is lovely, but it's doing some very odd things to her chest, and the skirt is swallowing her whole.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture, Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana: I have mixed feelings about this dress on Cate Blanchett.  On the one hand I like it because she can pull it off and it's on-trend, and on the other hand it feels a bit awkward.  But it's Cate Blanchett, so she gets a pass.  ScarJo, on the other hand...I really wanted to like this.  But I can't.  I like the shape on her, but the fabric reminds me of the carpet in a run-down Victorian brothel in Paris.  Maybe a different color?  Also what on earth is going on with her eyeshadow?  Ayayay.

Reese Witherspoon in Armani, Penelope Cruz in L'Wren Scott: What makes me dislike this look on Reese is that we all know how well she can do the Oscars red carpet (see that little yellow Nina Ricci dress from a few years ago).  This just feels muted and a little aging on her.  The black/white combo reminds me of a cocktail waiter, and it all just feels a little flat.  I want there to be more jewelry, more sparkle, more something.  Penelope Cruz, on the other hand, is working it for having just had a baby literally weeks ago.  That dress is very flattering, the embellishment is both sassy and event appropriate, and she and Javier are just SO CUTE.  I hope I look that good after just having a baby.  Yikes.

Hillary Swank in Gucci, Halle Berry in Marchesa: I love one of these and hate the other.  Guess which is which.  They both have similar mermaid shapes and muted color palettes, but the difference here is in the detailing the skirt.  The feathers on Hillary Swank's Gucci just elegantly appear out of nowhere and then take the skirt for a gorgeous Black Swin spin, whereas the tulle on Halle Berry's Marchesa looks like it was randomly stapled on.  Hm.

Images via nymag.com.