Editorial looks do not as a rule work on the red carpet. Directional shapes just look wonky and prints tend to the bizarre. We love Maggie Gyllenhaal for proving us wrong. Pulled off one of those napkin-fold Mourets at the Globes and now rocking this Dries Van Noten print. Bravo!
Photograph: Dave Gadd/Allstar Photograph: Dave Gadd/Allstar/guardian.co.uk
Exuding class here. It’s simple but the details belie red carpet aristocracy. Streep is a fan of what’s known in Tinseltown as the “Hollywood Sleeve” – a secret piece of elastic stitched inside which stops the sleeve from slipping up the arm. The tulip hem ensures the dress hangs like a dream, and the pearly white just glows
Photograph: Kyle Rover/Rex Features Photograph: Kyle Rover / Rex Features/guardian.co.uk
James Cameron may have sported a blue pocket handkerchief, but Zoe went one step further and took the 3D theme all the way to the red carpet in a Givenchy dress with its very own shrubbery. There’s something a bit odd going on around the middle section where the lavender meets the gold, but the rest is gorgeous
Photograph: Rex Features Photograph: guardian.co.uk
Chloë Sevigny, watch your back, because there’s a new risk-taker on the red carpet, and it’s ... Jennifer Lopez. Her journey from crop-topped fly-girl through big-hair-and-tight-Versace glamazon to the red carpet regular most likely to give Gaga a run for her money has been astonishing to watch. This Armani couture dress would drown out most of her fellow actors, but Lopez has the curves to take it on and win
Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/guardian.co.uk
Red carpet dressing for the over-size 6s is very much unchartered water, but Mo’Nique is forging ahead with confidence. The bright blue is a triumph and the diagonal ruching works brilliantly. Loving the idea of the Hattie McDaniel tribute flower though admittedly less keen on the effect. Also, kind of glad she kept the unshaven legs out of the limelight this time
Photograph: Jason Merritt Photograph: Jason Merritt/guardian.co.uk
The pale moonshine silver of this Badgley Mischka gown is perfect with Mirren’s pearly hair and alabaster skin. The sheer lace sleeves are sheer fashion genius: designers of the world, are you watching this? She would have been higher up the list, except there’s something a bit too boxy about that neckline
Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Photograph: Jason Merritt/guardian.co.uk
Has learned from her fashion mistakes. At the Baftas she did not look good in cream and she knew it. For the biggie she sensibly listened to her heart – that dark gothic thing is far more her and she looks all the happier for it in this midnight blue Monique Lhuillier. That slightly awkward stance suits her too
Photograph: Kyle Rover/Rex Features Photograph: Kyle Rover / Rex Features/guardian.co.uk
At last. After 15 years turning up on the red carpet with some kind of post-beach ponytail going on, Diaz finally got a blowdry. Bet she’s wishing she’d thought of that years ago. Gold Oscar de la Renta sounds a bit Renée Zellweger, but this totally works. Also, after dresses which showcase the exact glute musculature of fourteen zillion actresses, the loose skirt was a nice change
Photograph: Kurt Krieger/Allstar Photograph: Kurt Krieger/Allstar/guardian.co.uk
She’s not been in anything more exciting than Sherlock Holmes, so let’s go straight to the frock. Loads of hard-to-identify actors chose blush-coloured gowns this year, but McAdams’s watercolour print option instantly sets her apart. Even if we’re not wholly sold on the dress itself, this kind of fashion savvy impresses
Photograph: Dave Gadd/Allstar Photograph: Dave Gadd/Allstar/guardian.co.uk
This is what’s known as a 360 dress: great from the back and great from the front. The hot pink accordian pleating and the frills are super flattering. It’s a dress with real bounce. Well done Marchesa for making it, well done Vera for choosing it
Photograph: Ian West/PA Photograph: Ian West/guardian.co.uk
We wanted to love this (total crush on Bigelow). But if we learnt one thing from last year’s Oscars (see Kate Winslet 2009) it’s that tight shiny satin looks a teensy bit Karen Millen, even when it’s actually YSL. And the high neck and the stormcloud colour: it’s a bit forbidding. Fabulous hair, though, and KB, if you’re reading this, can you please send us details of your upper arm workout?
Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/guardian.co.uk
Carey Mulligan’s red-carpet choices are baffling. What’s with the wonky hemline again? With a face like that, why would you go to the Baftas AND the Oscars in dresses which force the attention on to your feet? And if you were determined to do that, why would you then wear such an ugly shoe? Love the scissors detail on this Prada dress though
Photograph: Frazer Harrison Photograph: Frazer Harrison/guardian.co.uk
Weirdly, the new Academy Award winning, risk-taking, all-about-the-work Sandra Bullock turned up for the Oscars dressed as the old Sandra Bullock – the one who made formulaic girl-next-door romcoms. This Marchesa dress looks good in a safe, classic way, but it’s a fashion wet blanket. Next year, madam, raise your wardrobe to match your game
Photograph: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Photograph: Frazer Harrison/guardian.co.uk
Hey, that’s Madonna’s old stage bustier isn’t it? Give it back – it’s far too racy for someone your age. Tip for you, Miley – Google “Vanessa Paradis red carpet” from a few years ago and bookmark that page for next year
Photograph: Ian West/PA Photograph: Ian West/guardian.co.uk
OK there’s a touch of the embarrassing-uncle-in-a-novelty-tie thing going on here. The pocket square says: ”Look here’s my Avatar blue accessory!” But, he’s not a total loser – a silk handkerchief square is admittedly quite dapper
Photograph: Andrew Gombert/EPA Photograph: Andrew Gombert/guardian.co.uk
The bodice is way too stiff and somehow manages to look like an industrial catering tray. And why exactly is she adamant that dressing three decades older than she is is a good idea? Come on Kate, loosen up!
Photograph: Matt Sayles/Associated Press Photograph: Matt Sayles/guardian.co.uk
Theron has a contract with Christian Dior. So if it’s her job to wear a dress that seems to be fondling her breasts, does that count as workplace sexual harassment? Frankly, we think she’s got a case
Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters Photograph: Lucas Jackson/guardian.co.uk
Apparently Karl Lagerfeld made this dress. Did he not finish it? Also, did she borrow Penelope Cruz’s bronzer in the ladies? After last year’s Oscar frock by the Disney Princess Store, sorry, Christian Dior, we are having to face the awful truth that Carrie Bradshaw was just in a story and SJP is not in fact a fashion goddess
Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/guardian.co.uk
Even the most beautiful women in the world can flunk out big time on Oscar night. We’re not discussing the shape because we can’t get past the provincial bridesmaid-ness of the wine colour
Photograph: Rex Features Photograph: Rex Features/guardian.co.uk
The cheapest dress we’ve seen on the red carpet in a long time. A sweetheart padded neckline, Jane Norman style asymmetric hem, and finished off with accessories from Superdrug. Won’t somebody tie her hair back and put her in a demure RM long-sleeved, floor-length gown next time, please?
Photograph: Kurt Krieger/Allstar Photograph: Kurt Krieger/Allstar/guardian.co.uk
