Pretty Dresses!



Why do I write about the fashions?  Isn't that a superficial topic?  For me, it's part of the fun of the Oscars, and I approach it differently than most everyone who writes about it.  I like dresses that are works of art, and that bring out each individual's natural beauty.  I don't care what's trendy or sexy; I like to see talented women looking confident, comfortable, and lovely on their own terms.  (And I only mention women because there is almost no variety in men's formalware.)

 

Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence

Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence were lovely in giant princess skirts. Both were nearly colorless dresses, but the jagged ruffles on Adams and the embossed leaf pattern on Lawrence brought visual interest.

Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, Zoe Saldana, Amanda Seyfried, Octavia Spencer

Faint hues were popular with several actresses. Jessica Chastain's strawberry-champagne gown was a standout, with its geometric patterning and crystal elements. Anne Hathaway's pale pink dress was a failure due to the harsh seams that looked like nipple protrusions. (Why did anyone make this? Why did she agree to put it on?)  Zoe Saldana's barely-lavender ensemble would be perfect if the cutesy bow and chunky belt came off; I love the sculpted floral bodice and shading in the skirt. Amanda Seyfried's gold embroidery on lavender was heavenly, although the thick collar (combined with too-tall hair) were a bit severe for her.  Octavia Spencer's cream gown was just dreamy.

Lucy Alibar, Queen Latifah, Charlize Theron

The all-white gowns were tasteful not especially thrilling.

Adele, Samantha Barks, Shirley Bassey, Norah Jones, Rebecca Miller

And then there was SO much black. The sparkle in Adele's gown and the lace sleeves on Rebecca Miller at least had nice texture.  The cleavage on Samantha Barks was much too harsh; she had to keep her chest forward and her arms back to keep the dress in place, it was awful.

Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Kristen Chenoweth, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman

Other black gowns toyed with metallics and patterns.  Sandra Bullock wore it best, in art deco lace.  Salma Hayek's metal collar looked like it was trying to strangle her.

Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones

The Chicago stars both chose gold; I love the curves and swirls on Zeta-Jones, in a gown inspired by the Oscar itself.

Meryl Streep, Naomi Watts

Meryl Streep and Naomi Watts each had a strange shade of bluish silver.  Streep's frosty hair and heavy gown were terribly unflattering; her choices often teeter on the edge of frumpy, but remember how fabulous she looked last year? Watt's dress was sorta-cool, sorta-science-fiction-y; not the best choice for her ethereal beauty.

Helen Hunt, Quvenzhane Wallis, Reese Witherspoon

But It is color I long for!  Blue was quite popular.  A special shout-out to Quvenzhane Wallis, for bringing the most adorable purse ever.  (It's a puppy, and it's wearing a tiara!)

Kathryn Bigelow, Corinne Bishop, Jennifer Hudson, Emmanuelle Riva

Peacock blue was a particular favorite.  It's hard to believe, but there are actually fashion columnists slamming Emmanuelle Riva's choice of attire.  First of all, any working actress in her 80's is allowed to wear WHATEVER she wants; if she had showed up in her pajamas, everyone should just keep their mouths shut.  But she was breath-taking in a simple but dramatic cape, accented with intricate diamond jewelry.  People are jerks; Emmanuelle Riva is beautiful.

Jennifer Garner, Gloria Reuben, S. Epatha Merkerson

Jennifer Garner and the Lincoln ladies brought some purple to the proceedings.  Gloria Reuben's dress might be my favorite of the night: The gathered layers, the subtle color changes, the garden of roses for a skirt...it's a luxurious dream of a gown.

Jennifer Aniston, Sally Field, Marcia Gay Harden, Olivia Munn, Jacki Weaver

Cherry red is always a tasty treat (even if it clashes a little with the ruby-red carpet.)  It was nice to see Jennifer Aniston break away from her usual black-or-beige palate.  Gold and crimson are exquisite with Olivia Munn's complexion, though she seemed uncomfortably swaddled by all that excess fabric in her skirt.  I love the festive bodice and criss-crossed waistline on Jacki Weaver.




















Special thanks to Jane Fonda and Kerry Washington for bringing unique, bold colors into the mix.  Fonda, age 75, continues to look amazing, and rocks canary yellow.  Kerry Washington is a vision in bright coral pink (but I would scrape off that little-girl bow at the waist.)

Helena Bonham-Carter, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Stewart

The "worst" looks require a few qualifications.  I know Helena Bonham-Carter is not playing the same fashion game as, say, Nicole Kidman.  She has her own anti-style and I respect that.  But this pile of a dress lacks the zip and humor of her earlier choices.  I liked the vampy corset-and-lace-fan getup she wore when she was nominated for The King's Speech; I even liked the two-different-colored-shoes get-up she donned for the Golden Globes that same year.  This dress isn't crazy-messy, it's just dull messy.  Melissa McCarthy is awesome, and she deserves a dress that works with her curves instead of fighting them; this thing is tight in all the wrong places.  And Kristen Stewart...well, I have a feeling she may be developing her own brand of purposely gross fashion statements.