It’s the Super Bowl of Red Carpets! Who scored a touchdown? Who fumbled at the 1 yard line? Who made a two point conversion? Who missed an easy field goal? How many more sports metaphors do you need? Let’s get to Maggie’s picks for best and worst of the night!
BEST
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse slayed, you guys. The dress is to die for. Her hair was perfect. I even liked the mismatched earrings! She is a smoking hot, classy, emerald-green mermaid and I for one am delighted.

Jennifer Garner
Listen, I think we all know who the phoenix is and who the ashes is, okay? Jen looks flawless here, down to every detail. The beading and the swoosh of fabric (I know, we’re getting super technical here) could have easily tipped toward too much but this is simply elegant and if you try to tell me different, I will take umbrage.

Cate Blanchett
My personal feelings are she’s Cate fucking Blanchett, she can wear what she wants, but friend of HOF Shannon put it more eloquently, “she looks like Venus emerging from sea foam, I am all about it.” SAME.
Charlize Theron
I am not strictly crazy about the straps, but it’s a minor nitpick. Charlize is wearing the hell out of this dress and I love the necklace.

Daisy Ridley
I think her hair is too severe and I’m not sure about the detail in the middle, but I am in love with this overall look. I think the metallic is so lovely on her and the length, you guys. This is just so refreshing, I can’t wait to see more from her.
Margot Robbie
Here’s what I love about Margot: she knows how to look like a grownup without looking matronly. She’s not afraid of a long sleeve and she can really pull it off. I’m super attracted to shiny things, so of course I’m really into the gold, and that CLUTCH. I know the hair could be better, but honestly I don’t even care.
Naomi Watts
At first I wasn’t sure about the kind of 80s accent colors in the dress but the sparkles won me over, as they always do. I think this dress is so flattering on her, and she’s styled to perfection. The soft waves and bold lip really pull the look together.
WORST
Rachel McAdams
Well, I like her earrings, but that’s about it. I think this looks so cheap, you guys. I love a train, but this fabric does nothing for her except wrinkle. It’s sad to me.
Olivia Wilde
This dress is the slutty cousin of Alicia Vikander’s Golden Globes dress. The collar isn’t helping matters.
Rooney Mara
I’d really like to thank Rooney for committing to these insane hairdos that seem to be catching on, love that trend. Sigh. I think this look is vaguely sister wife-y but then you have the slit and the cutout so it’s kind of jarring. Side note: Did you guys hear Ryan and Giuliana discussing how we haven’t seen a belly cutout at the Oscars before but maybe at the Grammys?? I’ll just be over here sipping tea with Sam Smith.
Kate Winslet
Well I’m not bored. BECAUSE I HATE IT. What is this dingy metallic liquid fabric, like a fancy trash bag? I don’t even think the shape is all that flattering, SUE ME KIM. I don’t get any of this except for her buying a box of Tagalongs during the ceremony.
Kim: KATE AND LEO TIME SORRY MAGGIE I AGREE ABOUT THE DRESS BUT KATE AND LEO.
Kerry Washington
I don’t know what to say except I hated it and you guys know how much I live for black and white.
SUPERLATIVES
Gender Equality, Solved: Eddie Redmayne
Fairly soon after one of E!’s “experts” told Giuliana that gender equality was solved because three Best Picture nominees featured storylines about women, resident saucy minx Eddie Redmayne showed up in a velvet jacket. Ryan Seacrest commented “Fashion before comfort!” when Eddie said how he was warm in the jacket, and honestly I think that expert was right because isn’t this what women have been hearing for years?

I Have Notes: Alicia Vikander
I was surprised by how much I liked her half bun and how well I thought the dusty yellow and sparkles worked together. I loved her earrings, but I didn’t think they really worked as her only accessory. And I can’t get over the like mullet-y balloon shape of the skirt? And listen, I would really love to hand out a Best Red Carpet Arm Candy superlative here, but Alicia walked the carpet without Michael Fassbender, so. Can’t.
PANTS IT’S PANTS YOU GUYS:Lady Gaga
Secret pants, you guys! I think Lara Spencer put it best when she said “tell me about the whole situation.” Doesn’t that sound like a fashion correspondent’s version of “bless your heart”? I don’t love the excess fabric and I would have redone her makeup, but let’s talk more about how she moved an entire auditorium to tears with her performance and then visit ItsOnUs.org.


Guys, this is the best we can hope for during the Dior/Lawrence partnership. Yeah, it’s a little naked, but it’s such an improvement over some of the things they’ve put her in, and her hair looks so much better than it did at the Globes. I can deal with this.
Learn to Edit: Brie Larson
I think there’s a lot going on here. The filmy detail at the bust, that doesn’t really add anything. The kind-of-enormous-for-a-red-carpet-gown belt. The pleating in the skirt and the flowy like dress tendrils. And the hairdo, which I just hated. Maybe in part because her SAG Awards gown was the last thing I really saw her in, I just thought she needed to edit and streamline. She’s such a perfect sunflower, I don’t really know why she wanted her red carpet season to go this way.

Always a Bridesmaid: Jennifer Jason Leigh
I guess this color is flattering? But the flowery floof details and the way they trail down, just. I feel like she looks like a bridesmaid in a Julia Roberts movie. But, like. Not one I want to see.
Yay Sparkles! Robin Roberts
Robin looked divine in her sparkles, and honestly when I switched from E!’s coverage to ABC I felt like she healed me. I especially liked when, as a journalist, she thanked Mark Ruffalo for his work in (BEST PICTURE WINNER) Spotlight.
Who Wins Purple?Tina Fey or Reese Witherspoon?
So here we have two sides to the same sexy-ass grape coin: Tina in a classic, simple but maybe underwhelming gown? And Reese in an equally gorgeous shade, but in a possibly overworked gown? Whose purple wins your heart? Discuss!
Best Accessory: Olivia Munn
I wasn’t crazy about Olivia’s look overall, I felt like her upper arm was in a weird sling or something, but THAT BRACELET. Not only do I love it on its own, but it was such a simple, perfect complement to the dress. (Although we could also give her this one for bringing Aaron Rodgers, am I right?)
Worst Accessory: Whoopi Goldberg
>I do not know what is going on here with this bracelet, though. It’s like she has Ursula the sea witch on her wrist.
More Like Sadness: Mindy Kaling
I expected to feel joy when I saw Mindy Kaling, but this is total sadness. I don’t like a middle part usually, and I definitely don’t like it here. I hate the blue sleeve-y things that turn out to like tie in the back?? But the black dress doesn’t work on its own, mostly because she might need to go up a size, which is actually more anger because it’s the dress that’s the problem and not her. I just don’t think this look does her justice, so. Sadness.
Step Away From the Bedazzler>: Kevin Hart
No, but seriously.
I Respect Your Game, Ma’am: Jenny Beavan
Not only was I into the surprise winner for Costume Design’s outfit, but also the way she worked in a sly request for people to contact her agents in her acceptance speech. Well played.

The Kids Are All Right: Jacob Tremblay and Abraham Attah
I loved this pair of presenters so much. Jacob’s been charming us for months, what with his precocious adorableness, hot dad and Star Wars superfandom (did you see his socks?!) but Abraham was delightful too. His velvet TOMS were legit and I love that he was promoting their donation of 10,000 pairs of new shoes to the people of Ghana.
I Can’t With This Bitch No Matter What She Wears: Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting
Every time. Even when she doesn’t show up.
I Can’t With This Bitch No Matter What She Wears Runner-Up: Heidi Klum
With apologies to Sofia Vergara, who surely thought she would be a lock for this again, Heidi was the clear choice. I simply CANNOT.
Who were YOUR Best and Worst of the Oscars? Let us know in the comments. Maggie will be back soon with her end of season wrap up, so stay tuned.
Kate. Kate. Kate. [sigh]
The dress. No. The glasses WERE CROOKED ON YOUR FACE! No.
I love you, though, and I forgive you.
I love that I agree with basically everything you’ve put up today.
At some point soon Ben Affleck is going to realize he’s being a total dumbass here, right? Right? I mean, I love you Ben, but you’re messing up.
I’M SO SORRY BUT I WAS TAKING NOTES AS I READ:
“My personal feelings are she’s Cate fucking Blanchett.” Basically. I first saw this as just a glimpse from behind while someone else was being interviewed and thought/tweeted “Oh Cate.” But I was incorrect.
Obsessed with everything of Daisy’s. I was very curious to see what you thought of the length in particular. Highest of fivesies.
I want to love Margot’s more than I do because GOLD SEQUINS. But, shrug. She FOINE, though.
Love Naomi overall but hate the necklace. I just don’t get it with the rest of this look.
I ALMOST love Olivia Wilde’s dress so much. The boob/chest rectangle is just way too wide. What if it were a V? I don’t know. Also, NO THANK YOU CHOKER; see yourself all the way out.
I would have an opinion about Rooney Mara if I weren’t too busy yawning myself into unconsciousness.
I…cannot explain why I don’t hate Kate Winslet’s dress as much as I know I should. I guess because she’s Kate Winslet and it’s not as much of a snooze as she usually goes for? Whatever she’s Kate Winslet I would die for her. Also, this is an unpopular opinion among everyone (including my 15-20 year old self), but I’m no longer emotionally moved by Leo and Kate because he doesn’t deserve her anymore.
Kerry’s dress is no but she is so yes that I ain’t mad.
I love Gaga’s entire situation. This was the first look I saw last night that I figured you and I would disagree on.
JLaw’s hair looked really good, but I am so fucking bored by that dress/overall look JFC.
Tina wins by a fucking landslide. Reese’s is bad promsmaid dress.
Ok I’m going to go cry myself to sleep over Heidi Klum.
Bye I LOVE YOU BYE
This makes me life
HI MANIAC ILY
I had a moment of pause for Daisy Ridley’s length like “wait what do I think??” and then immediately “NO IT WORKS I LOVE”
I like the IDEA of Naomi’s necklace more than the actual necklace. I have seen her do better in this area.
I would love to see Olivia’s in a V, that would be 1000% better already.
I’ve literally never cared about Kate/Leo, it just doesn’t do anything for me so I feel bad you’re no longer on board but also COME TO THE DARK SIDE, LET’S EAT COOKIES
AS LONG AS THEY’RE NOT TAGALOGS.
Let’s just stick to poptarts?
UM EXCUSE ME TEAM TAGALONG HERE. -k
TIME FOR SHANNON LEIGH’S OPINION
Saoirse won, and now that I have learned to pronounce her name my next mountain is to learn to spell it. In general I do not like sequins because of my sordid show choir past but she did pull this off amazingly.
Jen won double though, because, and the Fug Girls articulated this perfectly over on their site, this dress combined with the VF interview in one weekend was a fucking master stroke of PR that is still reading as totally genuine. I still won’t see her new movie because Jesus but bless her.
We all know my feelings about Cate Blanchett let’s move on (actually I would like to add that I’ve realized it’s not dissimilar to a fairy costume I have worn for work but like not in a bad way at all).
I think maybe the V is too wide for me on Charlize’s dress, and then since the fabric goes all the way to the outer edge of her torso, it makes her shoulders and chest look wider, and she is already of somewhat Amazonian proportions. A slightly slimmer V might have been more flattering but what the fuck do I know.
I felt like Daisy’s hair was Rey-ish, which I liked, and also this outfit was another example (like Saoirse’s) of a dress I would never ever choose but still liked on her.
I’m not as sold on Margot as everyone else seemed to be. It’s a little too seventies disco for me, and I feel like the hair didn’t help the situation.
I honestly love the cut and color of Rachel’s dress. The wrinkly fabric was a rookie mistake. This dress in a slightly more durable fabric would have been my wet dream.
I can’t talk about Olivia Wilde’s dress, I can’t. Or Rooney’s really. Both of them look like the could be the worst dress from a bridal collection that I want to like but just can’t.
I want to touch Kate’s dress out of pure curiosity before I burn it.
Kerry looks like she’s cosplaying Batman and Princess Leia all at once and it is not okay.
I feel like everyone else reacted a lot more strongly to Alicia’s look than I did. I thought she looked lovely and very happy so it worked, even though again it’s not something I’d ever choose (WHY SO SEQUINY THIS YEAR). If anything I would like to pick on those Lucite-heeled shoes, which I did not notice until this very picture and which never ever work to me.
I sobbed at Gaga’s performance but I have next to no feelings about her outfit, moving on.
Speak for yourself, I was personally offended by JLaw’s outfit. I’ve spent a good amount of time shopping for lingerie online because of burlesque reasons, and this just makes me think of when they show a teddy on a model so you can see how it fits but they can’t show you her nipples even though it’s totally see through so they like digitally remove them.
I do agree about Brie’s dress being overdone but my biggest problem with it is the belt. God help me I have only been looking for a wedding dress for a couple of months but it I see one more oversized sparkly terrible belt on a dress that should not need one I swear to god Maggie.
I hate to say it but this might be too young for JJL. Something in a similar concept would look v fresh on one of the younger actresses, I think, but I think she looks washed out.
Didn’t like Robin’s dress but she did a nice job, which was appreciated since my only option for red carpet coverage was ABC.
Tina wins purple no discussion needed.
I think we all know my feelings on which of Olivia’s accessories was the best. But yes the bracelet was good too. I am not nuts about the red-orange color, especially on a red carpet.
Am I alone in thinking the octopus bracelet was fun? I thought it was fun. Plus her dress was modeled after Margo Channing’s in All About Eve which was awesome. If she didn’t say “buckle your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy night” at least once there’s no justice.
I found Mindy’s dress pretty boring for someone who basically had a king-sized flat sheet tied to her back. I like the hair though. And the make-up. Her head is good.
I don’t have a ton more opinions until we get down to Heidi at which point my opinion is YOU ARE A MODEL, WHY CAN’T YOU DRESS YOURSELF.
I only have one thing to add which is that while I did not actually see her during the telecast, from the red carpet photos I have seen since I would actually have to say that Isla Fisher had my favorite look of the night, in terms of actually being something I would choose/a look I would aspire to.
I love everything about this. -Kn
“TIME FOR SHANNON LEIGH’S OPINION” please tell me you have a hoodie that says this
I love everything Jen’s doing right now except I feel like the Jesus movie is a mistake but also it will probably make a ton of money so what do I know
I DO think you’re onto something with Charlize’s dress
“WHY SO SEQUINY THIS YEAR” to make Maggie happy I think
JLaw’s was very teddy which I regret not commenting on, I was just so relieved to not violently hate it
JJL’s dress is confusing to me a little because I think someone younger wouldn’t feel fresh in it? Like it’s an old take on looking young? I can’t write myself out of this ageist corner, so moving on
The thing about Whoopi’s octopus or whatever is how does it tie in with her All About Eve gown? It seemed so out of left field to me
You have articulated my general reaction to Heidi Klum, it’s like this almost every time with her