Did everyone else think the Oscars were going to be a lot messier this year? After a lead-up filled with controversies, that was a surprisingly tame night – right down to the many understated gowns on the red carpet. (And so many of those gowns were pink, I was living, let me tell you.) Aside from one stunning upset, most people hewed to the wisdom “Know who you are in the room” pretty closely while still giving me plenty to talk about. So without further ado, let’s get to the fashion!
BEST
Billy Porter in Christian Siriano
BOW. DOWN. This look speaks for itself; I have nothing to add.
Michelle Yeoh in Elie Saab
This is glorious. The shape, the colors, the pattern. And she styled it perfectly; a lot of people would have been afraid to add jewelry to this kind of embellished gown, but Michelle proves it can be done and done well.
Constance Wu in Versace
FINALLY. THIS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
THIS IS SO FLOATY AND DREAMY AND DELIGHTFUL.
AND FROM THE BACK! WITH A RED LIP! I’M SO!!
Marina de Tavira in J. Mendel
Speaking of dreamy, oh my god. This is so romantic. The color, the bodice, the ruffled tiers, I love it all (except the earrings, but that’s such a nitpick!).
Tessa Thompson in Chanel
How chic is this??
I love all of the gold accents so fucking much.
Brie Larson in Celine
This is so, like, elegant badass, which feels very on brand. You guys are, like, extremely ready for Captain Marvel, too, right?
Awkwafina in DSquared2
Pantsuit? Good!
Pink? Good!
Sparkly? Good!
Big-ass bow? Good!
They both look nice!
Amy Adams in Versace
Well, well, well, look at this. I am not bored, I am delighted. I love the silhouette, I love the texture to the fabric.
And check out that necklace! Color me impressed.
Kacey Musgraves in Giambattista Valli
I know, I know. She looks like Glinda the Good Witch. Can I help it if sometimes that’s my aesthetic?? Also, let’s take into account that Kacey’s just a visitor dropping by – a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter who attended the Oscars to present. She’s just here to have fun, so why not?
I’ll tell you what really sold me though: when I realized she was wearing long, very sheer sleeves that ended with these perfect little ruffle cuffs. Whimsy!
Amy Poehler in Alberta Ferretti
Okay, right?? I love this. It usually doesn’t seem like red carpet is where Amy feels most at home, but she seems so at ease in this pantsuit that I never want to see her in anything else.
WORST
Olivia Colman in Prada
Oh… no. I love her, I’m thrilled she won, but… no.
Sarah Paulson in Brandon Maxwell
I just… no.
Charlize Theron in Dior
There’s, like, deceptively a lot to unpack here? The color is dour, which isn’t helped by how structural it is – the shoulders and the cuffs just feel vaguely too much to me. I like that it’s backless, but it’s just such a wall of grey from the front. And I like the necklace but hate the earrings. So, no.
Rachel Weisz in Givenchy
The skirt is pretty, but why did she wear a latex t-shirt over it?
Melissa McCarthy in Brandon Maxwell
I don’t love putting her in the Worst list because at least she tried something, you know? But I think the idea was better than the execution.
SUPERLATIVES
Let Gaga Be Gaga: Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen
This is totally against my will, but I have to concede. Let’s just let Gaga be Gaga, guys.
Riddle Me This: Regina King in Oscar de la Renta
Why did Regina show up to win in a gown so reminiscent of what Gaga’s been doing lately?
The side detail, the leg, the white. All I see is Gaga. Why??
I may be confused, but you didn’t think I would deprive you of Captain fucking America escorting her to the stage, did you?
We Need to Talk About: Gemma Chan in Valentino
This feels more runway than red carpet, doesn’t it? It’s… so much look. I’m biased, I love her, but she hasn’t quite earned “She’s Gemma Chan, She Can Wear What She Wants” yet, so I’m not sure what to do with this.
I don’t like it per se but how can I be mad at this? She wears it with such aplomb.
I’ll Drink to That: Glenn Close in Carolina Herrera
I’m sure she’d like to be removed from the Best Actress upset narrative, so I don’t want to harp on the gold except to say she looks brilliant in it, although the gown kind of leans into cult leader chic.
Spike Lee in Ozwald Boateng
That’s it, that’s the superlative.
I love many things about these gifs and one of them is Spike’s gold shoes.
Scruuuuunchie: Jason Momoa in Fendi
Yeah, yeah, Jason and Lisa Bonet look lovely, I forgot they were together too, side stripe on the pants, etc. But for the real story, we have to look closer:
JASON MOMOA IS WEARING A COORDINATING SCRUNCHIE ON HIS WRIST. HE HAD IT ON HIS WRIST AT THE OSCARS ALL NIGHT. I’M SCREAMING WHO AT FENDI MADE THAT LITTLE SCRUNCHIE FOR HIM.
AND THEN HE PUT HIS HAIR UP (AND REMOVED HIS SHIRT???) AT THE VANITY FAIR AFTERPARTY. DID HE JUST TAKE THE COORDINATING PINK VELVET SCRUNCHIE OFF HIS WRIST AND PUT HIS HAIR UP? ISN’T THAT A SCRUNCHIE STILL ON HIS WRIST?? WHO AT FENDI MADE HIM TWO LITTLE SCRUNCHIES I’M SCREAMING.
And now what? I just, like, continue with my day??? Oh my god.
“Oh, and Helen Mirren, snap!” Helen Mirren in Schiaparelli
To quote Jordan Peele on the red carpet. I mean, same.
Bored! I’m So Bored! Tina Fey in Vera Wang
She really gunned for Amy Adams’ title, huh?
Most Likely to Succeed: Elsie Fisher in Thom Browne
She walks the line of sophisticated and age appropriate so well.
Best Accessory: Ludwig Goransson
I love his necklace!!! *cries in Greendale is Where I Belong*
Worst Accessory: Laura Harrier in Louis Vuitton
I hate her necklace!! It’s such a mismatch with the dress; it’s all I can see.
Does This Spark Joy? Marie Kondo in Jenny Packham
Yes.
Zac Posen Delivers For Once: Ashley Graham in Zac Posen
She looks fucking amazing, no?
Miu Miu Coming Through: Amandla Stenberg in Miu Miu
I’m not a big fan of Miu Miu usually, but this is pretty! A little naked, but pretty!
Am I Crazy for Liking This? Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton
You tell me.
Always a Bridesmaid: Julia Roberts in Elie Saab
I actually love this pink dress, but the shoes are so matchy-matchy, I can’t.
I Didn’t Realize How Thirsty Lindsay Weir Was: Linda Cardellini in Schiaparelli
(Also the shoes are bad with it, right?)
I Can’t With This Bitch No Matter What She Wears: Kaley Cuoco
Every time. Whether she shows her face or not.
Seriously, though, how do you feel about Emma Stone’s dress? Which looks did you love? Hate? When do you think Cooper and Gaga are getting married? Tell us in the comments!
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