Monday, February 29, 2016

Oscars 2016 Fashion Recap: A Few Special Standouts [Contributor: Rae Nudson]


First, can we all acknowledge that the most exciting fashion moments came when people from Mad Max won for technical awards and went on stage wearing some version of leather and skulls? What a perfect representation of that movie.

On the runway, there were no skulls to be found. There was a lot of sequins and the color blue, though, both of which I can get behind. Let’s start with the best looks of the night.

*All images are courtesy of HollywoodLife.

BEST DRESSED



Cate Blanchett knows how to wear clothes. It sounds easy — you just put them on, right? Wrong. To wear the architectural beauties that Cate often wears, it takes presence, confidence, and the ability to not look ridiculous covered in appliqué flowers. I am not sure I could do the same. This Armani Privé is a pale teal that doesn’t wash her out, and it was one of the few dresses of the evening that created a real "wow" moment for me.


Saoirse Ronan wore my favorite red carpet color and looked great in this slinky, sparkly number from Calvin Klein. She has been slowly stepping up her red carpet game, and this was the perfect way to end awards season. 


Don’t worry, I’m not forgetting about the boys. Michael Strahan looked fun and handsome in a three-piece suit that fits great. He also wore blue, the most popular color of the night, and it’s working for him.

HONORABLE MENTIONS




Another wow moment was Lady Gaga, who also went structural in a pant ensemble from Brandon Maxwell. Lady Gaga also has exceptional clothes-wearing skills, and this pants-cape-combo was unexpected but still Oscars appropriate. I wish her make-up was a little bolder, but her eye shadow was very beautiful close up. 


Olivia Munn looked simple and chic in this Stella McCartney, and kudos for wearing a color not many (if any?) others were wearing.


Mindy Kaling in custom Elizabeth Kennedy looked beautiful and elegant, which is exactly what you want for the Oscars red carpet. Plus, as a general rule, I love a black and blue combo. 



Rachel McAdams also looks chic in a green (another green!) August Getty Atelier. I wish her accessories punched it up a little more — it’s maybe too simple? She has uneven red carpet style, but this one was a home run. And check out the back!


Margot Robbie looked great in this gold Tom Ford gown, but her hairstyling disappoints. I wish that both her make-up and hair were a bit more done up to match the Hollywood glamour of the dress. 



Okay, look, maybe it’s unfair to include Charlize Theron (in Dior Haute Couture) and Priyanka Chopra (in Zuhair Murad) in honorable mentions because they are so beautiful they would look good in anything you put on them, but here we are. (Wait, should that be its own category?)

OTHER LOOKS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT



Alicia Vikander, I love you and your style, but I hate bubble hems. (Her dress is by Louis Vuitton, who she’s been working with this whole award season.) Her hair also reminded me of Ariana Grande, and not in a good way. This look doesn’t hold a candle to her sparkly geometric delight from the SAG Awards. Luckily, she is so good that I’m sure she’ll have plenty of chances to dazzle us at the Oscars in the future. 


Obviously, Orlando Jones looks amazing in this shiny blazer.


Congrats, Brie! You’re great, but this Gucci dress is not. I’m sorry! I love you and I’m happy for your big night, but I wish you left the belt and the ruffles at home. I think the color is working for her, but not much else. 


Kevin Hart was feeling his sparkly suit, and, you know what, I liked it, too. Embellishments like that could verge on tacky, but in his case it’s just fun.


This was unexpected, but not in the way I like my Oscars gowns to be unexpected. Usually Jennifer Lawrence shows up to the Oscars in her polished best, which is not exactly what I would call this dress (from Dior). I thought we all agreed to give up see-through black lace gowns, but maybe JLaw didn’t get the memo. From the neck up, though, she looks amazing. Her hair and makeup is perfect, and as always, her necklace game is on point.


The velvet on Eddie Redmayne’s Alexander McQueen suit makes it subtly different from a regular boring tuxedo, and for that, I commend him.


Daisy Ridley is charming and wonderful, and so is this dress (it’s Chanel Haute Couture). Dresses that length are tricky, and I sort of wish it went all the way to the ground. But my favorite feature is her hair, which is a wonderful reference to Rey. 

 
Look how shiny and cute Leo and Kate are.

WORST DRESSED


It truly pains me to include worst dressed when I know everyone is doing their best and it’s a big night. I generally like to award risk-takers on the red carpet, but these just did not work.


In Amy Poehler’s case, appliqué flowers were not a good choice. But bravo for wearing a caftan to the Oscars. (Dress is by Andrew GN.)


This Valentino Haute Couture on Olivia Wilde is too reminiscent of Alicia Vikander’s milkmaid gown at the Golden Globes (which also did not work). Perhaps we should retire small white pleats from the red carpet?

What did you all think? Let us know your best and worst dressed in the comments!

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