This is the night when the fashion and entertainment worlds meet in a high speed, head-on collision, as stars reveal themselves as style-savvy risk takers or cautious color-avoiders. Hollywood's finest will live with their sartorial choices forever, for better or for worse.
Modern Family star Sarah Hyland looked oh-so-innocent in her demure dusky lavender Alberta Ferretti gown, which featured a gathered bodice and asymmetrical straps. The young actress matched the romance of the dress with a loose, low bun and bronze eye makeup.
Giuliana Rancic wore Basil Soda for the E! red carpet pre-show, but she later switched into this elaborate Tony Ward Couture gown. The glamorously retro gown, which practically dripped with rhinestones, had a Old Hollywood feel to it thanks to the opulent beading on its sheer yoke. Giuliana kept the hair and makeup simple, but her gigantic rings had us wondering if diamonds can indeed be too big.
When Angelina Jolie does drama, she does it dark. The actress-turned-überserious-director was back in black for Oscars evening, serving up some well-toned leg in luxurious black Atelier Versace slit to there. We can't help but love Jolie's aggressively vampish pose, either.
Last year's Best Actress winner Natalie Portman continued her long-running streak of perfection in vintage Christian Dior Haute Couture. This strapless crimson gown was featured in the 1954 collection, but it couldn't look any fresher than it does on Natalie.
Michelle Williams was heartbreakingly dainty in a classic coral peplum gown by Louis Vuitton. Michelle added a dash of her highly feminine personal style with a jeweled bow detail at the waist and a girly pale pink clutch.
The beaded stripes in Jennifer Lopez's figure-hugging Zuhair Murad gown augmented her famously curvy silhouette. She pumped up the sex appeal with a sleek, tight bun (instant facelift!), luxurious diamond earrings, and patented ultra-serious sexyface.
Gwyneth Paltrow looked like a foxy fashion superhero in her caped Tom Ford gown. Let's call her Captain Cool Minimalist, shall we? Paltrow played off the gown's austerity with a diamond-encrusted cuff and sleek locks.
Cameron Diaz sizzled in a nude Gucci gown with gold beading and cascading ruffles, but her simple diamond necklace failed to add the polish that her breezy, casually-styled blonde bob detracted from the look. Her partner in glam, Gwyneth Paltrow, should have recommended some creative ways to work that short hair.
Emma Stone looked ultra-feminine in her fuchsia Giambattista Valli dress, even if it kicked off some major deja vú for anyone who remembers
the crimson Balenciaga gown Nicole Kidman wore to the 2007 Oscars. Unfortunately, Emma is not quite as seasoned at carrying off high drama as is Nicole.
Milla Jovovich was an early red carpet favorite in a one-shoulder Elie Saab Couture gown paired with classic red lips, artfully arranged curls, and the very daintiest box clutch. It's hard to execute "va-va-voom" with such elegance.
Tina Fey avoided frills and fuss in favor of this blissfully simple custom Carolina Herrera gown with a figure-flattering peplum waist. Fey gave the look a more personal touch with bold blue-and-green chandelier earrings and a matching cocktail ring.
George Clooney's lady love Stacy Keibler very much resembled a trophy in her expertly draped gold Marchesa gown. With a deep side part and sun-kissed skin, Stacy couldn't have looked any more polished on her boyfriend's big night.
We understand the elegance
Sandra Bullock saw in this black-and-white Marchesa gown, but she would have done better avoiding dresses with beading that clutters up her midsection in a truly unflattering fashion.
Leave it to a UK style star like Louise Roe to get playful with her Oscars look. Roe donned a tiered blush Black Halo gown with masculine squared shoulders. The dress, worn with Jacqueline Nerguizian jewels, looked very Dynasty, like something Joan Crawford's character might have worn to marry her second husband.
The Help's Viola Davis took the emerald trend to the next level in a brilliant green Vera Wang gown with a pleated chiffon train. Davis abandoned her usual wigs in favor of her close-cropped natural hair, allowing the focus to fall on her arresting diamond-and-emerald jewels.
Missi Pyle of The Artist wore a very special gown indeed—and for a good cause. Pyle's hand-dyed organic silk gown was Valentina Delfino's winning submission in the Red Carpet Green Dress competition, which aims to promote eco-friendly elegance. Missi added shine to the off-the-shoulder dress with stately Chopard diamonds.
Judy Greer looked like a modern Greta Garbo in a liquid metal Monique Lhuillier gown. The flame-haired funny lady played up her curves in the dress' slinky silhouette, which she matched with art deco diamonds and a metallic clutch.
Kristen Wiig loves wearing flesh tones on the red carpet and the Oscars were no exception. She added a touch of dramatic contrast to her tiered nude J. Mendel gown with a dark manicure, although her highlighted waves were beachy, California beautiful.
It was hard to miss television personality Nancy O'Dell's canary yellow Chagoury Couture gown, which featured a delicate pleated skirt and intricate gunmetal beading. O'Dell matched the gown's antique feel with drop earrings by XIV Karats.
Funny lady Maya Rudolph opted to wear a custom Johanna Johnson gown in a demure eggplant hue. The gown looked rather somber from the front, with its beaded capped sleeves and a dramatic train, but featured an intricately embellished back that was all glitz.
Musician Esperanza Spalding, otherwise known as the young woman who drew many a nutty, immature death threat after she defeated Justin Bieber for the Best New Artist Grammy Award in 2011, balanced her prom-ready ballgown with full, natural hair and soft makeup.
Damages star Glenn Close looked like she meant business in her forest green Zac Posen gown and its matching tailored blazer. The mermaid silhouette may be getting a little tired, but we applaud Glenn's expert working of the gown's fitted bustier. Nice pose! LOL
Sherri Shepherd gave the cameras an eyeful in a cut-out cobalt gown with silver embroidery. The 30 Rock actress wasn't shy about showing the world her black strapless bra, which was plainly visible beneath the dress' semi-sheer bodice. Maybe the exposed underwear thing is best left to Lady Gaga and the like.
Meryl Streep maintains a shocking consistency when it comes to choosing film roles, but she's not quite as invested in her red carpet game. There is such a thing as too much gold lamé, even when it comes with a Lanvin tag.
Octavia Spencer stayed loyal to her favorite label, Tadashi Shoji, in a beaded white gown with flattering draping. The star of The Help added to her red carpet opulence with a crystal-studded clutch and refined diamond chandelier earrings. Radiant execution!
Leslie Mann was a vision in Roberto Cavalli on the Oscars red carpet, but her heart-stopping midnight blue gown came with its drawbacks: Mann admitted in a pre-show interview that she could barely breathe in the luxe look. Beauty can be a real pain.
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