I think many of us can agree this year’s Oscars weren’t the most exciting – that includes the red carpet and the show itself. As we discussed on CTV Morning Live when I appeared for the annual Oscar style recap segment, there were some debatable looks but it didn’t feel like there were many that were universally loved. At least we can be thankful for Heidi Klum – and her unfortunate choices. Because lately on the red carpet, she’s become the gift that just keeps on giving.
Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé
Cate always makes a statement and she didn’t disappoint in this seafoam green Armani Privé cap-sleeve embellished gown that included Swarovski crystals and white feathers (which reminded me of the Armani Privé gown she worn when she won the Oscar two years ago) . Could the dress have been more perfect when she presented the award for Best Costume Design? I think the look was pure Cate and again confirms my point that she deserves her own exhibit at the Met’s Costume Institute devoted to all of her red carpet gowns. Also, I loved the Tiffany & Co bracelet and earrings.
Margot Robbie in Tom Ford
Robbie’s gold snakeskin Tom Ford long column gown was one of my favourites of the night. I think long sleeve dresses are the red carpet are highly underrated and the dress was well accesoried with that incredibly cool clutch with a long tassel by The Row. My only issue is her hair. It felt like there could have been a little more effort there, right?
Julianne Moore in Chanel Haute Couture
Moore has superb taste and while this black Chanel Haute Couture gown (recently worn on the runway by Kendall Jenner at Chanel’s spring 2016 couture show) with gunmetal accents around the neckline is perfectly lovely, it’s not as amazing as many of her red carpet looks. But I appreciate that she knew it wasn’t her night so this felt like an appropriate choice. Also loved the Chopard earrings (13 carats!!) and bracelet.
Naomi Watts in Armani Privé
I thought this sapphire blue and purple strapless Swarovski crystal embroidered gown on Watts was lovely and interesting. AND expensive looking. Which I always love. And I especially loved the Bulgari diamond necklace and crystal-embellished Serpenti clutch. This look would also work well at the Cannes Film Festival.
Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell
I have to give to Lady Gaga for keeping it interesting. When I first saw her in this white jumpsuit with floor-length train, I loved it. But after seeing a few other photos, it didn’t seem like it fit that well. The black biased cut Brandon Maxwell dress she wore to the Emmys fit much better. But even with that, it was a cool and refreshing choice, especially during in an Oscar year where there weren’t many exciting looks.
Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture
Theron is stunning and of course she looked beautiful in this plunging crimson gown but the double straps can be tricky. I also think it’s hard for her to top that legendary two-piece white Dior look she wore to the Oscars in 2013 (one of my all time faves). But the long Harry Winston platinum and diamond pendant necklace (totally Elizabeth Taylor-inspired) was unbelievable .
Brie Larson in Gucci
Many people had mixed reaction to the best actress winner’s custom Gucci blue dress with a cascading ruffle skirt but I liked it. Especially paired with that black crystal and pearl embroidered belt. It was very 70s, which is huge at the moment, and moved beautifully. It also well-represented exactly how Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s new creative director, is completely rejuvenating the iconic brand.
Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture
Like many of the night’s dresses, I can’t say this dress is the best thing Lawrence has ever worn, but it was an elegant dress and fit her well. It was also nice to see her in something other than red, which she’s done a few times recently at the Oscars.
Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace
I’m almost always impressed by Washington’s red carpet choices and this was a brave one for the Oscars. The black and white intricate leather bodice gown was different and edgy. And more progressive than many Atelier Versace gowns we’ve seen recently on the red carpet. The progressively stylish star came to be noticed. And she was.
Olivia Wilde in Valentino Haute Couture
Like Julianne Moore’s black Chanel dress, Wild’s pleated cream Valentino gown was recently seen on the runway during the spring 2016 couture collections. And while I think the gown Grecian-inspired gown was lovely and exquisitely well made, it seemed too Kardashian-y. I also love a good statement choker, I’m not sure I would have paired this one by Neil Lane with this particular dress.
Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein
This low cut slightly sheer emerald green beaded dress was the perfect choice for the young Irish star. She choice to colour to honour her Irish roots and the look couldn’t have suited her better. And I LOVED mismatched Chopard earrings, which added some youth and edginess to the look.
Jennifer Garner in Atelier Versace
Although this isn’t my favourite dress, kudos to Garner for looking so happy and gown that featured sparkling black beading on the bodice and a ruffled detail on the skirt. She added the perfect finishing touches with 200 carats of diamonds and platinum from Neil Lane and black Rene Caovilla platform sandals.
Olivia Munn in Stella McCartney
I loved the clean lines and simplicity of this coral Stella McCartney on Munn. It was modern, chic and didn’t scream for too much attention. Well played.
Tina Fey in Atelier Versace
I never expected to see Fey in Atelier Versace on the red carpet but this purple draped dress looked lovely on the talented comedian and nicely accentuated her figure. We don’t see her in looks like this very often. And the sapphire and diamond Bulgari necklace perfectly accessorized such a glamorous look. But I think her hair would have been better down.
Rooney Mara in Givenchy Haute Couture
I know some people loved this white lace embroidered gown by Givenchy Haute Couture but I thought it was almost identical to the white Givenchy Mara worn to the Met Gala in 2013 and I liked that one more. And has so many people pointed out, her shoes were way too small! How does that happen? Also, I think she should smile more.
Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton
Like I said on my CTV appearance Monday morning, I think this was one of the bigger disappointments of the night. Vikander has been showing up on the red carpet in some incredible Louis Vuitton looks this award season (like the intricate black leather and tinsel-fringed high-neck column gown she wore recently to the BAFTAs). But this dusty yellow gown with silver embellishments and a peekaboo hem felt amateurish and something you’d see from a contestant on Project Runway.
Rachel McAdams in August Getty Atelier
I was looking forward to seeing McAdams on the red carpet because she’s so cool and she’s worn some beautiful and chic dresses lately (like the sheer Valentino gown she wore this year at TIFF) but this was a total miss. The jade colour wasn’t bad but the backless halterneck cut didn’t fit well and it was super wrinkled by the time she walked the red carpet. It also didn’t feel like an appropriate choice for the Oscars.
Reese Witherspoon in Oscar de la Renta
It feels like the last few years, Witherspoon has become increasingly more traditional in her style on the red carpet and this dark blue Oscar de la Renta gown didn’t work at all. And what was with the added material around her boobs? How was that a good idea? This is one of those dresses a really wealthy Texan socialite wears to a benefit. When you’re a young movie star, that’s a look you should always stay away from.
Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren
Liquid black silk lamé is hard to wear and as we all saw on Sunday night, it photographed even worse. Winslet is lovely and doesn’t usually wear the most exciting dresses on the red carpet but this one was particularly unfortunate.
Heidi Klum in Marchesa
UNFORTUNATE. This dress pretty much made every worst dressed list possible. Heidi’s beautiful but I have no idea how dresses like this happen. It reminds me of a Barbie dress from the early 80s. It’s unfortunate at the very least.
All photos via usmagazine.com
Casey Wagar 