Wait did I say I would have Oscar picks by Wednesday? I meant Saturday. Why the delay you ask? It would sort of be true to say my dog ate my homework because the day I planned to write, I spent at the two vets with my pooch, who is fine but caught an ear infection from all his cone time. After a couple days of meetings, I was all set to sit and write Thursday, and then #thedress happened and took up a considerable amount of my time and energy. Now that we can all rest easy know it IS blue and black (and ugly, according to some), back to the dresses that started it all, or at least this week.
Let me know what you think of my picks in comments or on Facebook, Foxes. Happy weekend. xo
Best Dressed
Rosamund Pike in Givenchy
I was on Twitter as the red carpet was happening and more than one person praised this as the dress that “finally” fit the Gone Girl star. After having a baby in December, she’s (understandably) worn a series of roomy dresses during award season. Sadly, most were unflattering and ill-fitting. She sure saved the best for last. The pretty scalloped neckline and up-to-there slit were a great balance of pretty and sexy, with satin corsetry at the waist and a firey color driving the former home. It was my favorite of the night.
Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein
If you’re not aware, pearls are having a moment and set to explode, Foxes. Pull ’em out of storage. This beauty boasts 6000 of the gems. I loved how the bodice appeared more like wearing 6000 strands of pearls than a dress. The cut-out received mixed reviews from some folks, but I think it’s what made that effect. The dress is still in the headlines post-Oscars…stylist’s worst nightmare. UPDATE: As I was writing…stylist relieved.
Jennifer Lopez in Elie Saab
Not unusual to see JLo in a down-to-there-V, but the fullness of this skirt did surprise me a little. I like how she flipped the switch on her usual body-con and chose a dress that made her look like a princess.
Keira Knightly in Valentino
Expecting a baby this Spring, Keira’s been channeling an ethereal vibe all awards season. Sometimes, not so successfully. I thought this Valentino gown was beautiful and romantic and soft, the perfect complement to her gorgeous pregnancy glow.
Jenna Dewan-Tatum in Zuhair Murad Couture
I feel like Jenna is someone who doesn’t get the credit she deserves for her red carpet style. People are probably too busy staring at her hubby. White always looks chic on the red carpet and with the deco details, robe-like closure and train this was classic glam to me.
Laura Dern in Alberta Ferretti
This dress reminds me a lot of a number Stacy Kiebler wore on George Clooney’s pre-Amal arm a few years back. It also landed on my best dressed list. Guess I have a thing for the deco/armor look. I just really like it.
Felicity Jones in Alexander McQueen
This one was divisive in the fashion universe. I love it. The dove gray is so pretty and the pleated skirt keeps it fresh and interesting. I think that Felicity does such a perfect job of bridging classicaly elegant and modern.
She’s worn high-necks all awards season. I think some negative responses to this dress are related to the combo of it and the bangs sort of overwhelming her. Check out the difference it makes in the Today Show’s segment on Oscar re-dos by Bobbie Thomas.
Emma Stone in Elie Saab
If this dress was in any other shade, I might not like it so much. This chartreuse green is quickly becoming one of the hottest hues around and I really loved how it moderned up a covered silhouette in a classic style.
Emma was also part of a little matchy-match trend of the red carpet. Like Rosamund Pike above the shoes are the same shade as the dress. It’s making me wonder if I should pull out the dyables from back in the day.
Chris Pine in Giorgio Armani
It’s not just the girls who brought it to the red carpet. There were some pretty well dressed men to admire as well. It’s been a while since we’ve seen the double breasted jacket on the red carpet. It’s not usually my favorite, but Chris Pine wears it so perfectly, it almost brings a (dreamy) tear to our eye. Perfect tailoring, wider lapels, I bet this is a silhouette we see make its way back to prominence in the coming seasons.
Common in Prada
Full disclosure, I really find Common dishy. Still I don’t think it’s his good looks blinding my judgment when I say he was the best dressed guy at the show. I love how navy blue and velvet threw a modern twist on the classic tux. And can we talk about the jeweled tuxedo studs and man brooch? Blingy and confident, just how I like my men. Winner.
Worst Dressed
Lady Gaga in Alaia
I tried liking this. I was surprised and happy to hear it was the first time every Alaia has been worn on the Oscars red carpet (really? That seems impossible, but it’s what she said.)
Without the dishwashing gloves, it would be weird, but not terrible. If I can’t forgive gloves for usually flawless Amal Clooney, I certainly can’t for Gaga.
Chloe Grace Moretz in Miu Miu
TAKE YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS. Yes, it’s cool your dress has pockets, but really, Chloe? You STILL had them there when you presented an award two hours later. I mean did you mess up your nails and want to hide them or something? Ugh.
Despite this annoying distraction, this dress made her top half look short and the print was a little too Little House on the Prairie for my tastes. It probably would have been great on someone else, maybe a little older. She’s a repeat offender of wearing too-old-for-you pieces in my book.
Lorelei Linklater in Gabriela Cadena
You get to choose one dress to wear to the Oscars, not three, even if you do hack them together.
Jessica Chastain in Givenchy
She’s usually close to perfect and the fundamentals of this dress are solid, but the top makes her look so wide. Her hourglass figure is totally thrown out of proportion. She wins cool points for her after-parties look…it was from H&M!
Nicole Kidman in Louis Vuitton
Why do I feel like this *could* be an OK dress in person? But photographed the sickly iridescent mermaid scale + orange belt combo is a flop.
Solange Knowles in Christian Siriano
Pretty sure Heidi would have said auf wiedersehen to Solange’s Project Runway-alum designer had he sent this down the catwalk. It definitely doesn’t work.
Will.i.am
I can’t find who designed Wil.i.am’s look so I’m gonna say:
- Hat by Train Conductor Depot
- Shirt by Omaha Department of Corrections
- Sweats by Walmart
- Shoes by Crocs Mario Batali Dress Collection
- Sport Coat by Giorgio Armani (it looks nice)
It’s Complicated
The not entirely good and not entirely bad category returns.
Marion Cotillard in Dior
It would be inaccurate not to compare this dress to something like a diaper at the rear. Still, I’m always for a new silhouette and there is just something about Marion that always looks elegant and chic. I wish there were more fit to the front to balance the back and prevent it from looking sack-like from certain angles.
Naomi Watts in Giorgio Armani
I was ready to have this on my best dressed list. I love the bandeau and cut-outs. But there is just something about it, especially from this angle, that isn’t working 100% for me. I think it’s the pattern of the sequins, which sort of makes her look, wavy?
