Last night I watched the Oscars for the first time since my children were born. I mean, who can stay up that late? Apparently I can and boy am I paying for it today! Of course I was making muffins for school and ordering clothes for the kids online while watching, but I was still paying enough attention to get the thrill of getting my first glimpse of the most gorgeous looks. Did I mention I haven’t actually seen EVEN ONE of the movies nominated for any Oscar? Nope, not a one. So why did I watch? For the clothes and the acceptance speeches, of course! And Neil Patrick Harris. That man is INCREDIBLE. Spoiler alert right now… I actually think Neil Patrick Harris was the best dressed of the whole bunch.
Keep reading for the RLS Oscar fashion rundown, including our favorites, the trends we’ve identified and our personal huh? fashion moments. Thanks for listening and let me know what you think!
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Lani’s Favorites
The entire night watching was worth it for the first moment I caught sight of Cate Blanchett in this totally unexpected color combination; unexpected for her, unexpected for the red carpet and unexpected for Maison Martin Margiela. First season back and the formerly disgraced John Galliano already has a dress on the Oscar Red Carpet. As far as I’m concerned, this was the chicest look of the night.
Cate Blanchett in Maison Margiela
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Felicity Jones stunned in this pale grey confection. Who else could do modern and steel-edged but with a princess silhouette? Fellow brit and designer extraordinaire Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, that’s who.
Felicity Jones in Alexander McQueen
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Nicole Kidman, like Cate Blanchett, shows that age can wear well on the red carpet. And Nicolas Ghesquiere for Louis Vuitton? I think Nicole Kidman’s fashion cred might have benefited even more than Louis Vuitton in this deal. Breathtakingly chic is all I’ve got for you. After that, this look leaves me speechless. This was another look you had to see in action to appreciate fully.
Nicole Kidman in Louis Vuitton
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Ice Sculptures
White dresses with texture, structure and movement, plus three stunning women: this is an awesome trend.
Lupita Nyong’o in Calvin Klein Collection
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The Tulle Princesses
Although I’m pretty much over Jennifer Lopez‘ “down to there” looks, this dress was a stunner and a fabulous example of the genius that is Elie Saab. Women wear his dresses because they make one feel pretty and look hot.
Jennifer Lopez in Elie Saab Couture
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If you saw the live telecast, you were able to observe the way the light changed the color of Octavia‘s dress from blue to green and back again. And did you catch those earrings? The dress could not have fit better and shows that you don’t have to be a size 0 to win at the red carpet game.
Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji
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Could someone tell me what the words are on Keira Knightley’s dress? Wait, it doesn’t even matter. She looked heavenly and as much a garden nymph as any pregnant woman possibly can. I can not imagine the horror a beautiful young actress feels at the realization that she will spend all of red carpet season very pregnant. Keira Knightley has set an example for them all.
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Oprah’s dress married the seemingly impossible: lightness and grace with structure and sleeves. Do you know how hard it is to find a sexy dress with sleeves in a certain size? Well, it certainly helps to have Vera Wang on speed dial. Go Oprah.
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Primary Colors
In previous seasons, Scarlett Johansson and Rosamund Pike‘s shots of bold color would have been also rans. This season they acted as palate cleansers between the nude and pink fluff. Refreshing!
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I Just Don’t Get It
Jessica Chastain is usually one of the highlights of the red carpet. I haven’t read other fashion folks’ reviews of her look yet, but to me it was a big yawn. I accept the nude makeup with the va va voom dress, but then she should have put her hair up in a chic knot or ponytail. She looks like she’s just overdressed for a cocktail party without it.
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I couldn’t be a bigger fan of Reese Witherspoon or Tom Ford, but what the two of them cooked up here was another yawn for me. Again, the casual hair and makeup just ruined the look for me. And enough black and white, Reese!
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Do I even need to say anything here? Pink? We already did that when we won the Oscar, Gwyneth. The rosette? Valentino has been doing those for years. Yawn… That said, her body is to die for in this look.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph and Russo
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Special Mention
Dakota Johnson nailed it in this oh so chic, oh so “laissez-faire” look from Yves Saint Laurent. She managed to leapfrog the other actresses with her “I’m so not trying because I’m 26 and GORGEOUS so I just rolled out of bed and threw on some red lipstick,” look.
Dakota Johnson in Saint Laurent
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I love that Meryl Streep has teamed up with Lanvin to just DO HER OWN THING. You go girl.
PS Did anyone catch her crazy sexy tall platform heels under there?
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Men Are Crazy Sometimes
I mean, do I really even need to say anything?
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Matthew McConaughey (who skipped the Red Carpet!) in Dolce & Gabbana
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Best Dressed/Most Costume Changes
Who even knew Brunello Cucinelli made custom tuxedos? Wow, wow and wow. It just got better after this. Neil Patrick Harris, who would have ever thought, all those years ago, when I was watching Doogie Howser, M.D. in the 8th grade, that you would one day make my best dressed list WITH YOUR HUSBAND?
Neil Patrick Harris in custom Brunello Cucinelli, with Husband David Burtka in Calvin Klein Collection
