Every red carpet to this point — the Golden Globes, the Grammys, the SAG Awards — has been a warmup, a semifinal, a preliminary, to Sunday night’s big game, the main event, the final exam — the Oscars! Get it right at this one, celebrity women, and you achieve fashion immortality. Get it wrong, and well, you never live it down.
The Academy Awards might be the most analyzed fashion event ever, and the big trend at this one: the strapless gown. The look just will not let go, and it’s probably getting a little old, but the stars love it and it’s a great showcase for jewels — even though statement necklaces were quite rare this year. No color was dominant, nor was any one designer.
Here are our best and worst, in no particular order and with no even division:
Jessica Chastain: The “Zero Dark Thirty” nominee knocked it out of the park again in a gorgeous rose-gold strapless gown, custom-made by Giorgio Armani Prive. It was beautifully embellished in tiny clear beads in a chevron pattern. The color could have washed her out, but it did nothing but make her porcelain skin glow and glow. Her hair was in her trademark loose red waves with a deep side part; her red lips gave the look perfect pop.
Naomi Watts: The nominee was breathtaking in gunmetal gray heavily-beaded Armani Prive that had a really clever neckline – a bit of a cap sleeve, a bit of strapless, a bit of one-shouldered – that hit her body in all the right places and made her waist look super-slender. She too wore the very “in” messy updo, along with a bit of silver liner on her eyes and a pink lip. It was a hot, sexy look done in a very subtle way.
Jennifer Lawrence: The “Silver Linings Playbook” nominee went to her designer of choice for her strapless white-on-white brocade gown. The Dior Haute Couture creation was a little bridal, but its fitted-to-the-hips silhouette and huge, billowing skirt gave it red-carpet, and fashion, credibility. Lawrence wore her hair in a low bun, tiny diamonds in her ears, and an almost invisible long chain down her back. Granted, strapless is not her best look – it makes her look a bit long-waisted – but if you’re going to do it, do it right, and she does.
Amanda Seyfried: Finally, a dress that was not strapless and it was dynamite. The “Les Miz” ingénue chose a dove gray Alexander McQueen halter-neck gown with a very ‘60s-looking cutout at the bust and a band around the neck. It was richly embroidered in gray, white and celadon green all the way down the train. Her smoky eyes and pulled-back updo added to the retro vibe. Fantastic.
Amy Adams: It was Oscar at the Oscars for Adams – de la Renta, that is, and it was lovely. The strapless pale blue gown with its long train was covered in miniscule ruffles and pintucks, giving it an airy, almost feathery look. Her hair was in a loose light bun that was almost messy, but it went along with the daintiness of the gown. This was the perfect, romantic look that has become her trademark.
Reese Witherspoon: The presenter chose strapless Louis Vuitton in rich cobalt blue satin edged in black that was tailored to perfection. Her rich blond sculpted waves were as satiny as the gown, and she too chose a low side part. Her jewels were solely at ears and wrists, all the better to let her flawless skin shine.
Charlize Theron: With her blond hair severely cropped for an upcoming role, Theron looked positively Amazonian in structured, gleaming white Dior Haute Couture with a sharply-cut bodice that almost looked like a separate top and long skirt. She piled several large diamond bracelets on her wrists but wore nothing at her neck to keep the focus on her golden skin and fabulous bones. Just jaw-dropping.
Catherine Zeta-Jones: Gaspingly gorgeous in spectacular gold Zuhaid Murad, her raven waves draping sexily over her shoulder, the Welsh beauty was back in a big way. The swirls of gold beading faded into chiffon at the skirt and the ornate bodice was held with straps, which gave it a fresh look. Her makeup had a similarly bronzy-metallic gleam. Wow.
Anne Hathaway: In palest pink satin Prada that opened daringly at the side like an apron, the gamine-like “Les Miz” star took a bit of a risk that fell a bit flat. Showing that part of the body — the “side boob,” if you will — is a little tacky for someone of her stature. The back dipped down very low, the color was indistinct, and the fabric was a bit thin; it looked unpressed. The gown had a high neckline and thin straps, so the diamond choker she added got a bit lost in the shuffle. Sadly, not the lovely girl’s best look.
Jennifer Hudson: The singer-actress wore a navy blue long-sleeved Roberto Cavalli gown with beading that could be best described as scaly. It was a little too metallic in a color that’s not really supposed to be metallic, and her matching clutch was a little too matchy-matchy. Her stick-straight hair was a bit too long, although the deep bangs were a nice touch. She’s got a great body, so she should have shown it off a bit more.
Jennifer Aniston: OK, so it was red Valentino, and so it had a nice full skirt, which she usually doesn’t do, but it was kind of plain and didn’t fit especially well. Nor did this look show off her famous figure to its best. And for Pete’s sake, Jen, do something with the hair! A ponytail, a chignon, something. Not just straight and down and the usual. This is the Oscars!