There are few things I love more than awards show fashion. The second the new year rolls around, I am filled with anticipation for the jaw dropping looks, the horribly placed layers and the inevitably unflattering gowns. To be fair, bad dresses happen to everyone. I, myself, thought my white fairy dress for junior prom was fashion. However, in my opinion, this year’s Oscars were less than underwhelming.
The repetition of black and white dresses made me wish for the return of the Golden Globes. In 2011, Mila Kunis wore a lavender Ellie Saab dress that inspired the fashion world and the people watching the Oscars from home. I remember cutting out her picture and placing it among my favorite looks: Kate Hudson’s 2003 Versace, Charlize Thereon’s 2004 Gucci, Michelle William’s 2006 Vera Wang, Nicole Kidman’s 2007 Balenciaga and Marion Cotillard’s 2008 Jean Paul Gaultier. Usually, my problem is picking only one look to be my favorite of the night. During this year’s Oscars, however, I struggled to find one that lived up to my fashion idols of years past.
I do want to point out how much more these women mean than their outfits. I know their accomplishments in film, television, philanthropy and daily life far outweigh what their stylist told them to wear. These women are successful, independent people separate from what is on their body. I, however, like to be shallow and indulge myself in some fashion criticism of the women I wholeheartedly respect.
I always believe in beginning with the best dressed, in order to keep things positive. In my opinion, Emma Stone did fabulously this awards season. Her green Ellie Saab number was both flattering and striking. She was one of the few people to take a risk this past Sunday, and, in my opinion, it paid off. Her coiffed red hair perfectly foiled the green beading on the dress. In addition, the backless dress showed off her fair complexion. This dress is almost impossible to pull off, yet Emma managed to perfect it.
Another great dress was Rosamund Pike’s Givenchy. The red dress contoured her body, giving a sensual yet classy feel. The red contrasted flawlessly with her snow white skin and slicked back hair. Margot Robbie turned heads in her sheer, black chiffon Saint Laurent. The slicked hair and red lips made her effortlessly cool on a drab red carpet. While appearing “cool” is hard on the red carpet, there is nothing harder than looking like a sex goddess while not looking tacky. This year, there were many deep necklines and leg slits. Chrissy Teigen’s light blue Suhair Murad made draws drop. Undoubtedly, she looked sexy and classy at the same time. The attention to detail in the Murad gown complimented everything from her tan skin to deep berry lips.
Other major shining pieces were Julianne Moore’s Chanel that perfectly contrasted classic couture and modern sculpture. Following suit in Teigen’s tracks was Rita Ora in the most flattering mermaid Marchesa I have ever seen.
Finally, no best dressed list would be complete without Lupita Nyong’o. Her all-pearl Calvin Klein made jaws drop with its intricate detail. Nyong’o had tried every color, and this Klein number proved to the world that wearing white could not stop her reign on the list of the best dressed. The pearls demanded attention without being obnoxious. Lupita was her typical self: classy, striking and flawless.
When you see the heights of fashion, whether in sculpture or detail, it makes the worst dressed more blaringly obvious. Many actresses tried this year, but they definitely failed. For starters, everyone wanted to know who Scarlet Johansson’s stylist was and why she insisted on making her look like a sexy Gumby. Between the prom-style Versace dress, forest green color and vampiric choker, Scarlett genuinely looked as if she were in a costume.
Another horrifying number was found on poor Solange. It was red, oversized, had a turtleneck and was just bad. Unfortunately for Solange, her sister overshadowed her again, and she was not even at the Oscars on Sunday.
I almost always count on Felicity Jones to be fabulous. This time, however, she disappointed me with a Victorian-esque Alexander McQueen. Not only did the color blend into her skin, but the halter bodice contrasted the full skirt in a horrible way. Sadly, for both Anna Kendrick and Dakota Johnson, their dresses looked like something I would find at my prom. While still beautiful in photographs, their natural beauty could not save them from looking like they belonged in a streamer-filled gymnasium.
People felt passionately opposed to Keira Knightley’s busy Valentino and Marion Cotillard’s oddly-backed Dior. I let them both slide, however, because Kiera is pregnant and Marion will always be fabulous.
Finally, one look was, without a doubt, the worst of the night. Usually one of my favorite young dressers, Chloe Grace Moretz’s Miu Miu frock took away any youth she had. The thick material, odd cut lines and embroidery genuinely made her look like an ottoman in Versailles. It was not flattering to her petite shape and poorly complimented by her limp hair. I always believe the best of Chloe and am confident she will regain everyone’s trust next awards show.
Overall, the Oscars were a disappointment. The jokes weren’t funny, and the dresses were even worse. I, however, am even more disappointed to see them go and will continue hoping for another Mila Kunis moment in red carpets to come.
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