The 87th Oscar ceremony may have been derided for Neil Patrick Harris’ hosting efforts, but the fashions didn’t disappoint.
Hollywood, with its awards, premieres and parties, has long been associated as the epitome of glamour.
Thanks to accessible fashion houses, truly red-carpet worthy gowns are readily available, in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. And what gal wouldn’t love to claim to share a dress by the same designer who’s made clothing for Bella Thorne, Selena Gomez, Arianna Grande, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Paris Hilton and Carrie Underwood?
The recently completed Hollywood “award season” is hotly anticipated by budding fashionistas everywhere. Still, the pinnacle of award shows is undoubtedly the Oscar awards, and, this year, the show – and most importantly – the red carpet fashion walk – did not disappoint.
The Highlights:
Lupita Nyong’o
Nyong’o’s Calvin Klein dress, with 6,000 hand-sewn pearls is memorable for two significant reasons: the beautiful tailored fit and contrasting white against Nyong’o’s gorgeous skin, and, the fact that it was stolen after the 2015 award show.
Rosamund Pike
Only weeks after giving birth to her second son, the “Gone Girl” star went for a fitted, crimson strapless dress layered with beautiful lace, from Givenchy Haute Couture.
Keira Knightley
The nominee and mother-to-be was this year’s best dressed, choosing a Valentino for the 87th Oscars. Knightley’s unique, sleeveless nude embroidered and embellished lace-tulle, empire-waist dress was both flattering and memorable.
Rita Ora
If there’s one color that doesn’t get enough love in the world of evening wear, it’s navy blue – easily the “new black,” and the singer wore it well, a beautifully constructed strapless Marchesa gown, replete with gold lace and front accent.
Jennifer Aniston
The former “Friends’” star and favorite tabloid topic has often chosen the simple, understated elegance of Atelier Versace, and the 87th annual Academy Awards was no exception. Aniston chose a strapless column dress in pale nude with subtle alternating fabric.
Scarlett Johansson
“Avengers’” star Johansson, the epitome of voluptuous blonde bombshell, often dressed too maturely for her relative youth. Now, the new mom is wholly embracing a traditional silhouette, albeit with a colorful twist. At this year’s Oscars, she wore a tailored halter-style vibrant green Versace that was a show stopper in itself, but Johansson and her stylist pushed the proverbial “limits” and added a seriously sick coordinating statement necklace.
Jessica Chastain
The Oscar-nominee, like singer Ora, wisely chose navy blue, and wore a custom Givenchy gown that seemed to channel Mae West, as it emphasized her small waist, but also called attention above-the-waist, with an under-set black-sequined tank-style top. A super-high slit showed off her legs (which appeared quite long, despite the fact the actress is a petite 5’4”).
Cate Blanchett
Black was not so basic on the two-time Oscar winner. Blanchett’s John Galliano for Maison Margiela gown was deceptively simple, short sleeved, a fitted column gown with an ever-so slight train. The gown did all the things for Blanchett that any evening dress should do for its wearer: highlight her lovely slender figure and leave the wow factor to a large turquoise Tiffany & Co. necklace.
Oscar Trends
With such Hollywood powerhouses as Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett, as well as up-and-comer Margot Robbie donning huge statement necklaces, it will come as no surprise when department stores and boutiques will pair significant jewelry with Sherri Hill dresses and other formal wear in displays.
Colors: Whether a nod to purity or brides, white was probably the most popular color at the 87th Oscar award shows, followed by red and nude/pale pink. Meryl Streep, Sienna Miller and winner Patricia Arquette, like the aforementioned Blanchett, chose black. As for the gentlemen, colored tuxedos were featured on the red-carpet, in such multitude that hadn’t been seen since the 1970s. Witness: winner Eddie Redmayne, David Oyelowo, host Neil Patrick Harris and Jared Leto.
Beyond Basic: Solid colors may be considered the traditional standard for formal wear, but Naomi Watts, Chloe Moretz, Jamie Cheung, Laura Dern and Knightley stepped it up with exciting patterns.
Bling: It would not be a celebrity-filled fete without sparkle, and, thanks to Anna Faris, Oscar nominee Felicity Jones, Mrs. John Legend Chrissy Teigen and the legendary Nicole Kidman, the red carpet stayed glittery.
So if you’re looking for bridesmaids’ wear or that unforgettable prom dress, taking your cue from this year’s Oscars wouldn’t be such a bad thing – it would be a stylish thing.
