As far as I could see, there were three main themes at this year’s Oscars dresses (they should have their own dedicated event):
1) Pale and interesting – Jessica Biel, Penelope Cruz, Marisa Tomei, amongst others, all rocked this look. I’ve heard a lot about soft coral salmon type pastels making their way back into our lives but I’ve managed to ignore them so far but this might be about to change. The problem is that those colours look amazing on a couture Dior gown but less so on a Benetton jumper.
Penelope Cruz in vintage Balmain
Jessica Biel in Prada
Marisa Tomei in Atelier Versace - my favourite of the night
2) Strapless – almost every dress was strapless. I love a good strapless and I think this ties into a wider theme of celebs wearing clothes that are less obviously flashy- it is no longer ok to flash your cash, so even though a bodiced dress is probably more expensive than a bejewelled one, it still makes more sense to go for the classic, subtle look. I love a bit of flashiness but I enjoyed the old school glamour of it the subtle this time.
Natalie Portman in Rodarte
Halle Berry in Marchesa
3) Recessionista/Boring – this was best seen on Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt. I guess they go to these things all the time but that’s more the pity for us poor souls who like to look at their clothes afterwards. They weren’t the only perpetrators of boring*; I didn’t even like Kate Winslet’s outfit – controversial, as I’m damn glad she finally won that Oscar, but still not digging the outfit.
Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab & Brad Pitt in Tom Ford
Kate Winslet in YSL by Stefano Pilati
* It is a given that I wish I looked like any of the above, despite whatever I say about one of their outfits.
All photos courtesy of style.com
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