My 2017 Oscars Best Dressed List

Tonight is The Oscars, my favorite night of cinema celebration, red carpet fashion and dreams come true! Below is my best dressed list with abbreviated captions so that I can get back to the show. But before I go, I do want to note the trends of the night - velvet, ruffles, feathers, champagne (the color... and probably the bubbly), metallics and shiny embellishments. Feeling fancy, incorporate one of these on your next night out!

From My Guy's Perspective: Oscars 2013 Best Dressed

Guys' perspective on fashion differs greatly from ladies', hence The Man Repeller, but how much so? 

I asked my boyfriend to create a list of his favorite looks from the 2013 Oscars.  Here is Carlton's top 5 in order and surprisingly, our lists share more than a few:

  

Zoe Saldana in Alexis Mabille 

*Also on my list*

Why? The layers in shades of gray along the hem create beautiful lines.  I could do without the embellishments on top or the belt but I applaud Zoe for trying something different.

  

  

Halle Berry in Versace

*Also on my list*

Why?  Speaking of different, this dress is unique, bold and sexy.  Some have called it too "Star Trek" but I think it's wonderful Halle took such a daring risk! 

 

 

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Haute Couture

*Also on my list*

Why?  She looks stunning.  The simplicity of the dress, its color, the lack of jewelry and her short hair allows her beautiful face to be the most important feature.  The deep V and peplum make this gown trendy, yet classic.  

  Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan

*Also on my list*

Why?  Stacy looks statuesque in this Art Deco-inspired gown.

  

  

Jennifer Hudson in Roberto Cavalli

  

The rest of my best dressed list includes:

Naomi Watts in Armani Privé

Why?  Naomi helped to design this dress and it fits her perfectly.  I adore the deep silver color and unique cut.

  
  

Jessica Chastain in Armani Privé

Why?  Jessica's red hair is gorgeous with this pale bronze and again, I have a thing for Art Deco patterns... and red heads.

  

   

   

Alicia Vikander In Elie Saab Couture

Why?  Thank you to Alicia for adding some color to the red carpet!  This pale blue Elie Saab gown is gorgeous and I'm thrilled she chose a gold belt to pull in her waist. 

  

  

  

Lily Collins in Zuhair Murad

Photo by Abaca

  While Lily wasn't at the Academy Awards, her appearance at the Vanity Fair Party more than earns her a spot on the best dressed list.  This dress is gorgeous and unique.

Floral lace + Art Deco stripes + lots of shine + open back = Perfection!

  

    Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein Collection

Photo by AP

Why?  I wanted to love her Christian Dior Haute Couture ball gown at the Academy Awards but I just can't.  However, I do like this slinky and shiny silver dress she wore to the Vanity Fair Party!  Ooh la la!  

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu

*Carlton's Runner-Up*

Why?  The unusual color and shimmering embellishments keeps this dress from being too safe.

And we love Olivia Pope!


Who is on your best-dressed list?  Your guy's list?    

Photos by Getty unless otherwise noted

The Best Oscars 2013 Trends: Art influences & lots of shimmer

The 2013 celebration of the Academy Awards brought out the best in acting, movie production and of course, haute couture.  Here are my nominees for the evening's best trends:

Art Deco
Characterized by shimmering geometric lines and slim silhouettes, these Art Deco-inspired dresses have old Hollywood glamour with a modern twist.  While the uniqueness of this resurging style is somewhat lost among the numbers, I love this style!  Halle Berry succeeded in looking like a show-stopping Bond girl in a fashion forward Versace gown with dramatic lines and shoulders, while the combination of patterns on Lily Collins’ gorgeous Zuhair Murad dress was fun and fresh! 

Jessica Chastain in Armani Privé 

Halle Berry in Versace
Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan
Norah Jones in Tadashi Shoji

Lilly Collins in Zuhair Murad (Photo by Abaca)

  

Baroque

This bold trend is not for the faint of heart.  Embroidered intricate swirls of gold and black make a regal statement on these ladies, who accurately agreed that upswept hair and minimal jewelry is the best way to accessorize this dramatic style.  I adore Olivia Munn's red Marchesa dress! 

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen 

Olivia Munn in Marchesa

Julie Bowen in Max Azria Atelier  

Nina Dobrev in Naeem Khan 

Alessandra Ambrosio in Zuhair Murad

Black and Gold Shimmer

Black and gold became a dominant trend last year so it’s no surprise it appeared at the Oscars celebrations.  Nicole and Catherine were both sexy and classy in their gold sequined curve-hugging gowns.  I must ask, are they aging backwards?  Also, notice the swirls on their skirts, which also matched the Academy Awards stage… micro trend?  Naomi and Kate’s dresses were feisty in fun shapes.  

Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott 

Catherine Zeta-Jones in Zuhair Murad
Naomi Watts in Emilio Pucci 

Kate Beckinsale in Monique Lhuillier


High Neck Gowns

Kelly Osbourne mentioned on E!’s Live from the Red Carpet that she was disappointed that Salma Hayek’s high neck dress by Alexander McQueen hid her best feature, her décolletage.  While I agree with Kelly, I do appreciate that Salma was trying something different.  These dresses add a little variety to the red carpet.  Those who look best in them are generally tall and slim, like Alessandra Ambrosia.

  

Amanda Seyfried in Alexander McQueen

Salma Hayek in Alexander McQueen 

Alessandra Ambrosio in Zuhair Murad 

Amber Heard in Atelier Versace 

Simple & Sexy in White

Charlize Theron was simply stunning on the red carpet!  While sleek white dresses continued to appear throughout the evening, Charlize’s short hair, slim silhouette and simple details made her beautiful face stand out from the rest.  Miley Cyrus also rocked this look with a backless dress from Emilio Pucci. 

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Couture

Kim Kardashian in Donna Karan, Kelly Osbourne in Unknown & Miley Cyrus in Emilio Pucci

Rose Byrne in Lanvin 

Sleek Shimmer

Metallic and serious shimmer were a major trend at the Oscars celebrations.  But on Naomi, Renee and Jennifer, the fluid shimmer and immaculate tailoring beautifully accentuates their slim bodies.  These are a few of my favorite gowns of the evening!

  

Naomi Watts in Armani Privé

Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera
Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein Collection (Photo by AP)

Photos by Getty unless otherwise noted

What A Great Find! Emerald earrings, à la Jolie

On an impromptu shopping trip to New York & Company, I found these gorgeous emerald-like drop earrings, worthy of the red carpet.  Inspired by Angelina Jolie’s pair that she wore to the Oscars, these are a fortunate find during award show season AND they were deeply discounted!  I've been looking for a near exact replica since I fell in love with Jolie's and these are very similar.  I also snapped up the matching bracelet.

Oversized statement earrings like these reprised their role on the red carpet at the Golden Globes last Sunday.  While there are no black tie events in my future, I look forward to wearing these with a black cocktail dress and suede pumps on a date night.

Happy Award Season!

Photo of Angelina Jolie by AP Photo/Matt Sayles
Photos courtesy of E! Online, Jason Merritt/Getty Images, John Shearer/Invision/AP