2011 Oscars Style Rundown

Best Total Package (tie)

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture & Mila Kunis in Elie Saab.

This is so obvious that I’m bored with myself for even naming these two Best Dressed, but what can you do? I didn’t think anyone else even came close: this year’s Oscars weren’t exactly showstopping in terms of fashion (hair and makeup was another story; I thought almost everyone looked spectacular from the neck up).

Love or hate Cate’s dress – and it’s true: that thing, much like Angelina’s emerald Golden Globes gown, would look good on exactly nobody else on the planet – you have to give her credit for astounding originality, elegance, and attention to detail, and for her razor-sharp understanding of what works on her (and nobody else). As usual. Also, that lavender/yellow combo is to die for.

Mila is also a completely unsurprising choice – media outlets were naming her “Best Dressed” almost before anyone else had made their way down the carpet. She’s the It Girl of the moment, and this gown encapsulates why: she’s simultaneously beautiful and sexy, girl-next-door and girl-way-over-there.

(Oh, and an honorable mention goes to the lovely and composed Hailee Steinfeld. Her Marchesa was just perfect for her.)

Now, on to more interesting categories.

Best Glow

My feelings about Gwyneth Paltrow have gone back and forth over the years (ice queen! girl crush!), but wow, has her style ever gotten better over time. I loved both her Oscars dresses (Calvin Klein on the carpet, Michael Kors on stage) this year, although the Kors edged out the first place win for me just because of how stunning it looked under the lights. Sure, she was one color from head-to-toe the whole way through, but I thought the effect was beautiful and striking. (And those Vuitton earrings she wore with the first outfit were such a unique, cool choice.)

Best Combined Effort

I loved Anne last night; like…oh, everyone, I sort of wished she’d been hosting the show alone (and this is coming from someone with a major Franco crush). (BTW, little side story: we had the same agent when we were about 14, and I have a distinct memory of both of us sitting in our agent’s office crying about how we hadn’t gotten some role or another and would never ever ever get an acting job ever. Looks like everything turned out A-OK for her – and I’m thrilled. She’s just the sweetest woman.) And I thought her dress choices were perfect: lots of Old Hollywood with a bit of modern romance thrown into the mix. Above, my three favorite looks (from left: Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Armani Prive). (Plus the tux; LOVED that. And every single one of her hairdos.)

Best Hair & Makeup

I sort of squealed and jumped up and down a bunch when I first saw Reese being interviewed backstage. I didn’t think her Armani Prive gown was particularly fantastic – it reminded me a lot of the vintage Valentino Julia Roberts wore when she won for Erin Brockovich, which everyone in the world except for me loved – but her hair! Her makeup! She was like a glamorous, retro Barbie doll come to life. Kendrick actually said, “Hey…that’s what you always want your hair to look like.”

Yes, Kendrick. Yes, it is. Thankyouforremindingme.

Best Dress, Worst Styling

I completely loved everything about Amy Adams’ midnight-blue L’Wren Scott gown, from the cut to the color to the way she carried herself in it. I did not, however, love her stylist for giving her a hairdo that did nothing to show off the gown’s neckline and for sticking on an incredibly expensive necklace that, while intended to provide a pop of color to a dark gown, got completely lost in all the glitter.

Best Rookie Mistake

I call this the “best” mistake because damn, did Jennifer Lawrence ever look hot in her Calvin Klein. But there’s one little problem here: that is by no stretch of the imagination an Oscars dress. I get it: it’s simple, it’s sexy, and it’s showstopping…but it’s also the Oscars. The Oscars! (That said, her hair and makeup couldn’t have been more perfect.)

Best Ever Ever Ever

Because it’s always fun to revisit Oscars Of Yore, here are my favorite-ever Oscar gown picks.