Red Carpet: Best Dressed Women at the Oscars
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 10:00PM Here's Jose with best looks from the 2016 Academy Awards...
And on Oscar Sunday Meryl said "let there be fashion," and there was fashion.
The 2010's should not only be remembered for being the decade in which the greatest living actress earned her record-breaking 20th nomination, but also as the decade when she found a red carpet style that fit her iconoclastic image as both the Grand Dame of American cinema and someone who wants the world to think she "woke up like dis". In 2017 she even had her very first fashion feud (paging Ryan Murphy) when she had a PR battle with couture supervillain Karl Lagerfeld over a Chanel dress that was to be worn by no one (perhaps we will see Nicole wear it at Cannes someday?) In the end Meryl showed up in a statement-making Elie Saab couture creation in deep regal blue that combined pants with a ballgown, perhaps a nod to Hillary and the ultimate dig at T**** who believes there is only one way for women to "dress at work"?
PS: She also forgave Karl.
Following in Meryl's magnanimity this year I present you my ten favorite looks from the Oscar red carpet unranked...
Taraji P. Henson in Alberta Ferretti
Sometimes less is more, and while that never seems to have been Taraji's style motto, she put it to good use at the Oscars in a stunning Alberta Ferretti custom design that seems to have been painted on her. Her retro hair, Ava Gardner-esque choice of jewelry, and perfect strappy sandals could certainly inspire a film noir or two.
Naomie Harris in Calvin Klein
If someone was to wear Raf Simons, it might as well have been the one star who would wear his design, rather than have it wear her. Therefore it was refreshing to see Naomie Harris grasp onto what makes Simons a fantastic designer when the woman wearing it can get across his intentions. The asymmetrical cut dress, with a divine cutout match perfectly with her sleek hairdo and jewels. The killer detail is in the yellow shoes though. Simons better make her his spokesowman.
Brie Larson in Oscar de la Renta
If poor Brie has to give awards to someone she seems to dislike she might as well look flawless while she does it, right? This Oscar de la Renta was a fantastic choice for someone who seems to love wavy motions and so far has devoted herself to being the ultimate All-American girl on the red carpet.
Dakota Johnson in Gucci
Several starlets paid tribute to classic designs, and while Dakota's demure Gucci proved controversial online (it "aged" her, it was too "matronly") I loved how it recalls Ingrid Bergman's wardrobe in Notorious.
Hailee Steinfeld in Ralph & Russo
R&R should be left to the pros, so kudos to Hailee for not only choosing a design from one of the most challenging houses to wear on the red carpet, but also for pulling it off with such grace.
Isabelle Huppert in Armani Privé
Madame Huppert was the epitome of effortlessness in this beaded Armani Privé that paid tribute to another acting legend.
Emma Stone in Givenchy Haute Couture
Winners ought to dress like winners and Best Actress Emma Stone chose the ultimate fashion icon as the inspiration for her champagne gown. It certainly made the case for the adage that if you want to win an Oscar you should dress like one. (Fine, I just made that adage up, but remember Meryl in 2011!)
Kirsten Dunst in Dior
Kiki has never looked better. Period. I love that she and Hidden Fences co-star Taraji are in sync, paying tribute to classic, unadorned glamour. Any guesses to what she keeps in her pockets?
Janelle Monáe in Elie Saab
Sheer top, beaded column, ballgown skirt and a tiara! Only Janelle can pull off something like this. Queen.
Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé
I kinda wish Nicole had saved her divisive parrot dress from the SAGs for Oscar night (her boldest and best look this season) instead she went for a very subdued Armani Privé beaded gown with mandala-like beading. If the dress threatened to wash her out a bit, it also kinda made it seem like she was paying homage to Britney Spears in the Toxic video...
...perhaps coming full circle as we watched her dance to almost-Mr-Spears Justin Timberlake's song from Trolls.
Who were your favorite ladies on Oscar night? If you ranked them who would be your number 1?
Reader Comments (38)
I don't know if I have a number one but I think they all look great except ... Dakota Johnson for me could have fixed her hair and that dress is a bit frumpy. But I get what she was going for. Brie's hair is really good. Emma and Janelle looked great. Halle Berry also stunned with the hot dress and big hair. Taraji ... Meow.
Thank God the Streep-Lagerfeld feud is over.
Amy Adams looked amazing in that silver dress. I vote Taraji and Emma and Nicole for best dressed.
Gr8 list! I wld also incl Karlie Kloss for both her Oscars white dress, perfectly fitted w a left shoulder cap n a blue ribbon at the waist, n her after-party off-shoulder sexy shimmering red number tt seems painted on her!!
PS: emma's Oscars dress is so gorgeous!! A nice touch o glam n cabaret.
I really loved Emma Stone's dress, distinctive, glamorous and incredibly flattering.
On the other hand I HATED Janelle Monae's dress! Stiff and busy it was wearing her not the other way around.
Does anyone know if anyone (whether nominee or presenter, male or female) has gone to Oscar trying to do custom made, Red Carpet ready riffs on TV cartoon or video game characters they love? I don't think that's happened (and whether or not it's happened, a guy would do it first, most likely), but I'd love to see, say, Rupert Grint showing up, as a presenter, wearing something evoking Dexter's Lab. That would be fun.
I gotta say - given how viscerally I hated Emma's pea-green dress the last time she was a nominee, I was so happy to love her dress so much this year.
I also loved Brie and Octavia.
But why isn't Viola Davis here? She looked FLAWLESS in red.
And YAASSS on Emma, Brie, Taraji, Isabelle. I also really liked Janelle going BIG. And a big NO... NO.... to Dakota.
Ruth Negga's red dress is my No. 1.
Also loved Brie, Taraji, Kirsten, Janelle, Amy.
I liked the way commentators compared Brie's dress to the painting of Madame X by John Singer Sargent (scandalous for the time because one of the straps was falling off the shoulder, making her look... uninhibited. He had to paint it over).
Taraji is my #1 Best Dressed. I also think Meryl looked great. Over the past 5 years or so Meryl has really improved her fashion sensibilities.
I agree so hard with everything opinion in this post, save Naomie Harris whose dress I strongly dislike. I was the only one at my party who liked Dakota Johnson's, so I feel vindicated with her mention here.
Kiki was #1 for me. God, she looks incredible. ...though I don't think she (or anyone) starred in a movie called 'Hidden Fences'... ;-)
No celeb wore Chanel by Karl Lackofuse!
That shld teach him a lesson to shoot off his mouth! 😂
All hail Queen Meryl for standing up to Fashion Grande Dame! Meow 😄
I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL WEEK FOR THIS POST!
Janelle Monae was #1 in my book, but I will also say that I fell out of the bleachers and into a dead faint when I saw Taraji & Brie. Hot damn. We are not worthy.
Claran - Actually two people did.
Dakota's gown was the shit. It took me a few moments to accept the Morticia hair with it, but it was the perfect modern contrasting touch. Too bad she wasn't at the point in her career to win an Academy Award because ladies in gold are dressed to go home with Oscar...like Emma Stone, whose gown was stunning.
Also loved Halle, Ruth, Taraji, Brie, Amy and Hailee.
Janelle is always in a class by herself, like it or not. (I did.)
Agree Claran. Yes to Karli Kloss in the white Stella McCartney with the beautiful high choker necklace! Stunning. And then her red change into number for Vanity Fair was super sexy and ultra glam. Whoever styled her gets A+. Take a lesson ladies.
Amy Adams and her FU dress was perfection.
Janelle Monae transcends best dressed lists.
I'm here for Brie's dress, but that greasy looking hair, Lord no!
Agree, Viola & Ruth should be here.
Octavia has been bringing it all season!
Emma looked gorgeous, she got it just right; that dress was giving me some serious Blanchett vibes.
Halle's dress was sensational, and I love big curls for fly girls, but why was it so... lopsided???
Taraji came and slayed.
My favorite ladies were Huppert and Michelle Williams. If Michelle were European, you wouldn't stop talking about her. Goddess.
I'll defend Janelle's Christmas tree because I love her as a celebrity. Also, can we invite Taraji to every upcoming televised event?
I like Dakota's dress despite her hairdo. Emma's hair was perfect, but fringes are not my thing.
I don't understand Meryl's obsessions with belts.
Best - Taraji P. Henson, Isabelle Huppert, Naomie Harris
Worst - Janelle Monae and pretty much everyone else
I *get* what Dakota Johnson was doing, but I just don't think it looked like anything that hadn't been sitting in mothballs for years. If she removed the napkin from around the waist and had it fit exquisitely then we'd be on to a glorious winner. Alas. I thought Naomie's was extremely boring considering how bold she usually is with colour. I'm not sure how anybody could think it was one of the very best of the night. And I'm not gonna lie: I wanted Emma Stone to go full on ball-gown. I know there's one that would work great on her. What's there is lovely and divine but...
Of those listed, my favourites are Kiki, Taraji and Brie.
I also liked Aili'i Cravahlo, Amelia Warner, Viola Davis, Laura Dern, Ava DuVernay, Charlize Theron, and Karlie Kloss.
Dakota Johnson looked terrible, and nothing anyone can say would make me believe otherwise. I also did not fancy Naomie Harris and Janelle Monae's frocks, variations on what they wore the entire awards season but the worst versions of them.
Viola would have made my list.
Taraji's dress reminded me of something Sophia Loren wore; she looked fantastic. Kirsten Dunst is getting prettier with age. I loved her Oscar look.
For dresses: Stone, Huppert, Larson, Adams, and Streep (her new stylist is doing wonders)
For sheer beauty: Berry, Hayek, Harris, Dev Patel, Chris Evans
(I usually think Alicia Vikander is pretty, but was it me or did she look positively apricot-colored?)
I am mystified by the inclusion of Naomie Harris (who is gorgeous but this look did her no favors and seems so inappropriate for Oscar) but otherwise co-sign on so many of these.
weirdly i think Isabelle Huppert' and Dakota Johnson saved their best gowns for the after parties. (sigh)
Looks like Kirsten got a new set of (fantastic) cans to go with her nice dress. Good for her. Why no love for Ms. Dunaway? I thought she looked pretty darn good. I've been seeing photos of her this past year - which do not look good. so she stepped up to the plate and looked very nice. Hope she has some sort of Jessica Tandy-esque comeback.
1. Janelle Monae. But a lot of them (Kidman, Henson, Stone, Dunst, Huppert) look great.
Best were Taraji, Isabelle, Nicole, Hailee, Emma, Viola and Janelle. And Faye, who I thought was stunning.
1. Taraji
2. Emma
3. Nicole
I dislike Naomie's dress and Dakota's look is aggressively boring
Kidman is always so giffable.
Can I use that first pic with Meryl as a sig for a forum, Nat?
It's fabulous! 8)
REALLY loved the dress! She should always wear shoulderfree. Always.
And she wore gold both times when she won in lead. Coincidence?
There are really hardly any best leading actress winner in red. The only one I remember was Halle Berry in 2001.
Halle fucking Berry. My number 1. Also loved Negga, Adams, Stone, Davis, Steinfield
And Larson! She looked better this year than when she won.
Ruth Negga: "See this perfect red dress? See how it's 'ruined' by this blue ribbon? Yes, I'm schooling you."
Janelle Monae. "Am I wearing the dress or is the dress wearing me? Let's have a cup of green tea and discuss it for days."
Halle Berry. "My hair is taking prisoners. My dress is sentencing you for life."
Scarlett. "Butch hair and femme gown? Get into all of me."
Ava DuVernay. "Who said documentary filmmakers aren't glamorous? Not me, people. Not me."
I love most of these (Dakota's I could take or leave), but I thought Naomie's dress was AWFUL. Easily the worst thing she's worn all season, and for me very much in the running for Worst of the night.
I think Viola and Amy Adams would be my Best Dressed not represented here, and also enjoyed Cynthia Erivo's exuberant floral. Of these, Taraji and Kirsten are pick of the litter.
No, Naomie's dress is awkward and unflattering. Just look at the way it cuts that gorgeous woman's body into weird proportions.
That whole second row of ladies are all bad.
Viola, Kiki, Emma and Taraji are all great.
(Sigh) No one?
So glad I'm not alone in disliking Naomie Harris' so much. What a flub of an enting to otherwise excellent fashion season for her (this and the SAG satin pantsuit were not good).
This is odd for me, but I was totally disappointed by the fashion this year. A little snoozy, no?
My favorite of the evening is probably Pharrell Williams in Chanel. Usually guys kind of wash into the background on the red carpet, but the women weren't doing it for me this year, and his bold jewelry struck a chord with me. I think I'd like to give broaches a try...
Brie was my favorite. Her dress was so pretty in movement. I was REALLY disappointed in Nicole and her lack of color. I thought Naomie looked tragic and it all made sense when I heard that it was a Raf Simons creation. He uglified Dior and now it's Calvin's turn.
I think Dakota could have looked decent if the sleeves were shorter or chopped off.
Did you really call Dakota Johnson's monstrosity one of this year's best? Gurl, byeeee!
Taraji, Janelle, and Viola (where is she???) were giving me every single thing I needed in my life, baby! Sad that Emma just copied Cate so blatantly, but what else is new?
Legend certainly should have worn her parrot dress from the SAGs instead of that boring dress that uses the same silhouette that she always wears in a color that drowns out her already ghost-like pale skin tone.