by Nathaniel R
Marvel at this feat of fashion engineering. Somehow the 16 actors (+ god knows how many stylists) got together and took the title This is Us to heart and made it work. Everything was gorgeously coordinated and complimentary though not samey samey. From the royal blue throughline of the gowns to small color accents on the tuxes to the peppering of earth tones, purples, blacks, and golds to keep it vibrant and versatile. The more you look the more cohesive and beautiful it becomes. Bow down. Okay now on to the gowns...
Fancy pairs. Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson are aging so well. Not just physically but talent-wise, too. Dave Franco and Alison Brie almost look like they're doing a red carpet superhero theme so what would their powers be? And mom & daughter stars Goldie & Kate. They've always looked alike but this weekend they went in much different directions for fashion.
Abbie Cornish, Sally Hawkins, The Lovely Laura Linney, Hong Chau, and Saoirse Ronan
File this under "I don't quite get what you were going for -- especially with a few of those wash-you out color choices -- but I LOVE seeing you always." Also in this category but ran out of room: Dakota Fanning finally back in the spotlight via The Alienist on streaming (When Oscar nomination fever dies down, I'll try that one out.) If she'd worn a dress that was a different color than her face and hair she might have turned heads.
Mary J Blige, Allison Janney, Yvonne Strahovski, and Niecy Nash
Is this giving good gown or... doesn't matter because it's memorable!
Tracee Ellis Ross, Greta Gerwig, Ann Dowd, Holly Hunter
The right look for the right big talents.
The very best of the best dressed? The honor goes to Lupita Nyong'o and Nicole Kidman, both no strangers to red carpet glory. As runner-up might we FYC the super undervalued Betty Gabriel who was pitch perfect in Get Out and gets no credit for it apart from a few critics here and there, this site, and RuPaul who has tweeted about her performance a few times.
Favorite gowns of the night? Do tell. And doesn't it feel like everyone is saving up for a glamazon blowout on Oscar night?