Fashions From The 2010 Academy Awards – Oscar Worthy Looks

Sandra Bullock – Vanity Fair – WireImage

The glitz! The glamour! Oh my! The fashions on the red carpet are always a treat. And the Oscars are the grand dame of them all. The 82nd Academy Awards show did not disappoint. It is a sheer pleasure to watch the celebrities get all dressed up and showcase glamour for glamour’s sake. We can sense their anticipation and excitement for the evening’s results and fanfare. Most of us will never have the opportunity to get quite as glammed up as those in the entertainment business. So, the awards show is our chance to live vicariously through our favorite celebrities. We get to fantasize about what we might wear if we were walking down the red carpet. We get to see some of the latest trends for special occasion dressing; even noting the beauty and accessory trends. And so, when the time comes for us to get dressed up, we now have a visual reference in our mind thanks to these women, their stylist, and fashion designers. The red carpet at the Oscars is a global runway; let’s watch and learn!

The fashions extravaganza for the Academy Awards is a worldwide event that definitely proves to highlight and celebrate the powerful aesthetics of being a woman. The most favorite moments are those on the red carpet when these ideal models of beauty make themselves approachable to the public. Here are my top five choices (plus a bonus) for best overall look:

RACHEL McADAMS

Rachel McAdams – WWD – Donato Sardella

Rachel McAdams – InStyle – Kyle Rover

Actress Rachel McAdams was one of the presenters at the 2010 Oscars and she looked absolutely gorgeous on Sunday! Her fresh contemporary approach to red carpet glamour was a huge success. She actually seemed to float down the red carpet rather than walk. The Elie Saab Couture water-colored floral print fabric was stunning and fortunately did not overpower her body frame or her romantic facial features. The mixed color palette of predominately blues, greens and pinks was not only perfect on her, but it was also perfect for the current transitional season. The criss-crossed bodice alluded to a cinched in waistline while the full skirt was not puffy, but rather swept gracefully away from her body and moved beautifully down the long red carpet. The intricately carved and embellished diamond Lorraine Schwartz earrings were a spectacular choice. Although they were large in size, they did not visually distract the audience from her lovely face. Her soft and neutral makeup plus her relaxed updo hairstyle complimented and completed her ensemble wonderfully – nothing was fussy or overdone. Simply divine!

DEMI MOORE

Demi Moore – InStyle – Jason Merritt – Getty Images

Demi Moore – InStyle – Jen Lowery – Splash News

Actress Demi Moore was also a presenter at last night’s awards show. This was another example of a very successful cohesive red carpet look that worked really well specifically for Demi. I particularly fell in love with the mixed blush tones of fabric segments overlapping each other at the fitted bodice and then they transcend into rows of ruffled silk organza down the skirt. These exact shades of nudes in this Atelier Versace gown are absolutely brilliant with Demi’s skin tone. The colors bring forth all the different natural and flattering shades she already possesses in her complexion. These specific nude colors do not wash her out. Plus the proportions of each strip of fabric used in the bodice, as well as, those displayed within the ruffles at the skirt worked exceptionally well in relation to her lean body frame and delicate facial features. It was also nice to see Demi exhibiting a softer wavy hairstyle rather than her usual severe sleek straight tresses. It was not only a nice changeup for her in general, but the hairstyle worked well with the modern romantic essence of her gown.

KRISTEN STEWART

Kristen Stewart – Huffington Post – Getty Images

Kristen Stewart – Huffington Post – Getty Images

Kristen Stewart wore a dramatic gown that did not overwhelm her youth or her straight body frame. That is a challenging feat! Although I am sure the midnight blue color really brought forth her amazing green eyes, it did not read well on camera or in print. The design details, particularly within the sculpted bodice, were really challenging for the audience to see. In spite of this, I thought this was a great choice for her. The sweetheart neckline on this Monique Lhuillier gown and the banded waist subset with the fitted trumpet skirt provided her with some really feminine curves. Kristen often wears dress shapes that play into her boyish body frame and design details that coincide with edgier personality traits which often suit her so well but, this was a nice change for this very special event. Her hair and makeup were youthful and modern too. This cohesion translated well to viewers. Her beauty seemed stunning, appropriate, yet still very approachable.

SANDRA BULLOCK

Sandra Bullock – Huffington Post – Getty Images

Sandra Bullock – InStyle – Kevin Mazur – WireImage

It was most certainly a memorable evening for Oscar winning actress, Sandra Bullock. At first glance, I was a little disappointed with the dress she chose to wear to the Academy Awards. I remember thinking that if she won the award that her dress will be the same color as the statue – almost a mini-version of her presence on the red carpet. Hmmm… But then, I succumbed. And thereafter, I couldn’t imagine her in anything else on this special occasion. The Marchesa dress style was undeniably gorgeous. It fit to perfection. She looked like liquid gold walking down the red carpet and on the winner’s podium. She actually glowed on television and this was before she even won the Best Actress award. The beaded gown had an embroidered illusion bodice and a delicate cap sleeve. The mixed metallic’s seemed to change color depending upon the light. I thought the juxtaposition between the subdued color schemes of the dress with the vibrant pink-red Chanel Rouge Coco in Paris lipstick was divine. The lipstick color brought forward her stunning face. And finally, when she said that the jewelry she was wearing were all sentimental gifts from her husband over the years and they even complimented the dress…well, that made me realize she not only won me over with her choice in attire, but also that she was oozing ‘winner’ as soon as she stepped out onto the red carpet.

VERA FARMIGA

Vera Farmiga – HuffingtonPost – Getty Images

Vera Farmiga – HuffingtonPost – Getty Images

Best supporting actress nominee, Vera Farmiga also chose to wear a dress designed by Marchesa. I found her overall look to be a winner. There are so few who could successfully pull off this statement making gown – the design is bold and the color is bold. That is a lot visual stimuli within a dress and to not have it take away from her natural beauty was a feat. In short, that was a lot of dress. But she did it! My favorite part was actually the color. An undeniably vibrant shade of pink fuchsia. Positively memorable. The color itself was not only beautiful and attention grabbing but, more importantly, it brought forth her dazzling blue eyes and flawless complexion. The elaborate sculpted pleated wave ruffles cascaded down the strapless column dress. It was a lovely surprise that these design details did not make Vera appear shorter in stature but, rather they made her 5’5” height appear 5’10”. Amazing!

KATHRYN BIGELOW

Kathryn Bigelow – WWD – Donato Sardella

I will start off by saying that I did not like this dress for the now Academy Award winning director, Kathryn Bigelow. I think there were more flattering design options for her. But, if you are going to wear a wrinkle prone silk satin column gown then, she has the ideal body type to do so – tall and lean. The titanium color was nice on her and the embroidered bodice of this Yves Saint Laurent dress was crafted beautifully. Did Katheryn look terrible? No, not at all. I don’t think that she could look terrible. But more important than the dress is the fact that she is an example of a vibrant, sexy, smart, confident, approachable 58 year old modern day business woman. Yes, 58! Hard to believe. It is an obvious fact to me and others that her creative business acumen and no-nonsense approach to beauty is inspirational.

These are my top five picks for best overall looks at the Oscars this year. I find it visually inspiring when these women in the entertainment business don’t conform to the masses – that they select dresses and complimentary accessories and beauty trends that work well specifically for them…and that they are still trying to look like themselves while dressed for uncommon circumstances. Even more exciting is when they further showcase to the public (and directors) via clothes a glimpse into other aspects of their personalities – perhaps something that we haven’t seen quite yet but will look forward to in a future role. And after they walk down the red carpet, we clearly know that they have given us a clue into more of who they are and what they want.

Okay, your turn! You know you want to give us your opinion! Who did you think looked great and who didn’t on the red carpet?