Despite James Franco and Anne Hathaway’s lackluster performance as this year’s hosts of the Academy Awards, the nominees managed to really bring it on the red carpet. I found myself loving almost every outfit choice, which made this post’s best and worst categories harder for me to differentiate than usual.

BEST DRESSED:

Natalie Portman

 

I couldn’t be happier that Natalie Portman won Best Actress for her performance in “Black Swan” and she couldn’t have looked more beautiful while doing so. Her plum Rodarte gown (who also designed all of her looks in the movie) worked wonderfully with her Tiffany tassel earrings and Jimmy Choo heels. She looked positively glowing, as her baby bump becomes all the more apparent.

Reese Witherspoon

I love everything about Reese’s look. Her Giorgio Armani Prive gown looks amazing with her old Hollywood hair style, all accented by her minimal jewelry: earrings and a few bangles. The whole look has a very vintage feel and she pulled it off effortlessly.

Sandra Bullock

I literally gasped when I saw Sandra walk on stage to present. Last year’s Best Actress winner looked stunning in this red Vera Wang gown. I love the cut at the top of the dress and her nude/red lipstick sets the dress off very nicely. I’m not usually a fan of matchy-matchy, but the red clutch worked in this case.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth looks slightly like Barbie in this Calvin Klein gown, but she looked stunning. Being a fan of sparkles this award season, I immediately loved her dress. The cut, color and sleekness of it went perfectly with her straightened locks and modest makeup. This look could seem too young for someone of Gwyneth’s age, but she completely pulled it off.

Mila Kunis

Mila is killing it this season and she continued to do so at the Oscars. This Ellie Saab gown was my favorite dress of the whole night. I was so excited when I saw that Mila decided to wear Ellie Saab. While most see his dresses as a safe choice, I think the lacy, lavender gown is a bit of a risk. The peaks of skin and lace detail looked lovely, as did her loose up do.

Michelle Williams

This dress is such an improvement from her SAG and Golden Globes choices, and I couldn’t be happier. Chanel never disappoints and Michelle looks simply lovely with her pixie cut and studded diamond earrings.

Hailee Steinfeld

This girl is becoming my new favorite actresses. She helped designed the Marchesa gown she wore and I don’t think it could be more perfect. The pale pink and tutu skirt say “princess” without it being too much. I love the beading that starts at the neckline and gradually descends and lessens toward the bottom of the dress. The little headband accentuates her sophisticated, yet young, up do perfectly. As nicely as her shoes match, I love the fact that she changed into bright red Converses for the after party. Hailee is quickly becoming a fashion icon and she is only 14 years-old. Although she didn’t win Best Supporting Actress, she has a lot to be proud of from her recent successes.

Amy Adams

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Amy looked gorgeous in L’wren Scott and I am obsessed with the emerald Cartier necklace and bracelet she is wearing. The blue dress really brings out her eyes and looks amazing with her red hair.

Cate Blachett

Cate got a lot of negative reviews for her Givenchy gown, but I adore it. The dress has a very costume-like feel to it- its ethereal and Cate brings the beautiful beading justice. I love the flow effect at the end of the dress and especially like how the short sleeves don’t close. It’s unique and one of my favorites of the night.

WORST DRESSED:

Nicole Kidman

I tried my hardest to like this Christian Dior gown, but just couldn’t. I understand that its Asian-inspired, but the choker and orange heels are too much for me. I don’t like the folding up of the dress or the embroidery. Nicole is so beautiful  and her performance in “Rabbit Hole” earned her a Best Actress nomination, I just wish her dress reflected her talent more.

Helen Mirren

Oh Helen. This dress so terrible thaat I don’t even know where to begin. It looks like she’s a bridesmaid. The color does nothing for her and the big necklace looks awkward with the shoulder accents and the length of the neckline. I’m not really a fan of trains and I don’t like it on this Vivienne Westwood gown either.

Melissa Leo

The Best Supporting Actress winner did not do so when it came to her red carpet attire. I like the concept of the Marc Bouwer dress- the design and color aren’t bad, but I hate the short sleeves and strange collar. Something different with her hair also would have been nice, it looks a bit plain.

Sharon Stone

Why was Sharon Stone at the Oscars? She looks scary to me in this dress. I don’t like the feathers combined with the one shoulder look. I’m sure it looked better in person, but the Dior gown almost looks like it has a cheap quality to it in pictures. I also wish her lipstick wasn’t as matte looking.

 Marisa Tomei

I cringed when I saw Marisa in this dress.  It doesn’t fit her right and is just too much. I love the fact that it’s a vintage Charles James Couture, but it did nothing for her.  I like the color, but again, the bottom half of the dress is too much and the top is not flattering.

Florence Welch

I love Florence and the Machine, but couldn’t hate this dress more. It seems like something my grandma would wear- it is frumpy and the ruffles are too overdone. I actually don’t mind the top half of the dress but I hate the bottom of the Valentino gown. The material even looks like it would feel itchy and awful.

Dale Dickey

I’m 99.9% sure that Taylor Swift wore this dress to the Grammys last year. In my opinion, this dress is too young for Dale. After seeing it on 20 year old, blonde Taylor, the dress does nothing for Dale.

Kim Giordano can be reached at [email protected].