When the formerly androgynous Annie Lennox and multi-tattooed Angelina Jolie put their rough edges aside and drape themselves in gowns worthy of Old Hollywood you know it's a harbinger of feminine looks to come.
The best of the bunch at the 76th Oscars put an updated spin on vintage beauty with soft, smoky eyes, pale lips, waves or curls, small-scale jewels and golden tans.
Right in white
Best Supporting Actress, Renee Zellweger, looked Oscar-worthy in a white strapless satin dress from Carolina Herrera, pulled back hair and a small-scale diamond choker.
Angelia Jolie, tats and all, looked elegant draped in a plunging white satin gown with matching wrap from Marc Bouwer.
Sandra Bullock who usually plays it girl-next-door looked fantastic in a feathered gown from Oscar de la Renta. (See it on the runway in black.)
Sultry in satin
With her own low-key brand of smart chic, Best Director Sofia Coppola was camera ready in a sweet black gown with flutter sleeves from Marc Jacobs.
Scarlett Johansson joined the glam brigade in a a teal Alberta Ferretti and wavy hair.
Julia Roberts turned up the wattage with blond hair, a great glow and a sultry taupe Giorgo Armani gown gathered in the front with a brooch. One of the evening's most awkward fashion moments came when Joan Rivers (E!) asked Julia to turn around in her dress. The star obliged and then Joan asked the usually composed actressed if she dieted, to which Julia stammered that she didn't really diet and wondered aloud if she should.
But Nicole Kidman, with her fabulous slate couture Chanel gown, loose curly updo and simple choker was clearly the fashion belle of the ball.
Gilded Goddesses
Best Actress Charlize Theron was movie star perfection with a golden tan, '20s bobbed waves and a slinky beaded gown from Gucci.
Naomi Watts sparkled in a strapless beaded Versace. And Patricia Clarkson also took up the gold rush in a pretty Bill Blass that fit her perfectly.
Packing punch
Jennifer Garner's orange goddess gown, vintage Valentino, was one-shoulder genius. Her banged updo was held with a pretty barrette and her peach-hued makeup complimented beautifully.
Liv Tyler was amazing in black Givenchy couture and Catherine Zeta-Jones chose a bright red Versace which played off her striking coloring;
Not this time...
Uma Thurman, who usually looks outrageously gorgeously managed to look unbelievably weird in a voluminous white and brocade garb. What a shame!
Somebody must've forgotten to tell Kelly Lynch that runway finale dresses are mostly for show. She turned out in a Zac Posen design which was a lot of dress for just one woman: a bright blue, peek-a-boo slits in front and cascading ruffles in back. See in on the runway .
Diane Keaton, in her broken-record Annie Hall style, showed up looking beyond quirky with her Ralph Lauren getup. Makes you wonder if she has something against looking presentable...
The guys
If the women were glamorous, the men didn't stray too far from the traditional tux.
For variety, Johnny Depp mixed a large-collared shirt with a shawl-collared jacket and Tom Hanks went with the white shirt with white tie look.
Jude Law stole the show as the suavest man in a traditional tux and bowtie.
In
- Hybrids (Toyota Prius --Susan Sarandon's and Tim Robbins' ride of choice)
- Short, choker necklaces
- Gold
- Hot couples (Will Smith and Jada, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins,
- Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis)
- Glow (Sandra Bullock, Charlize Theron, Julia Roberts)
- Long, curly locks
- Trains on dresses
- Limos
- Layered necklaces
- Silver
- Coming with your parents
- Pale
- Messy or straight hair
- Short formal dresses
Out
