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February 28, 2016

The Best, Worst, and Sparkliest Oscars Looks

By Véronique Hyland

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Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images; Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Everyone seemed to get the Neely O’Hara memo at the 2016 Academy Awards: If your dress wasn’t sparkly, you were presumably denied entry to the Dolby Theatre. Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander dazzled, stunned, and all those other press-release verbs in canary yellow Louis Vuitton with a liberal sprinkling of silver sequins, while Saoirse Ronan opted for all-over emerald paillettes by Calvin Klein Collection. They were joined by fellow glitter fanatics Daisy Ridley in Chanel Haute Couture, Emily Blunt in Prada, Brie Larson in a shiny Gucci belt, and Naomi Watts in a twinkly Armani column.

Other trends of the night included plunging necklines, sky-high slits, and, courtesy of Lady Gaga, the wonder that is “secret pants.” Click through the slideshow to see all the night’s hits and misses.

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1 / 14 Photos
Most Divisive Hem: Alicia Vikander in Custom Louis Vuitton Belle memes aside, Vikander continued her winning red-carpet street in custom Louis Vu... Most Divisive Hem: Alicia Vikander in Custom Louis Vuitton Belle memes aside, Vikander continued her winning red-carpet street in custom Louis Vuitton (she’s the face of the house.) Her sequined yellow tea-length dress was unexpected, though its bubble hem was definitely divisive on Twitter. Photo: Jason Merritt/2016 Getty Images
Most Grown-Up: Saoirse Ronan in Custom Calvin Klein Collection Where did the time go? The Brooklyn star adopted her most adult look yet- body-hug... Most Grown-Up: Saoirse Ronan in Custom Calvin Klein Collection Where did the time go? The Brooklyn star adopted her most adult look yet- body-hugging green sequins (which Ronan said she wore in tribute to her native Ireland), quirklily mismatched earrings, and bombshell hair and makeup. We'd like to think she took a page from her appearance on the cover of our fashion issue. Photo: Jason Merritt/2016 Getty Images
Best Secret Pants: Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell She has worn her stylist’s designs on the red carpet before, and this time Gaga selected Maxwell’... Best Secret Pants: Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell She has worn her stylist’s designs on the red carpet before, and this time Gaga selected Maxwell’s jumpsuit gown with “secret pants” — among five custom designs he made for her. It’s one of the most walkable ensembles Mother Monster has probably ever worn, and she certainly seemed jazzed about it. Photo: VALERIE MACON
Most Disappointing Full-Length Shot: Brie Larson in Gucci Points for the deep blue tone and the fashion-forward slip dress bodice. But the jewele... Most Disappointing Full-Length Shot: Brie Larson in Gucci Points for the deep blue tone and the fashion-forward slip dress bodice. But the jeweled belt and ruffled skirt soured us on the look. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/2016 Jeff Kravitz
Biggest Miss: Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace This was a rare miss for the usually on-point Washington: the bodice was a breastplate meets a ... Biggest Miss: Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace This was a rare miss for the usually on-point Washington: the bodice was a breastplate meets a butcher’s apron (and looked misaligned), and the side slit was a little too Ashley Judd for our tastes.    Photo: Jason Merritt/2016 Getty Images
Latest: Jennifer Lawrence in Dior We almost missed Lawrence on the red carpet (the hashtag #wheresjlaw was even popping up.) Considering all that... Latest: Jennifer Lawrence in Dior We almost missed Lawrence on the red carpet (the hashtag #wheresjlaw was even popping up.) Considering all that anticipation, we were kinda "meh" on her eventual entrance in this lacy Dior. It's not bad, but still far from her most memorable look. Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage
Best Piping: Jared Leto in Gucci Leto incorporated a different kind of pipe into his lifestyle with a piped black tux and a rosette in place of h... Best Piping: Jared Leto in Gucci Leto incorporated a different kind of pipe into his lifestyle with a piped black tux and a rosette in place of his customary bow tie. Plus, he accessorized with Gucci designer Alessandro Michele.  Photo: Jason Merritt/2016 Getty Images
Best '70s Throwback: Rachel McAdams in August Getty Atelier McAdams is light-years away from her schlumpy newsroom attire in Spotlight in this st... Best '70s Throwback: Rachel McAdams in August Getty Atelier McAdams is light-years away from her schlumpy newsroom attire in Spotlight in this stately high-necked, high-slit number. Bonus points for choosing a lesser-known designer for the big night. Photo: VALERIE MACON
Best Plunging V: Charlize Theron in Dior We saw Charlize Theron doing a shot on the red carpet, presumably toasting to her own slayage in this sc... Best Plunging V: Charlize Theron in Dior We saw Charlize Theron doing a shot on the red carpet, presumably toasting to her own slayage in this scarlet Dior gown that only her mile-long form could do justice. Photo: Jason Merritt/2016 Getty Images
Most Groundbreaking Florals: Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé Blanchett can always be counted on to do something different, and here she mad... Most Groundbreaking Florals: Cate Blanchett in Armani Privé Blanchett can always be counted on to do something different, and here she made the tired concept of a flower-bedecked dress look new and even a little avant-garde. Photo: Jason Merritt/2016 Getty Images
Worst Oil Slick: Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren When you're there to cheer on noted environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio, this motif seems like a mis... Worst Oil Slick: Kate Winslet in Ralph Lauren When you're there to cheer on noted environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio, this motif seems like a misfire. Photo: Jason Merritt/2016 Getty Images
Most Glowing Pregnant Woman: Chrissy Teigen in Marchesa As much as it probably sucks to be pregnant at the Oscars (man, the foot-swelling alone),... Most Glowing Pregnant Woman: Chrissy Teigen in Marchesa As much as it probably sucks to be pregnant at the Oscars (man, the foot-swelling alone), everyone's favorite cheese-wheel-loving cool girl made it look easy in rosy Marchesa--and John Legend holding her train didn't hurt. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/2016 Jeff Kravitz
Most Not Tilda Swinton, Ahem: Sandy Powell Embarrassingly identified as Tilda Swinton by E's commenters, the Carol costume designer looked like ... Most Not Tilda Swinton, Ahem: Sandy Powell Embarrassingly identified as Tilda Swinton by E's commenters, the Carol costume designer looked like a cross between Bowie and Vivienne Westwood in her smart, shiny suit and red cropped 'do. Photo: Todd Williamson/2016 Todd Williamson
Worst Bridesmaid Dress Reject: Heidi Klum in Versace Serious question: are they just making her wear Project Runway castoffs now? Photo: Todd Wi... Worst Bridesmaid Dress Reject: Heidi Klum in Versace Serious question: are they just making her wear Project Runway castoffs now? Photo: Todd Williamson/2016 Todd Williamson
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Tags:

  • alicia vikander
  • fashions
  • fame
  • academy awards
  • oscars 2016
  • red carpet derby
  • oscars fashion
  • lady gaga
  • kerry washington
  • jennifer lawrence
  • saiorse ronan
  • charlize theron
  • rachel mcadams
  • sandy powell
  • jared leto
  • cate blanchett
  • brie larson
  • heidi klum
  • chrissy teigen
  • More

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