• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
  • The Cut Shop
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • The State of the Uterus
  • Parenting
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Horoscopes
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
  • Curbed
February 28, 2016

The Best, Worst, and Sparkliest Oscars Looks

By Véronique Hyland

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
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.

View
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
1 / 14

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

More Galleries

met gala 2023 May 2, 2023
Met Gala 2023: All the Looks  See all the dresses, some on-theme and some, well, not so much — honoring Karl Lagerfeld at the Met Gala. 
By Brooke LaMantia
oscars 2023 Mar. 12, 2023
Oscars Red Carpet 2023: Every Look  Rihanna! Florence Pugh! Michelle Yeoh! They’re all here. 
celebrity Feb. 19, 2023
All the Best Looks From the 2023 BAFTAs Red Carpet  Florence Pugh, Barry Keoghan, and Angela Bassett brought color to the red carpet. 
grammys 2023 Feb. 5, 2023
Every Look From the 2023 Grammys Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Adele, Doja Cat, Jack Harlow, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, and more.
By Brooke LaMantia
Jan. 10, 2023
All the Looks From the 2023 Golden Globes  Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jenna Ortega, Jessica Chastain, Julia Garner, Jeremy Allen White, Angela Bassett, and more. 
parties! Sept. 23, 2022
Katie Holmes, Chloë Sevigny, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week  Chanel, Mejuri, and more celebrate. 
parties! Sept. 16, 2022
Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week  Fendi, Frame, and Coach all celebrated NYFW. 
emmys 2022 Sept. 12, 2022
Emmys 2022: All the Red Carpet Looks  Updating: What Hollywood is wearing to the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards. 
By Olivia Luppino
nyfw spring 2023 Sept. 9, 2022
Gigi Hadid, Chlöe Bailey, and More of the Bestest Party Pics of the Week  Saks Fifth Avenue, Longchamp, and more celebrate the beginning of NYFW. 
rip Sept. 9, 2022
The Queen Sure Did Love to Color-Coordinate  Monochrome for decades. 
red carpet Sept. 6, 2022
The Venice Film Festival Is a Major Fashion Event  Valentino and Gucci and Armani, oh my. 
red carpet June 5, 2022
All the Best Looks at the 2022 MTV Movie and TV Awards  Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Hudgens, Jay Ellis, and more! 
parties! May 20, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Harry Styles > everyone! 
parties! May 13, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Bury me in Dove Cameron’s Saint Sintra skirt. 
parties! May 6, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Cue the Met Gala after-party FOMO. 
met gala 2022 May 2, 2022
Met Gala 2022: All the Looks [Photos]  Billie Eilish, Kim Kardashian, Michelle Yeoh, Hailey Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Blake Lively, and more. 
parties! Apr. 29, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  This one goes to Olivia Rodrigo and her sweater vest. 
parties! Apr. 22, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  “Fuck those Zoom tops.” 
celebrity style Apr. 18, 2022
The Best Looks From Coachella 2022  From Harry Styles’s sparkling Gucci set to Megan Thee Stallion’s metallic bodysuit. 
style Apr. 13, 2022
A Look Inside the New Museum’s Spring Gala  Featuring all the best looks. 
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • About The Cut
  • About New York Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • We’re Hiring
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2023 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.