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red carpet derby
February 26, 2017

The Best, Worst, and Most Headbanded Looks of the 2017 Oscars

By Véronique Hyland

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Photo: Getty Images

Whatever it says about the state America is in now, the patriotic combination of red, white, and blue dominated the Oscars red carpet this year. Red, this Fashion Month’s most fiery trend, was seen on nominees Viola Davis and Ruth Negga. Meanwhile, Naomie Harris and Felicity Jones were among the cohort disproving the idea that white is too bridal for the red carpet — and the blue came in the form of the ACLU ribbons dotting some attendees’ lapels.

Another standout tonight, perhaps inspired by the vintage feel of front-runner La La Land, were retro-inspired looks, like Kirsten Dunst’s ’50s-style Dior, Emma Stone’s ’20s-esque Givenchy, and Brie Larson’s stunning turn-of-the-century-style Oscar de la Renta.

And let’s not forget the accessories: One runway trend that made inroads onto the red carpet was the very un–Gossip Girl version of the headband, seen on Ruth Negga and Janelle Monáe. Also seen: mismatched shoes (on Harris), jaw-dropping necklaces (on Taraji P. Henson and Jessica Biel), and, er, red-carpet UGGs (on the stuffed pandas Jackie Chan brought with him on the step-and-repeat). To each his own!

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Freshest: Naomie Harris in Calvin Klein By Appointment The reason Harris looks so unstuffy and modern compared to much of the red-carpet crowd? H... Freshest: Naomie Harris in Calvin Klein By Appointment The reason Harris looks so unstuffy and modern compared to much of the red-carpet crowd? Her midriff-baring dress was designed by Calvin Klein's new chief, Raf Simons, who dressed four members of the Moonlight cast. And the mismatched shoes are a quirky touch. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Classiest Emergence From a Fashion Feud: Meryl Streep in Elie Saab After a war of words with Karl Lagerfeld this week, Streep kept things discree... Classiest Emergence From a Fashion Feud: Meryl Streep in Elie Saab After a war of words with Karl Lagerfeld this week, Streep kept things discreet in a tastefully embellished dress-over-pants ensemble. Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Best Pairing: Ruth Negga in Valentino and ACLU ribbon The Loving nominee was one of the first to show up on the red carpet and wore a Valentino g... Best Pairing: Ruth Negga in Valentino and ACLU ribbon The Loving nominee was one of the first to show up on the red carpet and wore a Valentino gown that ensured she’d be remembered for more than just her early arrival. Not only is the bright scarlet hue the biggest thing in Milan right now, but she managed to make a tricky runway trend — the Renaissance-style headband — look totally reasonable. She included a subtle political statement via a blue ACLU ribbon, worn by several attendees tonight. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Most Divisive: Dakota Johnson in Gucci Okay, some people on Twitter really hated this look, weird frontal piece and all. But we saw it as an homa... Most Divisive: Dakota Johnson in Gucci Okay, some people on Twitter really hated this look, weird frontal piece and all. But we saw it as an homage to Faye Dunaway's famous morning-after-the-Oscars look. Dakota is ready to be sitting by a hotel pool, head in her hands and fully over it. And honestly, aren't we all? Photo: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
Best “Comin’ Through!” Moment: Janelle Monáe in Elie Saab Couture Clear some room for the Hidden Figures and Moonlight star. Photo: Fraze... Best “Comin’ Through!” Moment: Janelle Monáe in Elie Saab Couture Clear some room for the Hidden Figures and Moonlight star. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Best Vintage Moment, Part 1: Kirsten Dunst in Dior While new, Dunst’s Maria Grazia Chiuri–designed gown channels the house's founding era with a ... Best Vintage Moment, Part 1: Kirsten Dunst in Dior While new, Dunst’s Maria Grazia Chiuri–designed gown channels the house's founding era with a '50s neckline and full skirt. Thankfully, it comes with a modern touch: pockets! Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Best Vintage Moment, Part 2: Emma Stone in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci We vastly prefer this flapper-esque gown to her overly litera... Best Vintage Moment, Part 2: Emma Stone in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci We vastly prefer this flapper-esque gown to her overly literal star-covered dress at the Golden Globes. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Best Vintage Moment, Part 3: Brie Larson in Oscar de la Renta In sweetheart-necklined black velvet, the presenter is evoking Sargent's infamous M... Best Vintage Moment, Part 3: Brie Larson in Oscar de la Renta In sweetheart-necklined black velvet, the presenter is evoking Sargent's infamous Madame X. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Doing Its Wearer the Fewest Favors: Felicity Jones in Dior Jones seems to have lost her red-carpet mojo lately, picking a dull-hued dress that do... Doing Its Wearer the Fewest Favors: Felicity Jones in Dior Jones seems to have lost her red-carpet mojo lately, picking a dull-hued dress that doesn’t exactly pop against her pale skin. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Most Va-Va-Voom: Taraji P. Henson in custom Alberta Ferretti Her leg-baring blue velvet stunner left the buttoned-up character she played in Hidd... Most Va-Va-Voom: Taraji P. Henson in custom Alberta Ferretti Her leg-baring blue velvet stunner left the buttoned-up character she played in Hidden Figures far behind. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Best Promo for the Live-Action Beauty and the Beast Movie: Leslie Mann in Zac Posen Her fanciful yellow gown had us humming "Tale as old as... Best Promo for the Live-Action Beauty and the Beast Movie: Leslie Mann in Zac Posen Her fanciful yellow gown had us humming "Tale as old as time ..." Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Goopiest Flashback: Karlie Kloss First a lifestyle brand, then a caped white Oscars gown — is she Single White Female-ing Gwyneth? Photo: Frazer... Goopiest Flashback: Karlie Kloss First a lifestyle brand, then a caped white Oscars gown — is she Single White Female-ing Gwyneth? Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Most Gilded: Jessica Biel in Kaufmanfranco "Gold is the color of the night," Biel declared on the red carpet. Well, red and white might... Most Gilded: Jessica Biel in Kaufmanfranco "Gold is the color of the night," Biel declared on the red carpet. Well, red and white might have something to say about that, but Biel's stately statuettelike look definitely stood out as one of her best. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Least Likely to Have Beef With Karl Lagerfeld: Pharrell Williams in Chanel Pharrell channeled the Kaiser's signature look for his Oscars appearan... Least Likely to Have Beef With Karl Lagerfeld: Pharrell Williams in Chanel Pharrell channeled the Kaiser's signature look for his Oscars appearance. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Blandest: Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton Considering she wore one of the best Oscars looks of all time — remember that fabulous canary-yellow... Blandest: Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton Considering she wore one of the best Oscars looks of all time — remember that fabulous canary-yellow Vera Wang? — we expected more than this from Williams. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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