My birthday excluded, Oscar night is my favorite night of the year. I love the glitz, the glamour, the prestige, the tradition and the ability to mercilessly judge the fashion from the comfort of my couch.
This year the Oscars were all about Chris Rock's commentary, Mad Max's sweep and Leo's long overdue win. But before all that went down, the main event happened outside the theater. The real competition takes place on the red carpet.
I must say, I haven't been blown away by anyone's style choices since Lupita Nyong'o during the 2014 awards season. This year my hope was renewed!
Without further ado, my list of the best and worst dressed at this year's Academy Awards.
BEST
1. Cate Blanchett - Cate Blanchett has always been a fashion risk taker. She turns heads on every red carpet and this year was no exception. I loved the ethereal look of this seafoam green Armani Prive gown. It had a beautiful neckline, a hip-hugging bodice and delicate appliques that provided texture and wow factor.
2. Alicia Vikander - "The Danish Girl" star not only won for her role in the film, she received praise up and down the red carpet for her Louis Vuitton dress. The yellow color was so unexpected and refreshing. The silver sparkles made it feel special and the high / low skirt was a fun detail. Within minutes the interwebs were buzzing with photos of Alicia as Belle from "Beauty and the Beast."
3. Brie Larson - The color of Brie's dress took my breath away. The rich, royal blue was stunning. The cinched waist with the studded belt was a great touch. The neckline was soft and feminine, as were the waves rippling down the skirt. Well done, Gucci.
4. Julianne Moore - Like Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore is also a recurring red carpet star. In the past she has worn blue, green, silver and gold, but last night she chose black. Not just any black, Chanel. The subtle sparkle on the necklice and the twinkling of her earrings were a perfect match.
5. Jennifer Lawrence - Of everyone on this list, Jennifer Lawrence is actually the only person I didn't see walk the red carpet. I saw her look during the first few minutes of the show. More than anything, I applaud her gorgeous hair - color, cut and style. Her Dior Haute Couture dress has an expertly structured top and a flirtiness about it with the tiered lace skirt.
6. Naomi Watts - Naomi Watts would look beautiful in a trash bag, but she looked particularly gorgeous in this sequined Armani Prive dress.
7. Tina Fey - I think Tina Fey looked the best she has ever looked on last night's red carpet. The purple color of her Versace dress was so pretty. The cinched waist showed off her figure and she paired it was a serious bauble (that necklace!) and a very sleek updo.
Now onto the really fun part, the people we love to hate, a.k.a. the worst dressed.
WORST
1. Lady Gaga - Between the Golden Globes, the Super Bowl and the Grammy's, Lady Gaga has been having quite a start to 2016. The Brandon Maxwell outfit she wore was half pants, half dress, but it was 100 percent hot mess.
2. Olivia Wilde - Let me begin by saying that I think Olivia Wilde is beautiful. Despite that natural beauty, she looked absurd in her cleavage-tastic Valentino Haute Couture outfit. There was way too much skin and the pleated skirt didn't match the rest of the look. And when did people start wearing chokers again?
3. Kerry Washington - We all bow down to Olivia Pope, but Olivia would never wear this. The gladiator top did not match the simple white bottom and her hair was all kinds of crazy. Was that a Snookie poof she was going for? This was a tragic fail.
4. Mindy Kaling - I hate to put Mindy on this list becuase she is my spirit animal, but this Elizabeth Kennedy dress was just not flattering at all. It was hugging in all the wrong places and I have no idea what was going on with all that extra fabric in the back. Why didn't she wear a Salvador Perez dress?
5. Heidi Klum - Heidi Klum used to be revered for her fashion sense as the lead judge on "Project Runway." How could she agree to wear this Versace dress which looks like an elementary school craft project?
I actually shudder looking at that dress. Ick.
So there you have it, fashionistas! My picks for 2016. I know some of you are thinking, "Where's Saoirse Ronan?" I know the masses swooned over her green Calvin Klein dress, but I felt the proportions were off. The top was too small and too narrow.
Tell me, who made your list?
*All images courtesy of Just Jared and E! Online.
