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red carpet

Best and Worst Dressed at the 2019 Oscars

 

With its lack of host, endless organizational stumbles and too-close-to-call categories, no one really knew what to expect from the 2019 Oscars. But it turns out the big surprises came on the red carpet. It was a night filled with whimsy, colour, ruffles, shapes – and SO MUCH HOT PINK. Check out our picks for the best and worst looks of the night at the 91st annual Academy Awards:

BEST DRESSED AT THE 2019 OSCARS:

Jen: I thought Jennifer Lopez was going to be my favourite metallic look of the night until I saw Brie Larson‘s outfit, which I think edges out JLo’s because there’s clear strategy behind it. This is exactly what Larson needed to do before her big debut as Captain Marvel: look great but also like a goddamn superhero who can kick anyone’s ass. She rises to the task with this sexy, slinky Celine that fits her like armour. Take that, haters!

 

Nicole: Emma Stone’s Louis Vuitton gown is elegant and sculptural, with sleeves that look like tiny wings and sequined material that clings to her. I love that the sequins are layered so they didn’t lay flat. It fits perfectly and she keeps her accessories and makeup to a minimum to let the gown do all the work. It a bit of a weird look which is appropriate given the film she’s nominated for (The Favourite, which is also lovely and weird) and it feels like a grown-up choice. Love.

 

Jen: Yellow is a hard look to pull off on the carpet, but when it works it’s spectacular. Constance Wu‘s marigold Versace gives me memories of Michelle Williams’ iconic Vera Wang moment during Brokeback Mountain’s year and I heart it.

 

Nicole: I adore Rachel Weisz’s Givenchy gown. It’s a conventionally pretty gown with a flowing skirt – and then it’s topped with A HOT RED PLEATHER CROP TOP. God, I love writing those words. I’m on a real red tear right now so this immediately plays to my style obsession, plus the contrast of materials both in texture and shape make this such a daring and cool choice. She keeps her accessories tone-on-tone, opting for a black manicure and simple makeup. The headband brings the whole look back to feminine. Again, this weird gown feels wildly appropriate given the film she’s nominated for.

 

Jen: When I first saw Amy Adams I was disappointed by the colour because it felt too bridal and boring to me. But every time I caught another glimpse of her Versace dress, I feel more and more in love. I still wish it was in a brighter hue (paired with a stronger lip), but the fit is impeccable and it photographs SO well.

 

Nicole: Oh my god, Sarah Paulson in Brandon Maxwell is so awesome (I was going to write weird, but I have to stop calling all these amazing gowns weird). It’s the colour of the night and the shape is both unconventional and voluminous but also immensely flattering. Sarah is styled by Karla Welch, who often takes calculated risks with her clients (see also Tracee Ellis Ross in the same colour and volume of dress several times this year), however although she’s really pulled towards this colour and shape for her clients, this is one of the best iterations because it manages to be super interesting and lovely.

 

Jen: Pink was the surprise colour of the night, but IMO no one did it better than Gemma Chan in Valentino. Unlike Linda Cardellini‘s fuschia moment, Gemma’s wearing the dress instead of the dress wearing her. I think you have to be a “fashion” girl to really pull this off, and no one has been rocking couture this awards season as well Gemma. Plus it looks really comfortable and it has pockets (and she was using it to hide COOKIES!!), which always gets bonus points from me!

 

Nicole: Helen Mirren is so hot in this simple, flowing, vibrant pink Schiaparelli gown with a tulle overlay. It’s feminine, fresh and pretty. I’m not sure why people on social media were going after her makeup – I was so happy to see a bright lip on the red carpet. *sets out fuchsia lipstick for tomorrow*

 

Jen: Billy Porter hosted the Oscar red carpet preshow but he stole the entire show in this in voluminous Christian Siriano number. I could watch him spin all night long. Werrkkk!

 

Nicole: When I first saw Angela Bassett on the red carpet, I wrote “wowza” in my notes. I adore the structure of this fuchsia Reem Acra gown and although I wish the material looked less wrinkled, the shape is immensely flattering, the flowing low pony is so feminine and she looks every inch a goddess.

 

WORST DRESSED AT THE 2019 OSCARS:

 

Nicole: Glenn Close actually looks like she is wearing a 42lb gown – which she is. I feel like this Carolina Herrera gown is heavy, not at all flattering and it comes across like she is trying way too hard. When I think about Helen Mirren’s simple and flattering gown and hold the two side by side, Glenn looks overwhelmed. I guess 4 million beads will do that to a woman.

 

Jen: I had high, high expectations for Lady Gaga – if only because I assumed she would bring the weirdness. So imagine my disappointment when she showed up in this understated, underwhelming McQueen, with oddly jutting hips as its only distinguishing feature. She doesn’t even give us a bold red lip! At least the infamous Tiffany necklace is stunning.

 

Nicole: I actually like Melissa McCarthy’s Brandon Maxwell… outfit? I mean, I can’t call it a gown because IT’S PANTS. At the Academy Awards. I was a bit heartbroken because otherwise the shape is perfect, the colour suits her and the cape is amazing!

 

Jen: If Gemma Chan is my fave pink look of the night, then Kacey Musgraves is my least fave. She gets lost in this fluffy, cotton candy coloured mess of a Giambattista Valli gown. Tiered tulle is nobody’s friend.

 

Nicole: I want to love Charlize Theron’s Dior gown but damn. Although it highlights her tall, lean shape, the open back is not flattering and her whole (I’m guessing?) braless situation does not work. I also feel like the colour is doing her no favours. At least there isn’t a weird back strap on her dress like Irina Shayk’s. So there’s that.

 

Jen: No other nominee had a fairy tale narrative like Roma’s Yalitza Aparicio – but that doesn’t mean she had to dress like a princess. I wanted so much for her…and this Rodarte wasn’t it.

 

 

Emmy Awards 2018: Best and Worst Dressed

Magenta, yellows and metallics were the big themes at Monday night’s Emmy Awards red carpet. There were also a lot of bold colours, plunging necklines and familiar designers (when in doubt, it was probably a Christian Siriano dress). Below, Nicole and I reveal our picks for the best and worst
of the Emmys red carpet.

BEST DRESSED AT THE 2018 EMMYS:

Jen: Mandy Moore is the undisputed red carpet winner (at least according to my Twitter feed) thanks to this absolutely stunning metallic custom Rodarte creation. This Is Us? More like This Is Great!

 

Nicole: There’s no question that Tracee Ellis Ross loves fushia! Wearing the same colour as her beautiful 2018 Met Gala gown, she gravitates again to a voluminous gown — this time by Maison Valentino. This shape and colour could easily overpower anyone else but she glows on the red carpet in this amazing creation.

 

Jen: Keri Russell deserved the Emmy award for her outstanding, heart wrenching performance during the last season of The Americans. (That scene on the train? Kill me.) But the chances of her picking up the hardware she deserves were beyond slim (The Crown’s Claire Foy nabbed the best drama actress award) – so at least we can honour her for her amazing style. This Zuhair Murad dress is so cool, perfectly fit and edgy af.

 

Nicole: Chrissy Metz dazzles in this emerald-coloured John Paul Ataker gown. The fitted neckline is flattering and she glows in this colour. I love the dramatic bow! Gorgeous.

 

Jen: Look, people did not seem to appreciate Tiffany Haddish’s bold Prabal Gurung gown, which is inspired by the colours of the Eritrean flag, but I literally gasped with she did a twirl on the red carpet. And when’s the last time you could say that about an Emmy gown?

 

Nicole: My dream outfit for Leslie Jones is this iridescent suit by Christian Siriano. The statuesque Jones looks polished and sophisticated in this curve-hugging suit with flared pants. She is the best of many pants on the red carpet.

 

Jen: This is quirky, weird and unexpected – which is exactly on brand for Canada’s own Tatiana Maslany. She was one of the many stars who opted for a Christian Siriano creation.

 

Nicole: Jason Wu’s liquid metallic gown looks like it’s flowing on Constance Wu. It’s on trend but the neckline and shape make it perfectly unique and supremely flattering.

 

Jen: The Orange Is the New Black star Samira Wiley wows me in this sleek, cap-sleeved shimmering Jenny Packham number. So very, very flattering and hawt!

 

Nicole: Magenta and sparkles! Allison Janney is wearing the shit out of this Prabal Gurung gown. The fit is so flattering and the strong shoulder looks fresh and balances the deep slit. What a perfect look for her.

 

WORST DRESSED AT THE 2018 EMMYS:

Jen: I LOVE Betty Gilpin. She was the best thing in a great season of Glow. But man, I wanted more for her than this Vera Wang dress. It puckers weirdly in the front and is too tight around her back.

 

Nicole: Is it weird that I think this Delpozo would have been been fine in her Rory Gilmore days but as a badass Handmaid, this dress is too twee for Alexis Beldel? The fit is lovely but the butterflies kill it for me.

 

Jen: People on my Twitter feed really dig this Carolina Herrera gown on Goddess star Michelle Dockery, but I just don’t get this weirdly embellished, gauzy slip of a dress. And the hair disappoints.

 

Nicole, God I really wanted to love this! The neckline of her Ralph & Russo is so beautiful but as it falls below the waist, the material looks so cheap and wrinkled. They ironed out the bottom before Sandra Oh came out on stage to present, but it still didn’t save the dress when she was on the red carpet.

 

Jen: The Good Place star Kristen Bell isn’t the worst star on the red carpet by a long shot – but she is also supremely underwhelming, which may be even more disappointing. This dignified Solace London gown seems meant for an actress two decades older.

 

Nicole: This dress full on overwhelmed Taraji P Henson. The flowered Giambattista Valli print was so lovely but the high neckline and poufy layers were not flattering.

Emmys 2017: Best and Worst Dressed

emmys dresses fashion red carpet 2017

BEST DRESSED:

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I have such a crush on Gina Rodriguez (and not just because she did an Instagram story earlier today about doing chin-ups while getting ready), so I was praying she would come to play. And boy, did she ever with this webby red number. Slay, queen!      

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Lea Michele‘s Elie Saab dress is just the latest of the past few red carpets that is making me rethink my “I don’t like Elie Saab dresses” stance.  I wish her hair wasn’t so flat, but otherwise this is a great look for a presenter. Pretty and flattering without being spotlight-stealing.

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Viola Davis offered a jolt of orange in this bright custom Zac Posen dress. I mean, at this point she could probably wear anything and I’d love it, but this is a stunner.      

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I already know that some of you are going to be disagree but Tessa Thompson is probably my fave of the night. This shimmering, rainbow Rosie Assoulin dress took my breath away. The way it moved on camera was stunning. After toiling for years on TV, she’s about to take over the world in the new Thor movie and I, for one, can’t wait.      

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Another dress we are sure to fight about is Zoe Kravitz‘s feathery Dior. I’m not sure I would dig this on anyone else, but the Big Little Lies star somehow makes it work.    

 

WORST DRESSED:    

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Reese Witherspoon looks like that woman in a romcom who’s planning to surprise her boyfriend by showing up to his office wearing a trenchcoat and nothing else — but then she ends up walking into his meeting and embarrassing herself. Much like I feel she is doing here…    

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This should be Carrie Coon‘s night. She basically reigned over prestige TV this year with incredible performances in The Leftovers and Fargo. So why didn’t she seize the moment and slay the red carpet instead of opting for this droopy, forgettable Delpozo Resort gown?    

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I don’t think Issa Rae is one of the worst dressed of the night, but she made my list because she was *thisclose* to being the best. The colour is perfect, the hair is great, the makeup is on point, but the cut of this Vera Wang just doesn’t work. Those arm bands make it seem unfinished, or like someone tore off pieces of it before pushing her onto the carpet.    

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Keri Russell is very dramatic in a black feathered gown, but much like the last season of her show The Americans, I wanted something more. Just ok doesn’t cut it.

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Much like Carrie Coon, this has been Mandy Moore‘s year. After countless failed pilots, she finally (finally!) became a TV star by landing a leading role on the only network show to break through last year. So this should have been a triumphant Emmy appearance, but the white tier on the skirt of her Carolina Herrera dress is really failing her here.