Credits

Oscar Fashion Point/Counterpoint

Murder at the Academy Awards
It’s been nearly two weeks since the Oscars telecast, but our two movie loving librarians are still discussing everything about the awards, including the (sometimes questionable) attire of the crowd. Two years ago, they gave their opinions (both good and bad) on the fashion, and once again, they are here to share their thoughts. Read further down for a list of Academy Award and fashion resources at the library.

Marialice’s Turn
So many award show, so little time to be critical.
So lets start right out with the “what were they thinking category?”.

  • Oprah Winfrey–Yikes–she must have gained weight after picking out that dress. She was certainly spilling over on top.
  • Marisa Tomei–bad dress and bad hair.
  • Why did Amy Adams ruin her L’Wren Scott (Mick Jagger’s gal pal) beaded gown with a mismatched Cartier emerald necklace. What a waste of 1.35 million dollar gem!
  • Scartlett Johansson forgot to comb her hair for the big event and her doily dress was unattractive.
  • What can I say about Helena Bonham Carter except she is always a hot mess.
  • Hillary Swank looked far too plain. She needed some glitter.
  • Reese Witherspoon looked like my favorite Barbie doll from the ’60’s and not in a good way with that high ponytail.
  • Melissa Leo’s lacy looking dress was definitely a “no”.
  • My former girl crush Nicole Kidman (sorry Nikky) looked weird with those hippy dippy things sticking out from an otherwise pretty embroidered gown and great figure.
  • And I think Florence Welch stole my mother’s old curtains.
  • Why does Annette Bening always look so old? Personally I think its her hair. She needs a new stylist.
  • Cate Blanchett was wearing a bulls eye on her top. Why?
  • Sharon Stone–one word–scary!

Its much more fun to be negative, but I must credit where credit is due.

Laura’s Turn
I don’t know if I’m getting old and cranky, but there was a lot I didn’t like about the fashions, this year. I even disagreed with a lot of top critics, so either that means I know something they don’t, or I have no idea what I’m talking about. You decide.
My Least Favorites.

  • Mila Kunis: She was great in Black Swan. She’s hilarious on Family Guy. She was not great in this dress. The color is pretty and it had potential, but I was not digging the see through bottom, not to mention the lace things on top. I thought they were either tattoos or lace from undergarments of some kind. And yet, she made multiple best dressed lists. Even Joan Rivers liked it!
  • Reese Witherspoon: I actually liked this dress but the shoes and the hairdo prompted my fellow Oscar watchers to yell out, “Where’s Ken?”
  • Nicole Kidman: The top part of the dress isn’t bad, but the bottom part is just too bizarre. It is not flattering on her at all. Even she looks like she’s making fun of it in the picture that I linked.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow: I hope I’m never on an awards show because the E! Fashion Police will definitely rip apart whatever I wear. Once again, they loved something that I hated, and raved at this outfit. I thought it looked like a dress made out of aluminum foil.
  • Cate Blanchett: I completely agree what Marialice (and everyone else) said about that shield. However, I was most turned off by the spray of yellow on the shoulders. It looked like a stain.
  • Scarlett Johansson: Based on what I said about Mila Kunis, you may have already figured out that I’m not a fan of the see through dress. I also never think it’s a good idea to cut your hair with a chef’s knife.
  • Halle Berry: I can’t believe that I’m putting her on this list. Halle Berry can wear aluminum foil (unlike say Gwyneth Paltrow) and still look beautiful. However, I was not loving this dress. I liked the top part. (In fact, I loved that). However, there were too many ruffles on the bottom. Hillary Swank and Marisa Tomei also suffered from too much ruffles (Swank) and poufiness (Tomei).

Before you can say, “Laura, I’ve seen the way you dress and believe me you’re not one who should be criticizing other’s clothing”, I assure you that I did like some of the outfits.

  • Jennifer Hudson: I love Jennifer Hudson. She’s a great story and a wonderful talent. Not everyone can get away with wearing a revealing dress but she pulls it off and looks gorgeous, too. She’s excited to show off her new figure and why not? The color was gorgeous on her, as well.
  • Melissa Leo: This is again where I differ in opinion from everyone else. This outfit was not loved by most people but I thought she looked great in it. Not only was it age appropriate, it fit her figure well.
  • Hailee Steinfeld: Speaking of age appropriate, this young actress looked lovely in this dress. I never like when actresses who have barely hit puberty wear dresses that are more appropriate for women in their 20’s and 30’s. I would have loved a dress like this when I was her age.
  • Anne Hathaway and James Franco: I’m not here to try to claim that they did a great job at hosting, or even a very good job, but I thought they both looked lovely. Hathaway looked beautiful in all of her outfits, even her tuxedo. Franco is like the male Halle Berry in that he looks good in almost anything. (well, maybe not this)
  • Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem: If I look like that, shortly after giving birth, I will be very happy.
  • Natalie Portman: Speaking of giving birth, Portman looks amazing in this dress so soon before her due date. I definitely liked this look better than the one sported by her co-star, Mila Kunis.
  • Daphne Zuniga: I have no idea why she was there and I admit that I’m a little biased since I love the movie, Spaceballs, but I thought she looked great.

For more about the Oscars and fashion, check out these titles from the library: The Complete Book of Oscar Fashion by Reeve Chace; Made for Each Other: Fashion and the Academy Awards by Bronwyn Cosgrove; Murder at the Academy Awards: A Red Carpet Murder Mystery by Joan Rivers.

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