Red Carpet Recap: The Oscars

Let it be said, this year was a bit of a disappointment. There wasn't anything I just died over. Sure, people looked beautiful and the dresses were stunning, but there was no major red carpet moment for me. So today I'll be providing commentary in three categories - Downright Ugly, I Expected More, and After-party Acceptable.

Downright Ugly

Jared Leto got all sorts of props for doing something different on the red carpet. The only thing I can commend him for is at least being smart enough to leave the cape to his matador outfit at home. Ole!

Heidi has now given us license to use the term "butter dress." Everything is great, but-her dress. It's like a 70s prom corsage ate a blow-up pill (you know the ones you used to put in the bathtub as a kid)and expanded all over her body.



If David Bowie and Elton John had a baby this might be what it would wear. 

The red carpet pundits were all over this Givenchy doily...I mean gown...me, not so much. And while her hair looked beautiful from behind, I HATED it from the front. I feel like I'm about to be attacked by a summo wrestler....minus about 400 pounds.

 

I'm sorry Kerry Washington, there's no amount of side slit that's going to distract me from this Versace atrociousness. Were you going for the bridal dominatrix look? 

I Expected More

Hey, Rachel McAdams I give you major props for wearing a dress that you can't wear Spanx with...girl you got it going on, and the color is stunning, but this was all you could come up with? And you know it's going to wrinkle in a hot second.

 

J-Law...I get it, you didn't want anything too big to trip over...and you're kind of a big deal these days so you just need to show up...but really? Dior letdown.

This Louis Vuitton dress on the red carpet was stunning...and then you got a wide shot and were equally STUNNED (like a taser) by the bubble hem. 

Sweet Reese. this is so hard for me to say, I expected more. You wear the same version of the same dress year after year. I still love you. Now about those diamond bracelets...

After-party Acceptable

Mindy Kaling was party in the back with this little number. I loved this. The Oscars is like a wedding, go big or go home. When else can you wear a train or gigantic origami bow flowing from your backside? My point exactly.



Jennifer Garner is back on the market and looking oh so old Hollywood glam. Bennifer who? And can we talk about her toned arms and posture. She gives the actual Oscar award a statuesque run for its money.

 

All 55 years of Julianne Moore says eat your heart out (or maybe I haven't eaten in 6 weeks because I'm on the LA Oscar diet...but you get the idea). Damn Gina. Get on with your cut-out, plunging-v self. 



Cate Blanchett's dress was gorgeous, but it wouldn't ordinarily be a favorite for me. That being said, at least she got up this morning and said, "I'm going to the Oscars," and dressed accordingly. The color is stunning and her hair and makeup were equally well-done. I would, however, counsel her to lose the starfish bracelet.

And then I shocked myself. Lady Gaga's jumpsuit was one of my two favorite looks of the night. I wish "the girls" had a little more lift, but otherwise, this is how you wear a one piece to the Oscars. A far cry from her days of steak. 



Best dressed of the night goes to Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein. The cut, the color, the hair, the makeup and the jewelry scream movie star. And, if you watched the red carpet on E!, you saw how charming and fun she is in person...or at least in person on TV.

 

What were your favorites from the night? Did you think it was a bit of a bust like I did?

Golden Globes Red Carpet Recap

It's the official start of awards season, which means C & C is ready to be our most judgmental fashion police selves. There was a lot going on in terms of trends on last night's red carpet - vibrant coral reds, sequins and lace, to name a few. So let's get right to it...here are my best and worst dressed from last night's Golden Globes.

Let's start with the worst...I'm sorry, but just because you're in Alexander McQueen doesn't mean you can wear a dirty dish rag that was shredded by your washing machine..

Rooney Mara in Alexander McQueen

Amanda Peet in Alexander McQueen

Apparently Cate Blanchett and this other woman, who I had to google, took "evening wear" to heart. Cate, I expect so much more from you. And Catriona, I'm pretty sure my Barbie had that nightgown in the 80s.


Cate Blanchett In Givenchy

Caitriona Balfe

And then Eva Longoria did this...I love a properly placed bow, but these aren't that...and then she decided to bedazzle her hips. Caray!

Eva Longoria

 

Kate Hudson has a rocking body...but this was all wrong. If you watched the red carpet you would have seen that the three pieces are actually connected in the back...but that didn't do anything for the dress' ability to stay on her tiny self. She was pulling it up throughout her interview and the neck piece reminded me of the top of a figure skating outfit. You could easily lose a guy in ten days wearing this.



Kate Hudson in Michael Kors

 

Okay, enough with the criticism....on to my favorite looks of the night. You know we small-chested girls here at C & C love a good deep V....and this year's red carpet didn't disappoint.  This dress may be my most favorite of the entire night. I've never seen anything like it...and it has pockets!

 

Jaimie Alexander in Genny

Zendaya



Saoirse Ronan in Yves Saint Laurent



Jenna Dewan Tatum in Zuhair Murad



While this dress isn't particularly unique, you can never go wrong with Zac Posen. She looked absolutely stunning and I would wear this dress on a red carpet any day. Stunning.





Gina Rodriguez in Zac Posen



Let's end with Jennifer Lopez. I love her. I can't help it. And while I'm not a huge fan of this color (in fact it was the horrid color of our powder room before it was saved by wallpaper), she kind of killed it. A far cry from her usual sheer numbers, this was sexy in all the right ways without being revealing one bit...except a little leg. And if I had those legs I'd wear mini skirts EVERY. DAMN. DAY.

 

Jennifer Lopez in Giambattista Valli

What were your hits and misses from the night? 

Oscar Red Carpet Recap

Where to begin? Last night was the Super Bowl of fashion....and unlike this year's Super Bowl, in my opinion, there wasn't one clear winner. But there were some incredibly beautiful dresses. So instead of best and worst dressed (I'm going to play nice), I'm going with some general commentary on the night and trends from the red carpet. 

Let's start with the golden girls in my mind. I adore the simple silhouettes of Amy's and Jennifer's dresses. While Amy's hair wasn't my favorite, the flawless fit of her Gucci dress and the incredible Tiffany earrings were showstoppers, in the most understated way. And J. Law...what to say. Her imperfections (tripping on arrival) make her perfectly lovable - and this Dior might just be my favorite yet. I do love a good peplum. 

Black was back on the red carpet, and Emma Watson (Vera Wang), Charlize Theron (Dior), and Julia Roberts (Givenchy) prove that you can never go wrong with a LBD (long black dress). 

Neutral palettes abounded. While some might consider these dresses modest, I think they are stunning. Sarah Paulson (Elie Saub), Cate Blanchett (Giorgio Armani), and Sally Hawkins (Valentino) give new meaning to the word demure. Who needs plunging necklines and thigh-high slits? Embellish it all! 

Camilla Alves (can't for the life of me find the designer of her dress) and Penelope Cruz (Giambattista Valli) looked pretty in pink....and it worked. 

I love myself a good plunging neckline (aka, I'm not well endowed so it's the anti-cleavage). And Lupita Nyong'o (Prada) and Kate Hudson (Versace) made every girl out there wish she was flat chested. If I had to pick a best dressed, Lupita would be my girl. Especially if you factor in her incredible acceptance speech. I'll forgive her for that headband. 

And it wouldn't be an awards show without the ever-trending baby bump. As much as it pains me to say this, Kristin Cavallari (Alexander McQueen) takes home the golden baby, followed in close second by Olivia Wilde (Valentino). I'm not sure what has happened to Kerry Washington...I think her prego brain has translated into one giant fashion brain fart (this isn't the first time). Her makeup and hair were flawless, but this looks like a Frette satin bed sheet held together with a bedazzled swarovski crystal bobby pin (okay, I couldn't make it through the entire post with out a little cattiness). 

And I leave you with two special shout outs. Bette Midler, the wind was definitely "beneath your wings" in this Reem Acra. It's good up close, and "from a distance." "The rose" color is perfection against your porcelain skin. You "boogie woogie bugle boy" the night away. 

Frank, I mean Kevin, you make this nah-vey tuxado look mahvalous. I'm seriously rethinking our wedding choices...you know I would have gone there. 

And that, my friends, is a wrap. Who were your favorites?