Leading Ladies of The Oscars 2011

Another Oscars ceremony has just passed by. We finally know who won, who didn’t and who delivered a quirky acceptance speech. But more importantly we now know what, and who, the Hollywood stars wore on the big night.

Here is a roundup up what the leading ladies wore last night at The Oscars 2011, including my favorite dresses, and others which I thought were well… a little less than perfect.

Cate Blanchett strutted her stuff last night at the Oscars in a Givenchy Couture dress, and although I saw this dress included among many ‘Best Dressed’ lists all over the web, it is definitely not one of my favorites. Although I think it suits her, this dress to me looks like something out of Star Trek.

Anne Hathaway wore this gorgeous Valentino scarlet gown; although this dress reminds us quite a bit of what Anna wore to the Oscars back in 2008, I think this dress is a winner. It is classic, glamorous and the color is just lovely for Anne’s complexion.

A sparkling purple, cap-sleeved gown by L’Wren Scott was Amy Adams‘ pick for the big night; she accessorized with gorgeous jewelry that apparently cost over $1 million, and which unfortunately did not go very well with the dress! I saw Amy’s entire look bashed both on TV and online this morning, and although I think she could have pulled it off better, I like the dress by itself. She over accessorized (with the wrong accessories) a dress which has enough glitter and sparkle to make a statement on its own.

I wanted to include this in my list first off because I totally love Colin Firth; I’ve had a crush on him ever since I saw him play Mr. Darcy, and second of all because he was the man on the night: the winner of the Best Actor award for his role in ‘The King’s Speech’. But it’s not about what Colin wore, it’s about what his beautiful wife Livia wore. She is in fact wearing a dress made from 11 recycled dresses, made by ethical designer Gary Harvey, all dresses from the era of ‘The King’s Speech’. Stunning and green!

Gwyneth Paltrow wore a metallic Calvin Klein Collection gown; although I am not a fan of metallic looks, Gwyneth totally rocked this dress and the whole look actually. With a jet straight hair do and minimal accessories, this is a winning look.

Halle Berry looks gorgeous in pretty much everything, although we have seen her break some major fashion rules in the past. Last night however, she looked absolutely dreamy in this tulle and diamante dusted, strapless Marchesa gown.

I thought the Atelier Versace gown Jennifer Hudson chose to wear to The Oscars last might was an extremely sexy and yet chic look. I love the color, as it truly suits Jennifer and I also thought she nailed the accessories, choosing to wear long drop earrings, bracelets and leaving her neck bare. Although overall I loved the look I thought the top part was slightly too tight and squeezed! This made, what could have been a sexy cleavage, look like something uncomfortable and way too squashed. What do you think?

I had to do a double take here because I didn’t recognize Mandy Moore at first glance – the 25 year old actress is looking so mature and grown up! But that is nothing negative, I loved her glittering, nude Monique Lhuillier gown. So gorgeous! She rightly kept the accessories to a minimum because this dress is just a statement on its own, she just wore matching earrings. Such a classic and vintage look, I love it! This has so to be one of my favorites.

I was shocked when I saw Michelle Williams included in some ‘Best Dressed’ lists this morning around the web; I’ve been trying to find a reason to like this Chanel dress and this entire look, but I just cannot. Maybe it’s because I love color, and this look is just to plain for me? I think this dress just doesn’t do Michelle’s complexion any justice, I would have loved to see her in something more bold and colorful. What is your take?

Natalie Portman looks simply stunning in this Rodarte gown; she is heavily pregnant and managed to pull off such a glamorous and chic look,  AND she managed to walk in high heels! Muchos respect to you Natalie! I love the color, the cut of the gown and her accessories. Simply très, très chic!

Oprah Winfrey rocked her curves last night at The Oscars in a gorgeous Zac Posen gown; I love the sparkle and  the sexy, yet chic neckline. This dress totally suited Oprah figure, who last night presented the Best Documentary Award to the filmmakers of Inside Job.

Virginia Madsen yesterday wore a dramatic, feathered, one shoulder Romona Keveza dress. Opting for an updo and classic makeup I thought Virgina looked classic and glam!

We have seen Helena Bonham Carter wear much more daring and complicated dresses in the past, though the Colleen Atwood dress she chose to wear last night at The Oscars still very much represented her personality. This dress totally screams out ‘Helen Bonham Carter’ and I think she deserves much respect for daring to wear whatever she wants!

This morning I heard Reese Witherspoon‘s look at The Oscars last night, be compared to a pint of Guinness! Buy why!? I thought her Giorgio Armani Privé gown was totally appropriate for the night, and loved her overall look. The dress is very Hollywood glam I think, and I liked the way she chose to ‘accessorize’ her look with a bold hair do, instead of bold accessories.

Hilary Swank was seen wearing a Gucci Premiere floor-length gown last night. I’m not sure about this dress. I like the overall shape, which I think suits Hilary’s slender figure greatly, though I am not convinced about all those feathers. Do you like it?

Scarlett Johansson‘s look is another one I’ve seen included among some ‘Worst Dressed’ lists today, but cannot really understand why. I can accept comments on her hair do; she could have put a little bit more effort there. But then again come on! She’s young, why not experiment with things?! I instantly loved her Dolce & Gabbana dress, I totally adore the shades of purple and pink. Then, once I saw the back view of the dress, I loved it even more! The open back is super sexy, don’t you think?

Another dress that has been criticized and even called ‘cheap’ (!) is Penelope Cruz‘s embroidered L’wren Scott dress. I cannot understand the reason for this criticism. The woman has just given birth a little over a month ago, and she manages to pull off an Oscars red carpet dress. That alone deserves much respect! But other than that I think this is a sexy number, only someone like Penelope Cruz can pull off, and she completed the look off wonderfully with a simple straight hair do and no accessories.

I just love Helen Mirren, the lady to me is the personification of class. I compare her to the likes of Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon who look even more beautiful as they age, and always pull off stunning, classic looks. Helen yesterday wore a gorgeous Vivienne Westwood Couture gown, paired up with stunning Cartier jewels. Just lovely.

Jacki Weaver, who was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Animal Kingdom, wore a heavily jeweled Collette Dinnigan dress. I’ve heard a lot of praise for this dress, but I don’t like it that much. I think she could have pulled off a much more flattering look. The seriously jeweled top part of the dress, to me, seems completely separate from the bottom part of the dress, there is no fusion. I’m not sure I like it so much.

Nicole Kidman‘s Christian Dior Couture dress was another heavily criticized dress. I am torn with this one; I think Nicole can pull off pretty much everything and this dress is a very unique piece. I just don’t think the tone of this dress flatters Nicole.

I saved my very favorite for last, and my ultimate favorite dress at The Oscars 2011 was Sandra Bullock‘s. Sandra wore a red hot Vera Wang dress which looked absolutely stunning. Sandra’s whole look, with a classic updo and matching classic makeup, to me just exudes Hollywood glam. When I think of The Oscars, I think of a dress such as this one. This is Hollywood. These are The Oscars. Sandra looked simply breathtaking.

So those where my favorite, and not so favorite dresses, worn on the red carpet during The Oscars this year. Which dresses did you like, or which did you think were simply hideous?