The annual 92nd Academy Awards were presented on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at Dolby Theater in Hollywood. One exciting aspect of the Oscars is the red carpet, where actors and actresses show off their elegant outfits. At the 2020 Oscars, the most popular trends included subtle accents of bright colors and black, white, and gold statement jewelry.
Best Dressed
Photo from Getty Images, taken by Amy Sussman.
Natalie Portman rocked the red carpet in her chic custom Dior ensemble. Her custom cape featured the names of female directors she felt had been snubbed by the 2020 Oscars, and this subtle feature commented on the Oscars’ long history of failing to acknowledge female directors’ talent.
Photo taken by Josh Haner for the New York Times.
Billy Porter never fails to impress. He stole the show at this year’s Oscars, wearing 24 karat gold feathers on top and a beautiful gown on the bottom designed by the English fashion designer Giles Deacon. All of Porter’s looks are intended to tell a story, and this specific look was about royalty, inspired by Kensington Palace in Kensington, London. Porter’s looks often defy gender roles in modern society; in 2019, Porter wore a gown that resembled a tuxedo on top, and he stated that his goal was to “be a walking piece of political art every time I show up. To challenge expectations.” He wanted people to question the way they think about masculinity and the role it plays in society.
Photo taken by Amy Sussman for Getty Images.
Billie Eilish stayed true to herself in her unique oversized Chanel tweed suit. Eilish has proved that she does not let fashion rule her, but instead, she rules her own fashion by embracing her individual style. On E’s red carpet coverage, Elaine Welteroth said that “she doesn’t play by the rules.” In a past interview with Vogue Australia, Eilish confessed that she wears baggy clothes to avoid being sexualized. “It kind of gives nobody the opportunity to judge what your body looks like,” Eilish said, explaining that her body is not relevant to the message she is trying to send through her music. Eilish definitely owns her style, and her confidence inspires many to be themselves and not conform to society’s expectations.
Photo taken by Calla Kessler for the New York Times.
Saoirse Ronan, an Irish-American actress who played Jo March in “Little Women,” looked stunning in her sustainable Gucci gown. Gucci is known to be one of the most sustainable clothing brands because of their use of eco-friendly textiles. Gucci has a website called Gucci Equilibrium, where they explained that their company “strive[s] to manage the planet’s finite resources and build a culture of respect.” By wearing a sustainably made dress, Ronan subtly reinforces the importance of being eco-friendly.
Image from E! News.
Scarlett Johansson showed off her breathtaking Oscar de la Renta gown at the Oscars. The silver gown featured strings of gems, which partially covered the sheer bodice of the dress. To top off the look, she wore subtle Forevermark diamond drop earrings and bracelet that accompanied the dress perfectly.
Worst Dressed
Image from E! News
Rooney Mara has a unique eye when it comes to fashion. While her dress is merely black with lace and ruffles, it is far from elegant. The cut-outs are too wide at the ribcage, and the ruffles start at an awkward place below the waist. The shoulder pads look misplaced and contradict the desired appearance of the dress. Despite her questionable dress, Mara’s makeup and hair looks gorgeous as always.
Image from PageSix
Kristen Wiig is beautiful no matter what, but this dress is not her best look. From the waist down, the bright red dress resembles a lasagna noodle. The long leather gloves do not match the vibe of the dress, and the runner in the back looks like the dress is incomplete. However, her shoes are very simple and stylish, which almost makes up for the awkward runner.
Image from World Celebrity Dress
Caitriona Balfe looks like a wrapped Christmas present. The large bow is not attractive, and the way the fabric collects at the waist is unflattering. The mermaid style of the dress is very flattering and suits Balfe, but the dress overall would be better without the addition of the flowy pink wrap and the bow.
