Cheryl Shops

Oscars fashion recap
Every year, critics bemoan how bland Oscar fashion has become. Why doesn't anyone take risks anymore? Where are the wack-a-doodle Chers and Bjorks of yesteryear? We can probably blame stylists, but amidst all the ho-hum looks, there were some standouts--and while there were several missteps, they were on more of a subtle scale, as opposed to a feathered-headdress scale. So, without further ado...

Best
Reese Witherspoon
Nina Ricci's one-woman publicity machine scored another victory for the house in this strapless gown with diagonal tiers. My favorite part is how the layers get lighter toward the hem. Simply divine.


Gwyneth Paltrow
Granted, Gwyneth could show up in a burlap sack and I'd think she'd look amazing, but this Zac Posen dress was truly unique and a fresh look for Ms. P. I also like that it has short sleeves--great for those of us with less-than-perfect upper arms.


Maggie Gyllenhaal
She often makes offbeat red-carpet choices, but this major coup for the Proenza Schouler boys was a smart--and stunning--pick. The asymmetrical neckline and black-and-midnight-blue combo is one we'll be seeing a lot of.


Rhea Durham
Random pick, I know, but Mark Wahlberg's babymama sure knows how to dress. This is Marchesa, and it's subtle (Marky Mark was, in fact, the one nominated for an award) but gorgeous.


Jodie Foster
Here's what I love about Jodie Foster: You never read about her personal life; she just acts in a movie here and there, and when she shows up for an event, she looks great. This Vera Wang dress was age-appropriate, flattering, and, I thought, rather beautiful. And to think she was a child star.


Honorable Mention
Anika Noni Rose
You have to admire Anika Noni Rose, because as Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson got all the attention for Dreamgirls, she just smiled and held back. But Anika got the last laugh, because she totally one-upped her costars on the red carpet in this hot, hot sequined number (also with sleeves!).


JLO
This Marchesa gown got mixed reviews, but I actually liked it--it's nice to see JLO wearing something sweet and not totally flashy. The billowy chiffon would make a nice baby-bump-hider (ahem, Naomi Watts).


Kirsten Dunst
I love Kirsten Dunst and her indie-rock, "I live in Silverlake" look, and then I love how she shows up at awards shows in Chanel Couture. I think she might be a bit young to totally pull this dress off, but it's gorgeous nonetheless.


Dishonorable Mention
Nicole Kidman
My comment is about neither the color (fabulous) nor the shape (sophisticated, and the bow didn't bother me) of her Balenciaga gown; it's about Nicole herself. Between the lightened skin and the over-Botoxing, she looks, literally, like a doll. Not a good thing, especially when you're in your 40s.


Jennifer Hudson
I didn't hate the Oscar de la Renta dress, but I did hate the metallic bolero. It made her look, well, like a hooker. This is what happens when you take fashion advice from a seven-foot-tall gay black man. (For the record, Jennifer changed into a custom Roberto Cavalli dress backstage, which is what she should've worn from the beginning.)


Anne Hathaway
I don't think this Valentino dress was particularly awful; maybe it's that I just don't like Anne Hathaway. Something about her seems a bit off, like she's the goody-goody girl who tries too hard to be cool. Did anyone notice you could hear her and Emily Blunt giggling during their costuming presentation? Obnoxious.


Worst
Beyonce
Oh, Beyonce. While trend-right (asymmetrical strap, seafoam green color), this Armani dress looks like a longer version of something she'd wear on stage. Beyonce is so pretty; why does she always insist on wearing such flashy dresses?


Penelope Cruz
You know, I didn't like this dress when I saw Charlize Theron wear it several years ago (it was by Dior then, but still), and I don't like it here, by Versace, on Penelope Cruz. Unflattering color, also.


Cameron Diaz
Cameron's second white dress in a row--do you think she's trying to send Justin Timberlake a message? Sadly, all this ugly gown does is reinforce the fact that JT made the right decision. Yuck.