THE OSCARS….the true fashion test for celebrities & stylists alike.  They’ve had the Golden Globes, the Grammy’s & even the SAG Awards to perfect their look, see what the latest red carpet fashions are & hopefully learn from the worst dressed lists!  And I think the celebs did quite well for the 2010 Academy Awards…I was pleasantly surprised to see improvements from the last award shows (aka Tina Fey, though she didn’t make my Best Dressed list she greatly improved from the disastrous Zac Posen at the Golden Globes).

Relish in the main trends of the season…feminine details like ruffles, lace & embellishments, bold statements like a pop of color & origami, delicate shades of neutral and the most popular style appeared to be the strapless gown, everyone from Miley Cyrus to Cameron Diaz was sporting this look!

BEST DRESSED OF THE 2010 ACADEMY AWARDS:

My absolute favorite: Carey Mulligan in Prada.  I am dyyyyyyiiiing to see An Education, not only does her style look divine in the Oscar nominated film but also her Prada Oscar dress is impeccable.  From the oversize chandelier earrings to the sweetheart neckline to the gorgeous satin platform heels, Carey is picture perfect old Hollywood sophistication while still being on trend.

Penelope Cruz embodies womanly sensuality from the way she dresses to hug every fabulous curve to the characters she plays in films such as Nine (which is amazing by the way!).  I love her choice of red amidst a sea of neutrals; the color really reflects her siren of a character in the beautiful Oscar nominated film Nine.  Also, the origami folds are important this spring season.

Absolutely stunning.  Vera Farmiga took my breath away in this luxuriously engulfing dress in a vibrant shade of magenta.  The layered ruffles of her Marchesa gown were perfectly executed to accentuate her figure.  I can’t help but also mention how gorgeous her hair & makeup was too, props to her stylist team!

One of my favorite Hollywood couples, Maggie Gyllenhaal & Peter Sarsgaard.  She is always representative of the latest fashions & this dress was no exception.  Plus Dries Van Noten is by far one of my favorite designers…I only wish Peter hadn’t shaved his head, he looks much better with his shaggy hair.

Pure glamour.  Cameron Diaz looks ravishing in her Oscar de la Renta strapless embellished gown.  She accented her gown perfectly with subtle jewelry & a pop of color on her lips.

Amanda Seyfried realllllllllly stepped it up!  This Armani Prive gown turned her from Mean Girls teeny bopper to full blown Hollywood starlet.  Even her fabulous cuffs, earrings & sleek up-do scream glamour.

Sandra Bullock, the Best Actress Oscar winner for The Blind Side, spoke to the feminine detail trend that is so important right now.  She covered all of her bases from lace to a golden sheen in her Marchesa gown.  I especially love her vibrant red lipstick, très bon!

Let’s be honest Meryl Streep is not known for her excellent style.  But this white jersey goddess style dress is absolutely perfect… it is age appropriate, flattering & still reflects the latest trends.  And I think it is wonderful that she chose a gown by lesser known Project Runway designer, Chris March.

Tom Ford=Insanely Hot.  Enough Said.

The next 2 couture gowns created quite the controversy on the red carpet….

Zoe Saldana is wearing a Givenchy Couture straight off the Spring 2010 runway…and personally I LOVE IT.  I know it is voluminous & vibrant & may remind you of a pinata across her hemline but I think she carries it beautifully & her chic up-do & dainty earrings are the perfect pair to this couture gown.

Ok, ok I know this Chanel couture gown worn by top fashionista, Sarah Jessica Parker was hated by many…including my friends I was watching the award show with… but I like it or at least respect it.  I am not thrilled with the strap across her chest that wound its way down her back & underneath her arms but the rest of the couture gown I thought was gorgeous.  The color was luminous & the silver floral detailing paired wonderfully with her silver bangles & cuffs.  I do love her massive chignon but wish she had controlled those fly aways a bit more…All in all though SJP can do no wrong in my eyes.

WORST DRESSED OF THE 2010 ACADEMY AWARDS:

This is quite disappointing…I usually love Charlize Theron but come on what the hell where you & your stylist thinking??!!  Style.com put it tactfully, the rosettes across her bust were ‘distracting’.  This Dior Couture gown needed to stay on the runway & far, far away from the red carpet!

Really??  Robert Downey Jr. & his wife Susan look like they belong in the circus.  Ridiculous.

So my friend Mary Lyn has this theory that Hilary Swank is really Matt Damon (haha aka she looks like a man)…well she is definitely trying to prove otherwise with this getup!  Her extremely revealing Armani Prive gown honestly looked slutty & dated.  Even her heels & toenail polish looked trashy.  Hilary there are other ways to look sexy sweetie.

Ok this one realllllly broke my heart as I am in love with both Kate Winslet & Yves Saint Laurent.  But this was a big miss for me.  The color washed her out & the fact that the gown was 2 pieces cut her petite frame in half in a not very flattering way.

Two time offender on my Worst Dressed list, Rita Wilson how can you claim to be a fashion/style expert?!  I still can’t believe I watched her on Oprah give fashion advice…scary.

And to conclude my Worst Dressed list….Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive.  Basically her dress is like Amanda Seyfried’s Armani Prive Oscar gown gone terribly, terribly wrong.  All of that fabric coming out of her hip looks like a tornado of shiny translucent fabric.  And I am dying to pull up her dress..it looks like it’s going to slip off of her any minute!  All in all a horribly unflattering dress.

Ok now it is y’all’s turn to agree, disagree & just share your opinion!

All pictures courtesy of WWD.com & Style.com