The best outfits on the Oscars were from the archives: Cher’s Bob Mackie extravaganzas and Barbra Streisand’s Arnold Scaasi peekaboo pantsuit.
As I’ve said before, I don’t care for the self-appointed fashion police. They persecute anyone who does something a little different, only to cry buckets when people play it safe. That makes me feel stabby. At special events “eye-catching” is often better than “pretty.” Scaasi told Streisand, “Let’s forget about that elegant bit.” He was right. Eye-catching means people come up to you all night to talk about your outfit. Who cares if they like it or not? You’re still going to feel like the belle of the ball. If you wear your yawningly elegant Audrey Hepburn LBD, you know what you’re going to get? Drink orders.
That said, here are MY winners from the 2008 Oscars. For outfit, its Marion Cotillard’s fish dress. Hell yeah! Not only did she stand out from the crowd — she also flaunted her sense of humor. A mermaid dress with scales! What could be more fabulous? Okay! A swan dress with an egg purse is more fabulous but this is still good.
For jewelry, the fashion gold goes to Nicole Kidman’s extravagant, queen-worthy L’Wren Scott diamonds.
It’s all about being memorable, my peeps. Bring a fan if you have to.
UPDATED TO ADD: Read this for an annoying comment on celebrities playing it safe (after being terrorized away from taking chances, thank you very much) and young actress Saoirse Ronan’s stellar explanation of her gown choice.
I’m in complete agreement with you about what you’ve said here! Everything is right on.
You and Mr. Paul look great; you both smile so beautifully! And thanks for pointing out the ring, it’s gorgeous!
That fan, lol! Your smiles look so sweet!
Craig, imagine the abuse a celebrity would get for bringing a peacock feather fan! Good thing I’m not famous. I had the BEST time that night. Me and my fan had lots of fans.
I totally agree! I thought the dress and that huge necklace were fantastic. I’m a fan of making a splash.
The emerald gown you are wearing is fantastic!
i thought nicole kidman looked gorgeous despite all the critics. her necklace was spectacular – both in the front and the back.
Excellent!!!! All around!!!
This is my blog about gems and jewelry http://srilankajewellers.blogspot.com
You and hubbie look completely fabulous together in this pic.
Somehow your dress and fan reminds me of Isabelle Blow… Nice, Wendy!
Nope, don’t want her ghost to haunt me for misspelling her name, I meant Ms Isabella Blow! Oooppss…
You guys look mahvelous 🙂
I liked Nicole’s necklace too but I couldn’t tell if it was all soft or rough and catchy.
Marion Cotillard’s dress was one of my faves.
You know who can suck it though?
Jennifer Garner.
ha!
Exactly right. Marion Cotillard’s dress was stupendous! And I know it’s “the look” now, but ladies, put a little lip stick on. It’s the Oscars!
Fabulous post. The fashion gestapo should kiss all of our behinds.
To quote the obligatory Gay dude I heard commenting on the fashions, “It looked like Nicole Kidman ran into a chandelier”.
The Good: Marion Cotillard, Tilda Swinton (I want to be born redheaded and pale and nearly six feet tall in my next life dammit), Cate Blanchett, Diablo Cody (all my respect to her for chucking the diamond shoes and winning), Penelope Cruz (not as gorgeous as last year’s, but still more interesting than most of the other strapless gowns) and, erm, Anne Hathaway (even if it looked like a darker version of Kate Winslet’s dress the year she was nominated for Iris). And Nicole’s necklace, it’s hard not to stare at it.
And Saiorse Ronan > Miley Cyrus, any day. She’s bloody thirteen years old, more power to her for choosing a dress she liked and not looking like a trussed-up young chicken in it- green suits her, and she looked like she was having fun.
PS: You look lovely, is that the Zang Toi fan you posted a picture of a while earlier? I’m getting the urge to go out and buy some peacock feathers now..
Floppy, yep, that’s the Zang dress from my earlier post. The dress was originally shown with a long feathered train, which obviously was impractical for me. So he gave me a plain train and a feathered fan instead.
You look fabulous in green!
And I agree, why play it safe? I loved Marion Cotillard, and suspect she didn’t care what anyone thought of her fish scale dress.
Marion Cotillard was the best dressed. She remeinded Miss J of a fabulous French Mermaid. Yes, Miss J sometimes wishes she were a mermaid, OK?
I go for Bjork over boring any old time. The mermaid dress was pretty damned excellent and Heidi Klum was muy hot.
I loved Marion Cotillards dress and her hair. It was waved perfectly.
I adore your peacock fan. Did you make it? I’d love to have some peacock feathers to stick in my navy blue beret!
Wow, this post was pretty much exactly how I felt about Oscar fashion this year.
I guess my feelings were summed up by, ‘Where’s Cher?’
Marion Cotillard’s fish dress looka fabulous…but were is bjork when you need her??
I liked the link about the stars in see through dress.
The scaled JPG, stunning. The vast majority was “Nice” but safe, and promy dres, albeit with mor expesive gowns.
And u are absolutely fabulous! And a peacock feather fan! I’m in awe!