Portland’s best + worst Oscar fashion picks for 2010

Last night’s Academy Awards ceremony may have lacked in terms of controversy on stage (‘Zzzzzzzzzzz), but there is still plenty to debate about the looks we saw on the red carpet. Where the show itself was a bland, stiff and over-commercialized spectacle, at least we were surprised to see some exciting and unexpected use of color and prints in the 2010 Oscar fashions.

While the experts had predicted an overall subdued trend for the evening, many starlets instead turned out in brilliant blue and red gowns, and a number of standout prints. Some achieved success with their daring looks – like Maggie Gyllenhaal’s hand-painted Dries Van Noten strapless column (above center), and Rachel McAdams flowing watercolor floral print gown from Eli Saab Haute Couture (image below).

Others risk takers fell flat: Zoe Saldana’s over-the-top Givenchy confection of pink sparkles and lilac ruffles made her look like a crazy French peacock (right), and our heart goes out to SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker) who clearly had a spray tan accident and was strangling in her baggy yellow shapeless Chanel.

Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock won over most of us with her sleek silver Marchesa gown with floral lace detail. She looked like a silver version of the Oscar statuette, and she won over even more of us with a touching acceptance speech that gave high praise to strong moms everywhere. (Hi mom, love you!)

And a few looks just gave us the giggles – most of all Charlize Theron’s futuristic Fembot gown by John Galliano for Dior, which had many Facebook and Twitter followers chirping about the rosettes attached (or attacking) her breasts. One comment suggested it looked like someone was grabbing Theron’s breasts from behind, while another said the rosettes looked like swirly cinnamon rolls and she was starting to feel a bit pekish.

The Neat Sheet asked our stylish Portland friends, designers and shop owners to chime in with their thoughts about the style on this year’s red carpet. Here’s a local look at the best and worst of Oscar fashion 2010:

“Best: Carey Mulligan (right). I absolutely adored this gorgeous Prada gown littered with little fork and knife charms. I just wish she’d stapled on some snacks to nibble on during the show – that really would have taken it to the next level. Worst: Kathy Ireland. When I worked at Starbucks we had a couple of regular customers who were obviously robots, and I would always push their lattes toward them and then slowly back away, because who wants to deal with an angry robot? Kathy Ireland looks like an angry robot.” ~ Winona Dimeo-Ediger, fashionable local author + Daddy Likey blog star

“Best: Carey Mulligan. The asymmetrical hemline killed me, in the best way. Love the black, love the ridiculous embellishments, love the sweetheart frame, the cascading earrings and the strappy satin shoes. Totally slick and elegant, but totally edgy. My kinda gal. Worst: Barbra Streisand. Sure, for the most part, it was nice and simple (which I always like), but I had a huge problem with the big, beautiful layered shiny necklace competing with her massive lace outline scarf thingy. That’s a big pet peeve of mine – accessories competing. Accessorizing can turn things around, elevate and amplify, but if played the wrong way, they can turn things upside down. Ugh. There was a war on her chest, with no winner in site.” ~ Betsy Cross, designer of Betsy & Iya Jewelry

“The best look: Demi Moore looked radiant in her fun, flirty dress (damn she aged well) and her flowy diamond-and-pearl earrings were a perfect match. The worst look: Sorry, Molly Ringwald, I love the color of your dress, but your bling and hair made you look like a pantomime Cleopatra.” ~ Arwa Jumkawala, owner of local online retailer Gemkitty.com

“Best: Demi Moore was stunning. I literally said “wow” when she came on camera. She was flawlessly beautiful and confident. Everything worked from head to toe: make-up, jewelry, dress, shoes. It’s not easy to get the right balance, bravo to her stylist! Worst: Charlize Theron (right). I appreciate that she takes fashion risks, but this one just didn’t pay off. I can’t even remember what she presented because I was so distracted by those rosettes on her breasts. That dress did not do her justice.” ~ Rachel Gorenstein, designer of Rachel Mara collections and owner of Moulé

“Best dress was totally Sandra Bullock. What I love about this story is that she has been less than stellar on the red carpet of recent events (princessy purple Bottega Veneta at the Globes and tinsel fringed McQueen at BAFTA), but she took her time to work the kinks out and finally rocked it when it really counted. She was flawless. As for my least faves, it’s really a tie between the lilac Cinnabon’s on Charlize Theron’s boobs, and the Project Runway bubble wrap challenge J-Lo dress. I don’t care if they were Dior and Armani Prive respectively, they were still bad.” ~ Kevin Lennox, personal style consultant (sirlennox.com)

“Best dressed: I am going with Elizabeth Banks. I liked how the dress fit and it was a great color for her. I think this dress could have been bad on the wrong person, but she knew her dress was the focal point and played down her hair, makeup and jewelry so the dress could shine! I also thought Sandra Bullock looked great, but I didn’t want to commit to her. And I’m thinking Barbra Streisand’s outfit should be called the Granny Booby Gown. I was scared one was gonna come out of the TV. ~ Jen Neitzel, Knot Ugly designer + founder of DIY Lounge

“The fashion girls at the fabric show in Las Vegas (Carolyn Hart, Alli Silvis and me) all think Sandra Bullock had the best overall look. SJP, we are all puzzled as to if she had a horrid crease or a large seam down the center of her gown. Also, by presentation time she needed a bit of Aquanet for her frizz in the front of her ‘do.” ~ Alyson Clair, designer of Clair Vintage Inspired Designs

“My favorite was Sarah Jessica Parker in vintage Chanel couture (right), I loved it!  It was totally ’60s glamour, which is my theme! Though I did wonder why no one slicked down her fly-away hair. I liked most dresses, but didn’t really love Sigourney Weaver’s dress – too red, too much of everything. Hated Miley Cyrus‘ slouching, Kathy Ireland’s overall weirdness and everyone’s dark lipstick. I loved the set, so glamorous. And the opening number was fun, very old-Hollywood style.” ~ Tiffanee Bean, owner of Mabel and Zora boutique

“Not sure what was up with SJP’s hair for starters. As for the WORST dressed, it’s a toss up between Vera Farmiga’s red ruffle dress, J Lo’s quilted wedding gown and Zoe Saldana’s rufflemania-meets-sequence dress. And I know lace is back in, but Bette Midler, 1970 called and wants its outfit back. As for the best, Cameron Diaz ( No. 1) and Meryl Streep (simple, yet elegant). I liked Molly Ringwald’s asymmetrical dress, as well.” ~ Dee Bell, owner of Moxie boutique

“Best: Nicole Richie – sophisticated and definitely not distracting. Love the revealing back and beautiful material. Zoe Kravitz– just love the velvet. Understated and appreciated. Worst: Looks like Charlize Theron, Vera Farmiga and Zoe Saldana borrowed some of Katherine Heigl’s bridesmaid dresses in the movie ‘27 Dresses’ and reconstructed/recycled them for this event.” ~ Cecilia Doan, Calculated Fashion blogger

“Demi Moore gets my vote for best – hot, classy, sexy. Total package, other than maybe slightly more interesting hair. But the dress is rockin’. And what’s up with the unflattering ‘bubble wrap’ themed dresses this year? Jennifer Lopez and Amanda Seyfried. I am out of the loop on this one.” ~ Jillian Rabe, model and overall Portland Fashion Ambassador

“I agree about too many ruffles. Also, what is up with all of the strapless gowns? Do the designers simply give up when it comes to shoulders and arms? Best: Tie between Sandra Bullock and Helen Mirren. Worst: Zoe Saldana’s purple dress – the sparkles and ruffles just didn’t work together.” ~ Cindy Thompson, local event producer

Top image: Best Supporting Actress nominees Mo’Nique, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga and Penelope Cruz arrive at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. Photo by Richard Harbaugh /©A.M.P.A.S.

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