Well, it’s that time again when millions of us tune in to the Academy Awards to see who gets to go home with a coveted Oscar this year. But, it’s not only the suspense of seeing who’s going to win the prestigious awards, but also our fascination for glitz and glamour that keep us glued to the screen. The celebrity fashions worn on the red carpet are truly the highlight of the show and they’re discussed, dissected and analyzed at length, long after the event is over.
Personally, I usually only see a handful of gowns that really impress me, especially since I’m a lover of vintage fashion and classic “Old Hollywood” style evening wear. Lately, it seems, many actresses are in a contest as to who can pour themselves into the most revealing, ostentatious, spectacle of a dress. For many actresses tasteful, classy dressing seems to have gone the way of the panty girdle! Not that I have an issue with sexy dressing. I’m certainly not opposed to dresses showcasing your womanly assets. But my opinion is, if you want to feature a particular body part, please make it a partial revealing and cover up everywhere else. It’s overkill to have the breasts spilling completely out of a gown, crotch high slit and fabric so sheer and clinging that they are literally one Louboutin clad step away from a major wardrobe malfunction! I mean, some of these women don’t even look comfortable attempting to navigate the red carpet while trying not to give us all an anatomy lesson!
So I’ve picked my Top Ten Favorite Oscar Fashion Photos from the past. Photos of actresses wearing elegant, glamorous dresses and gowns, styles I’d like to see more of when I watch the Academy Awards!
1. Audrey Hepburn’s classic style lace dress was originally designed by Edith Head for Roman Holiday (1953) and a special Oscar night version was adapted by Hubert Givenchy. Audrey referred to it as her “Lucky Dress” and had all her costumes designed by Givenchy after that. A couple of years ago it fetched over $130,000 at auction!
2. Grace Kelly’s stunning seafoam green silk gown worn when she accepted the Oscar in 1955 for The Country Girl (1954). was designed by famous Hollywood costumer, Edith Head.
3. Here is Donna Reed standing with “Ol Blue Eyes” while accepting her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in From Here to Eternity (1953). Love her full skirted gown with the strapless sweetheart bodice and waist flattering ruching. Definitely a classy, ladylike look!
4. Though she didn’t win an Oscar in 1954, Grace Kelly showed up looking smashing in a sequin embroidered dress, accessorized by the handsome Clark Gable!
5. Norma Shearer wore a sleek, drapey brocade gown to accept her Oscar for Best Actress in The Divorcee (1930).
The flowers at the waist and the little fur cuffs on the jacket are lovely extra touches.
6. Annette Funicello accepting an honorary Oscar for Hayley Mills, who was out of the country at the time. Both she and her presenter, Shirley Temple,
are wearing lovely dresses that are very sophisticated for young ladies. Though Ms. Temple’s hairdo look a bit matronly, I’m loving Annette’s updo!
7. In 1961 Shirley Jones accepted her Oscar for Best Actress in Elmer Gantry (1960) wearing this sparkly gold and champagne tulle dress with cropped bolero jacket.
8. No list of classic red carpet dresses would be complete without a Marilyn Monroe dress! This black sequined tulle mesh
beauty has that ever flattering sweetheart bodice with off the shoulder sleeves that add just the right hint of bareness.
Of course, with the famous star’s gorgeous hairstyle and makeup and elegant, understated jewelry, the combination
is simply breathtaking!
9. Elzabeth Taylor with husband, Mike Todd, at the 1957 Academy Awards, where he won a Best Director Oscar for Around the World in 80 Days.
I’m totally smitten with her Grecian style gown and that sparkly diamond tiara!
10. And last, but certainly not least, Vivien Leigh in this fabulously feminine floral number designed by Irene Lentz.
She wore it in 1940 to accept her Best Actress Oscar for Gone With the Wind (1939).
Which one is your favorite?