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Style faux pas were few at the Oscars ceremony as the stars played it safe in classic gowns and neutral colours...
At last night's 81st Academy Awards, it was very much a case of “pale and interesting”, though not always in a good way. Many were the stars who opted for pale, delicately hued gowns, as if to cast themselves as princesses in some otherworldly fairytale.
For anyone still in doubt about the power wielded by Michelle Obama, here is positive proof, for it was she who sparked the princess trend in her fantastical inauguration gown by Jason Wu.
Oscar winner Penelope Cruz set the tone, in a vintage cream strapless gown with a fluted lace trim by Balmain. It was distinctly similar in style to Sarah Jessica Parker's pale eau de nil Dior, though the belt was a rare style faux pas for the Sex and the City star.
More pictures: Oscars fashion special: Hits & misses on the red carpet
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More successful was Anne Hathaway, in a champagne-coloured gown by Armani Prive decorated in diagonal paillettes that an unkind observer would liken to mermaid's scales.
Jennifer Aniston, too, wore a champagne-coloured strapless gown with matching sandals by Jimmy Choo. Others who opted for pale included Jessica Biel in strapless ivory satin Prada (a hit), Evan Rachel Wood in Elie Saab (a hit) and Miley Cyrus in Zuhair Murad (a miss so spectacular it made the 16-year-old look twice her age).
Some actresses passed over the role of princess, casting themselves as fairies instead. Natalie Portman looked beautiful in a bubblegum-pink strapless gown by Rodarte, while Alicia Keys wore a lilac gown with a front split by Giorgio Armani. The most popular shape of the evening was undoubtedly a fishtail, worn tight on the thigh and spilling out in a dramatic flare.
Save for Angelina Jolie, who played it safe in the most generic black strapless gown that Lebanese designer Elie Saab had to offer, there was a raft of bold colours at this year's Oscars. Heidi Klum wore a sculptural red satin gown by Roland Mouret, while Satsuki Mitchell, girlfriend of Daniel Craig, appeared in a draped red chiffon column dress with a Twenties feel.
Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto looked stunning in a kingfisher-blue gown with a lace overlay by John Galliano, while Kate Winslet broke with her usual safe black by donning a navy satin gown with a black lace sash by Yves Saint Laurent. It looked elegant, though she could have done with ditching the hairnet.
Like many on the red carpet, Winslet favoured an asymmetric shoulder detail: a popular choice with guests worried their dress might fall down at the biggest fashion event of the year.
All in all, it was a safe year, and while there were few out-and-out disasters, nor were there any soaring triumphs.
For daring to be different, honorouble mentions go to Gwen Stefani, picture-perfect in black strapless Chanel couture, and Tilda Swinton, who looked flawless in a long Lanvin skirt with knotted detail and a matching nude long-sleeved shirt.
More pictures: Oscars fashion special: Hits & misses on the red carpet
More pictures: All the winners at the Oscars
