Oscars 2012: A Night of Stars, Literally

A Red Carpet, White Gowns

Cameron in the trend of the night

From Stacy Kiebler in a striking gold Marchesa to Cameron Diaz in a blush tone Gucci and J. Lo in a striking ivory and sparkly Zuhair Murad, Oscars 2012 gave few disappoints. Instead, many of the predictions we made here at Chasing Pumas in our last post about white, metallics, and sparkle came true. This was the trend of the night, and almost everyone that followed it, deserved an Oscar themselves. Another trend we were surprised by was strapless. I guess you can't assume because a Duchess and the sleeve dominated the runway that it would dominate the carpet. However, while there were no actual mishaps or fashion wtf(fashion)? moments, we must admit there were a few close calls.

That Was A Close One!

Although it was a Giambattista design, first time Oscar attendee Emma Stone(pictured above) failed to do her homework, and therefore just misses our best dressed list. Unfortunately, Nicole Kidman wore a very similar red number, bow and all, to the same 2007 affairs, except hers was Balenciaga. Sorry Emma, close but no cigar.

Another actress that took home the gold literally winning her third Oscar and shocking quite a few, including myself, was Meryl Streep. Maybe she had an inkling she was going to win when she stepped out draped in an Oscar, wearing a tragic gold curtain cinched with a belt. We would love to see Meryl in something like Jane Fonda wore to the Emmys, but some things it seems, never change.

Finally, Sandra Bullock, who has had her own series of close calls before when it comes to fashion, (remember the liquid gold gown paired with too much red lipstick and powder makeup that aged her when she won recently?), had another close call when she stepped out in an ill-fitted black and white Marchesa. Our problem with the gown here was not the design so much as the tailoring and fit. Perhaps if the shoulders had been pulled in a bit more, it would have been better fitted and the back of the dress would have been a bit more of what it was meant to be...striking.

Aside from those few mishaps, and because we here at Chasing Pumas hate negativity, we found it difficult to assemble a worst dressed list. Also, since the Oscars only highlight winners, we thought we would follow suit. No losers only means our best dressed list for this year has grown, and we tried to whittle it down to a top 10, so here goes.

Our Top 10

10. Melissa McCarthy-Marina Rinaldi- This curvaceous comedian finally got it right in a one-of-a-kind Marina Rinaldi gown. From the cinched waist to the illusion sleeves and blush tone, she didn't make us laugh, but cry like a proud parent. Happy tears of course!
9. Octavia Spencer-Tadashi Shoji-This woman was a true winner in every sense of the word. She knows what works best for her and she always works it in another signature silver Tadashi Shoji gown with cap sleeves and a cinched waist. She may have worn the silver trend, but she walked away with the gold for best supporting actress.
8. Viola Davis-Vera Wang-This nominee offered a refreshing splash of color and break from the major flush-toned trend of the night with her gorgeous copper locks against a striking green Vera Wang. Her look and beauty inside and out were felt whether she won or not. She still made us green with envy, so she gets a gold star in our best dressed list.
7. Cameron Diaz-Gucci-Thanks to stylist Rachel Zoe, this girl always gets it right. Yet another strapless nude gown, the fit and cut on this one were what stood out on this fish-tail Gucci piece. It made Cameron stand out as well. Rachel Zoe strike again. All we can say is "amazeballs!"
6. Rooney Mara-Givenchy-She finally wore a color other than black! What struck onlookers more than her Snow White beauty was her snow white Givenchy gown. We just had to put her on this list for that alone, although she did look stunning.

And now, the specially photographed top 5...

5. Angelina Jolie-Versace-From the red lips to her cream skin and that slit, this woman never gets it wrong and proved so again in a color we didn't see a lot of this year: black. Additionally, the velour Versace number proved that this woman doesn't need to follow trends, like a true puma, she sets them.
Angie in her pose of the night


4. Berenice Berejo-Elie Saab- While many may call it too sophisticated or boring, we call it right on point. The French actress wowed us in the trend of the upcoming season, and was the only one to do so: pastels! Not only did she wear the it color: mint, but she wore long, embellished sleeves and we love someone who knows trends and spreads them. We thought she did so perfectly against her slightly braided(another trend) red-colored locks.
Berenice proves the French know fashion

3. Stacy Kiebler-Marchesa-He may not have won Gold, but George certainly took it home thanks to her. If it weren't for her tan and her height, this shade could have been overwhelming and a Meryl, but thanks to her beauty, Stacy wins the gold in Marchesa. George has got his gold on his arm

2. Gwyneth Paltrow-Tom Ford- Although she wasn't nominated this year, the former winner proved to be a best dressed contender in a white asymmetrical cut-out Tom Ford. From her blond locks to bronzed skin, this woman proves A-List all the way, even when it comes to fashion. This classic and simple look is one that fuss and frills can't beat. Classic Gwyneth in classic Tom Ford

Drum roll please....

And the Oscar goes to....

1. Giuliana Rancic in Tony Ward- Okay, Okay, I know what you are thinking. Giuliana Rancic, really? She wasn't nominated. Hey, you don't have to walk the red carpet to take home fashion gold, and she struck it rich in this couture white Tony Ward gown with sheer backing and feathered sleeves(trend). We were only disapointed to find the dress wasn't a McQueen. Against her tanned skin, sleek bun(another trend), and those red lips(major trend), she landed all the major trends, and landed them well. Most importantly, the breast cancer survivor wore a smile and her beauty and strength may just be what really landed her the top spot. a back view

That's our wrap-up, feel free to comment, agree, disagree, we love your feedback. Now, as Porky Pig would say, "That's all Folks!"

*all photos courtesy of google.com*