Hits and Misses on the Oscar Red Carpet

Eugrene Lee Yang, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling Source: AP/Getty Images

Well, it's finally over. The culmination of Hollywood's seemingly endless awards season, the Oscars, is what fashionista Zanna Roberts Rassi calls "the fashion finale, the gold standard of red carpet dressing."

This year, the carpet did not disappoint. While there were still a number of safe, sparkling black dresses and traditional tuxes, there were also enough risk takers out there to give us plenty to dissect. There were very few surprises when the actual awards were handed out, but by that time we'd all had our fill of the best and worst of Hollywood's A-listers.

Best Dressed Women

Emma Stone

The night's only real surprise came when Emma Stone took home the Oscar for her performance in "Poor Things," and even that wasn't all that surprising. The now two-time Oscar-winner was also the big winner on the red carpet. Her custom mint sorbet peplum column gown with a train, made from a silk shell fabric, had a casual elegance that required little more than a 30-carat diamond necklace and a low ponytail in back to complete the look. The stunned actress announced to the world that her dress was broken in the back and she jokingly blamed it on Ryan Gosling's memorable rendition of "I'm Just Ken" from the film "Barbie."

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

The Best Supporting Actress winner wore a sparkling, powder blue, embroidered tulle Custom Louis Vuitton gown with oversized billowy, ruffled sleeves and a long train. In her teary acceptance speech she admitted, "I have always wanted to be different. I just need to be myself." She swept the category this awards season, did so in style, and saved the best for last. Looks like being herself agrees with the Oscar-winner.

Carey Mulligan

The "Maestro" star deserves an award for her fashion performance this awards season. Her black Custom Balenciaga Couture gown with a white tulle skirt was the kind of classic elegance you expect to see at the Academy Awards. The flawlessly fitting, flared mermaid dress, accessorized only with diamond stud earrings and long black opera gloves, felt like old-time Hollywood glamour.

Rita Moreno

At 92, the third EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner, and first Hispanic American to do so, showed them all how to walk the carpet. In a black custom Badgley Mischka hourglass gown with ruffles aplenty and a short train, the legendary actress wowed those who came after her. The outfit was made complete by her long opera gloves and spikey pixie haircut, which it turns out, will go back in the wig box when show is over.

Cynthia Erivo

Clearly, the two-time Oscar nominee understands the relatively new phenomenon known as method dressing. In a green leather custom, low cut Louis Vuitton gown with big ruffles, the soon-to-be Elphaba in the film version of "Wicked" looked like a badass witch. Even her jewelry and nails were emerald. If she was trying to generate interest in the film, it worked. Can't wait to hear her "Defying Gravity."

Worst Dressed Women

Ariana Grande

It pains me to say this, but Ariana Grande didn't fare quite as well at method dressing as Cynthia Erivo did. Her pale pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown more than hinted at her upcoming role as Glinda the good witch in "Wicked," but there was a big, pink attachment to her tiny waist and a billowing train that swallowed her up and left her looking like she was wrapped in a bubblegum pink, Barbie-inspired comforter. Note to her stylist, Glinda is supposed to be "Popular."

Emily Blunt

From a distance, the "Oppenheimer" star's champagne color couture Schiaparelli gown looked like it might land her on the night's best-dressed list. But from a number of angles, especially when she was seated, the floating shoulders looked more like a bedazzled body cast than a Tiffany-jewel clad creation befitting a Best Supporting Actress nominee at the Oscars. Thankfully, awards season is over. Let's hope the beautiful people forget about floating shoulders before next year.

Erika Alexander

The "American Fiction" star wore a white strapless Christian Siriano design that had a sheer black skirt with layers of pastel colored tulle on top of it. The long black gloves were the perfect accessory to earn her a spot on this list. The multi-colored pastel tulle sealed the outfit's fate. On the E! pre-show, Siriano said it took four days to make the dress. It looked it.

Andrea Riseborough

The British actress wore a tartan plaid Loewe design with a mock turtle neck and long sleeves that were actually too long. She was perfectly dressed for a formal holiday brunch at Balmoral Castle with Charles and Camilla. Think Talbots' fall collection – every year.

Billie Eilish

The now two-time Academy award-winning singer looked like she was going to a Rotary Club luncheon in some musty New England restaurant. The Chanel jacket and schoolgirl tweed skirt that fell just below the knee are the perfect look for an aging WASP. Even the seemingly ironic mary jane shoes and white socks couldn't keep her from looking like the descendant of a passenger on the Mayflower. On a positive note, she was flawless from the neck up and it was nice to see her smiling and almost giddy when she accepted her Oscar.

Best Dressed Men

Ryan Gosling

Barbie's Ken rocked a pink bedazzled suit with Barbie pink gloves and a cowboy hat for his performance of the nominated song "I'm Just Ken." The high-kenergy (sorry) performance was one of the night's biggest hits. Fortunately, Ken's hunky alter ego, Ryan Gosling, sported a custom black Gucci suit with silver trimmed beading and bright pink socks.

Sterling K. Brown

Best Supporting Actor nominee for his performance in "American Fiction," Sterling K. Brown brought a touch of traditional sophistication with his deep navy Dior Men custom suit. The impeccable details like a black satin scarf and bow tie, Bruno Magli Oxfords and classic cufflinks demonstrate why his is one of the season's best looks.

Dominic Sessa

Dominic Sessa, the young star of "The Holdovers" wore a custom Tom Ford classic tux with an oversized bowtie. Way to make an entrance to your first Oscars!

Riz Ahmed

British actor and rapper Riz Ahmed opted for a non-traditional black ensemble by Marni that featured a knee-length coat. Last year he wore Prada with an open shirt. Could this chic look be a precursor for a future that includes knee-length coats? If they all look like this, let's hope so.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu who played Rival Ken in the "Barbie" film showed some skin in a black Fendi tux with a low-cut tank top underneath. His jacket was held in place by a silver brooch-like attachment. Look out, Ken, your rival was every bit as fine as you were on Oscar's big night.

Worst Dressed Men

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Dolce & Gabana should know better than to make a men's suit out of shiny, gun metal grey fabric. It was wrinkled, cheap-looking, and ill-fitting, but it did make Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stand out in a sea of well-dressed, tuxedo-clad Hollywood elites. Probably not what he was going for.

John Krasinski

In a cream-colored tux with a sparkling brooch and coordinating cream bow tie, John Krasinski looked like he was about to get married. When standing next to his wife Emily Blunt, who was in a sparkling champagne gown with Tiffany jewels on the front, it would not be a stretch to assume the wedding was in Vegas.

Omar Rudber

Sure young actor Omar Rudberg has the body and the look for a shirtless Timothee Chalamet-type moment on the red carpet. But his cropped, double-breasted blazer looked much too casual for the Oscars. And it's already been done.

Eugene Lee Yang

Speaking of something that's already been done, Eugene Lee Yang sported a stunning scarlet red tailored waist coat with ball skirt and a long train. Nice look, but it felt a little too much like Billy Porter's statement gown at the 2019 Oscars.

John Cena

In 1974, a streaker ran across the stage at the Oscars while David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor. Fifty years later, there's barely a person alive who remembers it, but Jimmy Kimmel and John Cena crafted a comic tribute to the moment that left a naked Cena onstage presenting the Oscar for Best Costume Design. The muscle-bound Cena did a fine job, but there were others in the room that might've brought something else to that role. Bad Bunny was in the house. Just saying...

And the Best of the Best

Best-dressed Actress: Emma Stone

Best-dressed Actor: Ryan Gosling

All in all, it was one of the best Oscar shows in a long time. The fact that most of the attendees showed up dressed like stars – be it good or bad – made it that much better. It'll be a long time 'til the red carpet is rolled out again. The Tonys, which are given out in June, care more about the craft than the couture. Let's hope there'll be a few movie stars there for our sake. Til next time, Joan Ranger here – signing off.