Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein
'Calvin Klein by Appointment' is the label's new way of designating custom gowns, and so this resembles more of the traditionally simple CK stuff of yore than the runway shitshows of late. But I think it's a mess. It's shapeless, it's bridesmaidy, it has Prada Nipple Dart Syndrome (remember Anne Hathaway's win in pink Prada?), and it's not as interesting as she can be. It also, when she was shown seated inside, really crunched her chest. Saoirse's tastes run more interesting than this; I look at this as sort of a casual throwaway.
Margot Robbie in Chanel
I like this better the longer I look at it. The draping on the top KIND OF looks like a super expensive lei, though. The graceful cut of the skirt might've been nifty -- or at least more noticeable -- if the layers were ombre? But I actually think this is some nice restraint on Karl's part (his Oscar history is not the best), and so I'm gonna go ahead and say this was NOT a punt. I was rooting for Margot; if she'd gotten the surprise win, this would've looked totally classic up on stage with her statue.
Meryl Streep in Dior
I wish she'd picked a necklace, but this is pretty unimpeachable. Classy, not embarrassing if she'd won, but also totally not expecting to go on-stage and therefore affording her some comfort in her seat.
Sally Hawkins in Armani
She almost ALWAYS wears Dior, so I was stunned to see her switch labels for this. This is very effective on her; I'm a fan. It's completely fancy and special, but not a huge TA-DAAAAAA, which seems to fit her personality (that SAGs Dior notwithstanding).
Frances McDormand
And then there's Frances, who is in... I mean, it's a pattern, technically, but it mostly looks like something extremely large vomited on her right before she arrived. But, hey, she won the Oscar; she doesn't need to win this slideshow too, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
