Oscars 2022: Patterns and Multicolored Gowns

Saniyya Sidney in Armani

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock (12869101gc) Saniyya Sidney arrives at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles 94th Academy Awards - Arrivals, Los Angeles, United States - 27 Mar 2022

This is just wonderful on her -- and I think all those pastels risk looking really twee on anyone much older, maybe, so it's one of those cases of a VERY smart match of dress and wearer.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock (12865770dt) Saniyya Sidney 94th Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 27 Mar 2022 Wearing Armani Prive Same Outfit as catwalk model *12555325dd

And you better believe there was twirling.

David Oyelowo

I wrote DAVID OYELOWO FOR THE WIN on our list of outfits, and honestly, he's right up there on the list. This is SO funky and unexpected.

with Jessica Oyelowo

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock (12865770oc) David Oyelowo and Jessica Oyelowo 94th Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 27 Mar 2022

And as usual, Jessica looks extremely cool.

Renate Reinsve in Louis Vuitton

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock (12869101ki) Renate Reinsve arrives at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles 94th Academy Awards - Arrivals, Los Angeles, United States - 27 Mar 2022 Wearing Louis Vuitton Same Outfit as catwalk model *12527707p

This is... neither all black, nor necessarily sparkly, so... we put it in the "multiple colors going on" bin even though they're both neutrals. I don't know. NUANCE CONFUSES ME. This was shown on the runway with blue pants under it, and I feel that it both made the outfit less drab and also looked completely crackers, so I guess what I'm saying is: No.

94th Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, Los Angeles, USA - 27 Mar 2022

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock (12862809ab) Renate Reinsve 94th Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Fashion Highlights, Los Angeles, USA - 27 Mar 2022 Wearing Louis Vuitton Same Outfit as catwalk model *12527707p

This shows more clearly that she picked lace leggings. This concludes my forensic analysis of The Great Meh of 2022.

Rachel Lindsay

She looks marvelous. And in tea length! A bold rarity.

Christine Baumgartner and Kevin Costner

His speech before Best Director was terribly ponderous, which is not his fault -- but his delivery was ALSO, and that IS his fault. Also what is going on with his hair. Christine looks lovely, Kevin. She deserves better than whatever your spikes were doing.

Bonkersoscars Calamityball and Sophie Hunter

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock (12869101ru) Benedict Cumberbatch, left, and Sophie Hunter arrive at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles 94th Academy Awards - Arrivals, Los Angeles, United States - 27 Mar 2022

Everyone here looks exactly as you would expect, and it all works. These two do not stir the fashion pot, and that's absolutely fine. Sophie's taste is super and she does not need to go all wacky experimental on us now. However...

Eva von Bahr

Eva is a nominated makeup artist for Dune, and she appears to be wearing the Renaissance. It is Raphael‘s Madonna del Prato. I assume this stuff is public domain, but I love imagining a call to the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna to be like, "Okay, HEAR US OUT..."

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jae C Hong/AP/Shutterstock (12869101fl) Eva von Bahr arrives at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles 94th Academy Awards - Arrivals, Los Angeles, United States - 27 Mar 2022

YES, that is her purse. It's very Monty Python to imagine her reaching into his skull to pull out a variety of personal items.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock (12862769aj) Eva Von Bahr 94th Annual Academy Awards, Roaming Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 27 Mar 2022

And, the back. THE PATTERN IS RENAISSANCE BABIES.