The Best Dressed at This Year's Oscars

Glitz, glamour, and political statements. From Adam Rippon's viral fit to Frances McDormand's empowering call to action, Sunday night's Academy Awards had it all. And fashion was, as it should be, front and center. The lack of a co-ordinated all black move allowed actors and actresses to truly express their stylistic abilities.

So now, here comes a roundup of my favorite outfits, as well as a couple that I simply must talk about.

First, I've got to start with our ladies in gold.

Lupita Nyong’o in custom Atelier Versace, Versace bag, Niwaka jewelry and Alexandre Birman shoes | Image Via

Gal Gadot in Givenchy dress and shoes, with Tiffany & Co. jewelry | Image Via

Jennifer Lawrence in head-to-toe Dior | Image Via

These three looks all really impressed me. Donatella always does her best work with a gold dress, and this ensemble is simply stunning on Nyong'o. The detailing in her hair, as well as her simple jewelry, really enables the dress to take the spotlight. With Givenchy, Gadot looks fun and energetic, yet also immensely elegant. I love the way the dress moves, and that beautiful Tiffany necklace takes the fit from striking to sensational. Lawrence looks like an Oscar herself in sculptural Dior. The silver diamond bracelet and bold eyeliner again take the outfit that little bit further. And her hair - with its natural curls and even fade - is, as usual, certain to inspire thousands of wannabes across the world.

Up next, we have three women who went for bold statements on the big night:

Saoirse Ronan in a Calvin Klein by Appointment dress, Cartier jewelry and Christian Louboutin shoes | Image Via

Haley Bennett in head-to-toe Dior | Image Via

Zendaya in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture, BVLGARI jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes | Image Via

Saoirse Ronan (one of my all-time favorite actresses) was back on the red carpet exactly ten years after her first Academy Award nomination for Atonement - and boy did she make a point of it! Her dress is deceivingly simple, yet the back and train push the fit outside of the box in a very cool way. I love the diamond earrings, and boy does her sharply sliced hair look good! Bennet's dress immediately caught my eye.The feathering is intricate and on trend, and I adore the thin line from chin to chest. The green looks beautiful - a color we keep seeing pop up all over the runway and red carpet. Meanwhile Zendaya sported a fit that got some criticism. I read comments about it drowning her or being too dull - but my could I not disagree more! First of all, the Giambattista Valli dress seems distinctly her - it captures her nonchalant-ness in an impressive way. On top of that, I love the asymmetric shoulders, and the decision to pull Zendaya's hair up and keep the makeup simple was a great one.

Now I'd be remiss to not mention some of the guys' outfits this year. With each awards cycle, it feels like men are pushing the boundaries of fashion more and more. Long gone are the days of simple black tuxes for all the male celebrities. My favorite three looks all came from figures invited for Call Me By Your Name (easily the best film of the year in my mind).

Timothée Chalamet in Berluti | Image Via

Armie Hammer in Giorgio Armani | Image Via

James Ivory in a shirt created by Andrew Mania | Image Via

Chalamet is a vision in angelic ivory Berluti (his go-to designer this season). It's a bold move, and one that truly pays off. I love the bowtie and, as usual, his hair is on point. Hammer looks radiant in custom Armani. The color is striking, and the slim cut flattering. The sleek gold watch is the cherry on top. Finally Ivory, Call Me by Your Name's cinematographer - and now the oldest winner of an Oscar at 89, caused quite a stir on the red carpet. His shirt - crafted by artist Andrew Mania - captures Chalamet lost in thought. The two have established an adorably close relationship - with Chalamet helping Ivory up the stairs to collect his award - and this look was just too much to handle.

Now, these nine looks were great - in my mind the best - but there were two more that drew their fair share of attention. 

Adam Rippon in Moschino by Jeremy Scott | Image Via

Adam Rippon, fresh from Pyeongchang's Winter Olympics, made a statement move in his custom Moschino leather look. The piece - which bore hints of BDSM - served to further Rippon's establishment as an out-and-proud figure - confident in who he is. I loved the 'who gives' vibe, and the rings and watch were on trend and, more importantly, distinctly cool.

Up next - Salma Hayek.

Salma Hayek in custom Gucci | Image Via

Hayek, who went on to speak during the ceremony - alongside fellow Weinstein accusers - about the Time'sUp movement, faced some backlash for this pick. Many felt the diamonds went overboard, and she was quickly labelled meme-worthy - not a designation I'd wish on anyone. Though I understand where the critique is coming from, I think that this dress actually has a lot going for it. The ultra-violet has literally been termed the color of the year, and was refreshing to see. I love the shimmer of the fabric, and the strong bust and then contrasting tie in at the waist was really interesting. I also found the layering of the dress striking, and thought it added depth and elegance. The diamonds themselves - reportedly worth more than $4 million - I, in fact, found pretty damn cool. They stop the dress from being too run of the mill, and pair beautifully with Hayek's dangling earrings and engagement ring. Overall, a bold move worth saluting.

Et voila! A rundown of my (of course incredibly subjective and biased) favorite looks from the Academy Awards. I hope you disagree with at least a few - that's what makes fashion fun!

Feature Image Via