Oscar fashions described as demure

By Petra Canan

Created:
02/23/09 10:27pm

Last updated:
02/23/09 10:27pm

No comments

The annual Academy Awards are a night for fantastic fashion, and the 81st Oscar ceremony last night was no exception.

The gowns were gorgeous and the big fashion names in full force, but if I had to sum up the styles of the red carpet for both men and women (excluding Mickey Rourke for whom there are no words) I would say “demure” fits best.

The ladies took a more laid back approach, with sleeker silhouettes and colors that were either rich, like the deep red worn by nominee Amy Adams, or soft, from the off-white gown donned by nominee Taraji P. Henson or the slate grey worn by nominee Meryl Streep.

While there were a variety of shapes and silhouettes, many of the gowns were either strapless or off one shoulder.

Overall, the ladies looked clean and chic, with a few exceptions. Beyoncé looked a bit uncomfortable in her curve-hugging black and gold gown, and Miley Cyrus too closely hearkened to her Disney roots in a gown with full skirt of petals adorned with silver sparkle.

The men took a dapper approach with leading stars like Brad Pitt in classic tuxedos. Sean Penn, who took home the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, stepped out in a black suit with black dress shirt. More modern, but still clean and appropriate.

To choose fashions of a more reserved nature, while still paying tribute to the formality and tradition of the event, was a fitting move for a show that began by commenting — through song and dance — on the economy.

Commentary

Add your $0.02, go to the comment form or follow the comment feed

About In Seams

Features Editor Petra Canan takes a look at today’s most worn or scorned trends in fashion and checks out what the stylish women of MSU are sporting around campus.

Follow this blog in your feed reader

FEATURED CLASSIFIEDS: More classifieds »

In Employment:

In Apts. For Rent:

FALL/SUMMER 1-2 bdrm apt.

In Services:

SEND VOCALISTS to your Valentine.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:More reprints »

A firework display shimmers and shines above Cooley Law School Stadium Sunday night after the Lansing ...
Florence Welch, lead singer of London-based indie group Florence and the Machine, throws up a sign of ...
As deconstruction of the MSC smokestack continues, bricks pile up at the foot of the once iconic MSU ...
Paige Triezenberg, a global and area studies senior, uses a small trowel to clear dirt around an animal ...
Bournville, England resident Trevor Workman plays the carillon for the first Muelder Summer Carillon ...