Worked Her Dress Or Looked A Mess: The 86th Annual Academy Awards

Ellen DeGeneres manages to hilariously work her Glenda the Good Witch costume after Pink's performance of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' during the 86th Annual Academy Awards 

The 86th Annual Academy Awards were held on Sunday, March 2, 2014 and included A-List celebs eating pizza in the audience, Meryl Streep shimmying with Pharell as he sang his Oscar nominated hit 'Happy' and host Ellen DeGeneres crashing Twitter with her group photo of megastars that quickly became the most retweeted picture in the history of Twitter!  

Ellen's epic "#Selfie" (technically this is more of a #Groupie) that is currently the most retweeted photo in the history of Twitter.  It also shut down the social media site due to the insane amount of traffic Ellen caused on Twitter moments after this photo was taken during the live Oscar's telecast. 

Even though fun was had by all during the broadcast, the Oscars would just not be the same without its legendary red carpet.  Some stars made me dizzy with glamour while others just made made me just plain nauseous.  Take a look at who I think worked their dress and who looked a mess!

Worked Her Dress: 

Kate Hudson

I know that Lupita Nyong'o is number one on many people's list for best dressed at the 2014 Academy Awards (she totally deserves it too) but I really have to give it to Kate Hudson as being my number one best dressed for the night.  Kate kills is in this Atelier Versace gown.  It exudes old Hollywood glam (which I am a sucker for) and you know I fall for a cape situation every time! The dress, hair and make up is all working for me!  I give her 10's across the board!

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne really stepped up her game for the Oscar's red carpet and looked like a vision in this Badgley Mischka gown!  The white dress is simple and elegant but, what makes this dress stunning and unique, is the beaded capelet that is worn over the gown (I told you I love a good cape/capelet situation).  So good! 

Lupita Nyong'o

This was the Oscar fashion moment of the night that had everyone buzzing.  Lupita looked like a 2014 Cinderella in this gorgeous custom Prada dress.  The true magic on the carpet happened when Lupita would change positions or continue walking after she stopped to take photos.  As she moved she would gather up a bit of her dress and do a bit of a twirl so that all of the material would be situated for the next group of photos and so she would not step on the dress.  She look ethereal and like the winner she is.  Kudos to her stylist Micaela Erlanger who deserve a huge pat on the back for giving Lupita a ridiculously epic award season with fashion that we won't soon forget!  Lupita will go down in the fashion and style hall of fame! 

Charlize Theron

Glamazon Charlize Theron had a jaw dropping moment on the Oscar's red carpet in this gorgeous haute couture Christian Dior gown.  I love the way the top of this gown was cut and the neckline is gorgeous.  It is plunging without looking trashy or tacky and the sheer train in beyond!  I think Dior did a fab job in making the straps nude as I don't think I would have liked this gown as much if the straps were black. J'adore! 

Cate Blanchett

If there is one actress that we can always count on to look like a glamorous movie star during award season it is Cate Blanchett.  Cate is so good at channeling vintage starletts with her poise and amazing make up and hair.  This Armani Prive nude gown is elegant, sophisticated and would make the actresses of old Hollywood proud.  I love me some Cate on the Carpet!

Jenna Dewan-Tatum

I honestly have never paid much attention to Channing Tatum's wife Jenna Dewan but on Oscars night sit totally stole the spotlight! She did Reem Acra right with this stunning gown that had her shining bright.  You can always tell when a woman feels phenomenal in a gown because she has a certain glow about her and Jenna was in sexy glow mode.  You glow girl! 

June Squibb

I love giving credit where credit is due when someone looks good in a gown (that includes men and women of all ages).  June Squibb killed it on the carpet in her custom Tadashi Shoji emerald green gown.  The actress is 84 years old years old and was killing it on the carpet.  I love seeing people of all ages looking fabulous and living their lives to the fullest.  Get it June Squibb! 

Gabourey Sidibe

I thought that Gabourey Sidibe looked sensational in her gown by Theia.  Theia had a great grasp of her shape and gave her a gown that was not too tight or too loose and flowy.  If this dress had too much material it could have looked like a fancy moo moo but Theia did a great job tailoring it to Gabourey. It goes to show that tailoring is key when it comes to looking fabulous as well as the proper fit.  This color also looks amazing on her.  Great job Gabby! 

Jared Leto

Now I know that is says "worked HER dress" but the guys really kicked ass this season on the red carpet and I had to acknowledge a few of them that looked dashing and dapper on Oscar night.  Jared Leto looked sophisticated and gentlemanly in a Saint Laurent suite.  I love that he incorporated color via the burgundy bow tie.  It added a fun element that showcased Jared's personality while still keeping a level of appropriateness for the occasion.  

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Some guys might feel really nervous about wearing color or a white jacket to a black tie event.  When in doubt you can never, never, never go wrong with a fab black tuxedo that is well tailored.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a perfect example of this in his Calvin Klein black tux.  Trust me guys, if you go with an all black suit you will always look chic and dapper!  Another cool thing about this tux is that it looks like the material has a bit of texture to it which really elevates the traditional look. 

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan is another example of how a black tux can take you places.  He looked super sharp in his Givenchy tuxedo that he wore with a black skinny tie.  Michael added originality by adding a white gold collar chain from the Gentleman X David Thomas X JBH collection.  Another reason why I love this look is because Michael is wearing the same white gold collar chain that I wore to Mercedes-Benz Fashion week in February! David Thomas' men's jewelry line is insane!  You have to check it out! 

Looked A Mess:

Kerry Washington

When I saw Kerry Washington in this Jason Wu gown I though, "Olivia Pope would so not approve!"  I don't think it does anything for her and it looks like someone got a few yards of sorta pretty fabric, wrapped it around Kerry, gathered it in a few places and used a tie clip to hold it together.  Also her hair and make up did nothing for me.  Kerry, I know you can do better because we have seen you do better so many times! 

Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick's J Mendel dress was anything but "Pitch Perfect."  There was way to much going on and I was not a fan of that trend of the asymmetrical strap that went to one side (a few dresses had it).  I also think it would have looked way better without the sheer area on the top of the gown.  Then it went to the midsection where who knows what was going on.  I suppose this dress could be fun for a more casual occasion but it was just a bit of a mess to me and not glam enough to be on the Oscar's red carpet.  Sorry Anna! 

Penelope Cruz

Again with the asymmetrical strap situation! I have never really been a fan of asymmetrical dresses as for some reason they just look cheap to me.  Obviously there are exemptions but this would not be one of them.  I feel like Penelope has her pick of the litter when it comes to Oscar gowns so I am not sure why her and/or her stylist would pick this Giambattista Valli gown.  It looks too old for her and the belt kind of dates the dress for me.  I think that she could have picked something chicer for the occasion.  Better luck next time P! 

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner missed the mark in this Oscar de la Renta dress.  I just don't feel like it was Oscar worthy.  I felt like this gown would have killed at the Grammy's or maybe even the Globes but I just did not like it for the Academy Awards.  Also I am not loving how she wore the silver platform heels with this gown.  Maybe if the gown was longer and covered up the shoes but to me it cheapens the look. 

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel looked very drab to me in this Chanel haute couture dress.  I love Chanel but I think that this nude gown was too simple and I am not a fan of the top as it looks like it is coming apart.  Jessica's hair was also lackluster and the make up could have popped a bit more.  I just think if you have a glam squad for the night you better make sure they make you looked snatched for the Gods! 

Pharell Williams

As I am typing this Pharell's Oscar nominated song 'Happy' is playing in the background but this suit choice did not make me happy at all.  We all know that Pharell made a hug splash with his now iconic park ranger slash Arby's looking hat so I guess he was trying to continue to stand out with his Lanvin suite that included tuxedo shorts.  I will say that it is awesome that he does not feel the need to be like 2009 Lady Gaga and dress ridiculous to get attention and stand out (he shows that small things can get you noticed) but I don't feel like the Oscar's red carpet is ever an appropriate place for men to wear shorts even if the are Lanvin.  Pharell's date looks way more dapper than he does and that is a bit awkward as his shorts make him look like a 12 year old.  When you are a guy on the Oscars red carpet you want to look dapper, dashing and like a handsome gentleman not like a child playing dress up.  I would have loved this for the Grammy's or even at the MTV VMA's when they were in Brooklyn but not at the Oscars.  Keep you gams covered for major black tie events, Pharell and men, unless its summer and it is not one of the most famous black tie red carpets in the world! 

I had a blast following the celebrity style evolution during the 2014 award season (especially Lupita's)!  Thanks so much to all of OJ&B's guys and gals for live tweeting all of the awards shows with me and stay tuned for lots more fun on OJ&B!  Until next red carpet y'all!