Red Carpet Trends: The Oscars Edit

Award season has been something I’ve loved ever since I was a little girl. The red carpet adorned with sequins, beads, satin, and silk by way of the custom designer gowns worn by Hollywood’s elite; a glimpse into a luxurious lifestyle and the “in crowd”; and a celebration of twisted and winding journeys of endurance reaching the pinnacle of achievements within the entertainment industries.

For me, there has always been something tangible about all of this that leaves me inspired and rejuvenated every time the season rolls around. A reassurance that “it can be done”, that perseverance and authenticity are rewarded in the end, and that believing in your talents and following your passion are indeed what dreams are made of.

Now I know everyone is talking about the unbelievable ending to the Oscars ceremony, but I thought I’d take it back to the beginning…the red carpet, and share some of the top red carpet trends I noticed with consistency throughout. Although these were seen on the red carpet, I can see many of them transitioning over to ready-to-wear, as well. Here’s a look at my nominees for the top red carpet trends from this year’s Oscars.

Color Trends

Champagne – Worn by Jessica Biel and several other Hollywood starlets, the champagne hue was perfect for such a celebratory occasion.

Red – This color looked absolutely stunning with Viola Davis’ skin tone and complemented her metallic accessories well. Others wearing red included Ginnifer Goodwin and Sara Bareilles.

White – I couldn’t get enough of this Zuhair Murad gown worn by Chrissy Teigen. White seemed to be the most popular color of the evening and definitely brought the heat.

Navy Blue – Navy has been embraced as an elegant replacement to the classic black dress and was sultry as ever paired with statement jewels in this look worn by Taraji P Henson. Navy blue also continues to be a hot red carpet trend for tuxes alike.

Beauty & Accessories Trends

Headbands – Fit for a goddess, headbands paired with pixie cuts or simple updos can dress up your mane and make it instantly red-carpet-ready.

Red Lips – Nicole Kidman’s red lip added the perfect splash of color paired with her lighter colored hair, fair skin, and nude colored dress.

Dress Cut Trends

Plunging Neckline – This neckline can be a challenge to pull off…it can become a fine line between classy and…well, you know. Michelle Williams makes it work effortlessly with her small frame.

Long Sleeved – This trend gives off a feeling of nostalgia for the “old Hollywood” days. Long sleeves balanced out the low cut on this Tom Ford gown worn by Amy Adams.

High Neck – This trend is going strong with everything from streetwear to jewelry and was seen numerous times in the looks on the red carpet. A high ruffled neck as seen below creates a softer rendition of this trend ensuring it doesn’t come across suffocating or stuffy.

Fabric Trends

Velvet – Elegance, structure, and glamour are the trifecta that is this amazing velvet Oscar de la Renta gown worn by Brie Larson. Although she’d look great in it, a paper sack just wouldn’t have the same effect.

Beads – Light catching beads capture flash bulbs and create a sparkle made for the red carpet. The weight of a beaded gown such as the below worn by Emma Stone also work great for hanging on the body in the most flattering of ways.

Tulle – What girl doesn’t want to feel like a princess? Layered and draped tulle is feminine, romantic, and channels the inner fairytale within us all.

 Which is your favorite trend? Let us know.