2009 Oscar Fashion: Best and Worst Dressed

At the Academy Awards last night, 2009 Oscar fashion was analyzed as much as the evening's Oscar winners. Each year, the Academy Awards is a highly anticipated event, and viewers look forward to seeing their favorite stars all glammed up on the red carpet. Perhaps it's a reflection of the sober state of our economy, but 2009 Oscar fashion took few risks and stars turned up at the ceremony in more sedate, safe styles than seen in Oscars past (remember Cher winning her Best Actress Oscar years ago in a belly baring Bob Mackie outfit, replete with a feathered headdress?)

Here's a look at the 2009 Oscar fashion winners and losers at this year's Academy Awards.

2009 Oscar Fashion: Worst Dressed

Kate Winslet triumphed last night, finally taking home the top acting prize as Best Actress for her role in The Reader. Unfortunately, her 2009 Oscar fashion look didn't really work, and the actress has shown her beauty to better advantage at other awards ceremonies this season. It's a shame that she chose such a severe look, as these 2009 Oscar fashion photos of Winslet accepting her award will be circulating for years to come.

Kate Winslet's hairstyle could best be described as sculptured and futuristic, but it lacked softness and was aging on this very attractive actress. The gunmetal gray color of her Oscar gown (designed by Yves St. Laurent) was rather drab and gave her an unfortunate dowdy appearance. Winslet's 2009 Oscar fashion lacked youthfulness and charm for this momentous event in her career.

Other 2009 Oscar fashion losers included Miley Cyrus, Marisa Tomei, Jessica Biel, Meryl Streep and Sarah Jessica Parker. Miley Cyrus' dress was tacky compared to all the other restrained looks of the evening, and Marisa Tomei seemed lost in a sea of elaborate pleats in her silver Versace gown. The usually chic Jessica Biel had an off night, and appeared barely able to walk in her 2009 Oscar fashion look (a very architectural gown which seemed like a cross between a pantsuit and a dress).

Sarah Jessica Parker's long lifeless hair appeared to drag her down as she wore yet another version of the flowing, fairytale-like princess gown she favors (this incarnation was designed by Christian Dior haute couture). Poor Meryl Streep seemed washed out in a neutral colored ill fitting dress, and she sported the same unflattering, sculptured hairstyle that seemed to afflict many of the 2009 Oscar fashion looks.

2009 Oscar Fashion: Best Dressed

Talented host Hugh Jackman was in perfect taste with his 2009 Oscar fashion, and he brought down the house with his musical numbers while looking quite dapper in a series of Burberry tuxedos. Other standouts for their 2009 fashion looks included Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Alicia Keys, and Freida Pinto. Nicole Kidman (in L'Wren Scott) and Anne Hathaway (wearing Armani Prive) dazzled in white, a hot 2009 Oscar fashion trend.

Angelina Jolie has looked incredibly pulled together lately, and her 2009 Oscar fashion look was all about restrained glamour. She donned a strapless black Elie Saab sheath with oversized emerald earrings, and with the equally well dressed Brad Pitt on her arm, all eyes were on Jolie on the red carpet.

Singer Alicia Keys, a presenter, and actress Freida Pinto, both successfully played with color in their 2009 Oscar fashion looks. Alicia Keys was a knockout with her long flowing hair and mauve colored gown that was expertly tailored and hinted at the first flush of spring. Lovely Freida Pinto, part of the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire cast, shone at the awards in a bright blue gown that echoed India in its lively color and design.

Best Supporting Actress winner Penelope Cruz, with her vintage gown and upswept hair, should be applauded for pulling off one of the best 2009 Oscar fashion looks of the night. Several of her fellow nominees for Best Supporting Actress, including Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis and Amy Adams, also showed impeccable taste last night at the Academy Awards.

2009 Oscar Fashion: The Wildcards

It was hard to decide which category to place the following stars: Beyonce Knowles and Mickey Rourke. Should they turn up in best or worst dressed for their 2009 Oscar fashion looks? Beyonce stood out in a strapless black number covered with a golden circular design. Some thought she looked stunning, others felt her outfit competed with the Oscar theme. At least she took a risk in a sea of more sedate (even boring?) 2009 fashion looks this year.

Mickey Rourke has developed a style all this own, and he didn't disappoint at the Oscars, turning up at the awards in a retro, 70s style suit reminiscent of Saturday Night Fever. Again, it's hard to criticize his 2009 fashion look, as it breathed some much needed fun into the proceedings, and made a good contrast with lots of other celebrities who played it super safe with fashion this year.

It's hard to predict what the stars will come up with next year at the Academy Awards; in the meantime, have fun analyzing all the hits and misses of their 2009 Oscar fashion looks.