2010 Oscars Fashion Trends

The gowns at the Oscars last night were all over the place in terms of style, but the one thing they weren't was boring! Whether it was an explosion of ruffles, patterns akin to tie-dye or attachments of fabric that looked like misplaced bridal trains, the looks were memorable. Here were some of the most unusual Oscars fashions from Oscars 2010:

Trend: The Ruffle That Ate Los Angeles

Vera Farmiga wore a hot pink ruffled gown by Marchesa that sort of looked like a giant clam ate her and then crumpled. To complicate matters further, the ruffles themselves, which were larger than her head, had pleats in them. Though Marchesa also provided the most beautiful Oscar gown of the night (best actress winner Sandra Bullock's) and dressed the most notable newcomer at the Oscars, Gabourey Sidibe, this gown is overwrought and I think over time it will symbolize the way 2010 fashion went to excess as an antidote to a poor economy.

Demi Moore was also covered from her armpits to her toes (and beyond-this gown had a train too) in ruffles, but they were in a more subdued flesh tone and slightly more realistically proportioned. Though up close, this Atelier Versace gown had a lot of complicated wrapping on the bodice that could bring hospital bandages to mind, the whole picture together looked pretty.

Trend: Bizarre Tie-Dyed Prints

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams started an Oscars fashion trend of their own last night, and I have to give them credit, it's something that was never seen before at the Oscars (and hopefully may never be seen again). Tie dye just isn't what comes to mind when you think red carpet-at least, it isn't for me but apparently it was in at least two households with major star wattage yesterday. Rachel McAdams wore an Elie Saab Haute Couture gown in pale blue tones that is described by the design house as a "floral print," but to me it just looks like watercolors ran.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was similarly attired in a Dries Van Noten print gown, also in tones of blue, though this one was dressed up with Keith Haring-like black scribbles on it. Both Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dries Van Noten are noted for their avant garde fashion sense, so maybe there's something in this trend that I'm too reactionary to get yet.

Trend: Trains

There were more trains on the Oscars red carpet last night than at a bridal fashion show. Jennifer Lopez had one attached at the hip (Armani Privé), and Charlize Theron's Dior Couture gown actually looked nice from the side but was ruined by the giant lilac rosettes on her boobs (it also ruined my theory that you can't be tasteless in Dior).