Best and Worst at the 80th Academy Awards

Oscar fashion is always something to look forward to and with the writers strike finally over there was definitely reason to celebrate. The red carpet brought out the best in many of the actors and actresses this year.

Scarlets and blacks were the colours that dominated, with silks, satins and the women dripping with diamonds. It was all about class and old world glamour.

The woman of the night was Marion de Cotillard, who won best actress for La Vie en Rose. She was stunning in a white gown with mermaid fishtail skirt and fish scale detailing by Jean Paul Gautier Paris Haute Couture.

Anne Hathaway, who always looks regal, did not disappoint in a sophisticated one-shoulder scarlet silk chiffon dress by Marchesa. Heidi Klum looked gorgeous in a red silk John Galliano dress, which she kept simple by wearing no jewellery and sweeping her hair off her face.

Another trend on the carpet was the baby bump. Celebs such as Jessica Alba, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett all proudly showed off their new figures and strayed from the herd by wearing more muted colours such as maroon and deep purple.

There were definitely some fashion flops that graced the red carpet this year. One surprise was Dame Helen Mirren, who is always dressed to kill. Her floor-length Georges Chakra number was gorgeous but pairing it with the crystal-beaded shrug and £2.3 million of H Stern jewellery was over the top.

How did the men size up?

The majority of the men this year chose the classic black tie to stroll down the red carpet in. George Clooney, Harrison Ford and Forest Whitaker take the prize for best dressed. They kept it clean and simple and all looked dashing.

One of worst attired men on the carpet was Daniel Day Lewis. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed as he accepted a much-deserved Best Actor Award for There Will Be Blood in a black suit with mismatched brown shoes.

Hopefully next year we will see Hollywood taking more fashion risks on the red carpet instead of seeing the same colour and styles on every celebrity.

Original story written for Westminster Online