Red Carpet Review: 5 Best Looks From the 2015 Academy Awards

As anyone who has an infatuation with the entertainment industry knows, the Academy Awards are the cinematic Super Bowl. Not only is it a night to celebrate critically-acclaimed movies and create pop culture moments (here's to you, John Travolta), this awards show is undeniably known for showcasing the fiercest celebrity fashion looks. However, this year's red carpet faced a sartorial lull. With fashion month in full swing, the most ensembles felt basic in comparison to the high-octane shows that are spamming every fashion fanatic's Instagram feed. Luckily, there were some get-ups that satiated the otherwise starved carpet. Check out the five best looks from last night's red carpet.

Emma Stone in Elie Saab: From dressy trousers to a stylish suit jacket paired with a sheer skirt, the nominee has been rocking gender-bender threads at this year's major award shows. Sporting a beaded Elie Saab dress is nothing new-- in fact, it feels as if every A-Lister has worn a similar outfit at some point in her career. However, the opened back and up-to-there slit adds a sultry flair to an otherwise conservative silhouette. What makes this look worthy of a spot on most best-dressed lists is the way Stone's stylist put this ensemble together. The matching glitzy bracelets and the dramatic wavy hair makes this outfit feel fresh and youthful. Cool girl Emma strikes again!

Juliane Moore in Custom Chanel: It's no secret that the Still Alice star would take home the treasured statuette at last night's ceremony. After years of nominated performances, it was irrefutable that this was Moore's year. Enter the perfect Oscar dress: shimmery, modern and ridden of any "basic" connotations thanks to the floral detailing along the neckline, hips and train. As most young girls dream of the perfect wedding dress, it's easy to imagine that aspiring actresses lose sleep over what they would wear to accept their Academy Award. "It has to be timeless, but something that will also get me a spot on most best dressed lists," they probably say. "My makeup has to be fresh and though I want to wear Cartier or Fred Leighton, I can't be dripping in diamonds--it'll take focus away from my Oscar." This outfit is everything an award-winning actress should wear. The slicked back updo and scarce (yet decadent) jewels complete a truly timeless look.

Keira Knightley in Valentino Haute Couture: If the 2015 awards season had superlatives, The Imitation Game star would definitely win "most ethereal pregnant woman on the red carpet." With her milkmaid disaster from the Golden Globes as an exception, the expectant mother's outfits consistently offered an admirable ease and comfort without looking too maternity. This Valentino Haute Couture dress was whimsy enough to fulfill Knightley's effortless aesthetic, yet formal enough to be Oscar-appropriate. Equally spot-on was the actress's beauty regime: her waves were coiffed to perfection and the fuss-free makeup perfectly complemented the dress.  Brava!

Rosamund Pike in Givenchy: As a relative red carpet rookie, try saying that five times fast, the Gone Girl star is exciting to watch. Though she doesn't receive as much praise as sartorial stars such as Lupita Nyong'o, Pike is taking risks by sporting balloonish silhouettes, touchable textures and the occasional pop of color. Opting for monochromatic is a sure-fire way grab the attention of style savants; however, sporting a completely red look on the red carpet is dicey. Can we say too much red? But with a textured dress, thin-strapped shoes and a subtly pink pout, the nominee successfully avoided a major faux pas. On the contrary, Pike gives a conventional red carpet gown a trendy twist.

Margot Robbie in Saint Laurent: In the fashion world, chic and sexy are rarely used in one sentence. However, thanks to the good graces of the Focus star, Robbie's outfit is in fact both chic and sexy. Her secret? Pairing a plunging neckline with ultra-stylish add-ons. While the delicately draped neckline turns up the sex appeal in a sophisticated manner, the matte red lip and stunning Van Cleef and Arpels necklace are everything a fashion nerd dreams of. Without this power combo, the dress would look like a slutty Stevie Nicks outfit and the add-ons would be Man Repeller-worthy. Together, the pieces are kind of amazing and create a sartorial force to be reckoned with. Many critics compare Robbie's look to a reinvented Michelle Pfeiffer, but this budding actress is in a league of her own.

Which red carpet looks did you love? Sound off below!

Photos courtesy of Refinery29

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The Weekly: If You Can Go Downtown With a Girl Like Me

Once upon a time, I used to think that Rihanna was such a fashion icon: she had the perfect blend of edge and style to make her something really special. But things changed. Yes this is going to be a ranting blog. I just don't understand, what happened to Rihanna's style. Of course everyone feels for her Chris Brown tragedy; however, her fashion sense is starting to scare me.  Remember when she looked so amazing?

Photo Cred

I loved when she wore this Zac Posen at the 2008 Grammy Awards. The color was so stunning and the knee length hem was genuinely fascinating. I remember it was back then when I thought to myself, "Self, Rihanna is going to be a fashion icon."

But let's fast-foward to NOW.

Photo Cred

I'm totally all for being an original for fashion, but there's a fine line between "individuality" and "costume frenzy" and Rihanna has totally crossed it. I don't know who made this dress and quite frankly, I don't want to know. All of these bright colors, mixed with her clownish red hair makes her look ridiculous in my opinion.  She has such potential: WHAT WENT WRONG?! This also brings up another question: what exactly does it take to become a fashion icon in contemporary society? Do you have to dress too insane, a la Gaga and Rihanna, or can you dress with taste and be considered iconic?

I don't really have an answer, but just a cute little thought!

Anyways, onto the weeklies!

• Rosamund Pike at the 2011 BAFTA Awards (McQueen): Here's an upcoming trend for you: wearing incredible McQueen prints on the red carpet. You would think that a blonde wearing a yellow dress would be way to much yellow, but the different shades made this monochromatic look tres chic! Her wavy hair made this look so ethereal and awesome.  And the natural browns she used for her belts and bracelets added to this ethereal look. I actually liked the red carpet interpretation much better than the runway look because I was too focused on the belt and bangles, though the silver leaf look is so cool.
• Gemma Arterton at the 2011 BAFTA Awards (Yves Saint Laurent):  I thought this dress was super fun, like a modern take on Marilyn's "Diamonds" dress. Periwinkle and black is such a stunning and sophisticated color duo, which is even better by mixing fabrics. I'm glad that she toned down the accessories and focused more on eye-popping makeup. The bright red lip is so elegant and perfectly fits this chic Parisian look. LOVING IT.
• Blake Lively at a Van Cleef&Arpels Party (Marchesa): Once again, Blake Lively is the best dressed at a party, shocking! Is anyone starting to sense my eternal jealousy? If anyone else were to try and pull off this Marchesa, I would probably really hate it. But Blake knows how to wear such a complex dress and make it look effortless and incredible: nude heels and no jewels. Her slightly messy hair also makes this outfit work. Ugh,  I wish I was her.

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