As invested as we are in #whowillwin chat, let’s be honest – snagging a best-dressed title at the Oscars is as iconic as the little golden man himself. Thankfully the ladies didn’t disappoint, sending out A-lister runway hits (with only a few noted misses) worthy of worldwide airtime.
Any stylist worth her Oscars fee would attest the devil is in the details – or the diamonds, as the case may be. Take a closer look at the red carpet accessories we’re taking home for later.
The Chandelier Earring
Bigger, bolder, brighter, better – this year the earring is making a staunch comeback in the jewels department. The bigger the earring the closer the Oscar, perhaps? Who knows – but the gal club involved (Sofia Vergara, Julienne Moore, the usual’s) is running rampant with oversized ear candy.
Wear it from red carpet to real life by downscaling the rest of your accessories – they have a tendency to overpower, put away the jewellery box and let them be the focal point of your outfit. Just to note, if you’re going larger than life, best to wear your hair down – a sleek up-do sits best with something smaller to scale.
The Metallic Heel
The new neutral? It seems so – Alicia Vikander (in Louis Vuitton) shows how to temper a bold colour with metallics to perfection. It seems like a fashion anomaly, but at times the stock standard black/white/tan colour wheel of accessory options dulls a look. Here’s where metallics step in – a serene balance of sparkle and shine without going too OTT. Just be sure to keep all your accessories in the same metallic family for consistency.
The Statement Cuff
Gone is the arm party of bracelets from last season – now we’re taking a more sculptural approach. Olivia Munn (in Stella McCartney) paired her bold one-shouldered gown with a snake-like cuff to balance out her silhouette (definitely a textbook styling move worthy of note). Leave behind the excess jingle jangle and devote all your wrist airtime to one statement piece for maximum impact.
The Box Clutch
An award show styling rule of thumb is to keep your clutch on the small side (with many actresses choosing to go hands free for the most part) – but size restrictions aside, we’re all about the box shapes running rings around the red carpet. Blacks, whites, embellishment, tassels – everyone’s invited when we’re talking a multi-tasking accessory such as this. Stock up on a neutral, an embellished and a metal at home so you’re prepped for any occasion.
The Ornate Belt
For the gents, a belt is a make-or-break – for the ladies however, not so much. Brie Larson (in Gucci) gives the oft-forgotten accessory some airtime with amazing results, keeping her bejeweled number as the focus of her dress.
Try this one for size at home with any simple colour blocked pieces needing a little extra 10%, or as a trade-in for a swathe of jewellery – follow Brie’s lead and keep the rest of your accessorizing on the minimal side.
The Choker
Pendants made a quiet departure from the red carpet this year, upstaged by our newest neck necessity: the choker. Olivia Wilde (in Valentino) made a winning case for the latest accessory du jour – in diamonds, no less.
For everyday, try it with a deep-v neckline – they can look a little cramped on a crew neck or anything too high, so make sure there’s a bit of skin on show to allow it to ‘breathe’. Dip your toe in with a simple, thin short chain worn high, or go full throttle in a metal number for a quick seasonal update.