The Best-Dressed Women On The 2022 Oscar Red Carpet
Oscars fashion was back in full effect on Sunday, March 27, 2022 when Hollywood's biggest stars stormed the Dolby Theatre in their couture. Drama was a big trend we noticed among A-list celebrities' looks, with stars like Regina Hall sporting a sheer and sexy silhouette and Ariana DeBose rocking a long, red cape. Speaking of red, this was a big color of the night, with Kirsten Dunst, Tracee Ellis Ross, Marlee Matlin, Jennifer Garner and Rosie Perez all picking the scarlet hue (via Variety).
Separates were also a star favorite for the 94th Annual Academy Awards. Zendaya stunned in a skirt and satin, white shirt. And Kristen Stewart dared to pair very short shorts with a button-down white shirt. Yes, to the Oscars! But we loved seeing all the unique fashion takes because honestly, stars' arrivals were so exciting, we couldn't look away.
While it would be impossible to acknowledge every fashion high, we tried to highlight the looks that got Twitter talking most and had us scrambling to find out the inspiration behind each ensemble.
Regina Hall
Regina Hall wowed on the Oscars red carpet in a Vera Wang, coffee-hued, floaty, belted dress that featured a corset-style bodysuit underneath. Of course, the actress had to make a splash on Hollywood's biggest night, given that she was tapped to co-host along with Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes.
"I'm certainly a big fan of my two co-hosts and their work, and I'm excited to just be able to have a show that's back in person, with a host, back in the Dolby Theater this year," she told Harper's Bazaar, adding, "So, I think for all of us, even without the historical part, it's just a significant and exciting moment."
Of course, although we love this look, not everyone was a fan, with one account tweeting, "Regina Hall's gown is pretty, but it's pantyhose-colored."
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain chose a colorful, ombré Gucci gown with a golden bodice and lilac skirt that featured a dramatic floral-inspired hem. According to Cosmopolitan, the actress almost bypassed walking the red carpet to be sure to see the Best Makeup and Hairstyling statues being handed out—these categories will not be awarded during the live telecast. Her team from "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" is nominated in the category.
Luckily, we got to see Chastain strut her stuff for photographers pre-show. Because her shimmering gown is one we'll be buzzing about for years to come. Kicking off the commentary, Twitter users called her dress "a winner" and praised the star for channeling Old Hollywood glam.
Alana Haim
Nominated movie "Licorice Pizza" star Alana Haim may not be household name (yet!), but her fashion will be the talk of the town after tonight. Harper's Bazaar called the actress' simple, ivory, scalloped Louis Vuitton gown "timelessly elegant." As Just Jared notes, this was Haim's first Oscars, but we say she deserves to be on any best-dressed list.
Fans agree, with one tweeting that Haim looked "cool" and someone else praising the gown's details. "When the perfect dress meets the perfect star," another fan opined. We couldn't have said it any better!
Ariana DeBose
We all bow down to Ariana DeBose from "West Side Story" for being brave enough to wear a pants suit to the Oscars. The vibrant red ensemble featured a plunging, bra-inspired top and a look-at-me cape that screamed, "I'm here!"
The Hollywood Reporter notes that the ensemble was created as a custom look for the star by Valentino. As her stylist Sarah Edmiston explained, "We are doing nothing traditional. There is not a single traditional element to anything that's happening — not the jewelry, not the composition, not the styling. The reason is that it would be disrespectful to someone who is smashing every glass ceiling to put her in something traditional or which reflects any kind of conformity. This is the moment to break with tradition and really go for it."
Mission accomplished!
Nicole Kidman
A-lister Nicole Kidman looked like a true movie star when she arrived on the Oscars red carpet Sunday night, rocking a strapless, gray, peplum gown with a dramatic open back. Although she didn't chose a red gown like some of her peers, she did pair her neutral-toned dress with a red lip and manicure.
While we adore the "Being the Ricardos" star's Armani Prive Academy Awards gown, you can't please everyone. As one Twitter user opined, "Love the hair and jewels, but the dress is meh. Not a fan of the color. Looks like a comforter."
But other tweets fawned over the ensemble, with fans saying she "never disappoints," looks "beautiful" and that she "can pull off anything."
Zendaya
Taking a page out of Ariana DeBose's playbook, "Dune" star Zendaya chose separates for the Academy Awards. Departing from the traditional attire we are used to seeing at the Oscars, this fashion-forward look featured a glittering, long skirt with a train and a men's white work shirt-inspired top.
Of course, Zendaya is not the first actress to wear a white button down shirt to the Oscars, with E! Online noting that Sharon Stone sported a Gap version in 1998. Julia Roberts wore her own take on this look in 2014.
Meanwhile, Town & Country pointed out that Zendaya's accessories were also on point, with both of her arms being adorned by multiple Bulgari Serpenti Viper bangles.
Jada Pinkett Smith
You couldn't help but notice Jada Pinkett Smith as she sashayed onto the Oscars red carpet in a Jean Paul Gaultier couture ruched, emerald-toned gown featuring a train that practically needed its own time zone. The star was on hand to support her husband Will Smith for his Best Actor nomination for "King Richard" (via The New York Times).
Of course such a daring dress will garner both positive and negative feedback. One Twitter user called it "the look of the night," while someone else found comedy in the fashion moment, tweeting, "Jada Pinkett-Smith trying to maneuver down the carpet in this gown is so entertaining."
Kristen Stewart
Talk about separates! Did Kristen Stewart and Zendaya talk ahead of time and plan to don white button down shirts to the Oscars? Maybe not, because the "Spencer" star, who portrayed Princess Diana in the film, chose short shorts and a matching blazer to pair with hers.
The Chanel look was meant to be "groundbreaking" according to her stylist Tara Swennen, who spoke to Harper's Bazaar. She added, "For us, it was more about creating a look that was authentically hers, as this was her big, special day. She has been wearing lots of gowns, but today was her day to do whatever she wanted."