Looking Ahead to the Oscars

Football season may have ended in an unfortunate loss for the Steelers, but awards season is still in full swing. Red-carpet fashions, ranging from stunning to shabby, will give you something to root for along with the stars who are wearing them.  

Maggie Dimmick, a resident who is studying apparel design at Cornell University, provided Patch with a recap of the trends and style winners and losers spotted at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. 

These shows, along with other recent film and music awards shows, are just a warm-up for the Super Bowl of entertainment events: The Academy Awards airs on Sunday, Feb. 27. 

Fashions we've seen so far  may be a foreshadowing of both the good and bad looks to come.

Golden Globes, Jan. 16

“For the most part, the crop of gowns worn were surprisingly classic and flattering,” Dimmick said.  “Actresses usually try to save that for the Oscars, which is a more formal event.  Dresses were fitting the women very well.” 

Trends

• Subtle colors: pale pinks, nudes, light blue-grays, creams, with a few emerald greens (Angelina Jolie and Mila Kunis) and oranges (January Jones and Kyra Sedgewick) thrown in.
• Sequins: Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock and Angelina Jolie all sported all-over shine.
• Trains: Seen all over, ranging from subtle trains like Nicole Kidman's Prada gown to longer ones like Mila Kunis' stunning Vera Wang gown.
• Long sleeves: In a modest surprise, Angelina Jolie and Anne Hathaway donned this covered-up look.

Standouts

• Eva Longoria: This "Desperate Housewives" star wore a classic black Zac Posen gown with a dramatic circular hemline.
• Scarlett Johansson: Looking timeless in a vintage-inspired Elie Saab gown with sequins. 

Worst Dressed

• Christina Aguilera: Her mermaid-style Zuhair Murad gown was all wrong — from the unflattering fit to the nude underlay. This diva and Western Pennsylvania native would’ve been better off in a sausage casing.

Screen Actors Guild Awards, Jan. 30

“The dresses at the SAG awards were a bit more daring, and there was a wider range of looks,” said Dimmick.

Trends

• Subtle colors similar colors to the Golden Globes: as seen on Eva Longoria, Annette Bening, Hilary Swank.
• Classic Hollywood glamour, also similar to the Golden Globes: as seen on January Jones in Carolina Herrera.
• Prints: Mila Kunis wore a striking red-on-white printed dress by Alexander McQueen.
• Short dresses: Jane Krakowski in a below-the-knee one-shouldered sequined dress.
• Daring looks: Julie Bowen in a Catherine Malandrino jumpsuit.

Standouts

• Hailee Steinfeld: This "True Grit" breakout star kept it energetic, yet sophisticated in her orange, pink and black striped Prada gown.
• Tina Fey: The eye-catching, lace-covered red Oscar de la Renta gown fit her beautifully and her swept-up, loose hair completed the look perfectly.

Worst Dressed

• Jennifer Lawrence:  The "Winter’s Bone" actress was channeling Malibu Barbie, except Barbie would certainly have chosen better shoes! Bright pink, really high slit, and the wrong black shoes.  Eek.

From glamorous trains to train wrecks, we have seen it all on the red carpet so far this season.  Here’s to more looks worth glorifying and denouncing at the upcoming Academy Awards.