Oscar Fashion Best and Worst

At last night's Oscars, there were really only a few surprises. The same goes for the Oscar fashions. Unlike at the Golden Globes earlier this year, there were no real trends in gowns. That ceremony saw almost everyone on in nude or blush tones. Though the Oscars were more colorful than the Globes, they weren't any more exciting. The looks spanned from safe to avant-garde, but even the more exotic gowns failed to capture much interest. Considering the ho-hum factor of last night's parade of gowns, we're going to spare you any similar boredom here and get down to the good stuff: the best and worst.

The Best

Witherspoon, Reece - Nina Ricci by Olivier Theyskens

She wowed us in a yellow Nina Ricci mini-dress at the Golden Globes and she did the same last night by pairing up with Nina Ricci again. Reese Witherspoon looked great in an eggplant-colored strapless gown designed by Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci. The dress, which was reminiscent of Michelle Williams Givenchy Haute Couture frock at the 2006 Golden Globes, was most stunning below the waist where tiers of fabric cascaded to the ground.

Gyllenhaal, Maggie - Proenza Schouler

Also looking great was Maggie Gyllenhaal in a blue Proenza Schouler gown. The dress was one shouldered and daring, featuring a black feathered hem. Maggie gave birth in October, but there was little sign of baby weight last night. Either she's got a great personal trainer or she's in good with the makers of Spanx.

Watts, Naomi - Escada

Naomi Watts is rumored to be on the verge of becoming a mom herself, but you couldn't tell it from the lovely light yellow Escada gown she wore last night. Like Maggie's dress, Naomi's was strapless and featured a dark colored sash at the waistline. It eased away from the body as well, making any baby bump negligible at most. Giving the dress a medieval romantic quality were its half sleeves.

Paltrow, Gwyneth - Zac Posen

Gwyneth Paltrow proved she's still a fashionista by wearing a salmon-colored gown by Zac Posen. Gwyneth's dress had a high neckline, but was sheer and revealed a low-cut bustier underneath. The pleats and fishtail hem gave the gown an architectural quality.

Biel, Jessica - Oscar de la Renta

Weisz, Rachel - Vera Wang

Lopez, Jennifer - Marchesa

Honorable mentions go to Jessica Biel in a nearly-neon pink gown straight off the Oscar de la Renta runway, Jodie Foster in a slate blue chiffon Vera Wang, Rachel Weisz in a silver strapless Vera Wang and Jennifer Lopez in a bejeweled lilac Marchesa (picked out by her husband, Marc Anthony).

The Worst

Dunst, Kirsten - Chanel Haute Couture

It pains us to do this, but the night's worst dressed had to have been Kirsten Dunst. She should be commended for attempting to make haute couture work outside of a fashion show, but her powder blue and silver Chanel gown was just too weird for the Oscars. The details, from ornate sequins at the bodice to feathers at the hemline, could have worked without the faux collared neckline. But the Peter Pan collar was inescapable and made the dress a big mistake.

Details also killed the dress of another young starlet, Anne Hathaway. She wore an ivory strapless Valentino gown that could have put her on the best dressed list. Unfortunately, the lovely lace silhouette was ruined by the oversized black bows at the chest and in the back.

Hathaway, Anne - Valentino

Kelly Preston was hurting in a leopard print Dolce & Gabbana dress that looked like it came straight out of Peggy Bundy's closet. Preston is a good looking woman, but she no longer has the figure to pull off skin-tight animal print. And even if she did, animal print has no place at the Academy Awards.

Preston, Kelly - Dolce & Gabbana