Oscars: Fashion on the red carpet

Carey Mulligan is rocking an LBD with a difference by Prada. Featuring tiny keys and scissors, it's a perfect match for her cute but quirky look
Photograph: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Maggie Gyllenhaal rarely puts a foot wrong, fashion-wise, and tonight is no exception. Not everyone could carry off this Dries Van Noten print dress, but she looks effortlessly cool Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Sandra Bullock bounces back from her Razzie award for worst actress in this beautiful pale gold gown made from vintage fabric Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez looks like she has been encased in bubble wrap. In actual fact, she's wearing an incredibly expensive Giorgio Armani Privé gown made from "futuristic fabric" and "inspired by the romance and mystery of the moon". That's fashion, folks! You're not supposed to take it seriously
Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Vera Farmiga looks ravishing in a ruffled deep pink Marchesa dress that contours her body then cascades to the ground. Minimal jewellery and natural makeup complete the look. It's a thumbs up from us
Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Her Christian Lacroix dress at the Golden Globes was too 'fashion' for us, but Diane Kruger gets it spot-on with this off-white ruffled and cinched Chanel gown Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Jason Merritt/Reuters/Getty

At first glance, we wrote off Zoe Saldana's Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci couture dress as over the top. After careful consideration, we have realised it's actually completely fabulous.
Photograph: Adrian Sanchez-gonzalez/Empics Entertainment

Sarah Jessica Parker looks stunning in this Chanel couture dress. "Mr Lagerfeld made it just for tonight!" she gushed, just in case we didn't understand the meaning of 'couture'
Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Mariah Carey alert! Cleavage or thigh, Mariah, cleavage or thigh ... Oh, what's the point? It's by Valentino, if you're interested
Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Does Penélope Cruz ever look anything but beautiful? OK, this wine-coloured ruched evening dress by Donna Karan is playing safe, but that's the only criticism we can muster
Photograph: Paul Buck/EPA

One-shouldered dresses are challenging. Sigourney Weaver looks a little too ... gladiatorial for our liking, but we can imagine others approving Photograph: Matt Sayles/Associated Press

Helen Mirren is a vision of elegance in Badgley Mischka couture Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

We have one word for Meryl Streep: boring Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Charlize Theron turns heads with this lilac Dior dress featuring two rosettes on the bust. Well, it's different Photograph: Lucas Jackson/guardian.co.uk

Is it ever OK to wear a dress the same colour as your skintone? Anna Kendrick almost convinces us in this soft-pink Elie Saab gown
Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Hurtlocker director Kathryn Bigelow looked stunning in Yves Saint Laurent [This caption was amended on 8 March 2010. The original said 'stunning in Marchesa'. This has been corrected]
Photograph: Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images

Stop press! Is Kristen Stewart smiling? A rare occasion indeed - but then she does look great in this inky blue Monique Lhuillier gown Photograph: Matt Sayles/Associated Press

Gabourey Sidibe wore an off-the-shoulder royal blue Marchesa gown with just the right amount of decoration, and a beautiful soft curl hairdo
Photograph: Jim Smeal/BEI / Rex Features/Jim Smeal/BEI / Rex Features

Nicole Richie goes for glam with a sequinned, fishtailed, batwinged dress, black nail varnish and full-on eye makeup. It's all far too much for us
Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Mo'Nique wore a ruched sapphire gown by Tadashi Shoji to accept her award for best supporting actress
Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Cameron Diaz goes for old-school Hollywood glamour in this gold Oscar de la Renta gown. Sure, she looks great, but she's not exactly breaking new ground Photograph: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

This blush Versace dress makes Demi Moore look a little washed out colour-wise, but it's still a beautiful dress that fits her perfectly Photograph: Peter Brooker / Rex Features/Peter Brooker / Rex Features

Oh dear. Kate Winslet's Yves Saint Laurent outfit resembles a suit of armour and is very unflattering Photograph: Matt Sayles/guardian.co.uk

Yes, we know you're there, Colin, but we're not interested in you today. Much more interesting is how fabulous your wife, Livia Giuggioli, looks in her 'green carpet' sustainably designed dress by Orsola de Castro
Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Teen heart-throb Zac Efron plays it safe in a black suit. Will any of the guys wear anything interesting this year? Doubtful.
Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Jeremy Renner looks like he's going to a wedding with that waistcoat, silver tie and matching hanky. Still, at least he's not wearing a tux like 99.9% of the male red carpet attendees
Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

Hurrah for Samuel L Jackson! He's gone for head-to-toe Armani: a midnight blue velvet and satin tux topped with a matching beret and round specs. An adventurous male dresser at last Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters