It’s Hollywood’s biggest night of the year: The 97th annual Academy Awards!
But before anyone goes home with that precious golden statue–or is salty because the Academy chose another nominee–actors must be interviewed, red carpets must be walked and, most importantly, outfits must be judged by NBN’s Life & Style section.
“The paramount of fashion critique” – Vogue, probably (just kidding, plz don’t sue us Anna Wintour).
This review is brought to you by Life & Style co-editors Jacqueline Emerson and David Samson and managing editor Sammi Li.
Jackie is a Medill second-year double majoring in journalism and economics. Though Oscars outfits probably won’t show up on her econ exam next week, she’s excited to take a break from studying. It’s a cost-benefit analysis if you will. She’s most looking forward to Timothée and Mikey.
David is a Medill third-year majoring in journalism with minors in political science and English literature. He will riot if Wicked doesn’t win Best Picture and Cynthia Erivo doesn’t win Actress in a Leading Role. He’s been a fan of hers since The Color Purple, so he wants no bandwagoning hate. Of course, David is looking for innovative and expressive looks, but at the end of the day the Oscars is all about dressing your best. His jaw needs to be on the floor.
Sammi is a Medill and Bienen third-year studying journalism and piano performance. Don’t tell her piano professor, but she’s singing “Dancing Through Life” instead of practicing that Brahms sonata right now. She’s just waiting for Ariana Grande to show up in a huge pink ball gown.
And now what you’ve been waiting for, the stars!!!
DS: It’s um…very reflective.
SL: Woah…the reflective texture kind of reminds me of a car. The top also looks a little too chunky.
JE: It’s a lot. I don’t even know where to look.
SL: She kind of looks like a wavy flower vase. I don’t love how the bottom of the skirt looks like the silhouette of a tanghulu. The top and the necklace are pretty though.
JE: The shape of the dress is just not doing it for me. The sheer black gloves are a nice touch though.
DS: Well, it looks a little too much like if curtains were wrapped around a lamp for my taste, but it kinda grows on me the longer I look at it. Color is carrying the dress.
DS: She looks stunning as always.
SL: Beautiful color, beautiful earrings, beautiful detailing on the straps, beautiful actress.
JE: Gorgeous. Kind of princess-y.
DS: Love the coat, hate the pink shirt. It just doesn’t fit the all-black aesthetic.
JE: Agree about the pink shirt. Also not a huge fan of the leathery texture.
SL: Hot take but I see the vision behind the pink shirt with green embroidery on the black jacket–Glinda and Elphaba!
DS: At first I thought it was too safe, but honestly, she looks really pretty. The whole concept works and the necklace is the cherry on top.
JE: Wait, I like this. It’s very old Hollywood glam.
SL: The hairstyle with the cut of the dress looks so classic and elegant. That color looks great on her.
SL: I like the cut and silver looks great on her, but something about the texture of that dress kind of gives tin foil.
DS: I think this is a really flattering and stylish look.
JE: She looks gorgeous. Simple but effective.
DS: It’s cool. The dress balances black and white so subtly and skillfully, then the red comes in with that perfect extra touch.
JE: Oh, I kind of love it. I feel like we haven’t seen this type of fit before.
SL: The layering is unique and I love the red flower.
SL: WOW, EATS. Love the goth aesthetic.
JE: Ate down. The scarf tie, the polka dot shirt and the veil? Amazing.
DS: I really like this. I could do without the veil, but the scarf and polka dots make up for it tenfold.
DS: My goodness she looks stunning. STUNNING. This is my Roman Empire. This is everything. It’s so true to her and to Elphaba, and it just looks phenomenal. Perfection in a dress. Even if she doesn’t win tonight–boo, give her an EGOT please!–she’s already won in my eyes.
SL: Love the velvet texture and the deep green. The bow shape cut at the top is beautiful and the neck piece kind of gives vampire but in a slay and powerful way.
JE: Ok, she did that. Her nails!!
SL: She looks like a cottage-core princess. Love.
DS: This is a lovely look. I think the black bow adds so much to an already impressive dress.
JE: I feel like black-on-white is such a chic, classic combo and Elle does it so well.
SL: He looks like butter. It’s Timothée Chalamet though so it’s funny.
JE: Man with the Yellow Hat from Curious George vibes. Love you Timothée!
DS: I shouldn’t like this as much as I do, but I think the color works. The suit is a great cut and he has the confidence to pull this look off–not everyone does.
DS: It’s too much for me. I like the jacket and lavender, but the layers strip the whole concept of its cohesion. Credit where credit is due, it’s VERY Jeff Goldblum.
JE: Love love the boutonnière and jacket. The shirt is a bit overstimulating but also very Jeff Goldblum so I can’t say I’m against it.
SL: The ivory jacket with the lavender accent (???) underneath is eating. But the patterned shirt underneath with the bowtie is a little too much.
DS: The top looks great, but, um…let’s pretend the bottom doesn’t exist. Like it’s fine, but for Ariana’s standards it’s a flop.
SL: Oh no…she looks like a birthday cake. I’m devastated for her.
JE: Yeah, the tulle is a miss.
SL: Simple but sleek. Don’t love it but I don’t hate it either.
JE: I like the white tie and watch. The fit is also super flattering.
DS: He looks so pookie.
DS: I like the gold highlights, but I’m not a huge fan of the top cut. Feels like she tried to do a little too much construction-wise, but still the dress is quite chic.
SL: The cut on the top looks a little weird but I like the color and Amelia is a slay herself 😀
JE: Love Amelia! She looks like a mermaid–love the color and style but a little awkward on land.
SL: I don’t love it, but he looks so content in it I don’t want to dull his sparkle.
DS: An indecisive Jay Gatsby. Every piece on its own is great, but there is no cohesion.
JE: Major magician vibes. He looks like he’s about to pull out a dove from his coat pocket.
DS: She looks great. Simple, sleek and elegant.
SL: The entire outfit looks so good on her. Just the right amount of sparkle, the cut is so classy and the matching purse and necklace are so elegant.
JE: If anyone can pull off an all-black fit, it’s Coco.
SL: The cut is OK, but the huge bow looks kind of just like a knot. I wish it was an actual bow.
JE: It’s giving cute handkerchief.
DS: What Jackie said, but like, less cute.
SL: Love the color combo, although the pink washes her out a little bit.
DS: I really really like the pink dress, and the black top really gives the whole piece definition.
JE: YES. Love the contrasting colors.
JE: She looks like the Oscar.
DS: A step up from Whoopi, but still a lot to look at.
SL: The earrings are nice and the colors are OK, but I don’t love the cut of the skirt. It feels a little boxy.
JE: Beautiful, but then again she looks beautiful in everything.
DS: She looks amazing. The dress is great, but the black feathers make this a masterpiece. Who’s surprised that Anok Yai ate? No one.
SL: I love the 1920s look. The necklace is simple yet elegant, the dress is absolutely beautiful and the feathers are the perfect finishing touch.
SL: The silver detailing of the top is a cool touch of sparkle. She looks beautiful.
JE: I adore this dress.
DS: She looks great. The top is so chic and the black is a classic. There was no need to overdo it.
DS: Now you see me? Yes Jesse, unfortunately, I see you.
JE: Back in his Mark Zuckerberg era, I guess.
SL: I’m speechless…not in a good way.
DS: I think she looks quite nice. It’s a classic concept but well executed.
JE: She looks great, but I don’t know if it’s the dress or her.
SL: Not sure if it’s because I’ve seen too much silver today, but I don’t love it. The metallic feels a little overpowering. I don’t hate it either though.
DS: I like the dress style and cut but the color seems too safe for me. Not bad, but just doesn’t stand out as much as she typically does.
SL: Such a classic cut, but I agree, I don’t like the color. It’s sort of giving dirt.
JE: Yeah, not sure if I’m a huge fan of how the dress blends with her hair. Her tan looks amazing though.
SL: I really like the corset top with the flared chiffon skirt. Her jewelry is so pretty and I love her hairstyle too.
DS: She looks really nice, although I fear the corset isn’t super comfortable to wear. But that’s fashion right?
JE: Very dainty and demure.
JE: I like the eggshell white(?) shirt underneath. Just a good-looking guy in general.
DS: The off-white is throwing me…off. At this point I would have been happy with a basic suit, and maybe a shave.
SL: It’s fine, but I’m not sure how I feel about the eggshell color.
DS: Look, she’s one of my favorite actresses and she looks very nice, but I feel like I’ve seen her wear a dress like this a thousand times. Let’s be a little less safe please.
SL: She’s beautiful, but the pattern is giving fish scales. It just feels a little plain.
JE: It’s OK. Needs more accessories.
DS: She looks stunning, as always. The color is so vibrant and the dress is beautiful and classic. Wow, just wow.
JE: Round of applause for Miss Yeoh.
SL: Blue is her color. She looks elegant and powerful as always.
SL: I don’t love the frills in the middle of the piece, and the neckline looks a bit stuffy. It’s sort of giving bird.
JE: Very bird-like for sure. I do think she pulls it off though.
DS: It looks like she’s sitting in a bush. No.
JE: The warm chocolatey brown is everything.
DS: He looks great. I love the different textures and shades of brown. It’s a subtly bold look that he handled well.
SL: Ugh, he looks good in everything. The brown is such a good color on him.
DS: Can we stop with sending men on the red carpet in a basic suit and tie? It’s boring and Ariana deserves better.
SL: Basic. Thank you, next.
JE: Is he on his way to pick up a girl from prom? Boring.
DS: A double fault I fear. A bit too safe for someone so confident on court.
SL: The color sort of washes her out and the cut is a little drabby.
JE: I don’t really like the hair. The dress is pretty but it’s missing something.
SL: The feathery texture ends a little halfway through the skirt, and it’s a little confusing. I wish the entire skirt was satin.
JE: I kind of want her eyebrows back. Dress is nice though.
DS: I actually like the top half of the dress a lot, but the bottom falls a bit flat for me. And yes, where are her eyebrows?
DS: I absolutely love this suit. It’s pretty classic, but the color and neck detail look great.
SL: The color is so sleek and refined. Looks great.
JE: I don’t think I’ve ever seen that shade in a suit but consider me a fan.
JE: Not sure if I’m a fan of the velvet. I do think the deep navy is nice.
SL: The jewelry elevates the look, but the dress itself is a little plain. I like the velvet texture though.
DS: The velvet dress and gloves are lovely, though I’m not a huge fan of the straps. I feel like she’s drowning in the dress a little, but overall she looks nice.
All photos courtesy of Vanity Fair.
Thumbnail graphic by David Samson / North by Northwestern