My 5 Favorite Oscar gowns

As we all know, the Academy Awards aren't really about the finer points of filmmaking- they're about celebrities, popularity, and FASHION. So as any self-proclaimed fashion-lover would, I've compiled a list of my top five favorite Oscar Gowns:

5) Sandra Bullock
There's something indescribably genius about the sheer simplicity of this scarlet Vera Wang gown. It's old-fashioned in concept, and yet its geometric, sculpted nature brings it soundly into the 21st century. And the way Sandra kept her hair in an off-the-neck updo really lets the shape stand out.

















4) Gwenyth Paltrow
Speaking of the 21st century, this sleek Calvin Klein Collection gown is so wonderfully futuristic glam in its metallic minimalism that it could easily have come from a haute-couture sci-fi film. Some people may criticize Gwenyth's simple hair, but I think that with a gown this minimal anything but razor-straight locks would look out of place.














3) Mila Kunis
It takes a special kind of glamor to make such a potentially scandalous gown look so elegant, and Mila Kunis has it! This lavender Elie Saab gown could easily have looked like glorified lingerie, but instead it comes off as ethereal and strangely mesmerizing. Is it because it goes perfectly with Mila's pale complexion and dark locks? Is it because of her perfectly toned body? We may never know...













2) Hilary Swank
When I first saw this metallic, feathered Gucci gown, I swooned a little. Regal yet modern, classic yet trendy, it just seems to have everything! And I must say, Hilary made a wise decision by keeping her accessories at a minimum. Let the perfect gown do the talking.















1) Halle Berry
If I swooned at Hilary Swank's glamorous gown, Halle Berry's made me reach out for the Life Alert button (just kidding, I'm not a senior citizen... yet). The two were neck-in-neck for favorite Oscar gown, but at the end of the day this champagne colored Marchesa gown won out. The combination of a frothy train and glistening details make Halle look like she just walked right out of a high fashion fairy tale. Once upon a time, there lived a gorgeous movie queen...









One recurring theme I noticed was a penchant for strapless gowns with minimal jewelry, which added to a kind of futuristic sophistication. Many of the gowns themselves were minimal in either shape or color, further giving the red carpet a sci-fi vibe. Make no mistake, guys, we are living in the future!

~mode mare