Oscars 2012: Best and worst dressed, plus accessories

Angelina Jolie’s black velvet Atelier Versace gown, slit thigh-high, was as smoldering, high-drama as fashion can get on the red carpet.  (Paul Buck / EPA)

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Read more about the white gowns that ruled the Oscar red carpet here.
--Booth Moore, Los Angeles Times Fashion Critic

Penelope Cruz's "stormy blue" Giorgio Armani gown was the epitome of understated elegance.

Penelope Cruz’s “stormy blue” Giorgio Armani gown was the epitome of understated elegance.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Kristin Wiig's nude-colored chiffon J. Mendel gown was a washout.

Kristin Wiig’s nude-colored chiffon J. Mendel gown was a washout.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Stacy Keibler's gold metallic Marchesa gown was too much fabric and too much shine. It made her resemble a trophy.

Stacy Keibler’s gold metallic Marchesa gown was too much fabric and too much shine. It made her resemble a trophy.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

The unexpected ruby-red color and micro-dot print on Natalie Portman's vintage 1954 Dior couture gown was charming and sweet.

The unexpected ruby-red color and micro-dot print on Natalie Portman’s vintage 1954 Dior couture gown was charming and sweet.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Miss Piggy may have had to wear the same silvery Zac Posen gown she wore in "The Muppets" to the Oscars, but she glammed it up with tons and tons of Fred Leighton diamonds--and her dapper date Kermit, dressed in a custom Brooks Brothers tuxedo. The power couple, let's call them Kermiggy, were ready to take on Brangelina.

Miss Piggy may have had to wear the same silvery Zac Posen gown she wore in “The Muppets” to the Oscars, but she glammed it up with tons and tons of Fred Leighton diamonds--and her dapper date Kermit, dressed in a custom Brooks Brothers tuxedo. The power couple, let’s call them Kermiggy, were ready to take on Brangelina.  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

After the daring white lace Elie Saab jumpsuit she wore to the SAG Awards, Rose Byrne's ho-hum black-sequin Vivienne Westwood gown was a letdown.

After the daring white lace Elie Saab jumpsuit she wore to the SAG Awards, Rose Byrne’s ho-hum black-sequin Vivienne Westwood gown was a letdown.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Meryl Streep's goddess-like, draped gold lame Lanvin gown and crystal belt were befitting of the Oscars grande dame that she is.

Meryl Streep’s goddess-like, draped gold lame Lanvin gown and crystal belt were befitting of the Oscars grande dame that she is.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Judy Greer's black Monique Lhuillier gown with a silvery front panel was a perfect combination of modern and Old Hollywood glamour.

Judy Greer’s black Monique Lhuillier gown with a silvery front panel was a perfect combination of modern and Old Hollywood glamour.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Octavia Spencer's hand-beaded, ivory Tadashi Shoji gown fit her beautifully.

Octavia Spencer’s hand-beaded, ivory Tadashi Shoji gown fit her beautifully.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Glenn Close's Zac Posen ensemble was too much -- a jarring mermaid-meets-businesswoman combo.

Glenn Close’s Zac Posen ensemble was too much -- a jarring mermaid-meets-businesswoman combo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Giuliana Rancic's Tony Ward gown was the color of the evening--white--but the leafy details at the shoulders were unlike any other.

Giuliana Rancic’s Tony Ward gown was the color of the evening--white--but the leafy details at the shoulders were unlike any other.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

ABC red carpet commentator Louise Rowe's retro glam, blush gabardine peplum gown was by L.A. label Black Halo. The peplum was a recurring motif on the red carpet, seen also on Tina Fey's Carolina Herrera gown and on Michelle Williams' Louis Vuitton.

ABC red carpet commentator Louise Rowe’s retro glam, blush gabardine peplum gown was by L.A. label Black Halo. The peplum was a recurring motif on the red carpet, seen also on Tina Fey’s Carolina Herrera gown and on Michelle Williams’ Louis Vuitton.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The mint green, long-sleeved Elie Saab gown that Berenice Bejo chose made her look like a mother of the bride.

The mint green, long-sleeved Elie Saab gown that Berenice Bejo chose made her look like a mother of the bride.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Christopher Plummer in a midnight-blue velvet tuxedo, cool with a capital "C."

Christopher Plummer in a midnight-blue velvet tuxedo, cool with a capital “C.”  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Michelle Williams' burnt-orange, silk-ribbon Louis Vuitton gown was flirty, feminine and reminiscent of the 1950s.

Michelle Williams’ burnt-orange, silk-ribbon Louis Vuitton gown was flirty, feminine and reminiscent of the 1950s.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

The giant red bow at the neck of Emma Stone's cherry red Giambattista Valli gown was an appropriately festive, bold statement for the occasion. A joy to look at.

The giant red bow at the neck of Emma Stone’s cherry red Giambattista Valli gown was an appropriately festive, bold statement for the occasion. A joy to look at.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Shailene Woodley's Valentino gown was too serious and didn't seem to fit her well.

Shailene Woodley’s Valentino gown was too serious and didn’t seem to fit her well.  (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Cameron Diaz played the 1920s screen siren in a beaded and fringed white Gucci gown.

Cameron Diaz played the 1920s screen siren in a beaded and fringed white Gucci gown.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Tina Fey's navy blue Carolina Herrera was simple and elegant, but the peplum kicked the fashion quotient up a notch.

Tina Fey’s navy blue Carolina Herrera was simple and elegant, but the peplum kicked the fashion quotient up a notch.  (Michael Buckner / Getty Images)

Jessica Chastain's gold-embroidered black Alexander McQueen gown was too somber and serious for the event. And it seemed to weigh her down.

Jessica Chastain’s gold-embroidered black Alexander McQueen gown was too somber and serious for the event. And it seemed to weigh her down.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rooney Mara's white Givenchy gown had some incredibly interesting details -- fin-like pleats at the bust and wide crisscrossing straps in back -- that will keep fashion insiders talking for months.

Rooney Mara’s white Givenchy gown had some incredibly interesting details -- fin-like pleats at the bust and wide crisscrossing straps in back -- that will keep fashion insiders talking for months.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Gwyneth Paltrow's Tom Ford cream column gown and matching cape were stunning in their regal simplicity.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Tom Ford cream column gown and matching cape were stunning in their regal simplicity.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The tent-like shape and dreary dusty rose color of Melissa McCarthy's Marina Rinaldi gown did nothing for her.

The tent-like shape and dreary dusty rose color of Melissa McCarthy’s Marina Rinaldi gown did nothing for her.  (Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

Diddy and his lint-brush-wielding personal valet. That guy really knows how to make an entrance.

Diddy and his lint-brush-wielding personal valet. That guy really knows how to make an entrance.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Missi Pyle with a pretty star-shaped brooch. Read more about Pyle's eco-friendly green dress here.

Missi Pyle with a pretty star-shaped brooch. Read more about Pyle’s eco-friendly green dress here.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The beaded fringe on Cameron Diaz's Gucci clutch matches the fringe on her dress. It's matchy-matchy, but in a fun way.

The beaded fringe on Cameron Diaz’s Gucci clutch matches the fringe on her dress. It’s matchy-matchy, but in a fun way.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Penelope Ann Miller's Blue Nile diamond cuff bracelet is in line with fashion's bold bracelet trend.

Penelope Ann Miller’s Blue Nile diamond cuff bracelet is in line with fashion’s bold bracelet trend.  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Tom Hanks' "6" lapel pin. No one is sure what it means, but it proves that what a man wears on his lapel can cause quite a conversation.

Tom Hanks’ “6” lapel pin. No one is sure what it means, but it proves that what a man wears on his lapel can cause quite a conversation.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Milla Jovovich's glittery acrylic Edie Parker clutch is retro glam at its best.

Milla Jovovich’s glittery acrylic Edie Parker clutch is retro glam at its best.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Emma Stone's Louis Vuitton chunky diamond and platinum chain bracelet is a nice counterpoint to her girlish Giambattista Valli dress.

Emma Stone’s Louis Vuitton chunky diamond and platinum chain bracelet is a nice counterpoint to her girlish Giambattista Valli dress.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Tina Fey's sapphire and emerald earrings are a fun accent to her classic navy blue Carolina peplum gown.

Tina Fey’s sapphire and emerald earrings are a fun accent to her classic navy blue Carolina peplum gown.  (Paul Buck / EPA)

Michelle Williams' 19th century bow-shaped diamond Fred Leighton pin is a the perfect feminine accessory to her Louis Vuitton gown.

Michelle Williams’ 19th century bow-shaped diamond Fred Leighton pin is a the perfect feminine accessory to her Louis Vuitton gown.  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

Kristen Wiig's Neil Lane cocktail ring is a conversation piece if ever there was one -- and a welcome flash of color to offset her unremarkable nude-colored J. Mendel gown.

Kristen Wiig’s Neil Lane cocktail ring is a conversation piece if ever there was one -- and a welcome flash of color to offset her unremarkable nude-colored J. Mendel gown.  (Michael Buckner / Getty Images)

Rooney Mara's 1910 Fred Leighton portrait ring is one-of-a-kind.

Rooney Mara’s 1910 Fred Leighton portrait ring is one-of-a-kind.  (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)