FASHION / THE OSCARS : Dressing the Part : Stars Get Professional Help to Look Suitably Glamorous

This year’s Hollywood stars looked classier than ever on Oscar night.

Thanks in no small part to the fashion designers who’ve recently started dressing them for the event and to Rodeo Drive retailer Fred Hayman, who has spent the last four years as fashion coordinator.

Bette Midler was a standout in her pale-blue satin Valentino gown and ‘50ish beauty parlor hair. Annette Bening got the rich and tailored look right, with her form-fitting midnight-blue sheath--a subtly beaded Armani--and her upswept hair, like the do she wears in “Bugsy.” Those diamond drop earrings she borrowed from Harry Winston were the perfect accessory.

Lots of stars wore black, which usually looks awful on camera because it dilutes the details in an outfit and drains the color from a face. This time it worked, subtle beading made the difference.

Anjelica Huston’s simple jet-beaded suit and her sleek dark hair gave her a Helmut Newton-like, woman-of-mystery appeal. Angela Lansbury’s low-cut, square-neck black gown glimmered against her creamy complexion, a perfect update on old Hollywood glamour.

For X-rated there was Jennifer Flavin (Sly’s latest flame) in a Versace body-gripper, all black belts against bare skin.

Demi Moore gets special credit. She can look as if she’s shopped somebody’s attic when she wears one of those costumey get-ups of hers. This year’s outfit, with its crocheted neckline, was artsy craftsy--but much better than usual.

Nick Nolte’s black-on-black tux (shirt, tie and jacket), Michael Douglas’ flower-embroidered vest and Clark Kent glasses and Sylvester Stallone’s Mr. Clean haircut and classic tux were nice variations on men’s formal wear.

Of course, there were some scary sights. Geena Davis’ flouncy gown, too short in front, too long in back (catch the train?) and too tight on top, looked like something from a Las Vegas resale shop. And those drippy corsages on the shoulders of Sally Field’s dress made her look like a frump. Daryl Hannah could have passed for a runaway from Hollywood Boulevard. It’s a role she’s played before on Oscar night, with about as much success.