Photos: Critiquing Oscars looks

This may be the best that Taraji P. Henson has ever looked on a red carpet. Elegant and sexy in custom Alberta Ferretti, she looks like a cross between a Hollywood siren and a John Singer Sargent portrait.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Feb. 26, 2017 5:34 PM PT

Nicole Kidman, nominated for actress in a supporting role for “Lion,” wins best-dressed ear lobes with dangling red-and-pink stones encircled by diamonds.

Her Armani Privé dress is perfection as well. It’s form-fitting, sleek and in a pale shade that compliments the earrings.

OK, maybe she picked the dress first, but the earrings are the stars of the look.

(Jordan Strauss / Associated Press)

Here is Isabelle Huppert, nominated for lead actress for “Elle,” looking elegant, if a bit too sedate, in Armani Privé. The Repossi ear crawlers add some sparkly edge, though.

And then there’s Emma Roberts, also in 12-year-old Armani Prive look, carrying off a mere sliver of a lacy black bodice without looking tacky. In fact, she looks stunning in the gown.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Kirsten Dunst’s black dress is simply magnificent. We’re loving the old-school glamour of the strapless black gown -- the wasp waist and the slightly shorter front hem with a train in back.

It’s Dior channeling classic Christian Dior. And what’s the bonus? This one has pockets; just our kingdom for an evening dress with pockets.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

We expected Janelle Monáe to make a grand entrance, and she didn’t disappoint on the Oscars carpet. Her sheer black tulle Elie Saab was adorned with a profusion of feathers and beads and a skirt worthy of Queen Elizabeth a couple of centuries ago. She’s also wearing a Jennifer Behr crown. Only Monáe could carry off all this.

But it echoes a similar, if not sleeker, Elie Saab that Halle Berry wore to the Oscars in 2002 when she won for lead actress for “Monster’s Ball.”

(Los Angeles Times / Getty Images)

Ryan Gosling could wear anything and cut a striking figure but a ruffled tuxedo shirt? Really In an otherwise impeccably cut, shawl-collared Gucci tuxedo, he looks like a lounge singer. Right -- “La La Land” and all. We get it. Still, he should have left the ruffles at home.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)