Oscars 2014 red carpet Archives - Northern California Style

Quick post Oscar note here. I’ve got so many great comments and opinions on this weeks Red Carpet Chat post and love hearing what you all have to say.

Something I am hearing consistently, and again last evening, from my friend and designer, Andrea, (who happens to live in Santa Monica and near many stars and celebs), is that the best looking women on Oscar night were the girls with the wrinkles and grey hair. I could not agree more, especially when we look at the red carpet photos.

Matthew McConaughey and his cute mama.

With all the moms and older actresses present, it was striking the difference in appearances of women of the same ages.

Cute actress June Squibb being flirted with by Jared Leto, above and below.

As a woman it’s encouraging and empowering to think we needn’t go down that path of botox and fillers to look chic, pretty and relevant. In fact, quite the opposite.

Meryl Streep is not grey, but natural.

Also note that these gals who so proudly sport their silver hair and lines also dress well, have style and great grooming.

I’m not wanting to judge those who do, but instead share the message that you can still be beautiful without choosing that path.

Kim Novak, Goldie Hawn and Liza clearly have. . .

I personally hope to look like June rather than Kim when I’m over 80. (If I’m lucky enough to still be around.)

What are your thoughts?

Kim

Images Us, People, Daily Mail, Pinterest.

I thought the Oscars were pretty fun and Ellen was killing it in the first part of the show. The preshow on ABC was terrible. Their interviews were very few and the ones that actually happened were #awkward. E was superior and I much prefer to hear Kelly and Giuliana’s thoughts on frocks.

Frankly it’s all getting a little pat to me. Does anyone else feel that way? Everyone’s styled within an inch of their life and the films are almost all pre-ordained as winners. I haven’t been too excited about an Oscars since Colin Firth won a few years back. Two movies I thought were terrific this year, Saving Mr. Banks and The Butler got zilch. I would love to see 12 years a Slave, but haven’t. I find it hard to watch some of that cruelty, though it looks like a great story. Dallas Buyer’s Club really deserved the kudos it received.

For gowns, there were basically three camps early on: the pastels and whites, the dark navys and blacks, and metallic. The lighter frocks were gorgeous on television, but sadly did not transfer well to photos, and washed the paler gals out. The darks were lovely, yet photos rarely pick up what were divine details on some of these gowns. Metallics seem to be universally flattering, but it depends on the gown. It can be a little Barbara Mandrell if you get my drift…

But I digress. Grab your lattes kids. Lets tawk!

My favorites of the evening…

Cate Blanchett in Armani, was in the paler camp, but I loved this with her earrings, hair and makeup. Perfect for a Best Actress winner, it’s fairytale beautiful.

Lupita Nyong’o in Prada was also princess pretty in ethereal blue.

What a eloquent and lovely woman she is. So happy she won for 12 Years a Slave.

Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta, was one of my other faves.

I thought she looked the best she ever has.

Sandra Bullock perfect! How pretty is this blue Alexander McQueen?

Emma Watson in Vera Wang. This girl always looks amazing.

Amy Adams’ dress was classic and lovely, but I hated her hair. Apparently, she was her own stylist and she did a fair job. I just kind of wish she did an homage to American Hustle and the 70s.

Kerry Washington appeared almost Botticelliesque in this lavender number.

She makes pregnancy look elegant.

J. Law in a red Dior. You can’t go wrong with this, but the back necklace had it’s detractors.

Hair was cute and she just looks very modern.

White was very hot…

Kate Hudson in Versace

Naomi Watts in Calvin Klein.

Calista Flockhart

Guiliana Rancic..So pretty.

Kelly Osbourne has been looking super lately. Love her hair, jewelry and accessories with this.

Jessica Biel looked wonderful. I feel like there were at least 10 clones of this look though.

Sally Hawkins dress was unique, but seemed too large for her petite frame.

Angelina Jolie’s makeup and hair were so pretty. Not sure I loved the dress.

It seemed to tip a bit on the matronly side.

Up close the top was more revealing than appears though.

There were a few people who I thought have looked better..

Anne Hathaway in Gucci

Why do I think of the scary witch in Snow White?
Something about Charlize Theron’s pose and facial expression here probably didn’t help.

Okay Julia a yea or not here? Something about this dress was too Gunne Sax for me.
Not sure I love her as a blonde. she’s such a pretty and natural brunette.

Anna Kendrick also missed the boat in this funky dress with it’s strange slashes and flowers.
Not very hip or youthful for such cool gal.

Liza…At least she’s true to her own style. Someone said this was vintage Halston, which is pretty cool. Probably the orthodic looking shoes wrecked it. I do think she may have needed a better bra, or one at all…

I did love the pinks.

Penelope Cruz sooo lovely in Giambattista Valli.

I was so happy Matthew McConaughey won best actor. I really thought he deserved it.

He and wife Camilla Alves looked amazing!

Jared Leto was adorable and I loved his Best Supporting Actor speech.

Hard to believe this guy is 43! He hadn’t done a film in 6 years and what a performance.

Pharrell Williams and his new wife looked like they were at the wrong event.

I’m sorry Pharrell, no matter how good your legs are, shorts don’t cut it on the red carpet.

Benedict Cumberbatch did not disappoint his Sherlock fans.

No bow tie, but I thought he looked smashing.

Hate to end on a negative, but Goldie Hawn looked like her usual self, but with more fillers or botox.

Not even going to show poor Kim Novak, who caused such shock with her augmented appearance, that Twitter crashed. I would just love to see how both these very pretty women looked in their natural state.

Am I wrong here? They have to look better with wrinkles than this.

Who were your favorites? What did you think of the show?

Tell me what you think and love to hear your thoughts and if you disagree.

Did I leave anyone out?

Have a good week everyone!

Kim

Images via Pinterest,Twitter, Vogue, Huffington Post.