Most celebrities have had a fashion mishap or three, but on the red carpet, there is little room for error. Why? Because the red carpet is just a big runway filled with the “models” we empower to represent our hopes and dreams. This year, instead of allowing one’s fashion cred to live or die by a single red carpet appearance, we rank the best actress nominees on their full award season finery at the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Oscars. It should be noted, Judi Dench is excluded from the rankings as she sat out the awards shows this season, reportedly because of schedule conflicts. Meryl Streep only made a previous appearance at the SAG Awards.
Amy Adams was the clear winner with a trio of jewel toned stunners that proved the perfect mix of classic and modern. Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock could have easily tied for second, but Blanchett edged ahead with an embellished nude Oscar gown that was more of a standout than Bullock’s classic navy gown. And Streep comes in fourth. While her shoulder baring black and white Oscar pick looked chic, it wasn’t Oscar caliber and certainly wasn’t enough to offset the shapeless dress she wore to the SAG awards.
1. Amy Adams
OSCARS
Adams said 1950’s era style and Kim Novak inspired her Oscar red carpet choice — a strapless navy Gucci Couture gown with a peplum and foldover detail — which helped keep her on top of the best dressed list.
GOLDEN GLOBES AND SAG AWARDS
Adams hit the red carpet at the Globes in a red Valentino halter dress with a 70’s vibe. She followed that with an architectural royal blue gown by Antonio Berardi at the SAG awards. The two gowns showed her versatility with classic and modern looks.
2. Cate Blanchett
OSCARS
A sleeveless nude Swarovski embellished Armani Privé gown earned Blanchett red carpet raves at the Oscars and number two on our list.
GOLDEN GLOBES AND SAG AWARDS
Cate the Great made a good showing at the Globes in a black lace Armani Privé gown that would read as prim on a less commanding actress. But she slipped at the SAG awards in a Givenchy dress with a sequined ruffle that looked like a giant bib and concealed her shapely physique.
3. Sandra Bullock
OSCARS
Navy proved a popular red carpet choice and it showed up again on Bullock, who wore a sharp strapless number by Alexander McQueen for a fine, but predictable, red carpet appearance.
GOLDEN GLOBES AND SAG AWARDS
Some missed the point of Bullock’s color-blocked Parabal Gurung Globe gown, but not everyone can pull off avant garde and Bullock did it well. Her SAG choice, however, an emerald Lanvin gown with a high slit was somewhat uninspired.
4. Meryl Streep
OSCARS
Streep made the scene in an understated black and white off-the-shoulder belted gown of undetermined origin. It was a little too understated.
SAG AWARDS
An actress of such extreme talent can do better. We missed her at the Globes only to watch her surface at the SAG awards in an unflattering, too casual dress by Stella McCartney.
