With so much competition on the red carpet an actress needs to stand out from the crowd, but some of Hollywood's finest stole the limelight for all the wrong reasons at last night's Oscars.
Fashion star Sarah Jessica Parker took up half the red carpet in her frothy over-the-top Dior gown. The pale green full-skirted dress was topped off with a rib-crackingly tight corset that showed off the Sex And The City star's tiny waist but failed to control her burgeoning decolletage.
Best supporting role: Sarah Jessica Parker struggles with the full skirt and tight corset of her Dior gown on the red carpet at the 81st Oscars
Between breathing in and sorting out the billowing skirts the actress shouted above the crowds: 'It's barely mint', before rushing inside to manoeuvre herself into her seat.
She also complained her gown was 'very plumped up, it's killing me'.
The 44-year-old actress arrived hand-in-hand with husband Matthew Broderick, dispelling rumours of marital discord.
Other actresses flirted with the fishtail look. Beyonce added a touch of bling to the red carpet as she squeezed herself into a black and gold strapless dress by Armani Prive before changing into her stage outfit of top hat and tails for her performance with host Hugh Jackman.
Strike a pose: Beyonce, Vanessa Hudgens and Melissa George flirt with the fishtail look
Darling of High School Musical, Vanessa Hudgens, looked older than her 20 years in a sensible black fishtail dress. The figure-hugging, strapless corset gown with over-fussy leather flower details was created for her by British designers Marchesa.
Australian actress Melissa George wore a white skin-tight bodice that exploded in a sea of netting at her feet.
According to our fashion guru Liz Jones, reporting live from the red carpet, the fishtails played havoc with clumsy men who kept tripping over the frothy fabric.
Another to go for the fairy princess theme was Penelope Cruz who arrived in a white vintage gown with silver embroidery, designed by Pierre Balmain. The sixty-year-old ruched chiffon dress had a touch of the bridal about it but was saved by her understated hair and make-up.
Fairytale: Penelope Cruz in her vintage Balmain dress and Miley Cyrus in a scalloped glitter trimmed gown
Later Miss Cruz won the best supporting actress Oscar in the evening's first award for her role in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Early to arrive and first to show off her dress was 16-year-old Miley Cyrus, star of TV show Hannah Montana, in a silver and white embroidered ballgown with long train. The fussy gown swamped the petite young star and looked more Disney princess than glamorous actress.
With her mother at her side the singer laughingly said she was 'star-stalking' and hoped to meet Angelina Jolie - and be adopted by her.
Sticking with neutral coloured gowns were Evan Rachel Wood, Jessica Biel and Anne Hathaway, nominated for best actress for her work in Rachel Getting Married.
All white: Anne Hathaway, Evan Rachel Wood and Jessica Biel all chose neutral shades for their strapless gowns
While Anne Hathaway pulled off the neutral look in her Armani Prive jewel encrusted strapless number, Jessica Beil struggled to make an impression in a dove grey duchesse satin bow dress by Prada.
Bringing a blast of colour to the red carpet were Natalie Portman, Heidi Klum, Alicia Keys and Daniel Craig's partner Satsuki Mitchell, all in shades of pink and red.
As well as catching the cameras lens in their bold block colour creations, Alicia Keys and Heidi Klum wowed with thigh-high splits, showing off reams of bronzed leg.
Veteran actress Meryl Streep chose an understated yet flattering mushroom-coloured gown by Alberta Ferretti, while Queen Latifah controlled her abundant curves in a corseted midnight blue gown.
Strapless and colourful: Natalie Portman, Alicia keys and Heidi Klum show off their arms
Understated elegance: Meryl Streep in Alberta Ferretti, Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent and Queen Latifah
Meanwhile, on a more elegant note, Oscar winner Kate Winslet looked stunning in a black and blue silk and lace Yves Saint Laurent gown.
After going through three stylists in her attempt to find the perfect dress the Oscar-nominated British actress finally settled on the asymmetrical one-shoulder gown, created especially for her by Stefano Pilati at YSL. 'It's designed for comfort,' she told Mail Online today.
Two's company: Angelina Jolie and partner Brad Pitt avoided meeting his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston and her partner John Mayer on the red carpet as the couples attended the same public event for the first time
Fellow Best Actress nominee Angelina Jolie stuck to her favourite black, offset with eye-catching emerald teardrop earrings. She arrived arm-in-arm partner Brad Pitt, who wore a classic tuxedo.
Also on the red carpet was Pitt's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, with on-off partner John Mayer. It was the first time the two couples had attended an event together, although they carefully avoided a public meeting.
No stranger to the worst-dressed list, Tilda Swinton's edgy looks are always a bit hit and miss. This year was no exception: her drab beige Lanvin number, was draining on the complexion and shapeless.
Mixed bag: Nicole Kidman on stage in a feathered strapless dress, Tilda Swinton was all wrapped up in edgy Lanvin and Reese Witherspoon presents an award in an electric blue and black creation
Older but not wiser: Goldie Hawn, Whoopi Goldberg and Sophia Loren fail to make the fashion grade
Director Danny Boyle led the children, and adult actors, of Oscar front runner Slumdog Millionaire onto the red carpet in Los Angeles.
Huge cheers went up from the crowd as Dev Patel and Freida Pinto arrived at the Kodak Centre in Hollywood for the show with the younger versions of their characters.
Pride of Britain: Bond star Daniel Craig and partner Satsuki Mitchell joined David Frost and wife Carina
During an interview with American host Ryan Seacrest Patel and Pinto denied rumours they are a real-life couple.
Other Britons treading the red carpet included Bond star Daniel Craig and Frost/Nixon star Michael Sheen, who revealed that he would be sitting next to Sir David Frost - whom he portrays in the film - as the winners were read out.
Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1152470/Oscar-fashion-Fishtails-flops-best-worst-red-carpet-dresses.html