The winning looks, and the less-than-best, on this year's Oscars red carpet:

True glam

Natalie Portman • In an eggplant V-neck Rodarte gown, Portman was glowing and sophisticated. Her side-swept hair and simple accessories were effortless yet glamorous.

Michelle Williams • Williams was stunningly chic in this short-sleeve Chanel gown. Her uber-sleek pixie cut and flawless makeup were understated and elegant.

Reese Witherspoon • Witherspoon's Giorgio Armani Prive gown felt like a nod to Julia Roberts' black and white Valentino gown at the 2001 Oscars. While Witherspoon's dress was fabulous, her sophisticated ponytail is what really stole the show.

Gwyneth Paltrow • Paltrow sparkled on the red carpet in this edgy yet sophisticated metallic silver Calvin Klein gown.

Mila Kunis • Lavender and lace were unexpected and stunning on Kunis. With a jaw-dropping neckline and peekaboo lace detailing, this look was fresh and romantic.

Swan dives

Nicole Kidman • All we have to say about this dress is that somewhere in the world, a table is missing one ugly tablecloth.

Florence Welch • Florence, "Little House on the Prairie" called and it wants its costume back.

Marisa Tomei • From the ill-fitting neckline to the unflattering tummy-hugging bodice, this dress was simply a dud.

Cate Blanchett • While her hair and makeup are flawless, what is up with the porthole on her chest?

Top trends

The mesh illusion • Dresses with nude mesh and metallic sequins were all over the red carpet and gave an illusion that left everyone guessing where the dress started and skin began. Fourteen-year-old Hailee Steinfeld really did this trend right with a nude ankle-length Marchesa gown. Mandy Moore and Halle Berry also wore this look at the Oscars.

Red carpet • The pop of color this year among the sea of black and navy dresses was definitely red. Jennifer Lawrence looked sexy and sleek in this simple red Calvin Klein Collection gown. From tangerine to maroon, celebs like Jennifer Hudson, Penelope Cruz and Anne Hathaway stood out in this hot color.

Tip your cap • Not a typical silhouette for a red-carpet event, cap-sleeve dresses made a shocking appearance last night. Amy Adams looked absolutely stunning in the navy sequined L'Wren Scott dress. Other celebs who wore this style were Melissa Leo and Michelle Williams.

Jewels toned down • In a dramatic departure from last year's trends, statement necklaces and bold jewelry pieces were almost nowhere to be seen on the red carpet. It was all about the subtle accessory. Sandra Bullock wore simple diamond earrings with a bare neck. Other actresses who went with the more-is-less approach in accessorizing were Halle Berry and Hilary Swank.

Hems, and how • This year was all about the hemline. From mermaid silhouettes to extravagant details, our eyes were glued to the interesting and beautiful designs at the bottom of these dresses. Hilary Swank went over the top with feathers on a beautiful platinum Gucci dress. Other celebs who wore this trend: Halle Berry and Cheryl Hines.