How wonderful was it to see the more mature lady steal the show at the Oscars today?
Why, I hear you ask?
Well firstly for BEING THERE in the first place, which must be a sign that Oscar is finally moving with the times and creating more roles for middle-aged women – (equal pay may come next, Patricia and Meryl) – and secondly, because middle-aged women appear to be overshadowing the younger ladies in the fashion department.
There have been some real standouts in the style stakes at this season’s award ceremonies, as well as a bold display of confidence never before seen in mature women.
And I’d love to give you pics to paw over like I’ve been doing all day but as I don’t want to get sued, here’s a link:
While Meryl Streep knocked it out of the park in her rebellious jacket and skirt, Patricia Arquette looked regal and thoroughly deserving of her prize.
In my book, a black and white combo is always a sure thing.
There was no covering up the bat wings or dressing for their age (wince) this year, even some of the men stood out. The blue tux may finally be growing on me, Eddie Redmayne but NEVER the maroon…
Waiter!
But this year’s Oscars style was all about winning women who exuded confidence.
Thank God Jennifer Aniston has managed to drop the safety net of girl-next-door-look that she cultivated in Friends, in favour of a new, raunchier style, where (REAL boobs) take centre stage.
Meanwhile Jennifer Lopez looked muchos latino Disney princess in a glittering creation that bedazzled all in her wake and even made Lady Gaga look tame. The full, sparkling caramel gown celebrated old-style Hollywood’s glitzy glamour, while its low neckline suggested a contemporary twist and demonstrated the brazen confidence of a woman who knows exactly who she is.
Sadly the Aussie contingent didn’t wow me this year. Kate Blanchett, to whom I usually rely on for high fashion risk, looked uncharacteristically drab in a flattering yet spectacularly unexciting black dress with aqua statement necklace – although her choice to downplay may have been an attempt to avoid vacuous questions about ‘who she was wearing.’
As for Nicole Kidman – the colours of her dress were sadly reminiscent of a bottle of Moet.
The British made their mark, led by Rosamund Pike who looking stunning in a strapless red floral number with enticing slit, and Benedict Cumberbath totes nailed Bond as he charmed in his white tux.
For me the verdict is still out on Emma Stone’s green Elie Saab dress. Emma can usually do no wrong for me with her styling choices, but the putrid green tone of her dress was so assaulting on tired eyes at 9.30 this morning, (before my first coffee of the day), I nearly had to reach for a bucket.
And I admit to feeling let down by Marillon Cotillard’s dress, because she normally airlifts Parisian style to another, much more exciting level.
So my favourite couple of the evening has to be Reece Witherspoon in her classic black and white, (which had all the winning ‘less is more’ ingredients of the dress Julia Roberts wore when she won her Oscar) – a classic statement of simplicity and perfection, and one which perfectly complimented Benedict Cumberbatch, who was irresistibly sexy in a stiff British kind of way.
Although, Margot Robbie’s sexy chiffon dress with the best statement necklace EVAR was a runner up for the ladies award.
Anyways, off to celebrate with the other Cumber-bitches! Converted!
My Midlife Mayhem 
I loved Meryl Streep’s outfit. Elegant and classic. She often turns up to these things looking more like a hippie, a gypsy or an escapee from a Russian dance troop. I just loved this look, very reminiscent of YSL’s “Le Smoking” from the 70’s, except with a classic long skirt rather than trousers. The other stand out for me was the new Mrs Cumberbatch in red, looking very Versace (a la Elizabeth Hurley), but with less flesh. Lady Gaga to me looked dumpy and frumpy and had forgotten to take off her dish-washing gloves, or were they her new look falconry gauntlets? I wish Joan Rivers was still here with us to tell us what she thought.
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Yes, loved Meryl Streep too, but with that bone structure and talent, you can’t really go wrong and when you do, you can put it down to artistic creation.
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Here! Here! I loved that there was a parade of over 40s ladies looking fabulously natural!
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They are definitely stealing the show these days. What a turn around. 50 must be the new 30, thank God.
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My favorite dress was on Julianne Moore – classic Chanel designed (especially for her!) by Karl Lagerfeld. I wrote a post on what I would wear to the Oscars if I somehow inexplicably ended up there – check it out if you get chance! http://wp.me/p22xxF-Ll
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Oh dear, I thought she looked dreadful. A chocolate box and flowers.
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Loved your post but couldn’t seem to comment on it and LURVE the outfit you chose. Couldn’t make up my mind about Julianne Moore’s – loved the colour but found the band around her hips a bit odd and unflattering.
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I’m so sorry you couldn’t comment on my post (I’ll have to check that out) but thank you for stopping by and liking my outfit! A girl can dream. . . 🙂
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Dreams are often more exciting than reality.
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I loved Keira Knightly’s face with a bit of flesh on it. She’s pregnant and glowing. Naomi Watts looked far far too thin and that’s not just a jealous fatty speaking. I love the Oscars. It’s the only thing I’ll actually stay up and watch.
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Me too. Naomi Watts is a bit too think and I must be the only person in the world to like her dress…
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I must be a such a philistine. You’d have to tie me to a chair and gag me to get me to watch the Oscars. Ghastly jokes which fall flat, supposedly intelligent people mis-pronouncing names and any word with more than four letters, stunts (tighty whiteys anyone?) which bomb and it’s soooo over long and boring. It was just a relief that Kanye and Kym hadn’t been invited so he could crash this stage as well and profess his unrequited love for Beyonce. Is Kym every gonna get it? I just look at the red carpet stills. I can’t bear to watch it live and listen to the interviewers ask their inane questions and the recipients stumble and bumble over the answers.
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