Best

Marisa Tomei – She looked toned, tousled and terrific in her white Versace gown with more folds than an accordion. Its one-shoulder design showed off her perfectly refined deltoids, it clung sexily and its intricate pleats were interesting not fussy.

Viola Davis – While she didn’t win best supporting actress, the veteran actress channeled old Hollywood style and made sophistication look easy in a dusky gold Reem Acra.

Heidi Klum – The supermodel displayed her credentials with an architectural asymmetrical red gown, split to the thigh (she revealed on one pre-Oscar show that she’d had to ride over balanced on one bum cheek to accommodate her dress).

Taraji P Henson – Her strapless Roberto Cavalli off-white gown had irregular layers that gave it texture, set off brilliantly with a statement Fred Leighton necklace and a sleek hairdo.

Sarah Jessica Parker – We would expect no less from the era’s most high profile fashion plate: a Dior Haute Couture gown in “barely mint”. Plus, we had no idea her breasts were so big, or high.

Evan Rachel Wood – Her Art Deco-style gown in pale satin and chiffon was lovely and romantic, if a bit white-on-white against her pale skin and blonde hair.

Meryl Streep – With her bespoke Alberta Ferretti dress, the actress proves that you don’t need a hardbody and a skintight corset to look sexy. Just do way off the shoulder, upswept hair and a smile.

Anne Hataway – The “Rachel Getting Married” star wowed the crowd in an eye-catching ivory Armani Prive Spring ’09 gown which was covered in Swarovski crystals and clear paillettes.

On the fence

We just can’t decide about…

Queen Latifah – The big screen star didn’t do herself any favors in an ill-fitting blue frock from Georges Chakra’s Spring ’09 collection.

Kate Winslet – Online fashion pundits were of two camps about our national treasure, but the grey and black Yves Saint Laurent gown – paired with the severely sculpted hairdo – seemed a little too tepid for what has been a banner year for Kate. Compare with Helen Mirren in 2007.

Freida Pinto - A royal blue success with an interesting neckline or a fussy style too dowdy for the young actress? Tell us what you think.

The Worst

They’ve got it all – beauty, brains, talent, but not necessarily canny dress sense, at least when it comes to the Oscars this year.

Beyonce Knowles – She was smokin’ once she changed into her red fringed and sequined leotard for her singing performance where she put Hugh Jackman to shame. But on the red carpet, her black gown with swathes of brassy gold flowers was off key.

Natalie Portman - Purple-pink Rodarte, with criss-crossing straps on the bodice interspersed with what looks like hundreds and thousands. Colourful yet somehow boring.

Melissa Leo – The actress, nominated for her role in Frozen River, wore a Badgley Mischka gown in a glum shade of brown and in a style that announced “my dad took me to prom”.

Most distinctive

There are some looks that just wouldn’t work on anyone else. These celebrities are in their own category, style-wise.

Whoopi Goldberg – She’s cool, she’s funny and she looks good with her own inimitable style, in a wafty leopard-print dress that revealed a long shoulder tattoo and tinted John Lennon glasses.

Tilda Swinton – In contrast to her look last year – red hair, black gown – Swinton wore the same designer but with a whole different style. This time round her Lanvin was an off-white shirt and dark skirt but with blonde hair and bright red lips.

Penelope Cruz – Ruched tulle, lace, big full skirt. A bit safe perhaps, but Cruz does pretty poufs with aplomb.

Angelina Jolie – Black. Sleek. Showed her tattoos. Jolie’s Elie Saab gown with deep sweetheart neckline and green Lorraine Schwartz jewelry was entirely appropriate for the occasion, but in a year when many of the nominees were overflowing with enthusiasm (Winslet, Cruz, everybody from Slumdog), it felt just a little too…subdued.

Halle Berry – Hollywood’s hottest mom was the epitome of elegance in a sleek ‘n’ strapless Marchesa brocade beauty.

Jennifer Aniston – The former “Friend” attempted to give her arch nemesis Angelina Jolie a run for her money in Fred Leighton jewels and a lovely column gown courtesy of Valentino.