Best and Worst

While we cheer all who chose beautiful baubles for their Academy Awards red-carpet waltz, there were—as always—those who pulled it off well and those who, well, should have put it on differently.

We applaud Hilary Swank for bucking fashion trends in her choice of a gown, but wish she'd accessorized it better. Instead of her demure right-hand ring and diamond French wire earrings by Chopard, important earrings or perhaps an interestingly placed pin would've complemented the dress and brightened up all that navy.

Charlize Theron wowed everyone at the 2004 Oscars with a golden complexion, bare neck, diamond openwork bracelet, and drop earrings. Unfortunately, while she toned down the bronzer this year, her 2005 sequel Oscar appearance, featuring Bulgari vintage-line bracelets and chandelier earrings, was way too similar to the original.

Joan and Melissa Rivers: At some point during the past year, this mother-daughter duo missed the memo that chandeliers are really, really over.

Cate Blanchett wearing a brilliant brooch placed on her buttery yellow gown, took a fashion gamble and hit the jackpot.

Not that she needed much to complement her Victoria's Secret body and madly-in-love grin, but Giselle Bundchen's of-the-moment empire-waist gown, delicate necklace, and bangle bracelet made her the Academy Awards' biggest fashion star.

Kirsten Dunst's lacy black gown and major-impact rose-cut diamond and rock-crystal Fred Leighton cuff created a very modern, yet retro-inspired look that departed from the safe ball-gown–openwork-bracelet look that cluttered the red carpet and made Dunst a major presence not only in Hollywood studios but also in fashion circles around the globe.