Oscars 2011 Fashion Highlights: Top 10 Unforgettable Dresses on the Red Carpet

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Okay, before returning to regular programming, we can’t let the Oscars pass without picking our favorite dresses and shoes!

Admittedly, it was a bit difficult to choose standouts because celebrities usually go for timeless and classic elegance at the ultra-glamorous Academy Awards, which made these more-than-the-usual Oscar gowns all the more exceptional.

Cate Blanchett, in particular, wore couture and made it look so regal yet effortless, and that’s why she made number one on our list.

Here is the rest of Your Next Dress’s top 10 best dressed at the 2011 Oscars. The best dressed at the Oscars after-parties is an entirely different list!

1. Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture

No one wears couture fashion like Cate Blanchett. Another celeb in this dress wouldn’t have the same effect.

While everyone else was trying to make it into the Oscars dress Hall of Fame with their classic yet ho-hum dresses, Cate did that so effortlessly in this exceptional pearl-adorned lilac dress from the Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture collection:

Actress Cate Blanchett arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsActress Cate Blanchett arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

2. Hilary Swank in Gucci Premiere

Hilary Swank is an old hand when it comes to red carpet dressing, and it shows in the way she carries this feathery frock.

Those razor-sharp shoulders and well-toned arms are her best accessories yet; she wisely played them up by wearing her hair back and leaving the jewelry at home. Too bad Hilary Swank wasn’t nominated for an award this year — this dress deserved more air time:

Actress Hilary Swank arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsActress Hilary Swank arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

3. Anne Hathaway in Givenchy Fall 2009 Couture

Being one of the hosts of the night, Anne Hathaway had a lot of wardrobe changes!

Someone made the ill-conceived coupling of James Franco and Anne Hathaway to co-host the 2011 Academy AwardsSomeone made the ill-conceived coupling of James Franco and Anne Hathaway to co-host the 2011 Academy Awards (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

But this white and silver Givenchy dress was the winning look by far. Anne looked like a goddess:

Presenters James Franco and Anne Hathaway speak onstage during the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsPresenters James Franco and Anne Hathaway speak onstage during the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

4. Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011

“Dreamy” is the best word to describe Mandy Moore in this Monique Lhuillier glitter gown. The star sparkled, the dress sparkled – it was a match made in Oscars heaven:

Actress Mandy Moore arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsActress Mandy Moore arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

5. Halle Berry in Marchesa

Halle Berry will have a hard time topping the Elie Saab wine-colored dress she wore when she won Best Actress in 2002.

Although she didn’t do it with this Marchesa gown, she still looked so divine that it’s no wonder she made it to so many best dressed lists:

Actress Halle Berry arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsActress Halle Berry arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

6. Camila Alves in Kaufmanfranco

Camila Alves in this Kaufmanfranco gown is probably one of the most under-appreciated looks of this year’s Oscars. It’s black, it’s so simple – there’s so little to work with.

But it’s precisely those things that put Camila A. on our best dressed list — she does simplicity so perfectly. You can’t have any flaws when wearing a dress like this, and on Camila, we can’t find any:

Model Camila Alves and actor Matthew McConaughey arrive at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsModel Camila Alves and actor Matthew McConaughey arrive at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

7. Reese Witherspoon in Armani Privé

In this black and white gown, Reese Witherspoon looked like a classic glamour girl. The teased ‘do and the cat-eye makeup are the perfect finishing touches to this ’60s-inspired look:

Actress Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsActress Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

8. Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang

Red ruled at the Oscars this year, but Sandra Bullock lorded over them all in this red gown, complete with red lips and a red clutch.

Sandra Bullock reportedly wore Jimmy Choo Vita heels with this dress. Though those shoes only come in black and nude, I like to imagine that the ones she wears are red.

Actress Sandra Bullock arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsActress Sandra Bullock arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

9. Oprah Winfrey in Zac Posen

Edging out Gwyneth Paltrow, Mila Kunis, and Scarlett Johansson for the second to the last spot on our list is Oprah Winfrey. Yes, those other actresses looked amazing, but Oprah Winfrey in this Zac Posen gown is more noteworthy!

The media mogul glamorously swished and swayed her gown’s crystal-embellished ombre skirt when she presented on stage. Oprah Winfrey was literally glowing under the spotlights that night:

Oprah Winfrey at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsOprah Winfrey at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

10. Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein Collection

Va-va-voom! How’s this for a knockout look? That luscious hair and that curvaceous body are all Jennifer Lawrence needed to look the part of a blond bombshell. Simple accessories and dark eye makeup complete this perfect red carpet ensemble:

Actress Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsActress Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)

Notable Mention: Sunrise Coigney in Jean Paul Gaultier

In Jean Paul Gaultier, a notable mention is Sunrise Coigney, Mark Ruffalo’s wife.

This look is definitely not what you would expect at the Oscars! But with that blunt bob and that peace sign, Sunrise is really selling it. But is it sold on you? Our inner ’80s femme fatale says yes!

Sunrise Coigney arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy AwardsSunrise Coigney arrives at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Apega / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Ian Wilson)