Best & Worst Dressed at the 2012 Oscars

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The Help's Viola Davis took the emerald trend to the next level in a brilliant green Vera Wang gown with a pleated chiffon train. Davis abandoned her usual wigs in favor of her close-cropped natural hair, allowing the focus to fall on her arresting diamond-and-emerald jewels.

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The Artist's Berenice Bejo did not wear vintage, but her Elie Saab gown was so painstakingly crafted it certainly could have passed for a classic couture piece. The gown's pale mint hue was a beautiful pairing with Bejo's copper locks, especially when juxtaposed with dramatic emerald-and-diamond drop earrings.

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Rose Byrne put the spangled couture jumpsuits away for her Oscars evening, instead working her shiny banged bob with a glittering black sequined Vivienne Westwood gown that offered a peek at her platform peep-toe pumps.

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Missi Pyle of The Artist wore a very special gown indeed—and for a good cause. Pyle's hand-dyed organic silk gown was Valentina Delfino's winning submission in the Red Carpet Green Dress competition, which aims to promote eco-friendly elegance. Missi added shine to the off-the-shoulder dress with stately Chopard diamonds.

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The Descendants'  Shailene Woodley is not yet old enough to drink legally in the United States, but she looked uncomfortably mature in her futuristic white Valentino Couture gown with its perforated bust.

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Judy Greer looked like a modern Greta Garbo in a liquid metal Monique Lhuillier gown. The flame-haired funny lady played up her curves in the dress' slinky silhouette, which she matched with art deco diamonds and a metallic clutch.

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Bridesmaids actress Ellie Kemper played off her beautiful red hair in a sequined red, gold and bronze Armani Privé strapless gown. Kemper added to the opulence with oversized gold Lorraine Schwartz jewels, although her heavy blunt bangs were a bit distracting.

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Penelope Ann Miller channeled her inner Marilyn Monroe in an ivory Badgley Mischka halter gown encrusted in crystals and sequins. Miller added a touch of Glenda the Good Witch whimsy with a delicate headband and glitzy drop earrings.

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Kristen Wiig loves wearing flesh tones on the red carpet and the Oscars were no exception. She added a touch of dramatic contrast to her tiered nude J. Mendel gown with a dark manicure, although her highlighted waves were beachy, California beautiful.

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Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy worked the red carpet in a custom mauve Marina Rinaldi gown complete with a glittering collar and a jeweled waistline. Beneath her gown, the much-loved Best Supporting Actress nominee sported pumps by Brian Atwood, who inscribed a special message inside her fancy footwear.

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Bingbing Li also chose white, striking a faintly restricted pose in a deeply textured Georges Chakra Couture strapless gown with a unexpected sheer panels at the sides. The Resident Evil: Retribution actress played off the dress' floral touches with an opulent diamond flower cuff bracelet.

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Jane Seymour, one of StyleBistro's 50 Most Beautiful Women Over 50, was typically ravishing in a sequined crimson gown with retro chevron stripes. We could see Seymour's sultry character in Wedding Crashers wearing this to a birthday bash.

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It was hard to miss television personality Nancy O'Dell's canary yellow Chagoury Couture gown, which featured a delicate pleated skirt and intricate gunmetal beading. O'Dell matched the gown's antique feel with drop earrings by XIV Karats.

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Bridesmaids star Wendi McLendon-Covey looked like she stepped out of a fairytale in a blush tulle gown with champagne beading. Princess-enthusiast Taylor Swift is probably jealous she didn't nab this dress for her most recent music video.

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Good Morning America's Lara Spencer squeezed her impressive tan into a tight silver gown with a single shoulder strap. We understand the desire for a dramatic silhouette on Oscars night, but it's never good when a gown looks like it's cutting off circulation.

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Shaun Robinson's gold lamé Romona Keveza halter gown showcased her strong, gorgeous shoulders while evoking a '70s disco glamour. Robinson added a pop of color to her look with vibrant emerald earrings and a crystal-encrusted clutch.

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Funny lady Maya Rudolph opted to wear a custom Johanna Johnson gown in a demure eggplant hue. The gown looked rather somber from the front, with its beaded capped sleeves and a dramatic train, but featured an intricately embellished back that was all glitz.

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Virginia Madsen was one of the only attendees to wear eye-catching majestic purple, contrasting the arresting hue with oversized emerald earrings (feeling the Angelina Jolie influence, anyone?) and a curly updo.

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Musician Esperanza Spalding, otherwise known as the young woman who drew many a nutty, immature death threat after she defeated Justin Bieber for the Best New Artist Grammy Award in 2011, balanced her prom-ready ballgown with full, natural hair and soft makeup.

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Damages star Glenn Close looked like she meant business in her forest green Zac Posen gown and its matching tailored blazer. The mermaid silhouette may be getting a little tired, but we applaud Glenn's expert working of the gown's fitted bustier. Nice pose!