Best & Worst Dressed at the 2012 Oscars

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When Angelina Joliedoes drama, she does it dark. The actress-turned-überserious-directorwas back in black for Oscars evening, serving up some well-toned leg inluxurious black Atelier Versace slit to there. We can't help but love Jolie's aggressively vampish pose, either.

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Rooney Mara managed to avoid her beloved black for one evening, but she still looked like quite the drama queen in her art deco Givenchy gown. Although she's still sporting aggressively angular Girl With the Dragon Tattoo hair and makeup, Mara looked as if she could have stepped straight off a 1930s film set. Her accompaniments included a c. 1910 Fred Leighton diamond ring in platinum.

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Modern Family star Sarah Hyland looked oh-so-innocent in her demure dusky lavender Alberta Ferretti gown, which featured a gathered bodice and asymmetrical straps. The young actress matched the romance of the dress with a loose, low bun and bronze eye makeup.

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Giuliana Rancic wore Basil Soda for the E! red carpet pre-show, but she later switched into this elaborate Tony Ward Couture gown. The glamorously retro gown, which practically dripped with rhinestones, had a Old Hollywood feel to it thanks to the opulent beading on its sheer yoke. Giuliana kept the hair and makeup simple, but her gigantic rings had us wondering if diamonds can indeed be too big.

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Last year's Best Actress winner Natalie Portman continued her long-running streak of perfection in vintage Christian Dior Haute Couture. This strapless crimson gown was featured in the 1954 collection, but it couldn't look any fresher than it does on Natalie.

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Michelle Williams was heartbreakingly dainty in a classic coral peplum gown by Louis Vuitton. Michelle added a dash of her highly feminine personal style with a jeweled bow detail at the waist and a girly pale pink clutch.

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The beaded stripes in Jennifer Lopez's figure-hugging Zuhair Murad gown augmented her famously curvy silhouette. She pumped up the sex appeal with a sleek, tight bun (instant facelift!), luxurious diamond earrings, and patented ultra-serious sexyface.

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Gwyneth Paltrow looked like a foxy fashion superhero in her caped Tom Ford gown. Let's call her Captain Cool Minimalist, shall we? Paltrow played off the gown's austerity with a diamond-encrusted cuff and sleek locks.

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Cameron Diaz sizzled in a nude Gucci gown with gold beading and cascading ruffles, but her simple diamond necklace failed to add the polish that her breezy, casually-styled blonde bob detracted from the look. Her partner in glam, Gwyneth Paltrow, should have recommended some creative ways to work that short hair.

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Jessica Chastain moved away from her beloved cinched-waist gowns in favor of this imperial Alexander McQueen creation, which featured the most intricate gold embroidery on the bodice and the skirt. Chastain pulled away from the dress' inherent drama with loose curls and soft makeup.

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Emma Stone looked ultra-feminine in her fuchsia Giambattista Valli dress, even if it kicked off some major deja vú for anyone who remembers the crimson Balenciaga gown Nicole Kidman wore to the 2007 Oscars. Unfortunately, Emma is not quite as seasoned at carrying off high drama as is Nicole.

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Maria Menounos played it dreamy in a minty Maria Lucia Hohan gown, worn with Jacob & Co. diamonds and a romantic loose bun. The lovely television personality showed a hint of unexpected skin with a flirty peek-a-boo bodice.

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Penelope Cruz brought real romance to the Hollywood & Highland center in a flowing periwinkle creation by Armani Privé. Cruz added classic Grace Kelly polish to her ensemble with diamond jewels and shiny 1950s-inspired curls.

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Milla Jovovich was an early red carpet favorite in a one-shoulder Elie Saab Couture gown paired with classic red lips, artfully arranged curls, and the very daintiest box clutch. It's hard to execute "va-va-voom" with such elegance.

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Tina Fey avoided frills and fuss in favor of this blissfully simple custom Carolina Herrera gown with a figure-flattering peplum waist. Fey gave the look a more personal touch with bold blue-and-green chandelier earrings and a matching cocktail ring.

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George Clooney's lady love Stacy Keibler very much resembled a trophy in her expertly draped gold Marchesa gown. With a deep side part and sun-kissed skin, Stacy couldn't have looked any more polished on her boyfriend's big night.

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We understand the elegance Sandra Bullock saw in this black-and-white Marchesa gown, but she would have done better avoiding dresses with beading that clutters up her midsection in a truly unflattering fashion.

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Leave it to a UK style star like Louise Roe to get playful with her Oscars look. Roe donned a tiered blush Black Halo gown with masculine squared shoulders. The dress, worn with Jacqueline Nerguizian jewels, looked very Dynasty, like something Joan Crawford's character might have worn to marry her second husband.

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For an example of elegant, event-appropriate dressing, see Busy Philipps, Michelle Williams' date for the evening. Philipps' pewter lace Dolce & Gabbana dress, playfully paired with fuchsia peep-toe pumps, was the right choice for someone who didn't want to upstage her nominee friend on her big night.

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These days, it seems like everyone's inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer's character from Scarface. Comedienne Anna Faris certainly seemed to be channeling Elvira Hancock in her blunt blond bob and black sequined Diane Von Furstenberg gown, which covered too much skin and offered too little contrast to photograph well.