As it happened: Chris Ayres in LA I Full list of Oscar winners Sixth time lucky for Kate I Best speeches I Red carpet dress report I More Oscar dresses I Oscars live on Twitter I Complete Oscars coverage I The fashion editor's verdict

The most riveting looks on the red carpet and onstage look effortless, but they are far from accidental.

Best

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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)

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. The Slumdog Millionaire children - The boys in dinner jackets, the girls in party dresses, all strike just the right note. Not too fancy, not too uncomfortable. And - it turns out - perfect for an appearance onstage.

On the fence

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