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We just can't decide about...

9. Kate Winslet - Online fashion pundits were of two camps about our national treasure, but the grey and black Yves Saint Laurent gown - paired with the severely sculpted hairdo - seemed a little too tepid for what has been a banner year for Kate. Compare with Helen Mirren in 2007.

10. Freida Pinto - A royal blue success with an interesting neckline or a fussy style too dowdy for the young actress? Tell us what you think.

The Worst

They've got it all - beauty, brains, talent, but not necessarily canny dress sense, at least when it comes to the Oscars this year.

11. Beyonce Knowles - She was smokin' once she changed into her red fringed and sequined leotard for her singing performance where she put Hugh Jackman to shame. But on the red carpet, her black gown with swathes of brassy gold flowers was off key.

12. Natalie Portman - Purple-pink Rodarte, with criss-crossing straps on the bodice interspersed with what looks like hundreds and thousands. Colourful yet somehow boring.

13. Melissa Leo - The actress, nominated for her role in Frozen River, wore a Badgley Mischka gown in a glum shade of brown and in a style that announced "my dad took me to prom".

14. Marion Cotillard - Last year she won the Oscar for her role in La Vie en Rose and won accolades for her Jean Paul Gaultier "mermaid" dress. This year she looked ill at ease in her Dior dark blue and black gown - a mashup of sequins, tiered net and regret.

15. Angelica Huston - Angelica, why oh why? You have the cheekbones to pull off almost anything. Almost. But a grape gown with shoulder pads and something growing up from the hem? You deserve so much more.

16. Queen Latifah - A voice like honey, a dress like a Quality Street chocolate - shiny, unflattering and wrapped round with some kind of dark ribbon.

Most distinctive

There are some looks that just wouldn't work on anyone else. These celebrities are in their own category, style-wise.

17. Whoopi Goldberg - She's cool, she's funny and she looks good with her own inimitable style, in a wafty leopard-print dress that revealed a long shoulder tattoo and tinted John Lennon glasses.

18. Tilda Swinton - In contrast to her look last year - red hair, black gown - Swinton wore the same designer but with a whole different style. This time round her Lanvin was an off-white shirt and dark skirt but with blonde hair and bright red lips.

19. Penelope Cruz - Ruched tulle, lace, big full skirt. A bit safe perhaps, but Cruz does pretty poufs with aplomb.

20. Angelina Jolie - Black. Sleek. Showed her tattoos. Jolie's Elie Saab gown with deep sweetheart neckline and green Lorraine Schwartz jewelry was entirely appropriate for the occasion, but in a year when many of the nominees were overflowing with enthusiasm (Winslet, Cruz, everybody from Slumdog), it felt just a little too…subdued.

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