Controversial Looks From The Oscars ‘25!

1. Ariana Grande: YES

Olivia: I love Ariana’s look; the structure of the bodice is very beautiful, and the flow and sparkles of the sheer skirt look nice. The strapless style is in, so her stylist is clearly in on the trends! However, I think a different color would’ve suited her better. Maybe a chiffon blue or pink! The color is too close to her skin tone. I also like the slick-back bun as it makes the look more sophisticated! Let’s see what her fans think of this look. Many have said something along the lines of this quote: ‘Ariana Grande looks stunning but also a little bit like a lampshade #Oscars.” I could see how some may see this, as the build of the bodice is shaped somewhat similar to a lampshade, and the color doesn't help the case either. However, the overall look is elegant, and I think it fits Ariana perfectly! 

Nina: I'm a huge Ariana fan and of this dress designed by Schiaparelli and their creative director, Daniel Roseberry. I love the sleek bodice and the cascading skirt. It does somewhat remind me of a lampshade, but I think it gives the dress a campy element. I love the nude pinkish color, as it goes amazingly with her skin tone and her makeup. The fit of this dress is incredible and the strapless element just enhances her figure. She looks like a goddess! I do like a slick-back bun, but I think Ariana would look amazing with her hair down or even her old iconic ponytail. Nonetheless, this Glinda-inspired gown is gorgeous!

2. Timothee Chalamet: TIED

Olivia: Honestly, I think this color is not flattering! I love yellow if it can be styled right. In this case, I don’t think the yellow suits his complexion. I believe darker colors would suit him better and enhance his features. A choice of black shoes was not the way to go, as black and yellow together gives bumblebee vibes! I do like that his undershirt is a lighter shade of yellow so that it stands out. This is not a typical look we would see at the Oscars. I enjoy the creativity of not wearing just a simple black and white suit, but a dark blue or a deep red color definitely would've made this look complete and more attractive! Once again, fans aren't such a “fans” of this look. Many say, “Timothee Chalamet looks like the guy in the yellow hat from Curious George #theoscars.” The comparison is humorous, but since there is no brown in his outfit, I’m not exactly sure where fans are getting this from. If he had worn a brown tie or jacket, I definitely would have agreed! 

Nina: I think Timmy looks great! I LOVE this color, but what's with these shoes? I wish he would have worn a light brown loafer or dress shoe. On the red carpet, men’s looks normally are not this bold and expressive. It seems the star isn’t afraid to step out of the black tuxedo box! I appreciate the loose-fitting pants, as they're very trendy. I've seen a few people online saying Chalamet, ‘looks like a banana.’ This is amusing, but I disagree because the shade isn't giving bananas. It's more, ‘man in the yellow hat’ from the children's book Curious George. Although he may look like a cartoon character, he's still chic! 

3. Demi Moore: YES

Olivia: I am so obsessed with this dress! The giant matching diamond bracelet, ring, and earrings tie in elegantly to create a beautiful look. The fit of the dress is perfect for her, and I love the train in the back. I’m so glad a necklace wasn’t added because it definitely would’ve been too much bling. By keeping it sleek, more attention is brought to the stunning V-neck. I love the part of fabric that sits on both sides of her hips. It almost reminds me of a mermaid tail! It’s very impressive that her dress took 70,000 crystals to create. To me, this was a perfect creation for the Oscars, and the only criticism I would say is that a sleek back ponytail or bun would have elevated this look even more! Overall, the overlapping of the fabric is beautiful and the silhouette is stunning. I have seen no negative comments on this look!

Nina: All I have to say is WOW! This diamond-encrusted dress is simply over-the-top amazing. The heart neckline is also amazing. This 70,000 crystal dress is worth all the praise and appreciation it’s getting. Armani Privè did an amazing job styling Moore! Overall, I love the circular train and the simple construction of the dress. I’ve seen just amazing comments on this dress with Harper’s Bazaar saying, “At first glance, the dress exuded an air of classic Hollywood glamour, but it's only on closer inspection that one is able to appreciate the sheer scale of intricate details which constructed this astounding feat of atelier creation.” I couldn’t agree more. Aside from the dress, my favorite part of this look is her natural glowy makeup. It’s refreshing to see an older actress wearing a simple and natural makeup look that enhances rather than covers. This is my favorite Oscars look from this year!

4. Cynthia Erivo: YES 

Olivia: I am absolutely in love with Cynthia’s look! This dark velvet green gown compliments her skin complexion to perfection. The construction is to die for! However, some fans think otherwise, comparing her ensemble to what a “cartoon vampire would wear.” Critiques could be referring to the collar of the dress, but I disagree. The shape is unique and original to the event. The material was also a wonderful choice, making the outfit appear smooth and flowy. A really nice feature of her look were her nails! Gold charms were included, and one of her nails had a mini watch attached. Her rings and earrings are silver with one of the rings including bits of green that tie in nicely with the gown itself. With accessories chosen well, the look is very cohesive. Despite what some fans say, this was one of my favorite looks! 

Nina: What an amazing construction! The triangle collar! The dramatic skirt! The strapless element! Wow. In contrast to Nina, I think she looks like a cartoon vampire, but that’s what makes it so amazing! There’s an element of camp! I understand why many critics may dislike it as campy styles are often confusing and disregarded. This dress pays homage to her Wicked character, Elphaba, without being too on the nose. This look keeps a fun and dystopian element. Erivo was nominated for Vogue's Best Dressed look for the 2025 Oscars, eventually making the list. Louis Vuitton captured Erivo’s aesthetic in this look, from the gown itself to the silver jewelry. The small details are on point, like her nails! E-News says, “During the E! Pre-show, Erivo said she and her stylist, Jason Bolden, 'worked on this [look] for a little while.’”  Erivo added that she wanted to nod to Oz and Old Hollywood. Zanna Roberts Rassi added that Bolden told her that it was also an ode to Hattie McDaniel, the first Black person to win an Oscar.” I love a look with history and meaning behind it while also trailblazing its own unique path. This look gives us all this and more! It disappoints me that this look isn’t as popular as it should be.

5. Elle Fanning: TIED 

Olivia: I personally feel that this dress is giving wedding vibes. It seems some fans aren’t big on this look either, saying her look was “underwhelming” and that “her necklace made a bigger statement than the rest of her ensemble.” I do think the color white looks good on her, making her appear brighter, but the pattern of the lace just reminds me of a tablecloth! Unfortunately, the black bow is the only part of the gown I like. It cinches her waist perfectly but doesn't yet make up for the entire look. In my opinion, pearly earrings would have made this look more elegant. Fanning still looks beautiful, but I was hoping for more.

Nina: Contrary to what many think, I think Fanning looks stunning! I love the classic Hollywood style, with the bow, lace, and neckline! I think it’s close to perfection! Fanning is also wearing a vintage Cartier necklace, which further elevates the look. My only negative note would be her hair. I feel a simple bun is too underwhelming. I would have preferred a slick-back ponytail or even a hair down moment. I need to give props to designer Givenchy as I’m a little biased because I'm a fan of this brand. They never miss! I love how classy yet simple Fanning looks. 

6. Selena Gomez: YES 

Olivia: At first, I thought this dress was pretty plain until I looked more deeply into the details and discovered that it is made of 16,000 drop crystals! Coming from Ralph Lauren, we are used to seeing beautiful pieces such as this one. Khloe Kardashian also commented on Selena’s look, calling her “beautiful,” and fans don’t disagree, calling her “gorgeous.” I really like the hairstyle she decided to wear; it’s classy and reminds me of Marilyn Monroe! However, I don’t think her necklace matches well with this look in particular, I actually believe no necklace would have looked better. Still, she looks stunning, and this was a nice choice for the Oscars. Although the color of the gown doesn't do much for her, the crystals make up for it! 

Nina: Selena Gomez looks amazing in this bejeweled Ralph Lauren gown! It’s fun yet chic, simple, and classic. I love the nude-almond-pink shade of the gown, it goes amazingly with her dark hair and tan skin! Vogue has rated this look as one of the best of the 2025 Oscars and I'm inclined to agree! It’s simple in the best way possible. I’m honestly not surprised Ralph Lauren is the designer, as classic yet new-age chic is what they usually strive for! What a gorgeous piece! Simple elegance, a vision in diamonds!

7. Scarlett Johansson: NO

Olivia: Scarlett’s look is a 50/50 for me! I like the deep blue color of the gown and the gloves, but there’s just not enough happening. Fans did say she looked “classy,” and I agree but I think detail was needed to really blow me away. I think if the bodice of the skirt flowed out more and had a mini-train in the back, I would’ve liked it a lot more. More doesn't always mean better, but I think that's true in this case. A bun was the right choice though, adding to the simplicity of it all! I don’t think this was red-carpet-worthy and the dress doesn't hug her in the right places to accentuate her curves and features, but I do understand how this could be a comfortable outfit for her to slip on. You can’t go wrong with velvet, but the designer did not make it stand out enough when something like that was needed in this gown! 

Nina: I’ll be 100% honest: I dislike this look, although some fans seem to adore it. It’s very plain and boring to me, frankly. I think Johansson is an amazing actress and I feel designer Mugler has missed the mark on this one, which is hard for me to say. The radio station Kiss 95.1 seems to agree with me. Their website says, “Another miss on the red carpet was Scarlett Johansson's velour dress paired with matching opera gloves. The gown didn't do her justice and seemed out of place on a night where celebrities dress up in their best ensemble. The dress hid her figure and made her look sloppy, a word not usually associated with her.” I have to agree, this dress did not compliment her figure at all, and it felt understated compared to many others on the runway. I do appreciate the idea of gloves, but they were also a miss on that part. This look has so much potential but fell short by a long shot.

8. Blackpink’s Lisa: TIED 

Olivia: I surprisingly enjoy Lisa’s outfit! People discussed her “risky fashion style and how it stood out from others at the Oscars.” I totally agree with them as I have seen nothing like this out of the other celebrities on the carpet. She took a risk with this creative look, and in my opinion, it paid off! I love a pantsuit/dress moment. She looks amazing, and the suit inclines at her waist nicely too. The only thing I dislike is the red flower on her pocket. To me, it looks out of place and sticks out, when without it, it would've been just fine. I understand the designer might have been trying to use the flower as a focal point, but I believe a large black button in the middle of her waist where the two sides of the coat come together would have looked spectacular instead. Her sharp pointed shoes and nails pair great with this fit adding to the powerful feeling it evokes. It’s formal while also being feminine and contemporary. The different layers of this ensemble are what draw my eye! While some may not like the idea of the pant legs being visible, that’s what I think makes this original as well as different from what many of us are used to seeing. This is fashion on a new level, taking a gamble on something we typically aren't exposed to in the fashion world! 

Nina: I am not a fan of this dress/suit by any means. Truthfully, I think she looks like a magician's assistant who has to fill in for her magician counterpart at the last minute and fashioned this outfit in 10 minutes. I think Lisa is a great artist, but this outfit is no piece of art. Designer Mark Gong missed the mark by a long shot. I do, however, see the vision. I believe the vision was a campy classic “tuxedo dress,” but I don’t think this designer I'm unfamiliar with understood the meaning of “camp.” It seems unfinished, lacking some sort of “wow factor.” One user on Instagram Threads says, “Not a fan of Lisa’s Oscar red carpet debut look. Yes, it’s a fresh and avant-garde choice but there is a time and place and the Oscars is NOT it.” I definitely agree. If you’d like to prove you’re creative and have out-of-the-box designs, save it for the Met Gala, or even better, make it out-of-this-world amazing, like Cynthia Erivos's unique gown for this event. Sadly, I think this is the worst gown on the red carpet for the Oscars 2025. I think this outfit could be saved with many different improvements though. First of all, the pants under the dress/skirt contraption, just a no. I wish this would have been a full wraparound skirt rather than this strange half-pant, half-skirt. Second, the tight-fitting tuxedo top may seem flattering on paper but not in execution. A looser-fitting top would make this look trendy and unique. I would have probably liked it more without the red flower on her lapel. Overall, a total miss, in my opinion.

9. Zoe Salanda: NO

Olivia: At first glance, I actually didn’t dislike this look; however, the more I looked at it, the more I realized it’s not my favorite. The color is nice, but the shape of the dress does not fit her figure and it looks almost sloppy on her. I think it would’ve complimented her better if the fabric flowed down straight to her feet instead of bunching in layers. The pattern of the top portion reminds me of fishnet and to me appears cheap! This overall look reminds me of Christmas and not a look appropriate for the Oscars. Another overlooked item is the gloves. They should have matched the top with the diamonds to tie everything in. Clearly, others are thinking along the same page, as some of Zoe’s fans have reacted to her red carpet outfit as a"mess." She could’ve been going for the trending style known as “bubble,” but the result is not executed well. Saint Laurent missed the mark with this ensemble, and it’s unfortunate to say that the folds of the gown don’t look constructed and do look quite, quote unquote, messy. More folds would have looked cleaner, or none at all would have made this gown appear classier or more like an old Hollywood style. Her large diamond choker necklace stole the show more than the entire 3-tier outfit did! 

Nina: I love the red fabric, don’t like the rest. This dress reminds me of a three-layer red velvet cake, in a bad way! It’s almost sloppy, half finished. I really dislike the top of the dress, she looks like she’s not wearing anything but a mesh top. The first ruffle layer is awkward; it lays at a strange medium length and doesn’t accentuate her waist. Her gloves don’t even have beading to match the top of the dress. I wish Saint Laurent could have added some beading on the skirt or a long train to even this look out–a huge mistake on their part. I do love the deep cherry red color, and I do appreciate the idea of a huge bubble skirt moment, but it just doesn’t look good or make sense together. This dress looks like she walked into a Joann Fabric and took the first roll of fabric she could find and draped it over her waist. Commentators on Women.com say, “It flattened Saldaña in some places, and added volume in other places, and this made it seem lopsided.” They even went as far as to place her on the Oscars 2025 worst dressed list! It seems that many people dislike this dress along with her movie, “Emilia Pérez,” which is rated ⅖ on Letterbox.