Safe and blah. That sums up the fashion non-statements made on the Oscar red carpet this year.

Few actresses stood out, with most opting for tried and tested silhouettes (poufy gowns or simple column dresses), predictably embellished with lots of sequins and shine.

Some even looked identical - Naomi Watts and Calista Flockhart both wore white cap-sleeved columned gowns in a very similar textured fabric.

Even Lady Gaga played it subtle, by her standard, in a strapless metallic Versace gown. She looked almost unrecognisable, in a disappointingly boring way.

The biggest letdown was Lupita Nyong'o, whom everyone was expecting to turn up in yet another "wow" gown, like she has done at all the awards shows this year.

Sadly, her pale blue Prada gown failed to excite. She said it was inspired by champagne bubbles, but her look fell flat.

Surprisingly, the ones who stood out were the guys. Blue became the new black on the red carpet, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kevin Spacey and Jim Carrey sporting different shades of it. Even Ellen DeGeneres presented in a velvet midnight blue suit.

And poor Jennifer Lawrence. Her column dress failed her spectacularly. Not only was it the most boring Dior piece she has worn in recent memory, in terms of colour, details and shape, it made her trip and fall again. If the actress is this much of a klutz, Dior better dress her in a mini-skirt or pants next year.

BEST-DRESSED STARS

SANDRA BULLOCK

She looked like a movie star from the 1950s in this navy Alexander McQueen dress, from the way her hair was styled to the gown's elegant draping.

CATE BLANCHETT

This Armani Prive gown is not as fashion forward compared to her usual red carpet choices, but it is still a stand-out. There were many other actresses wearing glittery embellishments, but Blanchett outshone them all in this ethereal nude and crystal confection. Galadriel would approve.

KATE HUDSON

The best-dressed star of the night, she looked picture perfect in this plunging front and back metallic Atelier Versace gown. It also featured a detachable cape, which has proven to be the must-have piece for the most stylish stars on the red carpet. Remember Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford at the 2012 Oscars and Lupita Nyong'o in Ralph Lauren at this year's Golden Globes?

PORTIA DE ROSSI

She was one of the most eye-catching stars of the night in her Naeem Khan cream crochet halter-neck dress. Very on-trend, too, as anything with cutwork is big this season.

WORST-DRESSED STARS

JULIA ROBERTS

Givenchy's cool, edgy quotient just fell a few notches. Givenchy on Rooney Mara looks fashion-forward. On Julia Roberts, it just looked dated, thanks to the lace panels on the chest and peplum detail, and her boring hairdo.

ANNA KENDRICK

There is only one word for this dress - yikes. She was all over the place in this J. Mendel dress that could not decide what it wanted to be. It morphed from sexy bandage top to weirdly patterned mid-riff to pleated flamenco skirt.

PENELOPE CRUZ

Instead of her usual va-va-voom self, the actress looked dumpy in this unflattering Giambattista Valli dress. Seen from the back, she looked like she had swaddled herself in a giant bedsheet.

PHARRELL WILLIAMS

Pharrell chose to cover up with a big ol' hat at the Grammys, but did he have to go to the other extreme on Hollywood's grandest night and leave his pants at home? The star can usually do no wrong - he is one of the most stylish men in music. But sadly, he looked severely underdressed here.

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.