Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock wore this silver Marchesa stunner to the Academy Awards.

We tuned in to the pre-Oscars shows Sunday to catch a glimpse of the gowns celebrities chose for Hollywood’s biggest night. Although showers threatened to dampen the Academy Awards, from what we could tell the only thing that reigned on the red carpet was all-out glamour, with metallic fabrics that glinted in the light, shoulder-baring gowns with ruffles, pleats and embellishments, and dramatic hair and makeup. This Super Bowl for fashionistas didn’t disappoint!

Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock was a fashion winner too, in a shimmering silver Marchesa gown and her own Neil Lane jewelry (presents from husband and motorcycle maven Jesse James). Bullock wasn’t the only one to choose dazzling metallics — Best Director winner Kathryn Bigelow rocked a gray Yves Saint Laurent sheath with a sparkling embroidered bodice. We also loved Cameron Diaz in a embellished gold Oscar de la Renta strapless and Cartier diamonds, Best Actor presenter Kate Winslet in a silvery Yves Saint Laurent and Tiffany necklace, and Helen Mirren in a crystal-beaded Badgley Mischka and gorgeous Chopard jewelry.

Best Supporting Actress nominees Penélope Cruz in pleated satin Donna Karan and Vera Farmiga in ruffled Marchesa were stunning ladies in red, as were Avatar’s Sigourney Weaver in Lanvin and Michelle Pfeiffer in Carolina Herrera. Others opted for lighter shades, including Demi Moore, exquisite in a blush-colored, ruffle-bottomed Atelier Versace, Jennifer Lopez in a pale pink Armani Privé sheath with a dramatic side flounce, and Queen Latifah in a dusty pink Badgley Mischka with silver trim.

Meryl Streep was elegant in a white Chris March design with a deep V neckline, and Julianne Moore shone in a glimmering white strapless Calvin Klein. Maybe as a nod to Avatar, several stars chose blue-hued gowns, including Best Supporting Actress Mo’Nique in Tadashi Shoji, Avatar director James Cameron’s wife Suzy Amis in Jillian Granz (winner of the first “Red Carpet, Green Dress” contest), Oprah Winfrey in Carolina Herrera, and Mariah Carey, once again showing too much skin in a plunging, high-slit Valentino.

Who else missed the fashion mark? Best Director presenter Barbra Streisand in an ill-fitting tuxedo jacket and matronly lace scarf, pinned with a diamond brooch, and Ally Sheedy, whose long-sleeved black dress with white trim resembled an elongated football jersey. Charlize Theron was stunning in dusty pink, except for the peculiar pleated swirls on her Dior gown’s bustline.

And then there was Sarah Jessica Parker, avant garde as always in a loosely draped pale yellow Chanel toga with chunky silver trim and a retro mega-chignon, splitting reactions into “love it” or “hate it” camps. We’re going with the latter, although we do admire anyone courageous enough to take a fashion flyer on Oscar night.

Whose look did you love?

Photo credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

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