THE [mid]-Weekend Party Post! (Party Dresses? ...nah, Party Gowns!)

Audrey Hepburn in Hubert de Givenchy, 1953

Wednesday's search for the perfect so-called Blogger Oscar gown took me down a quite lovely lane of memories as I stumbled upon the most gorgeous Oscar gowns of the last decade.

So many of us may not be attending a black tie award show this weekend... Someday we may, and a little inspiration, a little Pre-Party Planning, never hurts.

So babies, get excited.  Over the next few days I'll be showcasing some of my personal favorite Oscar ensembles over the past 10 years, starting with this oh-so-controversial (and oh-so-unforgettable) frock donned by Ms. Cameron Diaz in 2002:

Cameron Diaz in Emanuel Ungaro, 2002:

This dress landed Cameron on almost every worst-dressed list at the time and even today.  They've criticized her "bed head", and "unfortunate accessories".  The dress has been described as "an awkwardly belted bathrobe", and "Betsy Johnson-like"... probably a criticism if you're Emanuel Ungaro.  The notorious Mr. Blackwell famously declared: "It looks like she was dressed by a color-blind circus clown".

Still, I love it.  I loved it then and I love it now.  I love the cut and the color.  The pop of turquoise at the wrist, and yes, even her "bed head", shiny, beach-y waves.  I also love that it seems to fit the actresses beach-babe, bohemian persona so perfectly.  It takes some guts to walk an ensemble like this down the red carpet, and she totally owned it.

Other early 2000's faves:

Chloe Sevigny in Yves Saint-Laurent, 2000; J-Lo in Chanel, 2001 (another worst-dressed list fave that I love... yes, the top is a little NSFW, but in a really beautiful way, right?); Reese Witherspoon in Valentino, 2002.

What do you think of my party-gown picks? Stay tuned over the next few days for the rest of the decade, yay! xoxo party princesses, Caitlin




Images from all over the place... including:
www.marieclaire.co.uk
www.stylecaster.com
www.nypost.com
film.guardian.co.uk
www.instyle.com