Was this the worst night time in Oscars trend background?

Much more damming testimonials have been saved for the year’s very best supporting actress, Jennifer Connelly, who opted for a dishwater-colored tulle gown and not-rather-matching scarf (a shade explained by Smith as “pale dung-colored,” and by Scripps Howard information company as “phlegm-colored”). Somewhere else, Cameron Diaz divided views in a floral print dress, ’80s Oscar-nominee Sally Kirkland sported an ill-recommended bejeweled bindi and Faith Hill took a painfully literal method by teasing her general performance of “Somewhere Around the Rainbow” with a strappy rainbow-coloured Versace gown.

The night time will, nevertheless, generally be remembered for just one of the most maligned outfits in Oscars history: Gwyneth Paltrow’s infamous “goth” gown (pictured best). The formless Alexander McQueen generation highlighted a scrunched-up taffeta skirt and sheer bodice that remaining small to the creativeness. The actress’ heavy eye make-up and milkmaid braid helped secure the outfit’s location on “worst-dressed” lists for yrs to arrive.

There was, arguably, even worse to appear. At the Self-importance Good afterparty, “Meet up with Joe Black” star Claire Forlani wore what can only be explained as a sequined breastplate held up by perilously thin string ties Selma Blair arrived in a hardly-there fringe gown that appeared much more like a shabby tablecloth and Heather Mills opted for a strange midriff-bearing two-piece. Actress and writer Suzanne Somers’ dress might effortlessly have doubled up as low-priced curtains, and Tv host Daisy Fuentes confirmed up in denims and a shirt, as if she experienced overlooked it was a single of Hollywood’s most unique events.

The afterparty noticed even extra classic Y2K design and style, like Claire Forlani’s open-backed crop top rated. Credit rating: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage/Getty Photographs

Most monotonous ‘of all time’

This was no excuse for Menkes, on the other hand. Calling attendees’ attempts “the most boring Oscar outfits of all time,” the critic singled out Naomi Watts’ unadventurous corseted costume from a “sea of black,” crafting that “even Gucci, usually a lifeless cert for pretty garments” had built the star appear “sedate.”

Naomi Watts was one of a number of stars opting for lower-possibility black gowns. Credit rating: KMazur/WireImage/Getty Visuals

“There grew to become a realization that these dresses were being going to determine you. And I consider it experienced additional to do with the rise of trend as a pop-tradition power — and a authentic-time power — and acknowledging that people today have been sat at house judging these outfits.

“There was no E! and no pre-show until then, and I assume that selections were probably safer simply because of not recognizing how to navigate that.”

As for the riskier seems, Critchell theorized that a lot of celebrities were being “actively playing towards sort” by giving something unanticipated or unique from preceding outings. Nicole Kidman’s frilly pink Chanel robe contrasted with the elegant chartreuse Dior gown she famously wore to 1997’s ceremony, while Jennifer Lopez’s vintage gown and bouffant hairstyle was juxtaposed against the raunchier seems she’d come to be identified for.

Sally Kirkland sporting activities a bejewled bindi as section of her gold-and-silver search. Credit: David Lefranc/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Photographs

Even Paltrow’s outfit can be seen as an endeavor to steer clear of staying pigeonholed, Critchell mentioned. “She experienced been the princess a number of several years ahead of (in 1999) in that pink Ralph Lauren costume, and I assume she was taking part in towards that,” she added.

“Famous people didn’t have a probability to present their other sides in the way they do now. You currently know them, you what their design is, you know their view on all the things. But it was not unheard of in 2002, or any of those people other (pre-social media) several years, for anyone to participate in in opposition to what they did ahead of, because they failed to want to be stereotyped.”

Rays of hope

1 of the night’s handful of winners: Halle Berry in Elie Saab. Credit history: Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Photographs

There was definitely only a person winner, however — on each the crimson carpet and the awards phase. On her way to turning into the first Black girl to claim the Academy Award for ideal actress, Halle Berry surprised in gown that reworked the fortunes of its designer, Elie Saab. Like Paltrow’s outfit, it consisted of sheer top rated and taffeta skirt, even though Berry oozed glamour in crimson and champagne, with strategically placed floral detailing completing the look.

“I consider Halle Berry’s outfit has stood the check of time,” Critchell reported. “It truly is not a gown another person would dress in nowadays, but she was the belle of the ball. She was predicted to earn and, as style writers, we ended up all waiting around for her switch. It fulfilled the minute it was unforgettable, and it was ideal for a greatest actress.”

Yet, when the outfit is now viewed as amongst the Oscars’ greatest-ever looks, it wasn’t a hit with absolutely everyone on the night time. The Guardian’s Cartner-Morley wrote that Berry’s outfit, comprehensive with its “gaudy embroidered net bodice,” had presented “a lot to cringe about.”

Her contrarian acquire serves as a reminder that very good pink carpet type is in the eye of the beholder — and hence the concern of whether 2002 was the Oscars’ worst 12 months relies upon, as at any time, on who you ask. In fact, offered the current interest in all things Y2K — a revival that has heralded the return of very low-rise denims, crop tops and butterfly clips — the ability of hindsight (and the opinions of Gen-Z style-watchers) may perhaps be kinder to 2002’s outing than 1 could count on.

“I really don’t feel it was the worst-dressed,” Critchell said. “I really don’t know if there would at any time be a instant you could outline as that. But it was a distinct time.”