Chic White and Ice Win the Best of the Oscar Red Carpet

The 2020 Oscar red carpet parade was more subdued than in years past. There was a great deal less “frippery,” and fewer enormous princess tulle dresses. The vibe was sleek and sophisticated for the most part. What caught our eye? The coolly elegant white and silver frocks. Snow, ice, winter white and diamonds – what could be more glamorous for a winter awards show than that? Here are our top picks of the chic white and ice ensembles that were the best of the 2020 Oscar red carpet.

the best of the 2020 Oscars red carpet

As regular readers of Dandelion Chandelier know, we really love winter here – especially the colors of the season, like winter white, silver, and the palest blue. That may be why the looks that we found the most striking on the 2020 Oscar red carpet were the ones that radiated a sense of winter wonder and shimmer.

The irony of #OscarSoWhite is not lost on us, by the way, dear reader. Many of us here are women of color, and we get that. But nevertheless – while we are passionate about wanting to see more color in the list of Oscar nominees, we kind of love this absence of color in the apparel on the Oscar red carpet.

Whether brilliant white or pearly ivory – icy silver or with the merest hint of blue or blush pink – the looks that won the red carpet this year were the snowy icy hues of winter. 

Have a look, and you’ll see what we mean.

statement looks

In case anyone has any lingering confusion about whether or not what we wear really matters, one statement look must be noted up front.

Natalie Portman’s Dior Haute Couture cape was embroidered with the names of the female directors behind some of the year’s most notable pictures. Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), Lulu Wang (The Farewell), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Mati Diop (Atlantics), Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Melina Matsoukas (Queen & Slim), Alma Har’el (Honey Boy) and Céline Sciamma (Portrait of a Lady on Fire).

Portman looked chic and authoritative – and had she not worn this cape, we probably wouldn’t be talking about any of these overlooked women right now. Nice job, girl.

winter white and diamond ice on the red carpet

There was a distinct chill in the air on the Oscar red carpet this year if you ask us. And we mean it in the most positive possible way: the vibe was optimistic, forward-looking, crisp, clean and almost spiritual.

And some of the looks were just really, really pretty. Which also counts!

best of the 2020 Oscar red carpet: silver and ice

Janelle Monae set the tone for the night with her shimmering hooded gown. She took a moment for what appeared to be a spiritual reflection as she made her way into the theater. Which somehow felt right.

Several others channeled this cool silver vibe, including Scarlett Johanssen and Rebel Wilson.

best of the 2020 Oscar red carpet: diamond white

Pristine and shimmering white gowns were everywhere this year, starting with Best Supporting Actress nominee Cynthia Ervino.

Even her hair was icy white. As was the very serious bling she was wearing on each finger. Those rocks are almost as large as the Super Bowl championship rings!

Selma Hayek sported the look, complete with a diamond necklace woven into her hairdo.

Winner of the Oscar for Best Actress Renée Zellweger was among those sporting brilliant white.

In a seriously funny aside, Renée Zellweger and Bradley Cooper – who split in 2011 after two years of dating – were snapped having a tête-à-tête at the award show. As one writer astutely noted: “Would that we were all wearing sequined Armani Privé and clutching an Oscar when we bumped into our ex.” 

Pop star Billie Eilish wore a boxy winter white Chanel pantsuit (and some fierce fingernails). And while Spike Lee got a lot of love for his custom Gucci tuxedo that paid homage to the late Kobe Bryant, we were more excited by the always-chic Tonya Lewis Lee and her gorgeous white column dress.

best of the 2020 Oscar red carpet: pale pastels

Finally, there were hints of pastel color that channeled the wintery vibe with a bit more softness and a nod to the coming of spring. Regina King and Brie Larson won accolades for their boss-lady versions of red carpet elegance. 

Chic White and Ice Win the Best of the Oscar Red Carpet

That’s it! Our top picks of the best red carpet looks from the Oscars this year. What’s your favorite?

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