Oscars Red Carpet History — How Stars From the Past Actually Dared to be Original

Perhaps I can finally get on a soapbox and herald the end of originality on the red carpet. The past two decades have given us safe, expected looks that seemed crafted specifically by the fashion houses and the stylists who do their bidding.

Most actors and celebrities fear being put on a dreaded Worst Dressed List and steer clear of anything that might stray too far afield. Maybe this was due to the 1990s and the advent of more cable channels paying attention to pre-event coverage of the red carpet.

Joan Rivers was the pioneer of that format and E! devotes hours upon hours to every event: Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Screen Actor’s Guild Awards, Grammys, MTV Music Awards… At this point, if there were an awards show for movie theater interior design, I’m sure that Giuliana Rancic and Brad Goreski would be there shoving a microphone in attendees’ faces asking, “Who are you wearing?”

The last to find itself on this list was the once-sacred Met Gala. Twenty-plus years ago, before the Internet, one had to wait weeks to see the images in print, and that was generally only in a few publications like Vogue and sometimes The New York Times.

That First Monday in May was pretty much an insiders game for the fashion world. It was not on Middle America’s radar and thus was not under the microscope. When it did move into the popular realm, the ensembles that I so looked forward to being edgy and straight from the runway, now seemed diluted for mass consumption.

I fell down into a Google hole the last 24 hours searching for truly inspiring and memorable Oscar looks. I had to go back to the pre-1990s to locate gowns that made my heart flutter.

I’ve always loved the 1970s — perhaps since it was the decadent response to the bohemian 1960s. Disco was king, and glam rock was in full throttle. I can watch period piece flicks like American Hustle, Last Days of Disco and Boogie Nights over and over again.

Halston reigned supreme and cruisers on the Love Boat turned it out in sequin jumpsuits for dinner with Captain Steubing. I dream of being on the Lido Deck having a drink — freshly poured by Isaac — with Charo. Perhaps I am romanticizing that era too much, but it felt decadent without being vapid. And honestly, that is incredibly hard to achieve.

Oscar Fashion Standouts Through History

OK, so back to Academy Awards looks worth remembering. Granted, the period of the 1930s and 1940s was under the watchful eye of the dictatorial studios. Actors were under contract and their every move was micro-managed by the PR machines at MGM, Paramount and Warner Bros.

Starlets who played harlots on screen were often made to look the same at events. Ditto for the girls-next-door like Olivia de Haviland and Grace Kelly.

One of the most well-known geniuses behind creating those on- and off-screen looks was Edith Head. Some might know her since she is thought to be the inspiration behind the Incredibles character, Edna Mode.

Who can’t be charmed by Grace Kelly, looking every ounce the ingenue when she accepted the 1955 golden statuette in a mint green gown with simple straps and elbow-length white gloves? It was if she were planning on catching a flight after the awards to NYC to attend the International Debutante Ball.

By the way, that was the first year of the famed debut event at the Waldorf-Astoria. During that era, another who never failed to deliver for the Oscars was Audrey Hepburn. She always looked picture perfect, but never in a cloyingly saccharine way.

1970s Dreams

So, on to the 1970s, since I want this piece to be my love-letter to that era. First out of the gate, Elizabeth Taylor in a gorgeous blue Edith Head creation that seems barely able to contain what we’ll call her “cups that flow-eth-over.” However, the main attraction of her outfit is that necklace that seems to shine brighter than Chernobyl.

Liz was always known for her taste in jewelry — and men, with her that night was her on-again, off-again love Richard Burton — and she didn’t disappoint that evening.

In 1975, Lauren Hutton showed up with a waist-length mink covering a rainbow-colored Greek goddess diaphanous creation courtesy of her pal Halston. Were the Academy Awards just a pit stop on her way to the disco darling H?

However, the 1970s weren’t all about formal gowns. Many celebrities seemed to take a lighter approach and wear what one might consider today to be really dressed-up daywear. Take for example Diane Keaton when she won for her role in Annie Hall. Her outfit that evening seemed taken straight from her character’s wardrobe.

Let’s also not forget about the boys. The scoundrel that seemed able to woo every woman from that era was Jack Nicholson. I’m sure if you look up “cad” in the dictionary, his name might appear alongside the definition. Bad boy Jack always “wore” his tuxedo and never vice versa.

Do you know what I mean? The clothes didn’t make him look better, he made the clothes look better. He had a penchant for showing up every year with aviator shades which only seemed to add to his allure. Was he wearing them to hide bloodshot eyes from a night of drinking and carousing with Angelica Huston?

From my research, Nicholson never seemed to have worn a ruffled shirt — please leave a comment on this story and correct me if I’m wrong — but I will say that there was nothing wrong with that flourish to a shirt.

Another great thing from the 1970s to note, in terms of men’s fashion, were the over-sized bow ties which looked so floppy-chic. Thank god that Tom Ford has resurrected that statement-making accessory in recent years.

My personal winner for best Oscar look from the 1970s goes to Farrah Fawcett. Yes, she of Charlie’s Angels fame. The girl from the iconic red bathing suit poster that every boy owned during that decade. In 1978, Farrah and her hair  — likely her most well-known accessory and always her plus one on a guest list — showed up for the awards in a golden Stephen Burrows gown.

It made a statement, but not in a glitzy, crass way. She looked regal in the flowing dress with simple spaghetti straps. That inspiration seems to have seeped through to recent collections as I have fallen in love again with Paco Rabbane’s similar metallic creations.

Well, hopefully, we will see some new folks on this Sunday’s red carpet that aren’t afraid of taking a risk. For sure I’ll be glued to my television screen waiting for my personal style icon to make her appearance, Tilda Swinton.

In my book, she always wins in both categories: best-dressed boy and best-dressed girl.