Oscar Looks for Mere Mortals

I have written several blogs in the past about where you can buy dresses that are very similar to the looks some celebrities wore on the red carpet, but at an affordable price. However, for many of us, it's not just affordability but wearability that prevents us from buying those gowns. So for this blog, I'm showing you where to get a more toned-down, wearable version that doesn't rely on the figure, stature, or confidence of a Nicole Kidman or Angela Bassett to pull it off. 

 

Speaking of Nicole Kidman, if you loved her Oscar dress but can't quite pill off a thigh-high slit or giant rosettes. how about this one-shoulder gown from Macys for $70? 

I love the wrapped empire bodice style of Rooney Mara's white off-the-shoulder gown, but hate the tied-up train. But I love this softer, more feminine cold shoulder v-neck gown from JJ's House for $103.

Lilly Singh's magenta gown is a little too couture for many of us, but there are plenty of other fabulous magenta suits out there that would look great on an ordinary person, like this elegant double-breasted off-the-shoulder women's jacket from New York & Co. for $158 with matching slim-fit ankle pants for $54. Or this wide-leg women-tailored tuxedo from Amazon for $74. You can even wear a shirt with it if you want. 

If Cara Delevingne's red ballgown has a little too much drama and volume for you, try this satin one-shoulder A-line gown from Hebeos for $139, or this similar belted style from JJ's House for $117.

Lauren Ridloff's beaded metallic gown shows a lot more skin than most of us would be comfortable with, but you can get a very similar silhouette, including the fitted sleeves and A-line skirt, as well as a similar color and beadwork, from DHgate for $174. 

If you're brave enough for a plunging neckline but the starkly contrasting colors of Monica Barbaro's two-tone gown don't work for you, you might opt for this A-line V-neck satin gown with slit overskirt from Light in the Box for $140. And it's available in both the sage green and the deep burgundy of the original.

Sandra Oh's Grecian gown was lovely, but a little too costume-y for most occasions, as well as being a little voluminous and in a very intense color. Toned all those aspects down a little in this graceful v-neck pleated and belted gown with dramatic long sleeves from JJ's House for $121.

Allison Williams' nude-and-pink dress and oversized pink sleeved cape were a little too nude (the former) and a little too voluminous (the latter) for everyday wear. But pair this floral metallic stretch gown from Adrianna Papell for $229 with this blush-pink satin wrap from Etsy for $34, and you have an accessible version of the red carpet look. 

I love the shape of the neckline of Jessica Chastain's silver gown, and the gathers at the waist, but I don't have the figure for the super-tight silhouette. But I would love to wear this strapless v-neck gown from Couture Candy for $113. How cute is that neckline? And it has POCKETS!

Salma Hayek's orange sequin halter gown is a bit much, with its vivid color, elaborate sequins and fringe, and skin-tight fit. But this orange sequin cross neck dress from Zapakasa for $129 has the same flattering halter straps and keyhole, while being a less intense shade, much less spangled (but still sparkly), and less form-fitting. Wins all around!

Cate Blanchett's two-toned gown paired a dramatically bloused teal satin top with a slim-fitting but flared black skirt. You can get a toned-down version of her look with this satin tie-front top from Chico's for $80 and this satin mermaid long skirt from Amazon for $45. 

Angela Bassett looks great in anything from a burlap sack to a flashing neon sign, so she has no problem working a vibrant purple organza mermaid gown with extended shoulders. But if we tone down the shade of purple, lose the oversized shoulders, and add a more universally flattering A-line skirt but keep some of the ruffles, we have this beautiful purple v-neckline tulle party dress from Beauty Dressy for $195.

I loved the cold shoulder/flutter sleeves of Kate Hudson's silver sequin gown, but the all-over-sequins are a bit much, and my figure needs a little help to create that hourglass shape. But this V-back shirred left waist slit gown from Sears for $50 is both toned-down and figure-flattering (and -forgiving). 

Fan Bingbing's gorgeous silver v-neck halter dress was topped with an absolutely stunning emerald green wrap/cape. I love this similar style sheath v-neck floor length sequined evening dress from JJ's House for $145, paired with a 79" chiffon shawl from JJ's House for $16 (in emerald or any other of the nearly 50 available colors). 

Florence Pugh's strapless, colorless, empire-waist dress with split front, bubble sleeves, and crumpled puffy skirt was a hot mess. But this strapless gold split-front gown with floating bubble sleeves from TB Dress for $210 is gorgeous and flattering, if you're daring enough for it. (But it's still toned-down from its red carpet cousin!)

And what better way to end than with Pugh's gown, just to remind you that you CAN, if fact, look better than a celebrity on the red carpet, if only this once.