Oscars 2014: Liza Minnelli, Emma Watson make best-dressed statements

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Liza Minnelli wearing vintage Halston with a blue streak in her hair to accent the diagonal line of her top, and proving you’re never too old to have fun with fashion. (Mike Nelson / EPA)

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Lady Gaga in a pale pink, full beaded Atelier Versace gown. It was icy cool, glam and slightly edgy, while yielding focus to the film industry stars to whom the night belonged. (In other words, no arriving in an egg.) (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Ellen DeGeneres worked an edgy androgyny in several Saint Laurent tuxedos, one in velvet, another in sparkly lame, created by by rock star designer Hedi Slimane. (Michael Yada / AMPAS HANDOUT / EPA)

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Fashion risk taker Emma Watson tries the fall season’s forthcoming knitwear dressing trend straight off the runways, choosing a sparkly Vera Wang fall 2014 ribbed knit godet mermaid skirt. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Kate Hudson looking very old Hollywood in a metallic caped Atelier Versace gown. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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Angelina Jolie in a greige long sleeve fully embellished gown with sheer bodice and thin leather greige belt by Elie Saab Couture. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Margot Robbie in a strapless black gown with a back bow detail by Saint Laurent designer Hedi Slimane. The dark locks and plum lips were the perfect finishing touches. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Lupita Nyong’o wears a pale blue, plunge-front Prada gown, which created the perfect fairy tale moment for the awards season darling. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Another winner? Cate Blanchett in a pale gold Armani Privé cap-sleeve gown featuring a flared tulle skirt with crinoline edging, fully embroidered with dégradé sequins and light gold Swarovski crystal baguettes. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)

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Then there is Naomi Watts in a beaded white cap-sleeve Calvin Klein gown. (The spidery diamond Bulgari necklace is not too shabby either.) (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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It’s also hard not to love Pharrell Williams’ Lanvin shorts tuxedo. He’s a fashion focus puller extraordinaire. But he’s also teaching the world a little something about taking risks. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

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On the other end of the color spectrum, Jennifer Lawrence looks sleek and modern in a lipstick red Dior peplum gown, with a diamond necklace hanging down over her back. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

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Julia Roberts is also wearing a peplum gown, hers by Givenchy and more classic looking, in black, with lace accents. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

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And Anne Hathaway’s Gucci halter dress has some of the night’s most interesting details -- shiny, geometric embroidery. (Michael Buckner / Getty Images)

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Anna Kendrick’s J. Mendel gown was a confusing mix of lines and textures that didn’t flatter her midsection. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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What happened to that famous cleavage? Amy Adams’ strapless blue Gucci gown was a disappointment. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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“Prometheus” actress Charlize Theron in a sculpted black Dior gown. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Jared Leto, a supporting actor nominee for his role in “Dallas Buyers Club,” in Burberry. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

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Matthew McConaughey in a white Dolce & Gabbana tux. (Michael Buckner / Getty Images)

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“Fruitvale Station” star Michael B. Jordan in Givenchy tux. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

By Susan Denley

March 3, 2014 10:20 AM PT

On the whole, the Oscars’ red carpet was one elegant look after another, with some singular statements, as Los Angeles Times fashion critic Booth Moore notes.

Among some we’re still thinking about Monday morning are Lupita Nyongo’s Nairobi blue accordian-pleat gown and Cate Blanchett’s pale gold Armani Prive -- both were winning looks for Academy Award-winning actresses.

PHOTOS: Best and worst dressed on the red carpet

A couple of others we are thinking about that didn’t get as much attention on Oscar Sunday represent two ends of a spectrum: Liza Minnelli in a vintage Halston pantsuit and Emma Watson in a spanking-new rib-knit godet skirt from Vera Wang’s fall-winter 2014 collection.

Both the vintage and the new deserve a round of applause. And extra points to Minnelli for the modern blue streak in her dark hair, which picked up the diagonal line of her top and proved, as Moore says, “you’re never too old to have fun with fashion.”

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