Oscars fashion review: The best and the worst red carpet dresses

With so much competition on the red carpet an actress needs to stand out from the crowd, and here Liz Jones previews the best and the worst for Hollywood's finest.
There were contrasting fortunes for academy award winners Meryl Streep and Octavia Spencer who stole the limelight for varying reasons.

Five-star Cruz: Penelope Cruz chose Armani and radiated old-school glamour. The chiffon organza is like a bandage on the bodice then explodes into frou-frou. Stunning!

Best Actress winner Meryl Streep dazzled in draped gold by Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, but there was too much fabric, making her look uncomfortable and right, The Help’s Octavia Spencer looked incredible in Tadashi
Shoji — the minimalist bling meant all eyes were on her oyster sunray gown

With her tan, Cameron Diaz can carry off this putty-coloured Gucci Premiere gown and looks as if she's out to have fun

Black Swan star Natalie Portman, right, rarely puts a foot wrong, but her polka-dot strapless gown — vintage
Dior, circa 1954 — merely looks old and right, Glenn Close, whose emerald Zac Posen jacket is well cut and flattering but the dress is too busy and full

I am no fan of green, but the Elie Saab couture gown worn by The Artist’s Berenice Bejo, left, is pale enough
to be pretty. I love its sheer sleeves and plunging neckline. However, Michelle Williams, right, looks ghastly in Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton: I hate the flounces and on-trend peplum, which don’t suit her pale, tiny body

Jane Seymour sparkles in red sequins by Pamella Roland, with matching clutch and silver sandals and Gwyneth Paltrow, right, looked uptight in a Tom Ford white caped gown that screams: ‘Do not smudge me! Is that red wine?!’

Victoria Beckham looked incredible but I wish she would smile!

Salma Hayek fills her dress in all the right places, revealing a tiny waist and curvaceous bust

Sandra Bullock is swamped in her monochrome and would have fared better if more fitted

AND BRINGING UP THE REAR...

Jennifer Lopez’s shimmering gown by Zuhair Murad plunged at the front and back to show off her curves and right, Heidi Klum shows Seal what he's missing in a bright and cheerful in canary yellow Versace

Tennis star Serena Williams played an ace with this sunshine-yellow mermaid number by African-born designer Christiane King and right, Model turned actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was sleek in a floor-length
Antonio Berardi gown