This year's talented lineup of Oscar-nominated actresses deserve a nod for their red carpet looks alone. All award season long, newcomers like Ruth Negga and vets like Meryl Streep have wowed with glamour befitting the Hollywood movie stars they are.
With Sunday in our sights, we're admittedly fixated on what this A-list crew of presenters and nominees will wear, so we're putting our expertise to good use. Armed with our favorite selections from Couture Week and Fashion Month, we're here to humbly offer up a few suggestions for Emma Stone, Naomie Harris, Viola Davis, and the rest. And, at the very least, we can hope — flip through for the 12 gowns we're wishing for on Oscars night.
Wearing Michael Kors Collection at the 2017 Golden Globes.
Viola Davis and her stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, have crafted a signature look that's made the actress one of our favorites to watch on the red carpet. Relying on classic, streamlined silhouettes and bold, primary colors — which Viola carries brilliantly — we're pretty sure this Oscar de la Renta gown was made for the star.
Wearing Tadashi Shoji at the 2012 SAG Awards.
A glance at Octavia's red carpet résumé and you'll quickly realize the common thread: Tadashi has long been responsible for her signature look. So, while we suspect the actress and designer will team up to create something custom for the big night, we have our eyes on this silvery-hued column gown that just walked the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Wearing Louis Vuitton at the 2017 Golden Globes.
In her brief time in the spotlight, Ruth has already proven her fashion prowess. The newcomer has dazzled fashion fans with a designer catalog that includes Erdem, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino, opting for gowns with a touch of romance. This shimmering Erdem gown promises to make a statement with its sleeves, and its modern take on femininity seems made for the actress.
Wearing Gucci at the 2017 SAG Awards.
We gasped when we saw this gown come down the runway during the first day of Milan Fashion Week — and if there's anyone on the red carpet who could do it justice, it's Nicole. The actress is a bona-fide chameleon who can pull off anything, switching between sexy cuts and jaw-dropping details. This award season, she's been particularly fond of Gucci, making this a front-runner in our eyes.
Wearing Valentino at the 2017 SAG Awards.
Always the sophisticate, Meryl's traded her more polished silhouettes for feminine gowns this season. To capitalize on that, we'd love to see her in this dreamy, pleated Valentino gown. It's ethereal and graceful, just like the legendary actress.
Wearing Armani Privé at the 2017 Golden Globes afterparty.
Naomie's become something of a fashion darling, with an eye for cuts, color, and designer labels. While she's experimented quite a bit throughout award season, the Oscars call for a gown that commands attention, and this is it. From the metallic finish to the full skirt, all this look needs is the right jewels to bring it to life.
When we think of Amy, sleek, classic silhouettes come to mind. The actress has made her most memorable red carpet appearances in bold colors and flawlessly fitting gowns. When this shimmering deep blue gown popped up during Fashion Week, it seemed destined for the Oscars red carpet — and we hope Amy is the one who takes it there.
Wearing Louis Vuitton at the 2017 Golden Globes.
A Louis Vuitton girl through and through, Michelle's red carpet looks are usually dreamed up by designer Nicolas Ghesquière. Surely, we suspect the actress will have something custom made by her designer collaborator, but in the meantime, we've pulled this fierce look from Nicolas's Spring collection. With Michelle's brand of easy elegance, she could easily carry off the statement-making piece.
We've missed seeing Charlize on the red carpet, but we know just how she can make it up to us: in this stunning Elie Saab gown that was made for flaunting her famous stems. The statuesque actress has a way with pulling off high-fashion, showing off slits, cutouts, and couture details. This gown was made for a glamazon like Charlize.
As the face of Dior fragrance, Natalie naturally selects from the design house's lineup — and why not? The ethereal gowns make perfect red carpet selections. For the big night, we're hoping she continues to dress her bump in princess-worthy dresses, like this one. The tulle tiers and neckline add just the right drama for an Oscar-nominated star, and while we love when Natalie channels Jackie Kennedy off screen, too, we're partial to the romance of this look.
Felicity is both a romantic and a risk-taker, opting for red carpet gowns that make for truly memorable moments. What could be more memorable than walking the red carpet in this? We fell head over heels for the dress, and we're hoping someone might be bold enough to bring it to the Oscars. Felicity, we're looking at you.
Emma is both a fashion fan and a movie star, making choices on the red carpet that wow and delight us as much as her performances do. If she's picking up an Oscar this year, we highly recommend she do it in this incredible Chanel gown. It's made for taking the spotlight, silver sparkles, plunging neckline, feathered tier, and all.