Should she have worn a dress?

Some posters have mentioned Innarito in particular....he's released his own Vine to show he was clapping. I do think a three second clip to condemn the original batch of men is a bit short.
www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/oscars-2016-alejandro-gonz-lez-i-rritu-has-proof-he-did-applaud-jenny-beavan-a6909411.html

You're consistently truthful, it's appreciated and recognised.

Glad someone does, posie. It's been a bad day on mumsnet, feminist-wise!

You know I love you Bertrand

Misogyny? Nonsense-no such thing. Women and men are judged by exactly the same standards. In fact, now I think about it, men have it slightly worse than women do...........

A man dressed the same would've have been celebrated for his "unique style".

Id rather be comfortable than feel ill at ease the whole night wearing something that I knew didn't suit me. I do think she could have gone a bit more formal in line with the dress code but she didn't deserve the contemptuous looks she was getting from some of the men. It was like they were shocked/angry that a woman dared to dress for herself and not so she can be ogled and rated by men. Innaritu was the worst, he seems like an arsehole tbh.

I didn't see Pharells outfit this year but did think that the shorts looked stupid and didn't meet the definition of the dress code. He was a nominee that year though so probably had a bit more leeway. The same as Jenny beavan this year I guess.

She's talented, she's happy, she's comfortable in her own skin. I envy her.

I think less of the people (mostly men) who didn't clap, surely they were supposed to be acknowledging her talent not her looks.

And yes, if she'd made a massive effort it would have looked as though she was upset by what Stephen Fry said and she would have been criticised for that.

www.shrimptoncouture.com/blogs/curate/12611485-every-best-actress-oscar-dress-our-way

This link shows all the outfits worn by best female Oscar winners, and amongst the usual glamour frocks, are suits, a jumpsuit, trousers and quite a few everyday dresses.

Don't ask if there is a male equivalent, I'm sure there isn't!

I remember that sarah Millican thing. It was horrible. Like I said upthread, better to be criticised for lack of effort (in fact, I'm sure she gave a fair bit of thought to how she wanted to look, given her job!) than for being fat/old/ugly orvwhatefer.

"She deserved to get the Oscar, and went dressed as herself, what could be more admirable than that."

Well put!

My favorite is Joanne Woodward, who wore a dress that she made herself when she won the 1957 Best Actress Oscar.

Considering some women feel it necessary to wear dresses cut down to the waist or plasters over nipples as a top I'm practically ecstatic that JB bucked the trend.

interesting that Jenny mentioned having a bad back as a reason not to wear heels

I don't have a bad back. I could wear heels. I just cannot think of any good reason to put my feet in shoes I'd find hugely uncomfortable and impractical.

Hovis "Secondly, are dress codes themselves problematic things from a feminist perspective...?"

I don't have an issue with a dress code saying "smart" or whatever. There was a brilliantly funny incident in a place I worked when a staff member was almost mistaken for a homeless man sneaking in to use the loo...!

but I do have an issue with anything that specifies women wearing dresses and/or heels. In fact I can't believe it exists in 2016 but there you are. I'm still recovering - having found out on MN - from the fact that girls aren't automatically allowed to wear trousers at school. WTF.

This popped up on my Facebook newsfeed this morning and made me think of this thread:

www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/02/28/in_praise_of_1970s_and_1980s_oscar_style_when_there_were_no_stylists_and.html

Obviously there's a lot there that's about the differences in fashions between different periods. But it does also highlight the fact that the haute couture aspect of the Oscars is a fairly recent development. Jenny Beavan would probably have looked less out of place at a 70s Oscars ceremony!

Some PPs have said that the Oscars have a dress code and she should have followed it. Firstly - does it? It's not clear online whether they (currently) distribute an actual dress code to their guests or whether there is just a certain set of unwritten expectations. Secondly, are dress codes themselves problematic things from a feminist perspective...?

www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-05-15/sarah-millican-twitter-was-a-pin-to-my-excitable-bafta-balloon

When you "make an effort" and still get shit.

Sharon Stone attended in a turtle neck sweater to highlight the shameful notion that one has to wear an expensive dress.

This "invisible" 60 year old woman beat all of her peers to claim the award, she can (and did) wear what the fuck she likes. She's earned it. She also makes a strong case to be judged on her talent alone.

The more I hear arguments for her having to look this way or that the more resolute I am in championing her.

Her looks should be irrelevant to her talent.

She looks like a large middle aged lady with grey hair but very interesting, and more importantly, a brilliant costume designer.

I don't see how forcing her into a flowing gown would have changed any of that, in fact, she would have been lambasted for being a large middle aged lady with grey hair in a tight shiny frock.

She looks like a normal person and everyone is just outraged as the amount of pampering, preparation, not eating for days, corsetting that goes on to get into the standard 'Oscar' frock was exposed.

She deserved to get the Oscar, and went dressed as herself, what could be more admirable than that.

Ellen hosted the Oscars in a suit two years ago

That's not really the point. Yves St. Laurent designed "le smoking" as "black tie" for women decades ago. It can looking stunning.

Re Stephen Fry- he was the subject of the daily YouGov poll recently. Much to my surprise the majority still think he's a national treasure.

Ellen is an excellent example of looking extremely smart and gorgeous while staying far away from the dress and heels look.

Barefoot, Fry is indeed a massive twerp

Lest we forget, Ellen hosted the Oscars in a suit two years ago! I think most years there is a good sprinkling of women not in high end dresses (indeed Meryl Streep doesn't do the label thing but then what's the point when you're Meryl Streep?). However, many of the more famous actors (female but also some male) have endorsement contracts with fashion brands (Chanel, Dior) to promote their perfumes, and thus they are dressed by them for the event.

just watched the video!! aww good on kate winslet for clapping away enthusiastically when all those horrid other people were just sat there staring at her in disapproval. Its one thing to secretly think that what someone is wearing is innapropriate its another thing to not applaud someone who has won an award because you don't think what theyre wearing is good enough, what disgusting behaviour.

I think nominees can dress as they please

Though I do rather wish women would turn up in suits. It would be nice to have that, no make up, no mani cam, no heels, just suits. Or even jeans and sweatshirts.

I doubt you're misogynist or witless, lass - I think, as you say, it's just too much effort for you.

That's fine. We can't all care about everything.