Drama in red and neutrals

There were bold reds and classic whites, neutral tones, playful pops of pink and purple on the Oscars red carpet

Looks in neutrals, reds and purples brought the drama on the Oscars carpet, along with a healthy dose of shiny gold, but Nicole Kidman stood out in stunning cobalt blue at Hollywood’s biggest fashion show.

Kidman, a presenter, was among the last to walk in Los Angeles when she showed up with a wave to the cameras in her power look, a strapless gown with a huge bow in front. Sandra Bullock brought the strength in a gold Louis Vuitton custom halter dress that draped at the waist and went black at the hem.

Salma Hayek looked like exotic royalty in a custom Gucci gown in lilac. It was heavily jeweled and had a busy, ruffled tiered skirt. Rita Moreno, meanwhile, honored Academy Awards history by donning the same gown (with a bold-pattern full skirt) she wore in 1962, when she won an Oscar for West Side Story. “It’s been hanging in my closet this whole time,” said Moreno.

A few recently returned Olympians showed up on the red carpet, including skier Lindsey Vonn in a fringed black gown and diamond choker with statement red stones.

Allison Williams of Get Out went for neutral. So did Gina Rodriguez in a nude sheath with silver embellishment, a plunging neckline and full princess skirt, courtesy of Zuhair Murad.

But those princess moments were at a minimum, in favor of reasonably safe and easy looks.

Among those who said it in red was Allison Janney of I, Tonya, with long sleeves that fell to the ground. Sofia Carson wore a red cape gown with 26.10 carats of diamonds in her Chopard choker. Last year’s best actress Emma Stone chose skinny trousers and a pink-belted, red tuxedo jacket.

There was an abundance of white, including fitted looks worn by Margot Robbie (in Chanel Haute Couture), Jane Fonda (in Balmain), Laura Dern (in Calvin Klein) and Mary J. Blige. One actress, Taraji P Henson, was all leg in ethereal black with a high slit.

“In general, as we typically see with the Oscars, women played it safe in beautiful styles that are a little less risky,” said Rachel Torgerson, fashion editor for an esteemed website. She counted Stone among those who went outside the box.

“Those pants were amazing and such a departure from the typical floor-length gown,” she said. “You hardly ever see that.” Among the standout guys: Get Out writer-director Jordan Peele, in a creamy white tuxedo jacket, and Chadwick Boseman, who honored his kingly T’Challa character in Black Panther with a long embellished coat. In beauty, a side-part trend took hold, both in updos and loose.