Red dresses were a favorite ….

At the 80th annual Academy Awards, the red carpet gave glamour-starved Hollywood watchers what they’ve been waiting out the writers’ strike for – elegance and star-shine.

Helen Mirrren

Red, red, red was all anyone was talking about. It was Hathaway’s choice and also that of Katherine Heigl, Helen Mirren, Heidi Klum, Miley Ray Cyrus, Ruby Dee – the list goes on.

There were, of course, other colors sashaying into the Kodak Theatre, but all any fashionista noticed was the redder than red.

Ruby Dee

“I liked the ladies in red,” said stylist Phillip Bloch. “It looked really bright and strong.”

The other colors suffered beside it.

Bloch dismissed the poor souls who opted for the safety of black as “blah.” “Little black blah, blah, blah dresses,” he said.

More news of red.

What do you wear on a date with George Clooney on the most glamorous night in Hollywood?

Oh, Sarah Larson, not that.

Clooney’s girlfriend — a native of Kent, Wash. — showed up on the red carpet wearing what appeared to be Monet’s “Water Lilies.” But when you’ve got Clooney on your arm, does it matter? You’ve already won.

On Oscar night, winners flashed gold statuettes but red ruled the carpet. Dresses were strapless, sweeping and safe — but some newcomers kept things lively. “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody wore a leopard-print halter, best-actress winner Marion Cotillard looked like a white mermaid in Jean Paul Gaultier and was Saoirse Ronan, the 13-year-old nominee for “Atonement,” wearing her nightgown? It was past her bedtime.

Faye Dunaway dressed as Oscar. But she’s Faye Dunaway; she can do as she pleases.

Katherine Heigl

The fashion masses dressed to match the red carpet: Heidi Klum, in an apparent tribute to Queen Elizabeth and/or Dracula; Anne Hathaway, stunning in a draped, asymmetrical crimson gown; and Miley Cyrus looking all grown-up in a cherry-red gown. You know if Hannah Montana is doing it, all the cool kids are.

Heidi Klum

Miley Cyrus

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