In what was a  generally conservatively dressed year, the main trends to emerge on the red carpet at the Oscars last night were black versus white, dark versus light.

Glenn Close, Anna Kendrick (J. Mendel), Julia Roberts (Givenchy), Emma Watson (Vera Wang), Karen O, Anne Hathaway (Gucci) and Olivia Wilde (Valentino) all opted for black gowns, beautiful visions of Maleficent-style darkness. 

 

They were outnumbered though by the forces for good in sparkling and shimmering whites, nudes, creams pale pinks and lilacs. Cate Blanchett in Armani was a prime example, as was Kate Hudson in Versace, Sally Hawkins in Valentino and Naomi Watts in Calvin Klein. It looked modern on some, dreamily romantic on others, but either way pale was the most conspicuous trend of the evening. 

A couple of young guns, namely those nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category, bucked the trend: winner Lupita Nyong'o is blue Prada, Jennifer Lawrence in red Dior and first-time Oscar nominee 84-year-old June Squibb in green sparkly sequins.  

And of course, Meryl Streep, the woman who just seems to be the most diplomatic, loveliest person ever, found a compromise, picking neither trend, plumping for a Lanvin gown that was black on bottom, cream on top, just like a pint of Guinness.