Felicity Jones, Kate Hudson, and More

Color on the red carpet rarely happens in a vacuum. It often reflects the mood of the moment and, right now, there is clearly an appetite for optimism. That spirit showed up in the palette at this year’s Academy Awards. Pastels carried a sense of softness and hope, while flashes of crimson delivered confidence and a bit of drama.

While there were a few dependable black gowns and the occasional cloud dancer ivory moment, especially that minimal column gorgeousness by Louis Vuitton on Emma Stone, one of my favorite looks of the night, the real impact on the carpet came from color. After a season saturated by metallics and safe sparkle, the night unfolded in a range of powdery pastels before gradually shifting toward the boldness of red.

Pastels set the tone early. Felicity Jones arrived in an ethereal soft yellow gown by Prada that felt almost weightless under the lights. Kate Hudson offered another interpretation of the softer palette in a sea foam metallic green gown that added a glitzy edge to the otherwise delicate trend.

Then came the moment that connected the two color stories. Jessie Buckley stepped out in a romantic pastel pink gown by Chanel, styled with a crimson shawl, which also happened to introduce the other big color of the night.

Red did not disappoint. Renate Reinsve leaned into sleek ’90s minimalism in a striking gown by Louis Vuitton, while Li Jun Li brought sculptural drama in an asymmetrical silhouette with peplum detailing from Gaurav Gupta.