Julia Roberts in Thom Browne at the Academy Museum gala: too staid or elegant?


I’ve read Kaiser’s coverage of this event, the second annual Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala, and she’s reminding me that it’s the beginning of Oscar campaigning season. So many big names came out so we’re splitting our fashion coverage into a few posts. First off is Julia Roberts, looking very staid in a long Thom Browne gown with a bustier, a jacket draped over her shoulders and a long sleeve striped blouse underneath. It might look OK without the dickie thing at the top and with different styling. Julia looks off somehow with her hair like that. I’m trying to tread lightly here, which is a key component of my job.

Selena Gomez was in an excellent black Armani tuxedo pants suit with chandelier earrings, sleek hair and understated makeup. I love this look on her. She’s been knocking it out of the park recently.

Keke Palmer was whimsical in an oversize black Act No. 1 suit with a blue ruffled tulle overlay that looks like a gown she’s in the process of stepping out of. This is goofy but if anyone can pull it off it’s Keke.

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Christina Ricci was old school glam in Vivienne Westwood with a black metallic patchwork bodice and a mermaid skirt. I might ditch the velvet bows but they add interest. I was thinking she just had a baby but her baby is ten months old already!

Eiza Gonzalez slayed in a red sequin formfitting LaQuan Smith. This is phenomenal and I love her jewelry.

Laura Harrier had another one of my favorite looks in The Row. This might look slouchy on someone else but she’s working this crisp white strapless gown with a draped bust. Check out the side view. She used to be a model and it shows.

Photos credit: Avalon.red, Getty, Backgrid and Cover Images

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28 Responses to “Julia Roberts in Thom Browne at the Academy Museum gala: too staid or elegant?”

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  1. SAS says:

    Holy moly everyone looks flawless! Bring on Oscar season if this is the offerings!

    I wish Selena had a dash of colour in her makeup (like a red lip or a graphic liner), she is obviously going for classic (and succeeded!) but it would have bought a bit of fun.

  2. FhMom says:

    Selena for the win. Julia’s hair looks not good. It looks like she got a pixie cut, but it’s probably just pulled back.

  3. North of Boston says:

    Julia’s whole look is giving off the vibe that she’s hiding – like almost every inch of skin is covered… up to her neck in dickie, shoulders and arms draped with jacket, torso and legs in a column dress all the way to the floor and even her hair is contained, damped down. This look is like a walking representation of hiding your light under a barrel.

    Also, why so much head to toe (and fingertip) black on so many people?

    • JanetDR says:

      And it doesn’t flow at all! I could see the appeal of the severe black against bare skin, but that shirt?! Is she doing a school marm cosplay? In a role where the school mark is a secret opera singer? If she was cold, why not a metallic shirt? Everybody else looks fine at least, if not spectacular!

  4. SarahCS says:

    Honestly I’m impressed with these looks, that red gown is AMAZING and I always love a good tuxedo suit. My issue is where on earth they were, it looks like someone tidied up an underground parking garage.

  5. Lightpurple says:

    Selena, Christina, and Eiza all look amazing.

  6. Beech says:

    I like JR’s outfit but her ears look massive.

  7. Carmen says:

    Eiza González positively killed it. The dress, the jewelry, the hair, everything was perfect.

  8. MJM says:

    Imo Julia looks bad. Outfit and hair do not flatter her. The rest are beautiful.

  9. littlegossipboy says:

    I love Selena but I am not loving that suit. The cut is daggy and dated. Her hair and makeup look fab.

  10. Roo says:

    Julia’s outfit is terrible. And her upper face looks different…

    Keke and Eiza are stunning.

  11. JJ McClay says:

    Julia Robert’s dress is giving Anne Shirley vibes, in the ‘Anne Of Green Gables’ sequel (original version), when Anne becomes a teacher.

  12. vertes says:

    Julia likes that black-jumper-over-white-shirt-look. She wore a vintage similar look at some event a few years ago. Odd.
    Laura’s front view looks like the dress is about to slip down to an immodest level.
    Christina’s dress style isn’t flattering – makes her old-style implants too obvious.

    • Lens says:

      I came here to say the same thing Vertes – Julia loves that black and white look and I’ve seen it on her numerous times. She was the guest on honor so I wish she had worn something more dazzling but this look (along with a pants suit) makes her comfortable and I’m sure that was her first desire since I would guess she had to get up and make a speech. All these women look fine AF though.

    • TrixC says:

      I don’t think Christina has implants, didn’t she have a breast reduction earlier in her career?

  13. Kirsten says:

    I don’t understand Julia’s look at all. It’s weird and poorly styled. Eiza and Laura are perfection.

  14. one of the marys says:

    Laura does not look comfortable in these photos. the way she’s holding her arms looks awkward. Is she ready for a slip or trying to change the profile of the dress?

    Maybe it’s the skin cream but christina looks skeletal to me and I find it alarming rather than attractive

  15. Alexa says:

    I like everyone here except Keke Palmer and I like Keke Palmer. The blue looks like it

  16. SpankyB says:

    Julia looks like an 1800’s schoolmarm. Maybe without the “shirt” underneath it would look more sophisticated. I do like the hip pockets.

    Everyone else looks amazing.

    • Kirsten says:

      I feel like it’s the kind of thing Cate Blanchett or Tilda Swinton could pull off, but Julia Roberts looks like she borrowed someone else’s clothes and snuck in to the event.

  17. lucy2 says:

    Selena looks great!
    Eiza’s necklace is stunning.

    • sparrow says:

      Yes, agree. Eiza’s look is beautiful. I say this as someone who doesn’t like jewellery and particularly hates necklaces cluttering up low necklines. Why wear a dress that is cut so daringly at the neck and then whack a necklace over the skin? But this necklace with this dress neckline is absolutely stunning.

  18. SIde Eye says:

    Love love love Selena’s look here. I also love Keke, Eiza, and Laura. Eiza’s jewelry is amazing.

  19. Emmy Rae says:

    Julia is straight out of the Sound of Music!

    I like Keke’s look even though it is weird.

  20. J.Ferber says:

    Everyone looks good except for Julia. The hair and dress are both a no for me.

  21. Jennifer says:

    It’s just nice to see Christina out and about. I just want nice things for her and Mandi Moore. Living well is the best revenge.

  22. shanaynay says:

    Julia Roberts looks awful, just awful. Her dress is hideous. I think Eiza Gonzalez’s red dress is smokin’ hot!!!!!