The 2020 Oscars

The themes and trends of the not-so-budget-friendly Oscars 2020 (with a twist)

Billy Porter wows in a look designed by Giles Deacon, paired with Jimmy Choo platform shoes.

The 2020 Oscars were full of various, unique trends. As you may assume, most of these looks solely lean toward the affordability of the mega-rich (you won’t catch me in Regina King’s gorgeous Versace gown, unfortunately).

However, there are still ways to wear an Oscars-inspired look on a budget (for select styles). And despite the fact that the average total price of an A-list actress’ Academy Awards attire is $10 million (according to Insider), there were still stars who included budget-friendly items in their glamorous outfits.

Rebel Wilson and Sigourney Weaver stunned in looks inspired by Old Hollywood. Their hair is parted to one side, followed by loose, flowing waves. Weaver wowed in her emerald Dior gown while Wilson stole the show in a glitzy custom Jason Wu gown and vintage Pomellato jewelry.

When asked about the cost of her look on the red carpet, Wilson responded, “You can’t even put a price on it.” In this case, I guess I’ll just have to stick with my own vintage floral-print summer dresses (and by vintage I mean Forever 21).

Hayek wore Gucci, King wore Versace, and Erivo wore Atelier Versace.

While her dress and Harry Winston jewelry were certainly not cheap (her jewelry cost half a million dollars, as reported by MSN), King did include a budget-friendly element to her look.

According to Allure, King’s makeup artist Latrice Johnson revealed that $6 Ardell Double Wispies are to thank for King’s flawless lashes (I happen to have those same lashes in my makeup bag, so that’s a win).

While the one-strap look was a huge trend of the night, the skinny strap also had its moments.

Florence Pugh rocked this style in custom Louis Vuitton, Laura Dern in Armani Privé, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Vera Wang.

While I’m sure the cost of these gowns and jewels could definitely break one’s bank account, I have worn a similar look for $65 total.

For a party this past January, I wore a $40 skinny-strap dress from Windsor, paired with a $15 necklace and earring set. I also wore a bracelet (I don’t know the price of this because it was a gift, however I’m assuming it was a tad cheaper than Regina King’s jewels).

Kaitlyn Dever, Joaquin Phoenix, and Timothée Chalamet sported eco-friendly looks.

Dever stunned in a red Louis Vuitton gown, which she described as “completely sustainable.” As reported by E News, the design house called this dress an “ethical and eco-responsible custom-made gown in silk satin, embroidered with Swarovski crystals and glass beads.”

Phoenix wore a black Stella McCartney tuxedo with grosgrain shawl lapel. He has worn this same look throughout most of this awards season, according to The Los Angeles Times.

While the tuxedo itself might not be budget-friendly, recycling outfits is a good practice to keep your wallet happy.

Chalamet garnered attention in his Prada look, which was made from Prada’s regenerated nylon, Econyl, according to The Los Angeles Times.

While the Oscars is a place for glitz and glam, it is also an outlet for stars to share important messages. Spike Lee and Natalie Portman wore looks that carried deep meanings.

Lee’s look was a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. The purple Gucci suit contained Bryant’s basketball jersey number, “24.”

Lee also wore Nike Kobe 9 Elite Strategy sneakers.

Portman wore a Giorgio Armani gown. Her Dior cape contained the last names of the female directors who were (rudely) left out of the Awards.