Natalie Portman, Janelle Monae and Billy Porter among the standouts of this year’s Oscars red carpet

Embroidered messages, capes and classic tuxedos rule the Oscars red carpet

Natalie Portman makes a statement. Picture: AFP

Sometimes subtle swipes are the best swipes.

In which case, Natalie Portman wins the Oscars red carpet for her fashionable take on gender equality. Taking aim at the all-male nominations in the best director category — especially infuriating as Greta Gerwig’s Little Women was among the nominees for best picture — Portman’s black silk cape was embroidered in gold with the names of female directors who missed out this year.

Gerwig was one, while Lulu Wang (director of The Farewell), Melina Matsoukas (Queen and Slim) and Mati Diop (Atlantics) were all named in gold script.

“I wanted to recognise the women who were not recognised for their incredible work this year, in a subtle way,” Portman said.

She would have had a willing co-conspirator in the design of the cape and its embroidered gown beneath — Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuiri likes to put feminism front and centre of her messaging.It was a good year on the red carpet, if not a stellar one.

Sandra Oh made the biggest sleeve statement in her champagne-coloured Elie Saab gown. And possibly kickstarting a trend, Saoirse Ronan has put the power peplum into play, in a Gucci gown that had huge ruffles at the waist atop a water-wave taffeta skirt.

Classic looks were abundant, including Renee Zellweger in a white sheath from Armani Prive, and Charlize Theron went the full bombshell in black Dior Haute Couture with off-shoulder bodice.

Photos: Glitz, glamour on Oscars red carpet

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The most outstanding looks were also likely to be the most divisive. Janelle Monae reigned supreme in a silver crystal-covered Ralph Lauren gown with long sleeves, full skirt and a draped hood. Maya Rudolph was one of the most comfortable stars in a shimmering orange-hued kaftan-style dress with a half cape.

Australians were thin on the ground. Margot Robbie once more downplayed her star status in vintage navy Chanel with jewelled centrepiece, and was upstaged by Rebel Wilson in shimmering gold Jason Wu with twist-front detail.

While men have been toying with formal dress codes during the awards season, they reverted to the classic black tuxedo for the Oscars. An exception was Billy Porter in a gold-feathered bodice and printed balloon skirt ensemble by designer Giles Deacon.