When Do Red Carpet Dresses Look Best? When The Women In Them Are Happy

THIS Is What Makes A Gorgeous Red Carpet Dress

Fashion critics spend hours upon hours dissecting red carpet dresses, breaking down cut and color and fit to determine which stars looked the best in their fashion choices.

But if we've learned anything from watching the 2014 Oscar outfits waltz down the red carpet this Sunday night, it's that the dresses look best when they reflect the joyous women wearing them. If you're squeezing into a dress so tight you can't speak or are wearing a neckline or hemline that just doesn't feel like you -- no matter how elegant the dress, it won't be worth the best-dressed title.

Forget the sparkly clutches, sky-high pumps and million-dollar bling. As the song goes, you're never fully dressed without a smile.

naomi watts

liza with a z

anne hathaway

jessica biel

kristen bell

meryl

portia de rossi

cate blanchett

bette midler

angelina jolie

glenn close

lupita

All photos by Getty Images.

Before You Go

Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab

Oscars Red Carpet 2014

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