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6 MARCH 2006

One of Oscar night's most breathlessly anticipated contests took place outside the Kodak Theatre before the ceremony: the award for most gorgeous frock. Hollywood's leading ladies answered the siren call of the red carpet by going for old-school glamour, with the emphasis on figure-hugging silhouettes and full trains.



There was only the odd splash of colour, as many of Tinseltown's brightest stars chose dark or muted tones. Australian actress Naomi Watts glowed in a nude-hued, over-the-shoulder Givenchy gown, whilst pal Nicole Kidman was resplendent in a delicately embroidered, white strapless column.

Charlize Theron stood out from the crowd in John Galliano for Dior - her enormous bow almost as much of a talking point as the recipients of the statuettes. Meanwhile the lady of the night, best actress Reese Witherspoon, looked every inch a winner in a shimmery cream and silver Dior creation.

A gloriously radiant Rachel Weisz, who is seven months' pregnant, had opted for flattering black. "My friend Narciso Rodriguez made me three dresses and I chose one this morning," she revealed.

It's becoming harder and harder to label Felicity Huffman a desperate housewife, when every award show brings some new sartorial delight from the 43-year-old actress.

Last night she didn't disappoint, drawing gasps from onlookers in a stunning Zac Posen frock, with plunging neckline and fishtail finish. "It was one of the last dresses I tried on and I stopped right there," she confided.

Fellow shortlisters Michelle Williams and Keira Knightley bucked the prevailing trend in yellow and burgundy Vera Wang designs respectively. Sparkling in a vintage Bulgari necklace of emeralds, rubies and diamonds, the British starlet was the darling of the fashion pundits.