When it comes to awards season, all those interminable red carpets are really just run-throughs for the one that really matters: the one that leads the way into Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars.
After fine-tuning their look over the past few months, carefully wooing designers and - typically with the help of a major league stylist - testing the sartorial waters at the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards and the BAFTAs, the perfect Oscars dress (or, in the interests of equality, suit, co-ord or wearable swan) presents the opportunity for a star to make their fashionable mark on Hollywood history. Think Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy, Gwyneth Paltrow in baby pink Ralph Lauren, or Michelle Williams in sunshine Vera Wang.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone announced herself as the golden girl of this year's Oscars ceremony in a shimmering beaded Givenchy Haute Couture design by Riccardo Tisci. Paired with retro waves and a classic red lip, she looks every inch the old school movie star: she's also the first Best Actress to win in Givenchy since Audrey Hepburn.
Ruth Negga
This year's Academy Awards shaped up to be one of the most political ceremonies to date, and a handful of stars used their red carpet moment to make a subtle but important statement: Best Actress nominee Ruth Negga accessorised her custom Valentino dress with the light blue ribbon of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Naomie Harris
Naomie Harris' awards circuit wardrobe has been utterly covetable from the start, and her Oscars dress didn't disappoint: a strapless sequinned number with cut-out detail, Raf Simons' first red carpet design for Calvin Klein. Her Moonlight co-stars Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders and Alex R. Hibbert were all also dressed by Simons.
Brie Larson
Last year's Best Actress winner returned to the Oscars red carpet in triumphant style, putting a new spin on old-style Hollywood glamour in black velvet Oscar de la Renta with a sculptural waterfall hemline.
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae is a first-timer on the awards circuit, but you wouldn't know it from the sartorial risks she's taken, which are worthy of a red carpet veteran. For the Oscars, she's played with her signature monochrome colour palette, wearing embellished Elie Saab with a hairband worthy of a Grecian goddess.
See all the best looks from the night in the gallery below...
OSCARS best dressed 2017
1 of 23ruth negga oscars 2017
Best Actress nominee Ruth Negga wore the light blue ribbon of the American Civil Liberties Union on her custom Valentino gown
2 of 23felicity jones oscars 2017
Felicity Jones wears a ballerina-style dress with subtle embellishment by Dior
3 of 23hailee steinfeld oscars 2017
Hailee Steinfeld is a fashion fairytale in Ralph & Russo couture
4 of 23isabelle huppert oscars 2017
Best Actress nominee Isabelle Huppert wore shimmering Armani Prive, with a statement ear cuff and white gold ring by Repossi
5 of 23karlie kloss oscars 2017
Karlie Kloss kept things simple in an all-white ensemble (bar the blue ACLU ribbon), accessorised with a Swarovski choker and chic Stuart Weitzman sandals
6 of 23emma roberts oscars 2017
Emma Roberts brought sustainable style to the red carpet, wearing a vintage gown by Armani Prive
7 of 23taraji p henson oscars 2017
Hidden Figures star Taraji P. Henson kept things classic in an off-the-shoulder style by Alberta Ferretti
8 of 23chrissy teigen john legend oscars 2017
Chrissy Teigen wore embellished Zuhair Murad with Stuart Weitzman sandals, joining husband John Legend on the red carpet
9 of 23kirsten dunst oscars 2017
Kirsten Dunst kept things simple in a strapless black style
10 of 23ava duvernay oscars 2017
Director Ava DuVernay made a statement in this dramatic grey embellished style
11 of 23octavia spencer oscars 2017
Best Supporting Actress nominee Octavia Spencer looks stunning in feathered Marchesa
12 of 23jessica biel oscars 2017
If in doubt, dress like an Oscar. Jessica Biel aimed for gold in Kaufman Franco, with her Tiffany & Co necklace and rings providing extra sparkle. She finished off her red carpet look with custom Stuart Weitzman sandals
13 of 23janelle monae oscars 2017
Janelle Monae's eclectic red carpet style has been a breath of fresh air this awards season. For her Oscars debut, she chose Elie Saab
14 of 23emma stone oscars 2017
Emma Stone was the Oscars' golden girl in shimmering design from Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci. She accessorised with jewellery by Tiffany & Co.
15 of 23nicole kidman oscars 2017
Nicole Kidman stuck to her signature red carpet formula in Armani, accessorising with more than 119 carats of Harry Winston jewels and some elegant Stuart Weitzman sandals
16 of 23scarlett johansson oscars 2017
Scarlett Johansson opted for a floated printed number, cinched in at the waist
17 of 23viola davis oscars 2017
Best Supporting Actress nominee Viola Davis stuns in scarlet, custom made by Armani
18 of 23charlize theron oscars 2017
Charlize Theron shimmered in a dramatic Dior style, paired with statement earrings
19 of 23naomie harris oscars 2017
Naomie Harris shone in sequinned Calvin Klein
20 of 23brie larson oscars 2017
Last year's Best Actress winner Brie Larson channelled old Hollywood glamour in Oscar de la Renta
21 of 23michelle williams oscars 2017
Michelle Williams chose a sleek style by Louis Vuitton
22 of 23dakota johnson oscars 2017
Dakota Johnson wore a silk gown by Gucci with a 40s silhouette, accessorised with Cartier jewels
23 of 23alicia vikander oscars 2017
Alicia Vikander opted for gothic glamour in her red carpet brand of choice, Louis Vuitton