The funniest couple in showbiz, actress Leslie Mann and director Judd Apatow. We'd pick whichever after party they're going to.

We usually observe a strict no-short-sleeves policy when it comes to evening gowns, but Octavia Spencer is making it work.

OK, we officially never want to see another fishtail dress again. Cameron Diaz is edging dangerously close to mermaid costume territory here.

Is it just us, or is Best Supporting Actor nominee Kenneth Branagh looking a little...ghostly?

We love that the guy Melissa McCarthy tries to seduce in Bridesmaids is her real-life husband!

We've lost count of all the fishtails! Sandra Bullock puts an 80s twist on the trend.

Gwyneth Paltrow does her best impression of an Oscar statuette. She looks throughbred as always - but is that a rib?

The Jolie-Pitts are too good-looking for words, as usual. But we think Angelina should rethink that pose - it's more street corner than red carpet.

Polka dots at the Oscars? Bold move, Portman.

This might be the showstopper of the night. Penelope Cruz is regal in blue.

That Tina Fey is one classy broad. She'll be rooting for fellow Saturday Night Live alumni Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph's comedy Bridesmaids later tonight.

Livia Giuggioli's dress looks a bit like something our Grandma wore on her wedding night, but with Mr Dar...er, we mean Colin Firth on her arm she's still the best accessorised woman of the night.

We love a redhead in pink - and how cute is Emma Stone's eye makeup?

Worried that people won't recognise her from the front, Jennifer Lopez shakes her booty at the cameras for good measure.

Meryl Streep is nominated for Best Actress for playing Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, but that doesn't explain this outfit, which is more suited to the Golden Girls.

Kristen Wiig, star of Bridesmaids, has obviously just realised that she's at the Oscars in a horrible beige number. Memo to Kristen: sack your stylist!

Sacha Baron Cohen, aka Borat, arrives at the Oscars claiming to be carrying the ashes of Kim Jong Il.

There's no denying 64-year-old Glenn Close has a figure to die for, but this outfit is giving us bad Dynasty flashbacks.

Chris Miller is at the Oscars because he directed Puss In Boots. Laura Gorenstein Miller is there because she needed somewhere to wear that outrageous dress.

Rooney Mara, nominated for Best Actress for playing Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, shows up at the Oscars without a single tatt or piercing to be seen. Looks lovely, don't you reckon?

Cougar Town's Busy Philipps is smiling now, but she's sure to cop some flak for those earrings...

Michelle Williams, nominated for Best Actress, looks radiant in coral. We're not sure about the frills though, what do you think?

Comedian and Bridesmaids star Maya Rudolph vamps it up in grape.

Viola Davis, nominated for Best Actress for playing a maid in The Help, is luminous in jade green.

A very streamlined Rose Byrne shuns the requisite Oscars updo in favour of a sleek bob.

Looks like Stacy Kiebler, otherwise known as George Clooney's current squeeze, has been doing a bit of DIY dressmaking with this gold horror.

George Clooney, in his usual awards attire, looks his usual gorgeous self. Swoon. He's nominated for Best Actor.

We have a feeling it will be a good night for Berenice Bejo and the rest of the cast of The Artist...

Mila Jovovich strikes a pose on the red carpet.

Chinese actress Li Bing Bing smiles sweetly for the camera. What do you mean you've never heard of her?

Actress Shailene Woodley covers up on the red carpet. Wonder if she's hiding her trusty FiveFingers under that dress?

Edelweiss, Edelweiss... whoops, no, wrong movie. Christopher Plummer, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Beginners, shines in a velvet jacket. His date looks like Olivia Newton-John, but her name is Elaine Taylor.

Jane Seymour - remember her? - looks ravishing in red (and cunningly matches the carpet).

Bret McKenzie pulls a face for photographers. The New Zealander won an Academy Award for his song Man or Muppet?.

Actor James Cromwell, who stars in The Artist, and Anna Stuart on the red carpet.

Actress Penelope Ann Miller, who plays Doris in The Artist, shows off some bling.