From Polka Dots to Bridal Chic: Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar Night Style Transformation

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Jennifer Lawrence is finally back at the Oscars, having skipped Hollywood’s biggest event for six years. The Hunger Games star marked her return to the Oscar red carpet on Sunday by dressing like a 1950s housewife in a retro polka-dot dress by Dior.

She later switched up her look and wowed at the Vanity Fair party in an archival sheer white Givenchy gown that gave Bridgerton vibes.

The 2013 Oscars Best Actress hasn’t attended the Oscars ceremony since 2018 when she and Jodie Foster co-presented the Best Actress trophy to Frances McDormand. This year, Lawrence and previous Oscar winners Sally Field, Jessica Lange, Charlize Theron, and Michelle Yeoh were tapped to hand out the Best Actress Oscar trophy, which eventually went to Emma Stone for Poor Things.

Jennifer Lawrence attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024Jennifer Lawrence attends the 96th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Is it me, or is Jennifer Lawrence dressed for a different event? Don’t get me wrong; I like the retro-chic Dior polka dot dress—it’s charming and timeless—however, I don’t think it’s befitting for the Oscars. It looks too casual for such a prestigious night.

But among the sea of black, white, and metallic ensembles, J.Law’s polka-dot dress, a novel approach to red-carpet dressing, is a clear standout.

Since she serves as an ambassador for the fashion house, I anticipated she would show up in Dior, but I didn’t think she would go for a burst of polka dots. It perfectly encapsulated her signature style, often a mix of vintage aesthetics with a modern flair.

Jennifer Lawrence opts for retro-chic in a black-and-white polka dot strapless gown by Dior for the 2024 OscarsJennifer Lawrence opts for retro-chic in a black-and-white polka dot strapless gown by Dior for the 2024 Oscars (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)

A Nostalgic Choice: The Dior Polka-Dot Dress

Hailing from Dior’s Spring 2024 collection, the strapless black-and-white gown features an all-over polka-dot print, which I rarely see on the red carpet. It has a form-fitting corseted bodice with a nipped-in waist that flares out into a billowing floor-length skirt.

It also comes with an attached shawl draped over one shoulder, looped around the back, and hung over her other arm, giving the appearance of a one-shoulder sleeve design.

During her quick red carpet interview, J. Law said of her outfit, “When I first saw the dress on the runway, I fell in love. [I wanted] something elegant and timeless that I won’t look back on with shock and dismay.”

It is timeless and elegant, but I think it’s underwhelming for the Oscars.

Jennifer Lawrence's polka-dot gown features an attached shawl hanging over her left shoulder and right armJennifer Lawrence’s polka-dot gown features an attached shawl hanging over her left shoulder and right arm (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Styling and Accessories: Completing the Look

Jamie Mizrahi, whose clientele includes Nicole Richie, Leslie Mann, Riley Keough, and Adele, put together Lawrence’s Oscars look.

Her shoes were barely visible underneath her voluminous gown, but as per Mizrahi, Lawrence was wearing heels by Manolo Blahnik.

She added height to her look with the “Siemu” suede mules, which feature leaf-shaped front straps, open toes, and 2.8-inch mid-block heels.

I love how she kept things classic with delicate jewelry from the Swarovski Created Diamonds Galaxy collection, inspired by the cosmos, to go with the retro gown.

The $65,000 Galaxy Tennis 18k white gold necklace with 47-carat laboratory-grown diamonds beautifully adorned her neck, while the matching $7,500 Galaxy Tennis 14k white gold bracelet with 5.2-carat laboratory-grown diamonds was secured on her left wrist.

Jennifer Lawrence teams her polka-dot dress with a tennis necklace and a matching tennis bracelet from the Swarovski Created Diamonds Galaxy collectionJennifer Lawrence teams her polka-dot dress with a tennis necklace and a matching tennis bracelet from the Swarovski Created Diamonds Galaxy collection (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Old Hollywood Glam: Hair and Makeup

Hairstylist Rebekah Forecast and makeup artist Hung Vanngo paired the X-Men star’s vintage ensemble with retro hair and makeup, which enhanced Lawrence’s overall look.

Forecast styled Jennifer Lawrence’s dirty blonde hair in a sleek Old Hollywood side-swept wavy style, while Vanngo used Dior Beauty makeup to give her a natural bronzed glow.

He prepped her skin with the Capture Totale Le Serum, Eye Cream, and Face Cream before balancing her complexion with the Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation in shade 2N Neutral, the Forever Skin Correct in shade 1N Neutral, and the Backstage Face & Body Powder-No-Powder in shade 2N Neutral.

Vanngo then applied the Glow Maximizer in the shade Peachy, the Rouge Dior Blush in the shade 225 Fard A Joues, and the Dior Forever Natural Bronze in the shade 04 Tan Bronze for a hint of glow.

Lawrence’s gray eyes were enhanced with the Diorshow 24H Stylo in shade 091 Matte Black, the Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette in shade 002 Smokey Essentials, and the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara.

Finally, a swipe of Rouge Dior Contour Satin Lipstick in shade 241 Pink Sakura rounded out her Old Hollywood glam.

Jennifer Lawrence completes her retro look with Old Hollywood glam, wearing a side-swept wavy hairstyle and smokey eyeshadowJennifer Lawrence completes her retro look with Old Hollywood glam, wearing a side-swept wavy hairstyle and smokey eyeshadow (Credit: Jennifer Bloc / Future Image / Cover Images)

Jennifer Lawrence Re-Wears Kate Moss’ Givenchy 1996 White Gown

On the Oscars red carpet, Jennifer Lawrence appeared as though she was attending a reception as a guest, but at the Vanity Fair Party, she seemed to be the bride in a sheer white gown.

Jamie Mizrahi unearthed the stunning gown from Givenchy’s archives, particularly from the Fall 1996 Couture collection, which marked John Galliano’s second and last collection for the house. Interestingly, it was modeled by Kate Moss on the runway 28 years ago.

Jennifer Lawrence is giving Bridgerton vibes in a sheer white floral-embroidered gown from Givenchy's 1996 collection at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party 2024 on March 10, 2024Jennifer Lawrence is giving Bridgerton vibes in a sheer white floral-embroidered gown from Givenchy’s 1996 collection at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party 2024 on March 10, 2024 (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)

The Bridal Look: Details of the Givenchy Gown

With the silk organza gown’s delicate floral embroideries, empire waist, frilly collar, and short puff sleeves, J. Law looked like she had just stepped out of the Bridgerton set.

The daring plunging neckline and see-through sheer fabric, which I thought was too provocative and sheer for Lawrence, contrasted with the delicate, Regency-era feel of the gown. The matching sheer train that followed her every step was elegantly attached to the back of the dress, creating a regal finish.

Elevating the Ensemble: Footwear and Fine Jewelry

I like her monochromatic white look, finishing the ensemble with the Manolo Blahnik “Carolyne” slingback pumps in white silk. These classy pumps have pointed toes and stretch halter slingback straps perched atop a 2-inch kitten heel.

These heels can give any look a sophisticated finish. Get yours for $795 at Bergdorf Goodman. She wore the same black version of the same heels to the No Hard Feelings premiere.

Jennifer Lawrence pairs her ethereal sheer white floral dress with white silk Manolo Blahnik Carolyne Bride slingback pumpsJennifer Lawrence pairs her ethereal sheer white floral dress with white silk Manolo Blahnik Carolyne Bride slingback pumps (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)

In terms of jewelry, Jennifer Lawrence decided to keep things cohesive with white agate and diamonds from Parisian jewelry designer Belperron and New York-based fine jewelry atelier Briony Raymond.

She adorned her finger with the vintage diamond and platinum Belperron Rouleau ring from 1932 and secured Briony Raymond’s Asscher-cut diamond stud earrings on her ears. As much as I like her cuff, which is Belperron’s carved agate Saddle Series Cuff No. 8 with a vintage diamond, I don’t think it complemented the dreamy look. It only injected a hint of edge into the otherwise ethereal gown.

Final Touches: Hairstyle and Makeup for the Night

For the final touches, Rebekah Forecast fashioned Jennifer’s hair into a loose, wavy bun to minimize any distraction from her dress. She wore the same makeup look that Hung Vanngo had applied earlier using Dior Beauty.

Jennifer Lawrence wears the same soft glam and styles her dirty blonde hair up in a wavy bunJennifer Lawrence wears the same soft glam and styles her dirty blonde hair up in a wavy bun (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)