Academy Awards Style: Best Actress Nominees at the 85th Luncheon

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The 2013 Academy Awards may now be a distant memory, but revisiting the anticipation leading up to the big event is fascinating.

In February 2013, as pundits speculated about who would take home the Oscars, all eyes were also on the stunning outfits worn by the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees at the 85th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon.

Their luncheon looks offered a preview of the fashion statements they would make on the red carpet, showcasing elegance, boldness, and timeless style. Let’s take a nostalgic look back at some of their most memorable choices from that iconic event.

Best nominated actresses at the 85th Academy Awards - Nominees LuncheonBest nominated actresses at the 85th Academy Awards – Nominees Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 4, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Naomi Watts and Anne Hathaway wore black, while Jennifer Lawrence wore white. Quvenzhané Wallis and Amy Adams donned purple gowns.

Jessica Chastain wore a floral dress, while Sally Field and Helen Hunt wore ivory/pewter. Jacki Weaver was the only Best Supporting Actress nominee who dared to wear bright orange.

1. Anne Hathaway’s Classic Elegance in The Row at the Oscars Luncheon

Anne Hathaway has an eclectic style. Sometimes, she dresses edgy or girly. However, most of the time, she favors classic and elegant looks. She opted for the latter at the luncheon with the “Dorning” dress from The Row’s Resort 2013 collection.

It’s a black cotton-blend sleeveless dress that is simple and classic overall but is also interesting, mainly because of the peplum detail at the back. The 30-year-old actress truly knows effortless elegance.

Anne Hathaway wears a sleek black sleeveless dress with subtle peplum detail, styled with strappy black sandals, minimal jewelry, and her signature pixie cutAnne Hathaway wears a sleek black sleeveless dress with subtle peplum detail, styled with strappy black sandals, minimal jewelry, and her signature pixie cut (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

2. Naomi Watts Stuns in Timeless Valentino at the Nominees Luncheon

The actress was effortlessly stylish in a black cotton lace-embroidered Valentino dress with a boat neckline and a flared skirt.

Naomi Watts is the type who wears timeless pieces, so this one was not surprising. She completed her outfit with Christian Louboutin’s red-soled “Paulina” heels.

Naomi Watts wears a black lace Valentino dress with a flared skirt, paired with pointed-toe heels and soft waves for a timelessly elegant lookNaomi Watts wears a black lace Valentino dress with a flared skirt paired with pointed-toe heels and soft waves for a timelessly elegant look (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

3. Jennifer Lawrence’s Bold White Chloe Dress: Hit or Miss?

Jennifer Lawrence has had a lot of fashion hits and misses, but her diverse style has always been interesting. She could be really amazing, but sometimes, she just leaves everyone dumbfounded with her outfit choices.

Take, for example, the Valentino dress that made her look sloppy at the 2013 People’s Choice Awards.

Jennifer Lawrence in a textured white strapless gown, complemented by her side-swept hairstyle and a bold blue statement ringJennifer Lawrence in a textured white strapless gown, complemented by her side-swept hairstyle and a bold blue statement ring (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

At the luncheon for Academy Awards nominees, she again showed up in a dress that didn’t flatter her figure. The seams, the ruched top, the ruffled hemline, and the dress silhouette seemed off, somehow reflecting the awkward way she carried it.

Her awkward poses suggested she was uncomfortable in this Chloe spring 2013 piece. Even her black Casadei pumps did nothing to save the entire look.

Jennifer Lawrence wears a strapless white Chloé dress with a textured fabric and ruffled hem, paired with black pointed-toe pumps and a cobalt blue statement ringJennifer Lawrence wears a strapless white Chloé dress with a textured fabric and ruffled hem, paired with black pointed-toe pumps and a cobalt blue statement ring (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

4. Jessica Chastain’s Feminine Floral Charm in Erdem

Zero Dark Thirty’s Jessica Chastain was ladylike in a midnight navy dress from Erdem’s Resort 2013 collection.

The silhouette of this knee-length dress is simple and classic, but the floral design (combining blue and pink) looks charming and dreamy. I think the sheer three-fourth sleeves also make it more feminine.

Jessica Chastain wears a knee-length navy Erdem dress with pink and blue floral embroidery, featuring sheer lace sleeves, paired with nude pointed-toe pumpsJessica Chastain wears a knee-length navy Erdem dress with pink and blue floral embroidery, featuring sheer lace sleeves, paired with nude pointed-toe pumps (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

5. Amy Adams’ Purple J. Mendel Dress with a Surprising Twist

We don’t precisely dig Amy Adams’ J. Mendel dress, but she caught our attention. Her previous red carpet outfits wowed us, particularly her Marchesa fishtail gown at the Golden Globe Awards 2013 and her Vionnet dress at the 18th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.

This J. Mendel creation, on the other hand, is so-so. She screamed girly in this long-sleeved floral-print dress in purple. The dress looks conservative but teases with a cutout on the back (not seen in the photos).

Amy Adams wears a long-sleeved, purple floral-print J. Mendel dress with a pleated midi skirt, styled with a side-swept ponytail and nude platform pumpsAmy Adams wears a long-sleeved, purple floral-print J. Mendel dress with a pleated midi skirt, styled with a side-swept ponytail and nude platform pumps (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

6. Quvenzhané Wallis Shines in David Meister and Adorable Accessories

Nine-year-old Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis has been dressing up in David Meister recently, and if we’re not mistaken, this was her third. Also, she’s been carrying different puppy purses, which is cute for her age.

Her purple dress, which features gems on the neckline, looks good.

Quvenzhané Wallis wears a sleeveless purple satin dress with a jeweled neckline, accessorized with a matching headband, a playful puppy purse, and glittery pink flatsQuvenzhané Wallis wears a sleeveless purple satin dress with a jeweled neckline, accessorized with a matching headband, a playful puppy purse, and glittery pink flats (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

7. Sally Field Embraces Comfort and Class in Alberta Ferretti

Lincoln actress Sally Field showed up in a luncheon-appropriate outfit. Her Alberta Ferretti ivory dress looks comfy as it features chiffon with seamed lace detailing and a ruffled hem.

We wonder, though, why the sleeves on her dress were plain because the dress initially had ruffled lace cap sleeves (as seen on the runway).

Sally Field wears an ivory chiffon dress with abstract leaf embroidery and delicate sheer sleeves, paired with classic black pumps and a simple pearl necklaceSally Field wears an ivory chiffon dress with abstract leaf embroidery and delicate sheer sleeves, paired with classic black pumps and a simple pearl necklace (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

8. Helen Hunt’s Dolce & Gabbana Pewter Dress: A Study in Sophistication

Helen Hunt, nominated for her performance in The Sessions, flaunted her legs in a pewter knee-length dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

It’s a classic one that features a square neckline and a ruched effect and boasts a mix of simplicity and sophistication. The actress wore minimal makeup and accessories to finish her look.

Helen Hunt wears a ruched pewter Dolce & Gabbana knee-length dress with a square neckline, styled with nude strappy heels, loose curls, and simple drop earringsHelen Hunt wears a ruched pewter Dolce & Gabbana knee-length dress with a square neckline, styled with nude strappy heels, loose curls, and simple drop earrings (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

9. Jacki Weaver Turns Heads in a Bold Orange Cocktail Dress

Jackie Weaver was the only nominee who wore a cocktail knee-length dress in bright orange. She even wore red-orange dangling earrings and matching nail polish.

Jacki Weaver wears a bold orange knee-length dress with three-quarter sleeves, accessorized with red statement earrings, a black clutch, silver bracelets, and metallic peep-toe heelsJacki Weaver wears a bold orange knee-length dress with three-quarter sleeves, accessorized with red statement earrings, a black clutch, silver bracelets, and metallic peep-toe heels (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Anne Hathaway’s iconic Prada gown at the 2013 Oscars remains a standout red carpet moment. The actress paired her blush satin dress with Tiffany & Co. jewels, showcasing timeless elegance. For more fashion highlights, check out Jennifer Lawrence’s unforgettable Dior Couture gown from the same event, which became a sensation after her dramatic fall on the stairs.

Additionally, revisit Jessica Chastain’s dazzling Armani Privé dress, a perfect blend of Old Hollywood glamour and modern sophistication. These timeless looks demonstrate the 2013 Oscars’ impact on red carpet fashion.

For an in-depth look at the standout footwear from the 2013 Oscars, explore our article highlighting the top celebrity shoe choices on the red carpet.