Matching the color of the world's most famous carpet was the attention-getting choice for many attendees. Call it crimson, scarlet or vermillion, the red gowns popped under sunny skies and a mild California breeze, as a steady cavalcade of stars entered Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.

Lady Gaga brought old Hollywood glamour - and the bling to match - in an Alexander McQueen black gown, leather gloves and a 128 carat diamond from Tiffany, as Emma Stone's coppery Louis Vuitton gown with futuristic shoulders was covered in sparkling paillettes resembling modified scales.

Frontrunner to win Best Actress, The Wife star Glenn Close chose a shimmering gold Carolina Herrera tunic dress - with four million beads, the actress noted - with a heavy flowing train, setting the evening off on the right note in an ode to Oscar, the coveted gold statuette.

"My God, how much does it weigh?" gasped E! host Ryan Seacrest, who struggled to lift her train.

"42 pounds (19 kg)!" enthused Close.

While pink made a major play, red ruffles were the choice of a bevy of actresses, including Best Supporting Actress nominee for Roma Marina de Tavira. But the theme was taken to the next level by Green Book star Linda Cardellini whose oversized flounce of red ruffles cascaded in layers down her body, cinched together with a pink belt.

Singer Jennifer Hudson's elegant Elie Saab gown featured a red ruffle that slithered from one shoulder down to a slit at the side.

Recent Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves also chose oversized ruffles in her princess-like Giambattista Valli, with two poofs of pink tulle at the shoulder and a skirt covered in layers of tulle in Barbie-doll pink.

"Make way for the dress, I need about ten feet (3 meters)," Musgraves warned.

Angela Bassett was easy to spot in an electric pink gown by Reem Acra whose gargantuan bow at the shoulder was worthy in itself of an award.

"The biggest thing tonight is pretty in pink," said celebrity stylist Sam Saboura, who noted the color made a splash at the recent spring shows in Paris.

"Another big, big trend is exaggerated volume, ruffles and feathers, ruffly feathery things," Saboura said.

Read also: Five things to watch for on the 2019 Oscars

Best man in gown

Most outrageous - yet still perfectly in keeping with Oscar chic - was Pose star Billy Porter, who wore a black velvet tuxedo gown designed by Christian Siriano, the top a classic tuxedo with a built-in bodice and the bottom a full, dramatic sweep of fabric.

"If we were going to do a tuxedo it couldn't be just a tuxedo. It had to be a moment," Siriano explained. "I don't think any man has ever worn a gown on the red carpet before."

Making a milder red carpet choice was singer Adam Lambert, who performed with British band Queen. He wore an orchid on the lapel of his Tom Ford tuxedo with oversized cuffs, as a dramatic swirling diamond earring completed the look.

"I went without the bow tie. I took the risk," joked Lambert.

"Best Director" nominee Spike Lee was one of the first to arrive on the famous carpet, setting the tone of the evening for color in a purple suit, matching purple glasses, purple chauffeur's cap and gold Jordans.

Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu showed up in bright marigold chiffon, adding a cheery glow to the red carpet in her custom Versace gown.

Regina King, who won the supporting actress Oscar for her work in If Beale Street Could Talk, wore a white strapless Oscar de la Renta with an elegant swirl at the hip and a dramatic train.

Songwriter Diane Warren, nominated for RBG, carried a miniature Ruth Bader Ginsburg doll in the pocket of her white and silver suit.

"She jumped in my pocket," Warren joked of the US Supreme Court judge. "She couldn't get a ticket, it was last minute."

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