Style Showdown: Best Actress Nominees Dazzle at the 85th Oscars Luncheon

While the 2013 Academy Awards may now feel like a moment from fashion history, the excitement leading up to the event remains just as captivating. In February of that year, as Oscar buzz filled the air, attention turned not only to the anticipated winners but also to the standout fashion moments at the 85th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon.

The Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominees offered an early glimpse of their style direction ahead of the red carpet, embracing everything from timeless elegance to bold color choices. Their luncheon outfits served as stylish previews of the glamour to come, each ensemble reflecting personal flair and red carpet readiness. Here’s a nostalgic look back at some of the most memorable fashion moments from that pre-Oscars celebration.

Best 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)

At the event, fashion took on a subtle yet striking tone. Naomi Watts and Anne Hathaway opted for timeless black ensembles, channeling classic red carpet elegance. In contrast, Jennifer Lawrence stood out in an ethereal white gown, adding a fresh, modern twist to traditional Oscars glamour. Quvenzhané Wallis and Amy Adams both chose shades of purple, bringing playful yet regal energy to the evening.

Jessica Chastain opted for a soft, romantic look in a floral gown, while Sally Field and Helen Hunt chose ivory and pewter tones that exuded understated sophistication. Meanwhile, Jacki Weaver made a bold statement as the only Best Supporting Actress nominee to wear bright orange—a vivid choice that set her apart from the more muted palette of the night.

🖤 Anne Hathaway: Minimalist Chic in The Row & Strappy Sandals

Anne Hathaway is known for her eclectic fashion choices, often alternating between edgy silhouettes and romantic, feminine pieces. For the 85th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon, she embraced her signature polished aesthetic in a sleek black “Dorning” dress from The Row’s Resort 2013 collection.

The sleeveless cotton-blend dress featured a minimalist front balanced by a distinctive peplum detail at the back, adding subtle structure and interest without overwhelming the silhouette. Anne paired the look with strappy black sandals, minimal jewelry, and her signature pixie cut, embodying effortless sophistication. The ensemble reflected her preference for timeless silhouettes with thoughtful design elements, making it a standout among the luncheon’s more understated looks.

Anne 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)

🖤 Naomi Watts: Timeless in Black Valentino & Red-Soled Heels

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 look (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

🤍 Jennifer Lawrence: Strapless White Chloé & Casadei Pumps

Jennifer Lawrence’s fashion journey has been full of bold choices—some unforgettable, others unexpectedly offbeat. While she often stuns with her red carpet elegance, her unpredictable style keeps fans guessing and fashion critics talking.

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 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’s 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 ring (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

🌸 Jessica Chastain: Dreamy Erdem Florals & Nude Louboutins

Zero Dark Thirty star Jessica Chastain embraced classic femininity in a midnight navy dress from Erdem’s Resort 2013 collection.

The knee-length silhouette featured sheer three-quarter sleeves and delicate floral embroidery in shades of pink and blue—details that softened the structured cut and added a romantic touch.

Jessica 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)

Jessica completed her look with nude pointed-toe Christian Louboutin pumps, a smart styling choice that subtly elongated her legs. Nude heels create a seamless visual line from foot to leg, especially when the color closely matches your skin tone.

Unlike darker shoes that can visually “cut” the leg, nude styles—particularly those with pointed toes or low vamps—enhance the illusion of height and length, making them a red carpet favorite among stylists and celebrities alike.

💜 Amy Adams: Romantic Purple J. Mendel with Hidden Allure

While Amy Adams’ red carpet style often earns high praise—like her show-stopping Marchesa fishtail gown at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards or her sleek Vionnet look at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards—her choice for the Nominees Luncheon was more subdued.

She wore a long-sleeved, purple floral-print J. Mendel dress that embraced a demure, feminine silhouette. Though modest at first glance, the dress featured a hidden back cutout that added a touch of unexpected allure. While not her most memorable look, it still reflected her ability to balance elegance with subtle playfulness.

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 pumps (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

🎀 Quvenzhané Wallis: Purple Satin, Puppy Purse & Playful Flats

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 flats (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

🤍 Sally Field: Ivory Alberta Ferretti & Quiet Elegance

Lincoln star Sally Field opted for a luncheon-appropriate look in an ivory Alberta Ferretti dress. The breezy chiffon number featured seamed lace detailing and a softly ruffled hem, offering both comfort and quiet elegance.

However, one detail left us curious: the plain sleeves. On the runway, this dress originally debuted with romantic ruffled lace cap sleeves—so it’s unclear why that charming detail was omitted for her red carpet version.

Sally 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)

🌫️ Helen Hunt: Pewter Dolce & Gabbana with Understated Polish

Helen Hunt, nominated for her role in The Sessions, showcased her toned legs in a timeless pewter knee-length dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

Featuring a square neckline and flattering ruching, the look balanced simplicity with understated sophistication. She kept her styling minimal, letting the dress shine with barely-there makeup and discreet accessories.

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 earrings (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

🧡 Jacki Weaver: Bold in Orange Cocktail Dress & Metallic Heels

Jacki 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 heels (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)

Anne Hathaway’s iconic Prada gown at the 2013 Oscars remains a standout moment on the red carpet. 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 Privè dress, a perfect blend of Old Hollywood glamour and modern sophistication. These timeless looks demonstrate the impact of the 2013 Oscars 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.