Fashion: Gown and out in La La Land for the Oscars 2017

WOMEN MARCH TOGETHER: Even on the red carpet, in very shiny dresses - Michelle Williams, left, and Busy Philipps arrive at the 23rd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

The Oscars '“ the greatest catwalk show on earth '“ take place next weekend. Stephanie Smith previews the event by selecting the standout red carpet looks of the year so far.

It’s not just the movies that are all-singing, all-dancing for 2017. The dresses are pretty full-on too, as “more is more” characterises many of the red carpet looks we’ve seen thus far from awards season in Los Angeles.

And, much like the movies, it’s a fashion season of contrasts – stripes versus florals, natural tough versus synthetic shine, pink versus yellow, utility versus ruffles, underwear as outerwear.

Fashion is shouting out loud and clear, and refusing to be put into any box. Yes, you can be colourful and serious at the same time. Witness La La Land.

ALL THE PINKS: Felicity Jones at The Golden Globes in Gucci. Pink in all its glorious shades is this spring/summer's essential shade, although soft tones of blush and dusty pink are the most impressive. Nude pink can be awkward to wear but the black here gives definition and counterpoint. Try Phase Eight for soft pink dresses long and short this season. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Speaking of which, the nominees for Best Picture are: Arrival; Fences; Hacksaw Ridge; Hell or High Water; Hidden Figures; La La Land; Lion; Manchester by the Sea; Moonlight. For Actress in a Leading Role: Isabelle Huppert, Elle; Ruth Negga, Loving: Natalie Portman, Jackie; Emma Stone, La La Land; Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins. For Actress in a Supporting Role: Viola Davis, Fences; Naomie Harris, Moonlight; Nicole Kidman, Lion; Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures; Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea.

So these are the ones we’ll be watching, although you can usually guarantee that some non-runner will try to grab all the attention with a dress that’s crazy-mad or barely there. If they can. What with everyone going all out to shout, it’s going to be a lot harder to stand out this year.

HEER PANELLING: Emma Stone at the Screen Actors' Guild awards,in Alexander McQueen and Tiffany & Co Jewellery. Hide-and-seek cutout styles in black lace are one of the raunchier looks for spring/summer '17. Mcqueen combined sheer with corsetry. Amazing, really, that Emma Stone still manages to look rather demiure. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

STATEMENT STRIPES: Michelle Dockery at the Screen Actors Guild awards in Elie Saab. Prepare for a colourful burst of stripes for the spring and summer. Michelle Dockery pulls off the look with elegance, and the simple lines certainly help, but others could find themselves compared to a deckchair. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

SHOULDER WORK: Thandie Newton at the Screen Actor's Guild Awards in Schiaparelli Couture. There's a lot going on here, not least the crystals and the horses, but focus on the shoulders, which show off two key trends simultaneously - one-shoulder and puffball sleeve. More is more. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

VOLUME SHAPES: Natalie Portman at the Golden Globes in Prada and Tiffany & Co jewellery. Although she recently confirmed that she is pregnant, Natalie Portman is impressively on-trend in this yellow gown featuring the season's must-have simple statement volume silhouette. With its clean, pared-back lines, this shape also looks tres modern chic worn to the knee and just above, with flats. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)