Women can look forward to a spring full of color, if what was seen on the red carpet at the Oscars last night was any indication.

Red, blue, green, yellow, purple and other colors made black -- the traditional favorite -- the exception. And when black was worn, it was anything but basic.

Many gowns appeared to be influenced by the fall styles American designers showed recently at New York fashion week. Necklaces were mostly absent, partly because so many gowns had jeweled embellishments on necklines or straps.

When necklaces were seen, they were big and bold. When actresses passed on them, they opted for earrings that were bold and worn with hair pulled back or up.

Feathered trim dressed up several strapless gowns, including the purple Marchesa style worn by a pregnant Jessica Alba.

More observations:

Most Dramatic: Heidi Klum in a sweeping red custom Galliano gown with a portrait neckline and high collar. With hot pink dangling earrings and a matching clutch, she looked like a Barbie princess.

Best Black: Jennifer Garner, whose fitted, strapless ruched number with a mermaid bottom was the picture of elegance, worn with gorgeous platinum and diamond Art Deco necklace and earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Strikeout Queen: Jennifer Hudson. The white, Grecian-style empire column made her bosom look like one of those sandbag pillows you find at Bed Bath & Beyond. Why can't she get it right?

Most Delightfully Daring: Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard's ivory Jean-Paul Gaultier gown with a fish-scale texture and fit that resembled a mermaid. A super-long gold necklace complemented the subtle gold touches in the dress.

Most Frightfully Daring: "Michael Clayton's" Tilda Swinton, winner as Best Supporting Actress last night, for her shapeless, Hefty-bag-goes-goth black silk-satin gown. Before this, I didn't think it was possible to find an ugly Lanvin design.

Most Annoying Trend: Messy hair on guys. Is there a Hollywood barbers strike?

Most Unexpected Look: Helen Mirren, last year's Oscar winner for "The Queen," in a custom red gown with striking jeweled sleeves, a daring look for her. She confessed that it might look a little like what she wore in a recent role as the madame of a brothel.

Most Ravishing Red: There was lots of it, including on Ann Hathaway and Miley Cyrus. But Katherine Heigl did it best, in a stunning, fitted one-shoulder gown with a clever circular cut-out at the shoulder.