Saoirse Ronan's Oscars dress just convinced us that the peplum is officially back (gasp!)

She's been one of the most-talked about red carpet stars of the 2020 awards season, but this weekend Saoirse Ronan - or, at least, her stylist - outdid herself as she arrived at the Oscars wearing a dramatic black and lavender gown by Gucci.

Not a colourway we'd usually champion, it brought some welcome freshness and unexpected drama from a red carpet full of beautiful-but-safe gowns.

But it wasn't just the blend of hues that intrigued us, with her dramatic peplum - a fashion feature we were convinced should never return onto our radar - a surprisingly welcome accent. In light of this very moment, we're predicting a major resurgence this year...

As if the plunging neckline and peplum didn't make enough of a statement, news that the look's black satin bodice was created from the same reel of fabric as Saoirse's BAFTAs dress [below] thrilled us no end, as it gave a subtle but very crucial nod to the practice of sustainability and conscious fashion - a mission very close to the actress's heart and one which she is keen to champion publicly.

"Saoirse isn’t J-Lo, who loves to dress up," Elizabeth Saltzman, Saoirse's stylist, told British Vogue. "The red carpet is a form of work for her."

It wasn't just her gown that landed her on best dressed lists globally, but also her beauty look. The new fringe is both fresh and edgy, while her soft lilac eye and gently flushed cheeks felt youthful and fun, perfectly reflecting the personality traits that have earned her such a devoted fan base.

Read More

The dresses, the drama and the award winners: Here's everything that happened at the star-studded Oscars

By Bianca London

While her contemporaries are sticking to tried-and-tested formulas, Saoirse isn't afraid to experiment with her look. Making for a consistently interesting muse, she has been the one to watch on every red carpet this season.

From a slinky Celine slip at the Golden Globes to pink Erdem ruffles at the Critics' Choice and that black satin Gucci gown at the BAFTAs, her look has spanned a variety of silhouettes, colours and - crucially - designers. She's been a breath of fresh air amongst so many stars entirely tied to both a specific aesthetic and fashion house.

Scroll down to see all the dresses from Hollywood's most talked-about red carpet...