Go bold or go neutral. That was the reigning theme on Oscar night’s red carpet, as actresses took center stage in gowns that ranged from high-wattage color to pretty-in-pastel.

If any dress will dictate the look of the night, it would have to be Lupita Nyong’o’s powdery blue Prada number.

Topped with a simple tiara, her Grecian-inspired gown was finished with an on-trend accordion pleat skirt. The Best Supporting Actress nominee proved that she currently reigns as the fashion industry’s queen; this look is primed to go down in red-carpet history for sure.

Presenter Viola Davis took the bold-color route, but also shined in an emerald green Escada number. She said she chose the gown because “Green is my go-to color.”

Also working an attention-grabbing hue was Liza Minnelli. The singer-actress electrified in head-to-toe cobalt blue, matching a strand of her hair to the silky top-and-pant combo.

Rounding out the jewel-tone color story was Ireland Baldwin. If her sole purpose in attending the Oscars was to stun in a slit-to-there maroon lace gown, well then, bra-vo!

Hot mama-to-be Olivia Wilde bridged the color gap in a high-necked black sleeveless column.

When asked who she was wearing, Wilde joked, “We [pointing to her baby bump] are wearing Valentino and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.” Slimming in silhouette, and complete with a white train, the actress accented her classic black look with white accessories: her bold drop earrings and clutch are so 2014.

On the softer side of the color spectrum was Kristin Chenoweth. She strutted in an on-trend bold gold Roberto Cavalli gown which she described as, “very art deco.” New mama Kristen Bell also showed up in Cavalli. Hers, was the palest shade of lilac.

“I felt a ‘Frozen’ vibe,” she said of the dress, a cheeky nod to the Oscar-nominated animated film to which she lent her voice.