Stylish Nominees

Best Actress in a Leading Role

, for Volver

The Spanish star was stunning in Volver as a Sofia Loren look-alike in Dolce & Gabbana (and some strategic padding). So it's no surprise that Cruz is a red-carpet icon. Her stylists, Cristina Ehrlich and Estee Stanley, said of her Globes look: "We think it's so amazing when you can find such an exceptional black dress. It was so sexy, romantic and elegant. And, of course, nothing is better than a couture Chanel gown."

Best Actress in a Leading Role

, for The Devil Wears Prada

Streep has been nominated a whopping 14 times, so it's no surprise that she's built up a red-carpet wardrobe that would impress the haughtiest of fashion-magazine editors. From a gold lace maternity gown to an embellished pantsuit to last year's long plum stunner, Streep has dressed her way through the decades but remained an actress first. "The idea that you're married to some sort of glamorous look makes me crazy," she has said. Now, what would Miranda Priestley say about that?

Best Actress in a Leading Role

, for Little Children

Kate Winslet received her fifth Oscar nod, an accomplishment she's not trying to hide. "I work really, really hard, so I feel incredibly proud of my nominations," she has said. "And I feel very proud of the fact that I'm [one of] the youngest who's ever gotten that many." Her Academy-ready collection of gowns includes the vivid pink Vivienne Westwood ensemble she wore in 1996, as well as the medieval-inspired Alexander McQueen she donned for her Titanic nomination. Since then, she has often been seen in simple column gowns-like 2002's Ben de Lisi-that show off her considerable natural beauty.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

, for The Queen

The daring Dame likes elegant looks with a twist-a long white Morgane Le Fay dress worn with Lucite "stripper shoes," or a subtle blue Donna Karan Couture gown with not-so-subtle cleavage. "One of the great advantages of getting older is that you can walk into a world which is more truthful and less to do with other people's fantasies," she has said. Her edgy, humorous style has proved that she's a sex symbol for the ages.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

, for Notes on a Scandal

Dench wasn't too fond of the on-screen wardrobe for her nominated role. "Let's put it this way," she told Time, "there wasn't much at the end of filming that I asked if I could buy." The great Dame skips the polyester, often donning Indian-inspired duds with her signature platinum crop.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

, for Notes on a Scandal

The great Cate has become a red-carpet icon, in no small part because of her spectacular Oscar dresses. She wore a hummingbird-embroidered Galliano to her first Academy Awards in 1999 (when she was nominated for Elizabeth), and then returned as a presenter in 2000 wearing a sleek backless Gaultier gown with a cascade of antique Indian gold jewelry. Finally, last year she wore an unforgettable yellow Valentino to pick up her Best Supporting Actress award for The Aviator. As designer Isaac Mizrahi has marveled, "She's an amazing actress, and then-oh, my God-she looks great in clothes."

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

, for Dreamgirls

The sultry newcomer has been flattering her curves with Old Hollywood dresses, a far cry from her oft-criticized ensembles on American Idol. She glowed at the Globes in a midnight blue Vera Wang gown that impressed everyone, including Miss Hudson. “I look fabulous,” the singer-actress told People on the red carpet, “if I do say so myself.”

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

, for Babel

Babel's breakout star has been seen around town in lots and lots of Chanel, including the daring chiffon gown she wore to the Golden Globes. On-screen, she showed naked emotion (not to mention her body, though she has said, “The nude scenes weren’t a big deal for me”) in a career-defining role that will likely keep her walking the red carpet for many years to come.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

, for Little Miss Sunshine

This year's cutest nominee is in no hurry to grow up. The 10-year-old attended the Globes with a stuffed monkey named George (no relation to Clooney) and an empty evening bag with a hidden mirror. But don't try to baby the precocious actress. "This one girl at a shoe store was, like, 'Can I pick you up?'" she has relayed with disgust. "I was, like, 'I don't think so.'" Looks like Breslin has her feet on the ground.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

, for Babel

The beautiful Babel star played an unglamorous nanny in the Golden Globe-awarded flick. The role required her to gain 30 pounds in order, she said, “to make my face look more innocent, more like a child.” But the slimmed-down star was stunning at the Globes in a sweeping taffeta gown.

See the gowns, the hair and more from the 2006 Academy Awards.

Go to EW.com for more Oscars coverage.

And check out what the stars wore and where they partied at this year's Golden Globes.