Was The Vanity Fair Red Carpet Better Than The Oscars’?

As R. Kelly famously once reminded us all, "After the show, it's the after-party." And, after the Oscars, well, it's Vanity Fair. Of course, the stars and nominees did an amazing job last night creating some Hollywood sartorial magic, but there's something about the fetes that brings out the most creative ensembles.

You might have missed these celebs on the red carpet earlier in the night, but trust, the jaw-dropping ensembles arrived in spades once all the awards were doled out. And, these are the kind of looks that never feel expected or boring. Instead, they're the dresses — and suits! — that prove the ladies ahead weren't afraid to think outside the box. Still, while we'd happily relive all the moments from last night's star-packed par-tay, we've narrowed down our picks to 12 looks so strong, they'll leave you feeling buzzed. So, click on to see who topped our list. And, sure, you may want to pace yourself.