Sudden fame means intense public scrutiny: The day after the Academy Awards®, Viola Davis' gold Reem Acra gown was the talk of the Internet. "It's good this happened later in life, because I'm more comfortable with how I look now," says Davis, 43. "I'm not comparing my body with Halle Berry's anymore!" She especially appreciates the way these dresses hark back to a feminine ideal that's curvy rather than skinny. Here, a slinky black knit with silver beading on the kimono sleeves (St. John, $1,195) is the perfect balance of at-home ease and star-quality extravagance. Can't you imagine Frank Sinatra playing on the hi-fi (or maybe even dropping in for a drink)? 

Pumps, Jimmy Choo.