The best word to describe the red-carpet fashion at the Academy Awards: red.

Katherine Heigl, Helen Mirren, Miley Cyrus, Ruby Dee, Anne Hathaway and Heidi Klum were among the stars in red gowns Sunday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Shades of plum were worn by Cate Blanchett and Jessica Alba.

Model Heidi Klum arrives at the 80th annual Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Hollywood February 24, 2008. [Agencies]

"The actresses went regal and royal with rich reds and purples," said Oscar.com fashion analyst Tom Julian.

The other buzzword? Safe.

"I thought people looked generally really good — and really safe," Hal Rubenstein, fashion director at InStyle magazine, told The Associated Press. "I don't know if it had to do with the mood out there with the strike just over and parties canceled, but in fashion now so much is about sheer, print and color, but this was one solid strapless dress after another."

Rubenstein added: "There was a kind of uniform timelessness, which is very nice, but considering those who watch this show do it to get a fashion cue, I wish they were a little more timely than timeless."

He labeled French actress Marion Cotillard's ivory-and-silver gown by Jean Paul Gaultier with scalloped fabric that looked like fish scales the most distinctive of the night.

Jennifer Hudson, who caused last year's biggest fashion flap with a futuristic bolero jacket, was more appropriate this year in a white halter gown.