The Oscar gowns were certainly pretty, but what really caught our eye were the dresses at the after-parties. We especially loved all the diagonal stripes, because the pattern is visually interesting and incredibly flattering for so many body types!

Thin stripes, like the black and gold ones running across Halle Berry's Marchesa, are ideal for creating an hourglass shape. They enhance the curves of the hip while making the waist appear smaller.

A chevron pattern, like the lines ending in a point on Jessica Stroup's Pamella Roland, can help camouflage a larger physique. The V-shape draws the eye down the middle of the torso, while an inverted V brings the focus up to the face.

Striped colorblocking, like the Carlos Obando gown Marisa Tomei wore to post-Oscar parties, is best for top-heavy and pear-shaped women. Just make sure the lighter color hits the areas you want to downplay and the darker shade lands on those you want to showcase.

Shop all of these options in the steal 'n' splurge gallery below!