Historically, the Oscars have required a formal dress code (it was once white tie, but has since been "relaxed" to black tie). Shows like the VMAs are more edgy and experimental, but Oscars outfits still lean towards floor-length gowns, custom suits, and formal heels.
That said? Plenty of Oscar attendees, male and female alike, have abided by the buttoned-up dress code and still found a way to channel their unique style through their footwear. This is even more true of the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, an important extension of the event but with a more relaxed feel.
