The Academy Awards was a night to play it safe fashion-wise

Monday, March 27, 2000 | 9:39 a.m.

The audience at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday was awash in sophisticated gowns and sober tuxedos, reflecting old Hollywood more than bold daring.

Even Cher came down with a case of class, leaving her trademark beaded, see-through numbers and towering headdresses at home. The actress arrived on stage in a modest black gown to present an award.

"You probably noticed already that I am dressed like a grownup. No, no, I wish to apologize to the Academy, and I promise that I will never do it again," she joked.

The guys from "South Park" didn't disappoint, however.

Trey Parker, co-nominated with Marc Shaiman for the best song Oscar for "Blame Canada," wore a copy of the almost wide-open concoction Jennifer Lopez wore to the Grammys last month. Matt Stone donned a knockoff of the pink dress Gwyneth Paltrow wore last year. And Shaiman's white leisure suit was accented by a blue fedora and blue fur stole.

"Everyone just looks fabulous," said Stone, whose accessories included a cigarette behind one ear.

Oscar winner Angelina Jolie looked like Morticia Addams in a black, long-sleeved dress with a train and waist-length black hair. Drew Barrymore was completely herself in a black knit dress low enough in back to show off her below-waist angel tattoo.

But most celebrities played it safe this year and covered up.

Actress Charlize Theron epitomized old Hollywood in a tangerine form-fitting V-neck halter by Vera Wang. Hilary Swank appeared in a strapless bronze gown, Uma Thurman in a red chiffon pleated dress.

Pregnancy didn't get in the way of fashion for Oscar nominee Annette Bening. The nine-months-pregnant star of "American Beauty" was decked out in a black, multi-layered, beaded tulle gown with sheer black tulle and rhinestone wrap by Giorgio Armani.

Lucy Liu moved closer to daring in a racy red hand-beaded Versace dress with lots of see-through. It was, she said, the only dress she tried on.

Others, such as Salma Hayek, Tyra Banks and Ashley Judd caught spring fever and chose a palette of pastels.

Nicole Kidman wore gold, which unfortunately came out looking more like mustard on TV.

Faith Hill's deep V-necked, body-hugging silver Versace gown appeared to be made of hundreds of tiny silver metal rectangles.

"It's very easy to wear," she gushed.

Actress Chloe Sevigny wore a Yves St. Laurent black halter dress with a deep V-neck, chosen, she said, for its comfort.

Men, too, mostly opted for traditional styles, though actor Samuel Jackson wore a long, deep purple jacket, black shirt and purple tie. For the young men of Hollywood, Keanu Reeves among them, a black shirt and tie was trendy.

Blame the blandness on professional Hollywood; the Oscars show has also become biggest fashion show of the year.

Platoons of designers, stylists, makeup artists, jewelers, agents, publicists and assistants invade the city's swankiest hotels weeks ahead of time to pitch their wares to the stars and the professionals who dress them.

Awards night is a "merchandising mecca," diminishing displays of individual taste, said designer Randolph Duke.

"I wish it was still the days of the woman and the designer," Duke said before the show.

Now the dress is decided by committee, he said, leading to nothing awful, nothing outrageous and nothing really stunning; just something that looks nice.

"And nice isn't good enough for the Oscars," Duke said.