Oscar glamour in... Boston?

The closest that most of us get to those stunning, sparkling red carpet Oscar gowns is the flatscreen HDTV in our living rooms. But that also means enduring Ryan Seacrest's celebrity banter (groan). This week, the Museum of Fine Arts gives patrons an opportunity to see four classic Oscar dresses in person, with no Seacrest banter (score!). The museum is displaying the Oscar garb of Barbra Steisand, Cate Blanchett, and Kate Capshaw. Steisand's tulle, sequined-covered bell bottom pantsuit, designed by Arnold Scaasi, is perhaps the most notorious of the bunch. As Steisand was collecting her statue for "Funny Girl" it appeared that she was nude under the sheer suit. In an interview with the Boston Globe two years ago, Scaasi explained that the pant suit was fully lined, and Steisand was not showing her exhibitionist nature that night, but the bright lights gave the appearance of skin. Also on display is Streisand's less flashy, pink, empire waisted 1970 Scaasi Oscar dress. You can also see Blanchett's 1999 sexy, elegant knit hummingbird dress by John Galliano, and Capshaw's 1993 daring, skin-tight black Herve Leger bandage dress. It's a rare opportunity to examine the craftsmanship that goes into these dresses at close proximity. You can find Capshaw and Blanchett's dresses at the Museum's Fenway entrance; the Streisand dresses are on display in the Arnold Scaasi exhibition.