With the end of the very long Oscar ceremony early on Monday morning, came the end of the big red carpet events for 2009 — and the early indicators of what Grade 12 students will be wearing to their matric dances this year.

But how do you decide between all the amazing gowns that you saw? How do you make sure you hit the hottest trends or stand out in the crowd or retain your individuality?

Now, as you start your planning for the most spectacular dress of your young lives, let me help by analysing all that we saw on the red carpets, and pulling out what you need to know — no matter who you are.

Oh, and of course this applies to any black tie event in 2009, so grown up ladies can read on as well for all the best advice on gowns for this year.

Voted most likely to be on trend

For all you girls who follow fashion more slavishly than you do your maths text books, there are three key design details that you need to include in your dress this year.

The first is that it should be asymmetric — preferably a one shoulder gown with a tightly fitted bodice, covered in draped or pleated silk. See the incredible creation that Marisa Tomei wore to the Oscars for your inspiration, and then tone it down.

The second detail is that it should have a fish-tail hem — with or without a train.

The fish-tail is a very strong look for long gowns this year both locally and abroad, and it appears to be getting stronger with both Beyonce and Oscar nominee, Melissa George, wearing quite extreme examples on the red carpet this weekend.

Your fish-tail does not need to be this powerful, and you could go for a softer option worn more widely at the Golden Globes and Baftas.

And finally, you need to get the colour right.

In an atmosphere of economic recession around the world, colour has all but gone out of style. Most of the best dressed at the Oscars this year wore cream, nude or a variation on the icy whites normally reserved for blending in to the arctic regions, including the lovely young role model Anne Hathaway.

This 'no-colour' colour is surprisingly hot and very sophisticated and is definitely worn best in an asymmetric gown with a fish-tail or train.

Voted most likely to stand out

However, if you are the girl who doesn't really care what the fashion trends are as long as you get noticed, there are also some good tips that came up on the red carpet this season.

First, try and look for interesting and quirky design detail. This may include the use of gold brocade or lurex, beading or lace details and feathers. It may be that there are intricate folds to your gown, or a spectacular back detail that you don't see from the front.

Or it may be that it has a slit in the skirt that begs for mercy, much like the dress Heidi Klum wore to the Oscars.

Ms Klum is famous for standing out in a crowd and a Google of her gowns for the past three years will quickly give you some ideas — if you have the courage and the legs.

The second tip is to use colour in an interesting way.

Heidi Klum almost always used red to stand out, but Cameron Diaz was incredible in the fuchsia pink she wore to the Golden Globes this year. And the lovely young Natalie Portman donned a very similar shade for the Oscars.

Standout is guaranteed, as long as you ensure that the shade of pink you choose works well with your own skin tone.

Yellow is another colour that ensures standout and that you are memorable. Renee Zelwegger, Cate Blanchette and Kate Moss have all used yellow silk in the past to stand out on the red carpet. It is currently a really hot fashion colour in South Africa, so don't be afraid as it can really work well for your special dress.

Voted most likely to be themselves

Of course, many of us try and look like our red carpet heroes and fail and discover that it is always better to just be true to yourself and your own sense of style. Even so, we can look to how the red carpet glamazons do it.

Vintage is one of the most stylish ways to ensure that you look individual and special.

Penelope Cruz did it this year, and in the past Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts have delved into the dressing up boxes of some of the world's best designers to dig out something from yester year that worked spectacularly well for them — and helped them retain their individual style.

Vintage is tricky in that you need to be relatively small, find a decade where the style suited your body shape and then find something in good condition — but there are some great vintage shops and brokers around that can help you with this and it will guarantee a successful gown that is essentially you.

Alternatively, you can get something made for you specifically by a designer. You can contribute to the design process and know that what you are wearing is a one-off.

Our own Charlize Theron does this sometimes with John Galliano at Dior for her red carpet gowns and is frequently recognised as one of the best dressed in Hollywood.

Finally, accessories are critical in the quest to differentiate you from your peers. More specifically, one incredible neck piece or brooch can be all that it takes to take a lovely classic black dress and make it your own style.

Both Kate Winslett and Angelina Jolie have done this on the red carpet this year and have received nothing but praise. Keeping it simple and personal and then adding the pizzazz through a great accessory is a wonderful style lesson to learn anyway, so why not start now?

Have a great time putting together your dresses fit for the red carpet this year. Look to our celebrity friends for inspiration, but always remember to make sure that the dress you choose ultimately looks great on you, with your own special body shape and colouring. That way you really can't go wrong.

For more information on Robyn and photos of stylish South Africans at all sorts of fun events, go to: http://styleguidecapetown.blogspot.com