Perhaps it’s always been that way – living a life in the spotlight has ever meant a life of flashing cameras

and attention – but in today’s era of sensationalistic social media headlines and viral content

the focus is more intense than in decades previous.

A-listers are not only judged on what they say and do, but also what they wear, and this becomes all the more evident when awards season rolls around. Last weekend saw the 96th Academy Awards play out at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, and it was a predictably uber-publicized affair.

A who’s who of actors and film industry bigwigs took to the red carpet, and you can bet your last dollar that their wardrobe choices were analyzed like internet denizens were sitting one giant, collective exam in fashion design.

One star whose look came in for a particularly stringent study was Charlize Theron, who donned a glittering black ensemble that turned plenty of heads.

The actress positively dazzled at this year’s Vanity Fair Oscars Party, though her outfit became a major talking point online, with fans split as to whether or not it was a hit or miss.

No sooner had photos of the 48-year-old made their way to social media than did commenters flock to offer their different opinions. Some were supportive of her decision to wear a see-through number that revealed her underwear. Others were… less so.

“You look so great on every pics are there any bad ones [sic]?” one person wrote.

“ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS,” another added.

“This woman is absolutely stunning gorgeous,” a third quipped.

A fourth said: “This woman is simple awesome, great commitment to acting, producing, and social help.”

As is always the case when celebrities bare themselves in front of the world, a number of critics weren’t far behind those championing Theron’s look.

“Not a good choice,” one person wrote.

“You look great but this clothes is awful [sic]” another added.

“Yuk- too skinny,” stated a third.

Another said: “I am her fan..but here,I don’t like her hair, she’s so skinny and the dress hmmm no…my opinion.”

Theron has previously spoken openly on her fashion choices, advising people to always go by “how you feel”.

“I feel like there shouldn’t be any faux pas,” she told People last year.

“I really feel like if you just go by how you feel and how much you love it, then it’s not a faux pas.”

As for outfits that evoke a strong response from critics, the actress said at the time: “I mean, there are a lot of dresses that I know people didn’t like, but I’m like, I looked at myself in the mirror that night and I was feeling myself.”

I think Charlize Theron looked stunning at the Oscars! Let us know your thoughts in the comments.