Blame Jolie: Stars' legs have us up in arms

Amy Sancetta / AP file

Actress Angelina Jolie and her right leg arrive for the 84th Academy Awards on Feb. 26.

By Kurt Schlosser

When Angelina Jolie struck her much-lampooned pose at the Oscars in February, little did we know that months later we'd still be up in arms about stars' legs on the red carpet.

An informal survey of?entertainment slideshows?-- and other places on the Internet where attractive body parts are showcased -- reveals that legs attached to female celebrities appear to be stepping out more than normal of late.

Certainly showing a little skin or a lot of leg is nothing new, especially in Hollywood. Jolie made news for going a step (sorry, these puns are?way too?easy) further when her gam got glam and leapt 2 feet out of her black gown.

Now every star in a dress with a high slit is being compared to Jolie, even if they're just standing there with no intention?of turning an appendage into an Internet meme. Well, except for?model Anja Rubik and her hip bone at the Costume Institute Gala earlier this month. That's no ordinary pose.

Check out this random sampling of a few well-known celebrities. Are these outfits over the top? I'm no dressmaker, but the physics of being able to walk while wearing a long gown demands that that gown have a little give. Jolie went beyond the give part and took her pose up a notch. So critical style eyes are now looking below the waist of some of Hollywood's biggest stars to find the copycats.

AP, Getty Images (2)

Kim Kardashian, Jessie J and Nicole Kidman, all in Cannes, France, this week.

Reuters, Getty Images (2)

Carrie Underwood, Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron dressed to impress.

The high slit is poised to rule the red carpet until the first snow flies up skirts next winter. In an era of trout pout and side boob (hi Miley!), there's little use fighting it and demanding that stars put on some @$%*! clothes. (If only?you used symbols to swear at us in the comments ... like the old days ... when women covered?up!)?

ZZ Top said it best: "She's got legs, she knows how to use them."

Are you bothered by more revealing outfits on stars? Where do you draw the line? Step on over to our Facebook page to discuss.

Related content:

amar e stoudemire m.i.a. adrianne curry adam levine hoekstra best superbowl commercials 2012 best super bowl ads