LOS ANGELES — It would be swell if the two Canadian Oscar contenders for the top prizes of best picture and best director would play with our winning streak at the Olympics and wear something “Canadian” to tonight’s ceremony.

Not that they should wear fitted Mountie or hockey uniforms (although that would be pretty funny), but a splash of red somewhere would remind us of the glory of last week.

Chances are better, however, that either James Cameron (Avatar) or Jason Reitman (Up in the Air) will hold up the golden statue — if either wins — wearing the requisite plain ol’ black tux.

“Even if they wanted to do something as a nod to their home country, there’s no way their stylists would let them do anything other than the black tuxedo with black tie,” men’s fashion designer Thony Anyiam says with a sigh.

“The Oscars is the most important entertainment award show ever, their category is the most important and their stylists can’t let them take any chances.”

Anyiam, known for splashes of native and ethnic culture in his classic men designs, said if he were styling Cameron or Reitman he would at least make sure they wore a red tie, red cumberbund, or a strategically placed red scarf.

“It would be a nice, subtle nod to their home country.”

If it is fashion you’re looking for at tonight’s ceremony, the best bet lies with the always dashing Christopher Plummer, who’s nominated for best supporting actor for his role as writer Leo Tolstoy in The Last Station.

Plummer, 80, always looks terrific. He’s known to wear a beautiful suit with a rakish, thin scarf tied around his neck; or a tuxedo with a colourful tie.

“He’s Canada’s best bet for fashion at the show and everyone will be watching him because he’s an icon,” Anyiam agrees.

“He might do something surprising, like when Sean Connery wore the Scottish kilt to the Oscars. Christopher Plummer has a wonderful sense of style.”

Of course there are several other Canadians nominated for Oscars tonight in other categories such as writing, art directing and costume design.

And because those categories aren’t like the hockey or skating events that everybody watches at the Olympics, there’s room for more fashion imagination.

Look especially for Monique Prudhomme and Anastasia Masaro, nominated respectively, for best costume design and best art direction for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

“First of all they’re women, and women always dress better for these events,” Anyiam says.

“Secondly, they’re nominated in dress and design categories so they’ll play with that.”

Patrice Vermette, who’s nominated for best art direction for The Young Victoria, is also known as a sharp dresser and should be counted on to wear something interesting.

But back to best picture and best director.

There’s one good thing about having to be conservative in these top categories: The intellectual, normally devil-may-care Cameron and Reitman will certainly be sporting fresh haircuts and a shave. And maybe a small, strategic maple leaf pin for good luck on the inside of their suits.

Linda Massarella, a Canadian writer in Los Angeles, writes every Sunday about notable Canadians living in L.A.

massarellalinda@yahoo.com