Year after year, the Golden Globes continue to be one of the best red carpets of the year. Everyone is so nervous at the Oscars, few are willing to take major chances and make brave style statements (except for Cate Blanchett of course). But I feel like stars are more relaxed at the Globes so they’re more comfortable wearing looks that express their personalities as opposed to having to abide by strict fashion rules. This year there were quite a few stellar looks. And during a year when the host (not Jimmy Fallon’s best moment) was less than memorable, we were lucky to have some amazingly good, and a couple of amazingly bad, looks to review. Here it goes…
Kerry Washington in Dolce & Gabbana
Could a dress be more perfect for the “Golden” Globes? Easily one of the night’s best. Washington pulled off this very Dolce look perfectly. The gold lace and embellished shoulders and side detail had a royal quality to it that made this dress especially cool. Washington was also on point with her beautiful hair and makeup. Some thought the dress was an odd length and that it was too short but I thought it was chic and a nice change from all the other floor length gowns of the night.
Evan Rachel Wood in Custom Altuzarra
Undeniably one of the night’s best looks. The whole look could not have been more chic. I LOVED everything about it. I’ve said often before how great woman look in tuxedos on the red carpet and Wood definitely proved my point. The cut of the suit is stunning and I love a blouse tied in a bow at the neck – so feminine (and fancy). YSL introduced and perfected this androgynous look in 1966 (read here for more) and it remains timeless.
Emma Stone in Valentino
So pretty, so fresh. Perfect for Stone’s age and the venue. Loved the stars. Loved the delicate pleats. Loved necklace. Loved the hair. Loved everything about it.
Ruth Negga in Louis Vuitton
The construction of this dress is masterful. And that material is incredible – it’s like liquid metal. Apparently it took 120 hours to make. The bodice detail and zipper at the front are everything. This dress could be in a museum and I bet Cate Blanchett wished it was designed for her instead. A truly memorable gown that was as stunning as it was unique.
Tracee Ellis Ross in Zuhair Murad
The daughter of Diana Ross is having a major moment and it’s well deserved because it seems like she’s universally loved. And she looked amazing in this sleeveless silver column gown. Loved the embroidered detail. And the look was well styled. I liked the pulled back hair and simple accessories except for those killer diamond rings. Well played.
Kristen Wiig in Reem Acra
The more I saw this dress, the more I liked it. The floral and butterfly laser cut fabric is so pretty. It had a 60s vibe but still felt fresh. And I loved Wiig’s pixie haircut. I appreciate how Wiig doesn’t dress like everyone else and rarely plays it safe. She would never wear the same strapless column Versace gown as Reese Witherspoon. Also, I don’t think she cares if she’s on the best dressed list. I feel like she wears what she likes and owns it.
Thandie Newton in Monse
This dress needs a special call-out because it’s so unique. And super cool. I’m surprised it wasn’t on more people’s radar. Not many would be brave enough to pull this look off but Newton does it impressively well. Love the unexpected orange sequin detail at the bottom. And check how the diamond link necklace was styled. It works, right?!
Sarah Paulson in Marc Jacobs
I was surprised this was Marc Jacobs because it looks more like Balmain. It’s a good dress but it’s not memorable or spectacular. I feel like Jacobs might be a bit lost lately in terms of his aesthetic. And remember the incredible jeweled green Prada gown Paulson wore to the Emmys in September? This wasn’t nearly as good. And I’m not sure I understand what’s going on with that hairstyle…
Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton
Williams has worn better dresses and this one kind of fell flat for me, especially considering it was Louis Vuitton and compared to the incredible dress Ruth Negga wore. I didn’t think the sleeves worked but I did like the bow tied at the neck. Sort of a twist on the choker craze, and ten bucks says we will be seeing this look a lot in 2017.
Naomi Campbell in Atelier Versace
I can’t say this is my favourite look on the legendary supermodel but she’s loyal to Versace. This gown is quintessential Donatella and looks like something we’d see on Hedi Klum. But Naomi somehow still makes it work because she’s INCREDIBLE. I mean, just look at that face. When she and Matt Bomer walked out on stage together, everyone’s jaws dropped at the crazy about of perfection. How do people get that good looking?!
Viola Davis in Micharl Kors
I knew this was Michael Kors the moment I saw Davis on the red carpet. The one shoulder neckline is classic Michael Kors. The colour is amazing on her and you can tell she felt good and beautiful. And she’s such an incredible talent and so elegant.
Amy Adams in Tom Ford
We knew Adams was going to be wearing Tom Ford, as the leading lady in Ford’s critically acclaimed Nocturnal Animals but this wasn’t my favourite dress and I usually love Tom Ford. The cut along the bust line is weird. And it’s not that flattering. Also, it looked to me more like Armani than Tom Ford. Hopefully she nails it at the Oscars.
Nicole Kidman in Alexander McQueen
This dress was a bit much and there were a too many elements but I felt like if someone else wore it, it would have been liked. There’s obviously a lot going on but it has a very 20s vibe like during The Gilded Age (think Gatsby). The detail and beading are incredible. I also thought Kidman’s hair looked very cool, especially at the back. But that face. I can’t believe how much filler she’s had. It’s like she just bought a brand new face.
Pharrell in Chanel
Pharrell is one of those people that looks cool no matter what he wears. And this outfit, featuring select pieces from Chanel’s Pre-Fall Paris-Bombay Métiers d’Art show in 2012 (click here to see), is no exception. On him, it’s daring – and awesome. But imagine if Justin Timberlake wore the exact same thing and what a fool he’d look like?! Also, I really want that Chanel beanie. I saw Pharrell once at Hotel Americano in NY and he’s every bit as cool looking in real life as you’d think.
Donald Glover in Gucci
Glover nailed it in this light brown (“tobacco”) velvet Gucci tux with over size burgundy bow tie. It stood out well from the other well dressed gents that evening. Super retro and very cool. I need this tux and love the whole look. I may not be able to land a Gucci tux like this in the near future but I can sure try…
Mandy Moore in Naeem Khan
I thought Moore looked beautiful in this caped slightly sheer gown that I think was dark navy blue as opposed to black – notice how the colours slightly varies? It’s almost ombre. It was light and feminine, and also didn’t scream “look at me, look at me, I’m so cool and edgy.” Also, that deep v-neckline sure seemed popular. I think Moore might start to be one to watch fashion wise. And she seems likable too.
Blake Lively Atelier Versace
Unlike Moore’s gown, this does scream “look at me, look at me,” but we’ve come to expect that from Lively on the red carpet. And I actually like this Atelier Versace dress (one of the better Versace dresses of the night) but I’m not sure it’s right for her. I think on someone older, it might have worked better. Bur check out the two matching Lorraine Schwartz emerald cuffs – worth 7 million! That is fancy.
Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhuillier
At 41, Barrymore’s already Hollywood Royalty. She first attended the Golden Globes in 1983, so she knows how to work a red carpet. And she looked good! It’s not the best dress she’s ever worn but it suits her free spirit and effervescent personality. Her hair looked great and you could tell she felt confident and looked happy – which is always nice to see.
Natalie Portman in Prada
Obviously a nod to Jackie Kennedy. It reminded me of the mint green gown Jennifer Lopez wore to the Oscars in 2003 as a tribute to Jackie O (this one). I’m sure a lot of people hated this look, but I think it’s clever and I liked the hair and makeup. Also, the jewellery perfectly accented the embellishment on the dress. But she looked annoyed all night.
Sienna Miller in Michael Kors Collection
I liked the bow in her hair but I’m so over those side cutouts. They’re so done. And while I didn’t hate all the pearls like some people, it’ll felt a little obvious and cliché to balance out the sexiness of the dress by accessorizing with all those pearls.
Jessica Chastain in Prada
Not sure happened here. Normally I like Chastain on the red carpet and she’s had some pretty spectacular moments in the past, like a couple of incredible Givenchy dresses. But this dress was meant for someone else – like someone who doesn’t wear interesting dresses. And the colour is super old school and not in a good way.
Sarah Jessica Parker in Vera Wang
Not my favourite look on Parker. Something seems missing lately. Remember that quality she had on the red carpet during the Sex and the City days – there was a spark which I don’t see. And what do we think of the hair? Unfortunate or fun? I kind of love/hate it.
Reese Witherspoon in Atelier Versace
Witherspoon’s been very intent on dressing like a fundraising socialite from the South. She chosen similar dresses over the last couple of years and they all look very debutante-y. This isn’t the worst but there’s nothing unique or fresh about the design.
Hailee Steinfeld in Vera Wang
This was epically unfortunate. And Steinfeld often nails it on the red carpet. She’s usually age appropriate, cool and seems to have fun with fashion – like the short colourful Bailmain dress she wore to the MTV awards in September. But this sheer caped gown honestly looks like something Pink & Pretty Barbie would have worn in 1982.
Carrie Underwood in Iris Serban
We should be thankful for Carrie Underwood because she provided more laughs than Jimmy Fallon did in this rosette applique unfortunate number. And you can tell she’s smug and probably thinks she has amazing taste and there’s no one else that’s as unique and stylish as her. I really don’t understand how dresses like this happen? Like that sheer fabric at the front? And check out the gold platform shoes. Of course she would pick those shoes! Carry Underwood is officially more fun to watch than Heidi Klum.
Thanks for reading. And Happy New Year! Stay tuned for more red carpet recaps to come over the next couple of months.
Casey Wagar 