The best and the worst of it: Golden Globes 2011

 

Another Golden Globes has passed and I have to say this year’s show was a bit lackluster for me. I don’t know if this was because of Ricky Gervais’ caustic repertoire, Robert Deniro’s bizarre acceptance speech, Angelina’s disinterested and haughty looks, or simply because this year I’m putting two of my favorite ladies on my worst dress list. I’ll go with the latter as my reason for the show falling flat, and will continue to focus this article on who I think got it right and wrong in this year’s Globes’ fashion.

There do seem to be some themes that prevail in my selection of the best and worst dressed. The best on my list all graced the red carpet with sophistication, donning dresses that were not only showstoppers but looked like they were constructed specifically for their bodies and their personalities alone. The winners all also had incredible hair and make-up; we’re talking old-school glamour with lots of liquid liner, lavish lashes, RED lips, classic chignons and/or sleek, sculpted curls. They all also deserve praise for their carefully edited selection of jewels and accessories that they paired with their dresses; not a one was overdone. Unfortunately many on the “worst” portion of my list looked like they knew they would be featured in articles like this one, as the theme that was consistent among them was simply “too much” and this “too” applied to everything from the dress to the hair; see details below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Five Best (plus some honorable mentions):

1. Olivia Wilde. This Marchesa gown was truly perfection with its chocolaty degrade and absolutely stunning cascade of jeweled beading.
2. Emma Stone. Calvin Klein Collection got it right more than once last night (see honorable mentions) with this incredibly simple yet elegant long and lean look.
3. Anne Hathaway. This Armani Privé dress not only screamed modern elegance but also had the perfect amount of sex appeal, built for a back like Anne’s.
4. Catherine Zeta Jones. Regal comes to mind when looking for the words to describe the stunning emerald green gown by Monique Lhuillier. And don’t even get me started on those incredible jewels by Van Cleef…
5. Nicole Kidman. This beaded creamy white dress by Prada fit Nicole like a glove both in body and in spirit, while being both appropriate and breathtaking at the same time.

Honorable mentions, because keeping this list to 5 forced me to leave out some stunners: Eva Longoria in Zac Posen, Clare Danes in Calvin Klein, Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad, Halle Berry in Nina Ricci, Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab and Melissa Leo.

Top Five Worst:

1. January Jones. Dear Versace, loved the color and the fringe. Dear January, your reputation is hanging on by a thread so let’s leave a little to the imagination next time.
2. Michelle Williams. I expected more from you Valentino, as this look on Michelle is just SO SAD. I hardly know where I would begin…
3. Natalie Portman. I get it and I wish it worked Viktor & Rolf but it just fell short, as the rose is too big – a third breast if you will. And Natalie, next time ask a stylist (a good one) before you leave the house with the absolute wrong and most unnecessary necklace around your neck.
4. Sandra Bullock. Just simply TOO, too much – all of it. As much as it pains me to write this about Sandy, the dress by Jenny Peckham had a ton of excess tulle and beading. And will someone please give her bangs a proper haircut?
5. Julianne Moore. This ill-fitting Lanvin dress was truly my biggest disappointment as I am one of this beauty’s biggest fans. Whoever thought this gigantic shoulder suspended by necklace was at all flattering should most definitely be fired – period.