Golden Globes 2014: The Best and Worst Dressed

As much as we love Aubrey Plaza, this strapless purple colorblocked number from Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Fall 2014 collection isn’t her best showing. As for the coordinating watercolor pumps and pink clutch? While pretty accents separately, they seem a little too matchy-matchy here.

Admittedly, this isn’t a horrible gown, but Sarah Hyland’s coral-hued Georges Hobeika gown was a little too cotton-candy sweet for our taste. With that said — big props to her braid crown, which the star said was inspired by the Valentino runway.

Oh, Lena, yellow is your color, girl! The Girls star chose a Zac Posen gown for the occasion, and despite the sunny hue, the strapless corseted gown — complete with fishtail hem — is probably one of the sexiest dresses we’ve ever seen her wear. Are you a fan?

Mad Men actress Elisabeth Moss wore a brown and black-sequined J. Mendel gown with slightly mussed-up hair and triangle drop earrings. According to Moss,”this is my personal best.” We couldn’t agree more.

We’re loving Amy Adams’ Valentino Haute Couture look. She definitely took some styling cues from her American Hustle alter ego — deep-plunging front, long pendant necklace, halter dress, and all.

They’re here — and they look gorgeous. While Tina Fey went the glamorous route in a strapless floral-printed custom Carolina Herrera gown, Amy Poehler struck a sexier note with a form-fitted black Stella McCartney gown. Needless to say, the hosts are already off to a stylish start.

The couple that wears Tom Ford together, stays together — a point well illustrated by Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber. Yes, he looks unbelievably dapper, but can we just take a moment to bow down to Naomi’s shimmery number? Gorgeous.

This one’s a toss up. Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke selected a sculptural lace-covered custom Proenza Schouler gown. The all-over texture was more of a distraction than anything else, and it made the sexy front slit and sweetheart neckline almost unnoticeable.

Margot Robbie, the breakout star of The Wolf of Wall Street, looked every bit the Hollywood movie star in a white, V-front Gucci gown, which featured a seriously sexy leg slit and silver lining along the bodice.

Scandal starlet Kerry Washington wore custom Balenciaga on the red carpet, showcasing her baby bump via cutaway layering. There’s nothing that we can fault here.

At first glance, we weren’t so bothered by Nashville’s Hayden Panettiere’s black-and-white Tom Ford gown. But upon further review, something just isn’t working here. The stark graphic shapes and floral pendant at the neckline are almost too Art Deco campy.

Cate Blanchett is like a fine red wine — she just gets better and better with age and time. While some may not be crazy about the high-necked embroidery on her Armani Privé gown, no one can argue with how elegant she makes even the sheerest of gowns. Word to the wise: make sure you check out this gown from the back, too.

Emma Watson appeared more covered up than usual in this red floor-length gown by Christian Dior Couture. But here’s why we’re not totally writing off this less-than-exciting choice: the British starlet showed off her back via a generous cutout and… are those black pants we see peeking through the front slit? Sure, it’s not Watson’s best, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

All things considered — those things being this — Zosia Mamet nailed it in this floral-embroidered Reem Acra number. Her sleek bob and hoop earrings supplied a little edge to an otherwise low-key, albeit chic, look.

Dang. Reese Witherspoon — and Calvin Klein Collection — just sold us on the color teal. She also just sold us on the fact that you really don’t need much to impress. The blonde starlet went minimalist with her accessories as well, toting only a black lacquered box clutch and wearing a diamond bracelet.

While Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara never looks bad (it’s basically impossible), this full-skirted look by Zac Posen goes against everything we love about her style. Translation: where’s the sexy mermaid silhouette, Sofia? And truth be told, we’re just not huge fans of the drastic contrast between the bold turquoise necklace and black ball gown.

Surprise, surprise! Jennifer Lawrence wore Christian Dior Couture and, well, the jury’s out on whether this look is a hit or miss. Her strapless white gown, contrasted throughout with simple black bands, gave way to a light and airy tulle hem. To finish, she accessorized the look with a dark lip, emerald drop earrings, black-and-white diamond bracelets, and a black clutch.

The 12 Years A Slave actress and Supporting Actress nominee turned heads as a bona fide “lady in red” — Ralph Lauren red, that is. Her off-the-shoulder turned cape-esque gown was a stunning choice, and she kept the eye-catching color theme going with a slick gold clutch. We’re feeling extra good about tonight’s look because, well, we predicted she’d wear it!

Source: goldenglobes/Twitter

Julia Roberts confused us with this oxford shirt-under-black strapless gown combination by Dolce & Gabbana. Julia, you’re so much better than this! Was this supposed to be business casual? Black-tie formal? At the very least, it was a supremely disappointing fashion choice.

Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery looked regal in a gold-embroidered champagne-colored Oscar de la Renta gown, which hit just above her ankles to show off a pair of soft gold pumps.

There’s a good chance Zoe Saldana gets panned for wearing this busier-than-busy Prabal Gurung dress, but if anyone is going to do right by this fashion-forward number, it’s Zoe. Jeweled embroidery, off-the-shoulder straps, sheer hemline, and bow-lined corset considered, it’s a lot to take in but a bold choice all the same.

Taylor Swift chose a cherry red-and-black Carolina Herrera strapless gown, which fit her like a princess-worthy glove. And, of course, no Taylor Swift look would be complete without an Old Hollywood updo and red lip.

So… maybe Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber have some competition after all. Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves, both clad in Dolce & Gabbana, looked every bit the stunning couple. Between his velvet blazer and her head-to-toe black sparkle, this is how red carpet royalty is done.

Amber Heard is a beautiful woman, but this asymmetrical-strapped, slit-up-to-there Atelier Versace blue gown was not a great look for her. We were too worried about seeing too much to really enjoy her sexier dress selection.

Robin Wright went for simple and sexy in this Reem Acra gown — and well, we can’t stop staring at her seriously enviable arms.

Prabal Gurung gave Zoe Saldana the details, and to Sandra Bullock, he gave fun pops of color. The dress, which featured slices of cotton candy pink, baby blue, and black, was a surprising pick, but nevertheless, one that she pulled off effortlessly. Her laid-back ponytail and peep-toe pumps were the perfect unassuming accents to add to the bolder dress at hand.

Jessica Chastain struck a pose in a black statuesque Givenchy gown, custom made for her by Riccardo Tisci. As is Chastain’s red-carpet M.O., this dress was sculpted, body-hugging, understated, but always, always glamorous. The only thing we’d change is the hair, nothing else.

We love Drew Barrymore, but let’s be honest — pregnancy or no pregnancy — this floral appliqué Monique Lhuillier gown is just not her best look. We would have much preferred something with less whimsy and a little more shape.

Julianna Margulies stepped out in a black cap-sleeved Andrew Gn gown, complete with gold branch embroidery at the sleeves and hem and a deep-V front. Sexy and elegant have never looked so good.

Olivia Wilde was a sight to behold in glittering green Gucci Première. The expecting actress showed off her growing belly in a body-conscious, long-sleeved gown, adding only natural waves, a silver tube clutch, and that stunner of an engagement ring to the mix.

The newly-engaged Emma Roberts went the siren route in a black floor-length custom Lanvin gown that featured a slightly scalloped neckline and dramatic trumpet hemline. As if that weren’t enough on the jaw-dropping front, she wore bright blue chandelier earrings for a spot of color.

Given that Girls’ Allison Williams goes for classic American designers, this black-and-white Alexander McQueen number was a welcome surprise. She worked the graphic print with slick straight hair, smokey eyes, and nary an accessory in sight.

Mila Kunis can be very “hit or miss” on the red carpet, but there’s no way this one was a miss. She was a vision in this pale grey-silver Gucci Première halter gown.

Bear with us while we get this out of our system: “green is the new black!” Okay, now that that’s been said, Taylor Schilling opted to wear a simple lace-trimmed custom-made Thakoon gown in a bright shade of green. We commend her on going the colorful route in the face of so many black, silver, gold, and neutral-toned gowns.

Kate Beckinsale shined bright in a silver sculptural Zuhair Murad gown. We don’t know what to like more: her flawless skin, her form-fitting gown, the unapologetic robot silver sheen, or those ridiculously stunning diamond stud earrings.

For Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s second outfit change, both women went with body-con gowns. Fey’s deep burgundy red gown proved glamorous, thanks to the heavily embellished neckline, while Poehler’s sportier forest green number featured sparkly details down both sides.

Paula Patton’s Stéphane Rolland Couture gown in one word: “what?” The over-the-top ruffles were not fashion forward — they were just really, really distracting.

Something about Uma Thurman’s black halter-necked Atelier Versace gown just doesn’t bode well — is it the fact that it is slightly reminiscent of an ice dancer’s uniform? Don’t get us wrong, Uma is a stunning human being but the silhouette and all-over sequin swirls were a little juvenile in execution.

Julie Bowen chose a Carolina Herrera mermaid gown, tinged in colorblocked shades of plum and red. The unexpected element of velvet, structured cap sleeves, and slick cummerbund-like belt worked together in the best way possible, don’t you think?

Melissa McCarthy’s custom black dress isn’t anything to write home about — what exactly is that long, singular silver sequin vertical stripe? — but she really pulled the look together with some serious gold-accented bling.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus kept it bright and oh-so-right in an orange-ish red Narciso Rodriguez gown. The double nominee for Veep and Enough Said let the color speak for itself, pairing the look with understated gold Fred Leighton jewelry and pulled-back hair.

Laura Dern turned up the heat in a svelte sequin and jewel-covered Roberto Cavalli gown, wow. Big bombshell waves were the only other “accessory” she needed to make her Golden Globes entrance.

Who would have thought a tropical motif would look so elegant? Rashida Jones wore a sweet — but totally appropriate — Fausto Puglisi white dress with Ana Khouri jewels, and of course, she still holds court as one of our top girl crushes.

And the best-dressed couple competition keeps going. Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum were more than a little unreal looking — him a classic suit and tie and her in a black embroidered Roberto Cavalli gown and Irene Neuwirth earrings.

Kate Mara is capable of so much more fashion greatness than this. The wind-blown blonde hair and ice gray J. Mendel gown washed her out instead of giving her a glamorous glow.

We hate that we’re not absolutely in love with what Emma Stone is wearing, but this Chanel get-up isn’t doing her any favors. Blame it on the boxy fit of the top and the front-split skirt that looked like it was kind of falling off, but this wasn’t full-throttle Emma Stone fashionista.

For their third and final outfit change, the hostesses with the most donned another round of floor-length gowns. Wine and champagne glass accessories aside, Tina Fey chose a rose pink strapless gown and Amy Poehler wore a black column gown with subtle white trimming peeking out at the neckline.

There’s red done right (ahem, Lupita Nyong’o) and then there’s red done this way. While Bérénice Bejo’s sleek bun and red lip are beautiful, her Giambattista Valli Couture gown — namely, those overbearing floral embellishments — didn’t do anything to enhance her natural beauty.

Maybe it was the choker necklace, but Heidi Klum’s gauzy black-and-white Marchesa gown seemed out of place and slightly age inappropriate. Is that even a “thing” in Hollywood? In any case, the supermodel “misplaced” the best part of this floral gown: the romance.

Helen Mirren never disappoints, and this bright seafoam green gown — a bespoke Jenny Packham gown nonetheless — is evidence that the Dame’s still got it.

This could have been a great red-carpet moment for Kaley Cuoco; instead, this floral corset gown by Rani Zakhem Couture fell flat. It was a lot of look with not a lot of look to back it up. Her limp hair and intense green eye shadow didn’t help things at all.