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Golden Globes red carpet: The best and worst fashion | Elizabeth Wellington

From Lady Gaga to Amy Adams, the best and worst of the Golden Globes red carpet

Lady Gaga arrives at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Lady Gaga arrives at the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)Read moreJordan Strauss / Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Lady Gaga’s billowing light purple Valentino Couture was indisputably the best dress of the night. But other than the A Star is Born’s look, the rest of the Golden Globe gowns were nice but pretty predictable.

Yet, it must be noted that after last year’s all-black, all-night affair, the return of metallics and saturated hues was welcomed. This year, the noir gowns were replaced with ribbons and bracelets stamped with the TIMESUPx2 that both men and women on the red carpet wore.

But back to the gowns.

There were winter pastels, lots of strong greens, sheer nudes, and sparkling metallics: Regina King, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts and Emily Blunt’s looks, respectively.

Not all the color worked well, though. Just last year yellow was considered among the most daring red carpet shades. But this year usually well-dressed actresses Claire Foy, in Miu Miu, and Rachel Brosnahan, in custom Prada, bombed in their sunshine shade.

Speaking of bombing, I had no idea what Lucy Liu or Heidi Klum was thinking in the dragging-the-carpet gowns that were strewed with one too many ill-placed appliqués.

To my utter glee, it was the men on the Golden Globes red carpet, who proved to be the evening’s most interesting dressers.

Idris Elba was the first to arrive in a forest green tux by British designer Ozwald Boateng. He simply looks great in everything. Darren Criss was daringly handsome in an interesting (to say the least) black-and-white Dior suit jacket.

Chadwick Boseman surprised in an all-silver tux (I had to rewind because I didn’t believe he’d dare strut the stage in a look that was more astronaut than A-list). But Timothee Chalamet, in the sparkling custom Louis Vuitton by Virgil Abloh harness, had the most head-turning men’s look of the evening. Seriously? Unfortunately, we kid you not.

Regina King

The best-supporting-actress nominee for film donned a custom Alberta Ferretti strapless gown, complete with sweetheart neckline, and sparkled like a rose skyscraper. King’s look was structured, but her soft curled bob added a touch of soft elegance. Beautiful, appropriate and fabulous.

Kaley Cuoco

Kaley Cuoco, obviously channeling her inner Jennifer Aniston, opted for a black-and-white color block strapless dress that, if we are honest, is something we’ve seen before. But Cuoco said her Monique Lhluillier was all about the pockets. All. About. The. Pockets.

Penélope Cruz

Halters always work. Black always works. Metallics always work. So, of course, Penélope Cruz’s princess gown by Ralph & Russo completely and totally worked.

Lady Gaga

During her interview on the red carpet with E!'s Ryan Seacrest, Lady Gaga told us — in her lilac Valentino Couture — that it was a wonderful night to celebrate art. And it was clear that this voluminous gown, with its billowing sleeves and endless train, was a work of art. But should we expect anything less from Gaga, who also stunned in Tiffany’s diamonds and a lilac streak in her now white-blond hair. Only Gaga can do Gaga.

Thandie Newton

Thandie Newton’s hair and makeup are fantastic. That’s how you wear a smokey eye. The Michael Kors dress was on trend for the colors of the night — white and metallic — but it isn’t really working. It’s very kind of angel meets scarecrow and that’s not a win.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams’ bateau, off-the-shoulder, form-fitting gown in this wonderful shade of teal was indeed appropriate. But this Calvin Klein by Appointment gown was matte and boring. I wish she had kicked it up a notch. OK, well a few notches.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones in architectural green Elie Saab was an example of how fashion as origami can work, and work very well, I might add. Loved it.

Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae’s Chanel Golden Globes look reminds me of how I would want to do vintage — if I had the patience. It appears that she’s layered a 1960s-style sheath over a ’70s sleeved gown and she’s topped it with a golden ’20s-style cloche over Princess Leia-style braids. #Mostcreative.

Debra Messing

Debra Messing told Giuliana Rancic that she knew immediately that her black Pamella Roland was her first pick. It was the only gown for her, she said. Well, I will just have to respectfully disagree here. Hated it.

Lupita Nyong’o

Clearly, Lupita Nyong’o doesn’t know how to disappoint on the red carpet. As expected, she was flawless in this strapless, twinkling head-to-toe Calvin Klein by Appointment in this striking shade of blue.

Emily Blunt

Champagne-hued + tea-length dress + Alexander McQueen = Emily Blunt in one of my absolute favorite gowns. Blunt’s stylist, Jessica Paster, confirmed that the dress was bespoke and took more than 400 hours to make. It’s ethereal look is a nod to Mary Poppins, for which Blunt was nominated for a best actress, comedy, Golden Globe.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts' look courtesy of eco-friendly designer, Stella McCartney, was one of the night’s top looks for two reasons: The top was the perfect shade of nude and she wore it over perfectly fitting cigarette pants. Any time any woman wears pants to an awards show, I’m all for it. Kill it, Julia.

Halle Berry

Every time Halle Berry wears Zuhair Murad on the red carpet, she looks exquisite. And this long-sleeved, burgundy paneled dress is no different. Talk about a perfect 10!

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy looked precious in her deep purple Reem Acra gown that overflowed with ruffles and dazzled with stars on the bodice.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson has a way of doing evil queen in a pretty way. She keeps her sassy, good girl/bad girl theme going this year in an emerald green velvet form-fitting Vera Wang gown with a deep décolletage that yells, “Bam!”

Dominique Jackson

Wearing a Marc Bouwer gown and Christian Louboutin sandals, Pose star Dominique Jackson slayed the Greek Goddess way.

Rachel Weisz

The off-the-shoudler ruffle on Rachel Weisz Celine gown gave what could be a stark color-block look a wave of cumulus elegance.

Danai Gurira

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Black Panther actress Danai Gurira in that fiery Rodarte that was truly fiyah.