Lively in Red
It wouldn’t be Blake Lively if she didn’t have everything on display at all times. The Gossip Girl star wore another Versace, not very different from her Met Gala number—bold color, boobs out, thigh-high slit. Yawn. Obviously, she has a great body, but really, try something new. And that clip-on ponytail doesn’t count!
Pretty in Pink
We are so relieved Drew Barrymore decided to go gorgeous rather than the punk roller-derby thing she’s been sporting lately for Whip It. The blush-pink Monique Lhuillier gown is beautiful, and she highlights this by skipping the sparkly, distracting jewelry. It’s pretty, feminine, charming and everything we expect from Drew.
Busy Babe
There's so much going on with Christina Applegate's deep-blue Basil Soda gown, we don't know where to start. Between the draped shoulder, sheer-paneled bodice, glittery details and train, the whole thing is overworked, not at all flattering and doesn't do justice to this gorgeous lady.
Sparkle Motion
Disco-ball dresses are OK in certain situations, like...Vegas? And on top of the sparkle overload, Kristin Chenoweth’s little Zuhair Murad number is also a bit informal for the Emmys and completely sheer (gasp!) along the sides. Thing is, the pint-size actress’s personality is so vibrant that it all works. We’re even going to give her a pass on the bad shoes. An Emmy and a Fashion Police pardon in one night? Lucky lady.
Red-Not Mama
Debra Messing usually pulls out all the stops for the Emmys—we expect to see the actress don something fabulous, unique or at least interesting for TV's big night. But this simple, single-shoulder Michael Kors gown is pretty uninspiring. No doubt Deb's got grace, but this year there's no will to really bring it on the carpet.
Silver Belle
There's good reason Kate Walsh is beaming in her pale J. Mendel strapless gown: The soft draping and delicate fabric create an ethereal effect, as if she's just gliding by like a beautiful goddess—and that pretty much guarantees success on the red carpet. Well done, babe.
All Dolled Up
In typical Leighton Meester fashion, the young starlet tries to be daring with her couture choices but comes off like she's trying too hard. The puffy straps on this chiffon Bottega Veneta gown are puzzling, while the stiff pose makes her look like a mannequin. Creepy.
Forever Old
Oh look, it's Grandma Hayden Panettiere. We really wonder sometimes if Hayden knows how old she is. If the 20-year-old's not dating much older men then she's wearing boring J. Mendel gowns with equally uninspiring updos and clown makeup. We'd just like to see her lighten up and have some fun in between saving the whales.
Moving Forward
Playing a 1960s housewife on Mad Men who wears classic vintage dresses all day must make January Jones just want to go crazy with the modern fashion. And she chose the perfect gown to do so. With the cutout bodice paired with the curve-hugging skirt, the Versace creation is all kinds of fashion-forward. It almost looks like something Beyoncé wishes she'd gotten her hands on first, but we much prefer seeing January rock it.
Stopped Short
Talk about underdressed! Mary-Louise Parker looks like she's heading to a cocktail party in this purple, single-shoulder Zac Posen minidress, not a major awards show. Not only is it lacking glitz or glamour, but the bow makes no sense and the messy updo isn't helping, either. That's 0-2 for MLP at the Emmys.
Tulle Show
We need more tulle! Just keep piling it on! No, it doesn’t matter if it’s all the same length! That’s how we imagine the conversation went when Mila Kunis was picking out this Monique Lhuillier concoction. It looks like it was made for someone 6 inches either taller or shorter than the Family Guy voice actress. What we really don’t get is why, given the tulle mess already going on, she just didn’t cut the hem so it didn’t look so awkward with her pumps. Another unsolved red carpet mystery.
Ice Princess
Olivia Wilde hasn't been working the red carpet long, but she's
already made a big impression with her dramatic confections. The House star is gorgeous in a tiered Marchesa gown with appliquéd bodice. So the sheer panel is a bit ice-dancer, but who notices that when Olivia looks so stunning?
Next Gallery—2009 Emmys: Big Moments