The 69th Annual Golden Globes: Best of The Best Dressed – Reese Witherspoon, Claire Danes, Madonna, Sofia Vergara and More!

Awards shows are about 3 things:

1. Seeing what movies, music, and TV shows won the hearts of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
2. Seeing what funny (and sometimes twisted) jokes the awards show host(s) can come up with
3. Seeing what glamorous gowns the fashionable celebrities strut down the red carpet.

For my awards show posts over the years, I’ve focused on trends in fashion for awards show season and red carpet events alike among celebrities. This year, however, I was pleasantly surprised that before noticing trends like less jewelry, navy colors, and metallic touches, above all I noticed that celebrities were striving to be unique and risk-taking with their gowns. Yes, they have done this in the past. So what was so different about this season? The truth is, that while these celebs tried hard to do something different, they also kept the glamour factor intact. And we certainly can’t say that about the risk-taking gowns of the past.

Best Dressed – Most Unique Gowns

In my opinion, the celebs that deserve the best dressed nods were the ones that looked great but made a statement doing it. We’ve seen enough red mermaid gowns and white beaded gowns in our day. The ones who made an impact, at least for me (and I’m hoping for all of you, too) are the ones that stood out because they were unique, innovative, creative, and still as beautiful as ever. I’m certain you guys aren’t going to agree with many of my choices, but so what? The fact that these celebs caught our eye is a statement enough in itself.

There’s just something so amazing about Tilda Swinton and the way she mixes masculine and feminine but makes sure every piece on her body is fitted to a T.  The blazer, skirt color is glamorous, the color is glamorous, and Tilda Swinton has done it again.

Can we say Zooey Deschanel does it again? No, we really can’t because she hasn’t done it before. But she HAS really done it this time! There’s just something so unique about this Prada wonder that it makes heads turn.  And yet, it’s not frou frou or overdone. The black satin dress has black and emerald glass pearls on the bodice to give it some sass. Plus, the pearl collar is to die for.  Also, liking the 60s hairdo, because it compliments the look and still makes her look young and fresh.  As does Zooey’s tuxedo manicure which is so fun and fashion-y!

I’m typically used to seeing Claire Danes in Calvin Klein column gowns, so it was nice to see her go out-of-the-box…just a little.  Love the little black embellishments and the open back (not pictured here!)

In a night of never ending ball gowns, jewel tones, and strapless tops, Michelle Williams chose to hone glamour in a different way.  She wore a 20s-era navy Jason Wu dress with a print and sleeves! Conservative chic never looked so good.  Love the Forevermark headband too.

I remember seeing this dress on Monique Lhuillier’s Spring 2012 runway during New York Fashion Week and thinking that’s such a great gown, who’s going to be the first celeb to wear it on the red carpet.  Well, didn’t think that first celeb would be Sarah Michelle Gellar, but she made it work! Love the tie-dye detail. Still wondering why Mrs Gellar has her hair blonde…

This is a great example of a celeb taking an haute couture gown and making it her own. I don’t think I could see another celeb owning this dress the way Salma owns it on the red carpet.  I think she makes it look better than it would on a model on the runway.  Liking the pleats and the pattern on top.

Funny enough, this soon-to-be bride didn’t wear an engagement ring on her finger, but she sure does look like  she’s wearing a wedding gown.  Doesn’t matter! Kudos to Jessica Biel for looking better and better every time we see her! The color doesn’t really do it for you on this gown, but those embellished shoulders certainly do!

It was the color that sold me on this dress! Also the sequins and the short sleeves…Not to mention the designer is actually someone we haven’t heard of…YET!

I was going to put this in the “blue category” but I do love the structure of this slightly architectural J. Mendel gown.

The detailing on this dress is just divine and Morena Baccarin look stunning!

I did a double take when I saw Ariel Winter in this beautiful purple gown.  Yes, this IS the nerdy middle sister Alex from Modern Family. Wow, does she look amazing…and still dressed cute and appropriately for her age.  The purple ballerina look really does it for her!

Breakout Yellow

A new and unique trend came to the red carpet this season in the form of (not so mellow) yellow! We knew it was coming, but it was the unlikely stars and the way they wore the canary color that really made it pop! Take a look at these breathtaking numbers.

Va-va-voom!

Of course, we’re going to add red to this category, but we’ve also got to pay tribute to the girls who infused Old Hollywood back into the red carpet mix.  Debra Messing and Julianne Moore (to name a few) really sold it for me even though they wore black!)

A lot of people didn’t like this dress, but there was certainly something about it that made it stand out. The fire effect of the bodice (it looks like a flame doesn’t it?) and the laser cut detailing certainly sold it for me. I think it was a winning choice for the Glee star.

Reese Witherspoon, glamorous as always, but in a color we’re not used to seeing from the typically classic star.  She wows in red!

I know I say every year that Tina Fey just keeps getting better and better, but she certainly does! We know you’re not a style star, Tina, but you certainly dress like one!

Like Witherspoon, Kate Beckinsale never fails to impress. She does it again–here in a classic Old Hollywood strapless from Roberto Cavalli. She’s the only one I know thus far that wore Cavalli to the event, and it fits her perfectly.

Charlize Theron, always looking flawless and still risk-taking with the short, tiered bubble hem and train and the low-cut neckline.

Harper’s Bazaar’s Derek Blasberg tweeted that Angelina Jolie has single handedly made it cool to match a clutch to a dress and she did, matching her ruby red bag to the top collar of this asymmetrical Atelier Versace stunner.

Back in black! Debra Messing and Julianne Moore both wear glamorous black gowns that fit them perfectly!

And of course, the gown that had everyone gawking! Lea Michele worked the room clad in body-hugging Marchesa from Spring 2012. We’re not sure how she got this one on but it certainly got EVERYONE talking!

All Shades of Blue

Or is this purple? Regardless, the color is gorgeous, and the bodice fits her perfectly. Enough said!

Not liking her gray hair (her mother hates it, too!) and the fit on top isn’t exactly right but I do love the exaggerated shoulders and especially, the color. I guess you would call it teal? Nice job, Kelly!

Peacock blue never looked so good…as it does on Freida Pinto who wears a ” peacock blue strapless silk cloque gown by Prada”, according to Instyle.com

These ladies both look elegant and so refined in royal blue.  This is how you should be dressing, girls! Take it from these grand dames, style doesn’t always come with age, but it does come with experience! Other stars wearing blue include Jenna Dewan in turquoise, Jodie Foster in sequined pastel, and Elizabeth McGovern in a black bodice and blue ball gown skirt. Then of course there was the effervescent and gorgeous…

This is mermaid gown at it’s finest and it hits the Modern Family actress in all the right places.  With a curvy, beautiful body like hers, the perfect dress is key and it looks like we’ve found a winner! Photos: People.com, Instyle.com, ABC.com –Simona Kogan