Golden Globes 2009: Red Carpet Fashion Commentary

When it comes to major red carpet events, Beyonce Knowles never disappoints.

While some celebrities go for an understated “oh, this old thing?” look, Beyonce is always there in something shimmery, cut up here and down there and accessorised with the sparkliest jewellery known to man. And boy, does she work it well. Ok, her boobs could use a little more breathing room but the shape of her dress is so flattering and her necklace so downright gorgeous that all is forgiven.

Ditto Eva Mendes and the tucked-in table cloth at her waist: her necklace is just so divine it cancels out the rest (see some close up shots of the necklace in our Golden Globes After-Party photo selection).

Joining Eva in white (and the world of unnecessarily ruffles) were Salma Hayek and Sandra Bullock. Salma went for a structured bodice to show off her lovely neat waist (and ever heaving cleavage) while Sandra went for a more relaxed fit and looked fresh and gorgeous.

Navy(ish) was - unusually - also a popular choice on the red carpet, especially among the younger-but-super-talented stars like Anne Hathaway and Anna Paquin.

Rachel Getting Married nominee Anne went for a classic gown shape - fitted sparkly bodice flowing out into a lovely floaty skirt - while Anna, who picked up a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama TV Series (for True Blood), went for a softer, almost purply tone in a neater, more modern shape - which suited her down to the ground.

This year was a good year for age-appropriate dresses for young stars - so often they end up in styles that would better suit their mums - but as well as Anna’s gorgeous gown, Heroes Hayden Panettiere scored herself a lovely (albeit boob-squishing) number in a similar purply-navy colour; Rumer Willis, who may very well be on stilts in this picture, went for a gorgeous shade of full-on purple; and while Evan Rachel Wood has lost her main goth accessory (Marilyn Manson), she managed to combine her old funeral look with lots of flesh and a fab new hair colour to look glam and sexy.

Sticking with safe black, Amy Adams went for sparkly ruffles, Tina Fey went sexy low-cut - and Renee Zellweger went no-cut! The Bridget Jones star’s gown had a sheer top over a flesh-coloured bodice, making it look like she was missing her nipples and generally a bit weird. Short hair really suits her though.

On the other hand, Jennifer Lopez seemed adamant to showing off as much flesh as possible - her dress was backless and practically frontless - and you have to wonder if they used the entire world’s supply of boob tape to keep those things in place - both the dress and rumoured-to-be-leaving-her husband Marc Anthony.

In comparison, Megan Fox looks demure and covered up - but how gorgeous is her figure? Perhaps she stole Penelope Cruz‘ curves - the latter lady looked very straight up and down in her gown.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s blue leopard print gown did nothing for her cute figure but for some reason, she can pull off just about anything on the red carpet.

Mary Louise Parker’s gown was way more flattering - hinting at curves that might not really be there but should be - and her hair and make-up are gorgeously natural. Drew Barrymore on the other hand went big and bouncy for her ‘do - but coupled with the baby blue gown, it really worked (also, LOVE the red clutch.)

Drew should have given some colour tips to her BFF Cameron Diaz. Cameron, who presented Kate Winslet with her Best Actress award, managed to pick a garishly pink gown that clashed with everything - from the carpet, to her lipstick, even her skin colour.

Eva Longoria-Parker managed a bit better with a strong colour but the gown was strangely smooth (has Botox made the leap from celebrity faces to handbags to dresses now?). Laura Linney though scored a dress with a perfect combination of colour and cut - the gorgeously soft buttery yellow gown contrasts perfectly with the sparkly belt - just wonderful.