Reflections of an Optimist: January 2012

It's almost two weeks post Golden Globes, but never late than never. Here is my recap of the best and worst dressed on the Red Carpet. I joined my fellow award show loving friend Mike to critique the fashion and see who would take home the golden statues this year. We ordered pizza and drank some delicious pear cocktails. The Golden Globes are always a fun awards show for fashion because the actors usually go for edgier looks than the more formal Oscars. This year didn't disappoint, and there were several "OMG I love it" dresses and many "Oh no, what was she thinking?!" ones.

I'll start with my favorites - in no particular order:

Charlize Theron- Dior Couture

I just love everything about this dress. Not everyone can pull off this light pink/champagne color, but Charlize has the right skin tone to pull it off. She's seriously one of the most beautiful women alive, so a trash bag would look great on her. The sillohuette of the dress is so elegant with the high slit and long train. And the bow to the side complements the slit really well. The deep V is hard to pull off, but it works on her. Headbands were really "in" this year and where I didn't like them on a lot of others, it works with this dress. And the messy side bun is perfect for the look. All and all, my favorite of the night.

Jessica Alba - Gucci

Um, how did you just have a baby 5 months ago Jessica and look like this?!? She looked radiant in this lavendar Gucci gown. I LOVE the intricate beading and the flowing train. A great updo for this dress as well.

Viola Davis - Emilio Pucci

One shoulder dresses seemed to be a big trend, and Viola looked stunning in this crimson Emilio Pucci gown. It's the perfect fit for her, and she was showing off some leg! I love the small pleats and flowing fabric. Sometimes you forget how young and gorgeous Viola is because of the roles she plays. As Abilene in The Help (one of my favorite movies of the year) she was playing a women much older than herself. She gave such an excellent performance as always, and I was hoping she'd win Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. She had some tough competition though, and when Meryl Streep is in the running it's hard to win!

Sofia Vergara - Vera Wang

Fish tailed dresses were another big trend on the Red Carpet. I love how the material changes at the waist. Sophia rocked this dress (she could also rock a trash bag) and the blue color is beautiful on her.

Evan Rachel Wood - Gucci

This is so edgy and different - I love it! I wonder how many birds went into the making of this gown.

Sarah Michele Gellar - Monique Lhullier

At first glance I didn't like this at all. But then it grew on me. The tie-dye look strangely works with the gown. And it's adorable that she said she picked it because her 2 year daughter liked it the best. It made it on a lot of "worst-dressed lists" but I'm going to go the other way. It's bold and different, and she rocked it. The only thing I would change is the hair. The high ponytail wasn't the best choice, I would have worn it down. And PS - her new show Ringer is actually really good! Glad to have Buffy back on TV!

Kate Winslet - Jenny Packham

I love Kate. She looks classy and sophisticated always. This dress is no exception. I love black and white dresses, and this has such great details and shape. And congrats to her on her Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a TV Mini-series!

Now for the "what were you thinking" dresses of the night. I won't go into detail on these, I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Zooey Deschanel - Prada and Van Cleef and Arpels