The 2013 [Fill in the Blank] Film Awards

I stumbled across part of the broadcast of the Critics’ Choice Awards last night, and for a few minutes I was confused because I knew that the Golden Globes were scheduled for this weekend. Eventually I realized that this was a completely different awards ceremony, and it suddenly struck me how many annual movie awards and awards presentations there are. No wonder the stars have so much trouble coming up with appropriate outfits – in a good year, they could be attending nearly a dozen red carpet events within ten weeks! Just look at this award schedule:

Satellite Awards (International Press Academy) – December 16National Society of Film Critics Awards – January 5Critics’ Choice Awards – January 10Golden Globes (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) – January 13Producers’ Guild Awards – January 26Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) Awards – January 27Directors’ Guild Awards – February 2BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards – February 10Writers’ Guild Awards – February 17Independent Spirit Awards – February 23Academy Awards (Oscars) – February 24

And this list doesn’t even include some of the more limited awards and ceremonies, like the African American Film Critics Association (December 16), the Annie (Animated Feature) Awards (February 2), the Boston Society of Film Critics (December 9), the Florida Film Critics Circle (December 18), the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (December 9), and the Women Film Critics Circle (December 22).

As an example of what actresses (and to a lesser extent, actors) have to go through during the awards season, let’s look at last year’s Best Actress Oscar winner, Meryl Streep, and Best Supporting Actress, Octavia Spencer. These two provide contrasting examples of an experienced, established Hollywood legend and a new, rising star. Because it sets the bar, let’s begin with their Oscar night dresses:

Both gowns are elegant, glamorous, flattering, and age-appropriate, with tastefully understated hair and makeup and minimal accessories. They both did it right on the Big Day.

 

Now, let’s go through several examples of their other big red carpet appearances.

BAFTA:

Streep has - appropriately enough - a touch of the Iron Lady with her classically upswept hair, regal train, and sexy/demure corset-and-jacket combo, while Spencer goes a bit overly casual in a crisp white shirt and feathery long skirt. They both look lovely, yet somewhat out of character and even a bit out of place.

 

 

Golden Globes:

Streep took a big fashion misstep at the Globes with a cowboy-styled gown with pockets (!?! yes, POCKETS) while Spencer hit a home run with a flattering ruched lavender gown with just the right touch of bling.

Screen Actors Guild:

Streep opted for a quirky yet stylish and flattering draped and belted grey number while Spencer hit it out of the park once again in a sparkly, demure Grecian gown.

And a few of the smaller, less formal awards:

 

The New York Film Critics Circle - Apparently Streep was late because she looks like she had just gotten off the bus and hadn't even had a chance to take off her coat or put down her bag.

the Writers Guild Awards - Spencer dazzles again with a lace underlay covered by champagne draping.

 

 Women in Film - It's not clear whether Streep was receiving an award or taking meeting minutes.

 

The NAACP Image Awards - Spencer finally broke out of her subtle neutral/pastel colors with this vibrant turquoise satin gown.

After realizing the pressure they must be under to come up with that many fancy, flattering, and appropriate outfits within a very short time, I am somewhat inclined to cut them a bit of slack in my fashion critiques.

But don’t worry, I expect I’ll be over it by this weekend’s Golden Globe broadcast (and, of course, the succeeding fashion blog)!