The 2024 Golden Globes Red Carpet Review

I did not watch the Golden Globes this year, but any of you who read my blog know that never stops me from posting a red carpet review. So, without further ado, I give you: The Hits and Misses of the 2024 Golden Globes Red Carpet!

The majority of dresses fell into one of three categories: metallics, bright colors, and mostly-black. I'll start with the metallics.  

I love Quinta Brunson's metallic pale gold column. The angled halter top with narrow sheer band running down the sides as well as the top and bottom gives just a hint of Art Deco style. It's simple, it's elegant, and it suits her.

Emma Stone's pale gold gown was a little less successful, in my opinion. The color doesn't particularly flatter her, and the whole bodice seems cut a little too low, making it look droopy and poorly fitted. Slightly higher cut armholes (fun fact: the technical term is "armscye," pronounced "arms eye") might have helped. I do love the line of the skirt, with its flared front slit and short train. So not terrible, but not her best look. 

Also in the "fine but not great" category is America Ferrara, in a silver fitted sheath with straight across bodice and narrow spaghetti straps. I love the wide placement of the straps and the perfectly floor-skimming hem, and the overall silhouette is fabulous, but the bodice seems just a hair too tight, and the lumpy flowers look uncomfortable and...well, lumpy. Her flippy hair is adorable, though, and her makeup is fresh and not overdone. 

I'm less of a fan of Julia Garner's sequined silver column with its "overgrown suspenders" style bodice. It's just not flattering on anyone, and unless your double-sided tape is working overtime, you can't move freely without fear of a wardrobe malfunction. The skirt is nicely tailored, with another perfectly floor-skimming hem, but I'd prefer a different bodice style on her. 

At the other end of the spectrum is the luminous Emily Blunt, in an absolutely fabulous gown with metallic gold detailing on the bodice and upper skirt with a full, sheer white, floor-length skirt. I might not have chosen a silver necklace with the gold dress (although it was a lovely piece, and I appreciated that it wasn't the standard diamond necklace), but her diamond cuff was spectacular and her simple slicked-back chignon with just a few wisps peeping out was just right. *Chef's kiss!*

Issa Rae's Art Deco beaded column was a more intense shade of gold that was lovely with her coloring. It had long fitted sleeves, a simple jewel neckline, and a short slit at the back. I love the pattern and the simplicity, but I feel like it needed some visual interest at the neckline or in her hair to pull the viewer's eye up to her face. Perhaps a slightly scooped or shallow v-neck with a simple necklace might have helped. But still, a lovely look. 

Elizabeth Debicki looked terribly washed out and droopy in her metallic A-line gown. I like that the bodice is fitted but not a corset, but the combination of the low neckline, fitted to the hip bodice, and too-long hem make it look like the straps need to be shortened for it to fit properly. Her limp hair and pale makeup are not flattering, either. This look was so close, but didn't quite work. Shorten those straps, add a brighter lip and a more interesting hairstyle, and this look would have been much better on her. 

A look I want to love but just can't is Christine Ricci's sheer lace gown. There's something weird going on with her boobs; I'm not sure if the lace overlay is too tight, if she's wearing a funky undergarment, or if she needs an undergarment, but something is making white circles on her chest and it's not a good look. The jewel neckline and wide-cut armholes are also a little boring, but from the waist down it's a great look, clinging to the hip but flaring into a train at the back. The large black clutch is great with her black pageboy hairstyle.

Kate Beckinsale's look is just a bit much for me. The top is a silver sequined sleeveless leotard with mock turtleneck and hotpants-cut bottoms, with a sheer silver overlay skirt with a full peplum at the back and a long side train, plus a coordinating giant pouf on one shoulder. While I appreciate that the pouf gives visual balance to the train, there are just too many details here. Lose the peplum, shrink down both the pouf and the train, and make the hotpants into more of an angled hip-hugger cut, and I'd like this look much better. But keep the wide diamond cuffs that are worn just below the elbow, because those are fabulous. 
 

There were also quite a few very brightly colored dresses in a whole rainbow of hues, rather than just the reds and vivid yellows we're been seeing so many of lately. 

 

Margot Robbie went with the Barbie theme in a bubblegum - er, Barbie pink sequined column with a frilled tulle boa. I love the angled straps of the neckline and the simplicity of the silhouette, and I even love the boa, especially since it isn't the traditional feathers, which might have looked a bit too "boudoir". A very fun look.

Selena Gomez wore a bright crimson gown with criss-cross halter straps, three diamond-shaped cutouts on the bodice, and a full skirt with asymmetrical hem, with black accents in the skirt lining, a wide belt, and flowers on the bodice. Although I like the look overall, I think the skirt was just a hair too full for such a severely angled hem. A slightly less bulky crinoline underneath and it would be a great look. 

Da'Vine Joy wore a stunning strapless burgundy gown with dark burgundy sequins on the bust, a peplum, and a skirt that flared softly from the knee. I love the way the sweetheart neckline sweeps up a little higher at the outside edges, but the bust was not well-fitted, pushing her boobs unnaturally up and together. But that is honestly a small nitpick in what is, overall, a gorgeous look. Also, I love that her lip color perfectly matched the gown. 

Brie Larson went retro in a '50s-inspired lavender tea-length gown with a sweetheart neckline with widely-placed angled straps and a flared skirt. The sheen of the fabric works well with the stiff silhouette, and the pointy-toed silver pumps and diamond necklace laying right on her collarbone are perfect accessories. Very cute!

Michelle Yeoh hit it out of the park (as usual) in a vivid orange column with a lovely folded detail at the top of the sweetheart neckline and interesting seaming on the bodice and in the waist darts and side seams. I love that the skirt is just a bit flared rather than the standard fitted sheath, and her long, softly waved hair is just perfect. And the coordinating super-pointy gold pumps and oversized gold watch are details that only she could pull off with such style.

Only Helen Mirren could pull off this voluminous floor-length jacket with its giant bell sleeves. The dress underneath is terrific, with its empire waist and simple lines, the color (which is actually three slightly different shades of lavender) is perfectly striking with Mirren's sleek silver chignon, and her diamond chandelier earrings and short diamond necklace are perfect for the queen that she is. 

Hailee Steinfeld was very Audrey Hepburn in this mauve satin sleeveless column with a pearl-edged jewel neckline and rectangular train, paired with sheer black opera-length gloves and a high updo with a few loose tendrils. Very Old Hollywood Glamour. All she needs is a long cigarette holder:

Zuri Hall was a lady in red in this beautiful mermaid gown with a small train. Look closely at the bodice and you'll notice some really interesting criss-cross pleating and seaming that makes the whole bodice hug her figure beautifully and adds just enough visual interest to the simple silhouette of the gown. 

 

Taylor Swift wore a lime green sequin column with tiny triangular cutouts at the side of the bodice and an open back with three narrow straps. It was simple but flattering, and her multiple long diamond earrings were a stunning finishing touch. 

Oprah Winfrey knocked 'em dead in a fitted, sparkly, textured-purple off-one-shoulder portrait collar gown with long sleeves and a short train. Her hair was long and waved and swept to one side, her makeup was great, and I love her super-long purple teardrop earrings that brushed her shoulder. 

Jennifer Lopez pulled off the super-voluminous look better than most in a strapless cotton-candy pink taffeta mermaid gown with a wrap composed of giant rosettes that cascaded into a full train. She followed the trend of softly waved, pulled to one side hair, which gave her a glamorous Veronica Lake air. 

Of course, there were plenty of all-black or mostly-black ensembles. 

Oh, Meryl Streep. You deserve so much better than what your stylist puts you in. The black sequin flared skirt with its tiny train is terrific, and the jacket draped over the shoulders is fine if slightly boring, but the matronly 1980s bow-neck white blouse is simply awful. 

Jennifer Lawrence wore a black velvet column with a somewhat full bodice with a plunging neckline and a short train. I love the way the bodice tucks into the waistline, although it seems just a hair too full at the waist. I love her long, blond sideswept hair. Other than creating a slightly more tapered line to the bodice, I wouldn't change a thing about this look. 

Jennifer Aniston wore a more traditional strapless sequined black sheath with a sweetheart neckline, a wide belt, and diamond patterning on the skirt. It was beautifully tailored and looked terrific on her (naturally), but I found it a bit boring. 

Angela Bassett's black off-the-shoulder trumpet gown was also quite traditional, with a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves ending in little cuffs and a skirt that was fitted over the hip and flared just above the knee, ending in a short, narrow train. I loved the detail of the cuffs and a smaller train than expected, as well as her silver clutch and curly, side-parted hairstyle. This is traditional done right - and not boring!

Another retro '50s-inspired look, Rosamund Pike wore a tea-length black lace gown with a fishnet mesh yoke and long sleeves accented with embroidered black flowers to the elbow. I love that part of her look. But the weird feathery headpiece with the stiff bow on top looks like she's wearing a rotten, carved-out apple on her head. I think it was supposed to be a modern take on a pillbox hat, but this was all I could think of:

Sorry, Rosamund. Lose the hat and you'll look gorgeous. 

Sheryl Lee Ralph took the simple black column in a different direction by topping the bodice with vivid yellow satin that extended into short puffed off-the-shoulder sleeves and then cascaded into a long train. Add curly side-parted hair and a delicate diamond tennis bracelet and choker, and you have sheer perfection. 

Reese Witherspoon's dress was a similar concept, but executed less successfully. Her gown was an odd ankle length, and was topped with a bland champagne-colored twist that created a lovely line but was not the right color for her. She wore a slightly wider diamond bracelet and necklace, which really worked, but her half-up hairstyle with wisps looked windblown and disheveled, and her nude makeup was unnecessarily aging and unflattering. Close, but not quite right. A rare misstep for her!

Carey Mulligan's black taffeta mermaid gown was tightly fitted and ruched from the sweetheart neckline to to the knee, where it flared crisply. The bodice had an angled swath of silvery white fabric covered with dangling black and crystal jewels. I didn't love the hanging jewels, but the overall look was so gorgeous on her that I didn't mind. Her cute chin-length bob was curled under and tucked behind one ear to nicely show off her chandelier earrings. She also pulled off the neutral makeup trend better than most, and I especially loved her soft, barely-frosted mauve lipstick. 

Janelle James wore a lovely black one-shouldered column with a nearly waist-high slit, but her look was overpowered by the chartreuse floating sleeves that cascaded into voluminous yards of slightly wrinkled fabric. Less would have been more here. 

Amanda Seyfried accented her black trumpet dress with a deep plum sequin-encrusted bow at the neckline. The bow was large but not distractingly so, and drew attention to her face instead of overwhelming her. Her smoky purple eye makeup was fantastic, although I wish her lipstick had been a shade of plum to tie in to the dress. I did love her large pearl earbobs and sleeked-back hair. 

Poor Fantasia Barrino's black and gray dress was just a hot mess. The bodice wasn't too bad, and I love the nearly shoulder-length black gloves with a diamond tennis bracelet worn on top. But I have no idea what's going on with the skirt. It begins with a tight band of white spangled fabric at the hip, then there's a full skirt with a train attached? It's like they had three different designers that each planned one piece and then they slapped them all together. At least her hair and makeup are great?

Jeannie Mai did it right in a black sequin column accented with white pearls in a thick band across the top of the bodice, then gradually fading in spangles down to the hem. The silhouette is great and the gown is beautifully tailored, and allowing the pearls on the gown to be the accessories, with no jewelry other than tiny earbobs, along with a tight center-parted chignon, makes this a killer look. 

Let's wrap it up with a few nods to some of the gentlemen who also shone on the red carpet at the GGs. There were a lot of gorgeous, well-tailored black tuxedos, but these guys went for something a little (or a lot) different. 

Timothee Chalamet killed it in a black sequined jacket, open black dress shirt, narrow-legged black pants, patent loafers, and a fabulous black and diamond choker. 

Barry Keoghan was eye-catching in a cropped burnt orange jacket and loose pants in different-sized check patterns, over a white peter pan collared shirt, accessorized with patent boots with a cool gold stud in the laces, a gold pocket watch with pearl and gold fobs, a brooch on his lapel, a short pearl necklace with a ruby and diamond clasp at the front, and a single earring matching the clasp. Nicely coordinated but not too much so. 

Jonathan Bailey proved that simple is sometimes best in a crisp all-white linen ensemble with wide-legged pants, white blazer with shawl collar, and open white shirt, finished off with black patent loafers (I trend I am loving). 

John Krasinski sported a gorgeous burnt orange satin double-breasted tux jacket over chocolate brown tapered pants, with a beautifully hand-tied bow tie as a finishing touch. Classic. 

Tyler James Williams wore a tan suit with black pinstripes. The 2-button jacket had wide peak lapels, pocket flaps, and a large tan silk flower boutonniere on the lapel, and the pants were long and flared. He paired the suit with a crisp white dress shirt and narrow black necktie, with a long thin gold necklace. Elegant and modern. I like it!

Jelani Alladin went very haute couture in this stylized double-breasted black tuxedo. The right side is a relatively standard black tux jacket, while the left is a thigh-length black-on-black brocade which matched the brocade pants. It was gorgeously tailored, and subtle enough to not be too wild. Bonus points for the hand-tied bow tie, French cuffs, and impeccably shiny shoes. 

Lenny Kravitz was, as always, cooler than cool in a double-breasted tux with satin collar that nipped in at the waist and featured a side cutout, paired with super-flared pants that just skimmed the floor, and, of course, his signature dreadlocks and sunglasses. So cool. 

I have to end with the absolute cutest red carpet couple ever: Bradley Cooper and his mom, Gloria Campano. 

Red Carpet on a Budget

I was at a high-end mall today, shopping for a gift, and I noticed that one of the stores was showing some dresses that reminded me quite a bit of several gowns featured in one of my recent red carpet reviews. And it occurred to me, "I wonder what it would cost me to recreate some of the looks I've seen on the red carpet? How close could I come, by shopping in regular retail stores?" So that's exactly what I did. I looked up some of the gowns that I've reviewed on the red carpet and tried to find a similar gown and similar accessories. Read on to find out just how much YOU would pay to get these red carpet looks!

Let's begin with Julianne Moore's look at the 2016 Oscars:

Moore's flared black gown features criss-cross straps and a plunging neckline, and is paired with large circular diamond earrings and an unusual wrap bracelet. To find a similar gown, I started at the store that inspired me, BCBGMAXARIA, and found this:

This gown features a less full skirt and no beading, but it does have a plunging neckline and criss-cross straps, and costs a cool $338. A slightly smaller version of her diamond circle earrings is available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $250.

I took a closer look at her bracelet and her coordinated ring. The ring was fairly basic and easy to find; Lord and Taylor carries this channel set diamond ring for a mere $800. 

The bracelet was a bit more unusual, and therefore a bit more difficult to approximate. I couldn't find anything with a similar flared field of gemstones, but I did find this lovely rhinestone stretch bracelet at USA Bride for a mere $35. 

This total look would cost you $1,423. What a bargain!

Let's try another look: Tina Fey, also at the 2016 Oscars.

Fey's striking but simple purple column was strapless, gathered in at the waist, and had a small train. She accented her look with a gorgeous diamond and sapphire necklace. Could you recreate that look? Try starting with this gown from JJ's House, for $219.

But you'd better be prepared to shell out some serious cash for that necklace; I found a reasonable facsimile at Macy's for a whopping $14,200.

That brings your total for the Fey look to $14,419.

If you think you might be brave enough to emulate Helen Mirren, try replicating her look from the 2016 SAG awards:

Her clinging silver gown featured a v-neck and 3/4 length sleeves, and was accessorized with a diamond cuff bracelet, diamond hoop earrings, and a silver clutch. How much would it cost YOU for this look? Well, you could start with this lovely silver gown from Primavera Couture, for $469.

No doubt the stunning diamond bracelet would be prohibitively expensive, but a similar vintage rhinestone cuff can be had for $345 on Etsy.

Etsy also brings us these lovely multiple-hoop rhinestone earrings for only $205.

And finally, the rectangular, metallic silver clutch: a similar Yves St. Laurent bag from Poshmark will set you back a mere $1600.

So your grand total for pretending to be Helen Mirren for the night would be $2,619 (and a bargain at any price). 

Is Sofia Vergara a cheaper date? Let's recreate her look from the 2016 SAG Awards:

Her stunning fuchsia column featured a sweetheart neckline and very straight, simple lines, and her accessories were a coordinated rectangular magenta clutch and a gold and diamond necklace and earrings. If you happen to share her va-va-voom figure, try this gorgeous column from Dressale, for $265.

The matching clutch is an absolute bargain at only $22 from Opentip.com:

We can head back to Etsy for this vintage gold choker, priced at $58:

Similar square diamond, citrine, and gold earrings can be had from Ice.com for $190:

Which brings Vergara's look to a grand total of only $535!! Beauty on a budget!

Vanessa Hudgens brought some youthful fun to the 2015 Tony Awards with this delightful poppy print gown:

She accessorized with simple drop earrings and a metallic gold clutch. The dress is surprisingly easy to copy with this poppy print maxi dress from Lulu's, for only $89. 

A sparkly gold clutch was easy to find, from Kate Spade, for $328.

The earrings were difficult to see, but appeared to be small hoops with a gold bauble hanging from  each. The most similar style I could find was these gold hoops with dangling hearts, FOR $50 at Overstock.com

And finally, let's try to recreate Winnie Harlow's gorgeous look from the 2016 VMAs:

Harlow's gorgeous ruched and wrapped deep taupe gown was paired with gladiator stilettos and a kind of necklace that hung over her head almost like a necklace-headband hybrid. A similar gown is available from Dolce & Gabbana for only $5,395:

The gladiator stilettos are much less pricey, at only $47 for this pair from Cici Hot:

And for the bib necklace/headband, we return once again to Etsy to find this black bead and crystal bib necklace, for $75:

This brings the Harlow look to a grand total of $5,517. 

So I guess the bottom line is, decide who you can afford to be, and be her!! Happy shopping!