Red Carpet Review: The 2017 American Music Awards

Unlike the recent 2017 Country Music Awards red carpet, the 2017 American Music Awards red carpet featured some spectacularly good and a few spectacularly bad outfits. In general, the looks at last night's AMAs were more dramatic and less traditional than the average red carpet. Asymmetry was the almost universal trend, with high-low and handkerchief skirts and one-shouldered looks very popular. Here are some of the more memorable (and a few rather forgettable) looks of the night.

Pink had worn a ruffled tulle gown to the CMAs, but that one was a relatively sedate white version with less voluminous ruffles and a simple black belt. This frothy, bubble-gum pink gown with its mismatched layers of ruffles looked messy and thrown-together, although I did love the purple morning glories embroidered on the bodice. More even layers and a little less volume would have vastly improved this look, but as is, it didn't work for me.

Julia Michaels also opted for a brightly-colored tulle gown with multiple layers, but hers was much more successful - with the notable exception of the weirdly tied printed belt sticking out of the keyhole cutout, which broke up the line of the dress and felt completely out of place. But the long layer of ruffles made a beautiful, not too voluminous line, and I loved the way the tulle stood up in a graceful arch across the bodice. Lose the belt and this look is a real winner.

Demi Lovato was channeling Morticia Addams with her long, middle-parted, sideswept locks and fitted black gown. I liked the hint of ruffle across the sweetheart neckline, and the sheerness of the fabric as it gathered into the bottom of the bodice created some interesting texture and lines.

Kelly Rowland has worn some pretty terrible gowns on the red carpet over the years, but this was definitely not one of them. I absolutely adored her black gown with gorgeous, colorful embroidery on the bodice, criss-cross lacking across the not-too-deep v-neck, sheer puffed sleeves ending in velvet cuffs, and straight skirt with a deep thigh-high slit. It was feminine, graceful, and just a little bit unusual. One of my favorites of the night.

I don't love Kelly Clarkson's new blond locks, particularly in this starkly straight style paired with dark lipstick, but her off-the-shoulder black and gold gown was terrific. The black panel across the center with the flared gold inserts at the sides was slimming, and the curved panels and angled neckline created a lovely and flattering silhouette.

Alessia Cara opted for an oddly casual look in nylon cargo pants, heavy black boots with white laces, and a satin v-neck top with sheer sleeves and neckline inset. At least she looked comfortable?

Kehlani followed the trend of a sheer but patterned gown over a miniskirt. I loved the whimsical pattern of jellyfish along the hem, and I appreciated that the underlayers of short black miniskirt and bra were feminine but not too revealing, and the texture of the fabric made the look less bare but still sexy.

Ciara wore a shiny black leather jacket dress with square shoulders and an asymmetrical hem, paired with matching stiletto boots. Her nude makeup and simple stark hairstyle made for a stylish and dramatic look that worked well for her.

Selena Gomez also opted for a black leather jacket dress, in her case a studded biker jacket extending into a micro-miniskirt. Paired with simple black pointy pumps, her legs looked miles long. A good look for this venue.

Bebe Rexha wore a skin-tight column of sheer black textured fabric over a white underdress. It was a pretty dress, but not particularly well-suited to her curvy figure. The fabric tended to bunch at the waist and hips, and the bodice appeared to be slightly too tight. Not the best look for her, sadly.

Although I liked the concept of Sabrina Carpenter's long, flared, plaid shirt dress, the execution had a few flaws. The sleeves were too long, the neckline was a bit too low (or even perhaps too high - I think it would have worked better in either extreme), and the plaid looked crooked at the hem. I did love the thigh-high tan boots and her pulled-back-at-the-top hairstyle, though. An okay look, but not great.

The top of Nicole Kidman's strapless black column was bland, but keep looking down and you spot a cool asymmetrical hemline and fabulous thigh-high laced black stiletto boots, and wow. This outfit also makes her look about 9 feet tall. Terrific.

I'm not generally a fan of jumpsuits, but Maia Mitchell's lacy black one-shoulder number really worked for me. I love the flare of the sleeves and the pantlegs, and the black leather wrap belt with just a hint of peplum below it softens the line just enough to stop it from being too stark. The sleek hairstyle and giant hoop earrings are just the right finishing touches.

Rachel Platten, on the other hand, was not quite as successful with her sheer black striped jumpsuit. The pants were cute; I didn't even mind the semi-granny-panty look. But the "suspenders" with a sheer panel that comprised the bodice was unflattering to the extreme, and although I thought her softly waved hair was lovely, it was a look for a retro 40s or traditionally cut gown, not the jumpsuit she was wearing.

Sadie Sink wore a simple white cocktail dress with a boatneck and a silver mesh overlay. Not everyone could pull off this color, but with her sideswept strawberry blond locks and just a touch of bright lipstick, she made it work.

Yara Shahidi was selling me this look right until the knee socks under her silver sandals. The zebra striped collar under a black vest, short trench, and slim grey shorts with beautiful sparkly panels is kicky and cute. But knee socks with sandals, even fancy silver ones, doesn't fly. She's still pretty adorable, though.

Lea Michele looked washed out in her pale pink halter gown with sparkly corset top and softly draped skirt. It wasn't bad, it just didn't have any personality. And judging by the expression on her face, she knows it.

Kat Graham brought plenty of personality in this fun ensemble with a white long-sleeved shirt with plunging neckline and shoulder bow paired with an asymmetrical, black-lined, bubblegum pink skirt with short narrow side train. Her black pointy pumps and cute round silver tasseled bag were cute accessories. Crazy, but not too crazy.

"Too crazy" is just the right description for Diana Ross's wild getup. She wore a satin cap with weird tulle rosettes that stuck up over her head and descended into a sheer capelet, and the gown was gathered into lumpy points at the bust and had way too much volume at the front, creating an unflattering silhouette. The clunky silver shoes weren't helping, either. But her hair and makeup were sheer perfection, and when it comes right down to it, she's Diana Ross. She can wear whatever she wants and we'll still adore her.

Hailee Steinfeld also found a good balance between wild and flattering in a tuxedo-inspired look. Her pegged, cropped pants and open double-breasted tux jacket with upswept shoulders was worn over a funky-cut bra-like top that was not too revealing. A good take on this look.

I didn't love Jessie Decker's look quite as much as I loved her cranberry gown from the CMAs, but it's still a cute look. Her off-the-shoulder, fitted, short mauve maternity dress with above-the-knee slit looked comfortable and flattering, and her maternal glow is the best accessory.

Patrick Starr went all out for fun in these fringed, lime-green cha-cha pants and top. The turban is a little bulky, but the look is light-hearted and fun. Shake what your mama gave ya, Patrick!

Tracee Ellis Ross went for a relatively conservative deep burgundy sequined column with long sleeves, high neck, and tall slit. I'm not sure the bright red strappy sandals are the right color for this gown, but the style is certainly perfect. Not a bad look, just not a particularly noteworthy one.

Kathryn Hahn's grecian-inspired orange column with criss-cross bodice is simple and flattering on her slender figure. But her droopy hair and overlong bangs are not quite right for the look. Add some volume or sweep it back, and this would be much improved. But you can't improve on her happy smile.

It's hard to see in this photo, but Camila Mendes wore a pale pink and yellow gown with plunging neckline and slightly flared skirt. The silhouette of the gown is lovely, but the colors just vanish on her, and her dark hair looks too severe with the washed-out colors. This same dress in more vivid tones would have been terrific.

Chrissy Metz, like many larger celebrities, sometimes struggles for flattering red carpet looks, but she really made an excellent choice with this black dress with round neck and bright purple fringe at the shoulders and along the criss-cross hemline. The wide line of the neck with the pop of color at the shoulder draws the eye out and balances her figure, and the length of the hem is really flattering on her. I love the dark eye makeup and nude lips. A really great look for her.

Garcelle Beauvais also opted for a menswear-inspired look in this wrapped long jacket with no pants, paired with fabulous silver sparkle boots and a couple of oversized sparkly rings. A simple but really great look.

Heidi Klum wore a pretty but not especially memorable pink, silver, and white swirl patterned gown with a plunging neckline. I liked the way her wavy hair mirrored the pattern of the dress. Good, but not great.

Jenna Dewan Tatum went all out for the va-va-voom factor in this silver halter column with deep v-neck, thigh-high slit, and short train. I loved the texture of the fabric and the overall lines, and the cut is perfect for her slender figure, not appearing too tight or revealing. Just a hint of retro and a lot of sexy elegance.

Keltie Knight's funky white minidress with short train had beautiful, crisp lines and structure. The curve of the flounce on the bodice broke up the straight lines, as did the hint of puddled train, and the silver strappy sandals were great. Nicely done.

Lydia Hearst was all about the asymmetry in this black gown, with a slightly ruched top with a single wide shoulder strap, a slightly angled short underskirt, and a sheer textured overlay that draped to the ankle on one leg and gathered at the opposite hip. Even the heavy slingbacks worked for me, and I especially loved her sideswept hair and gorgeous eye makeup with barely pink lips. Everything was in balance. A dramatic and unusual look, very well executed.

While I loved the cut of Renee Bargh's dress, the olive drab cotton fabric, so evocative of army uniforms, didn't quite work for me. The off-the-shoulder bodice with wide lapels and little shoulder straps, the full skirt with broad pleats and asymmetrical hemline, and the wide buckle belt were all a great take on vintage 1940s styling, but the color took it a step too far.

Skylar Grey wore a simple black column with a slightly wrapped skirt with thigh-high slit and a deeply plunging neckline, but something about the way it fit her looked droopy and unflattering. I think the waistline needed to be either a little higher or a little lower, and the overall hem needed to be either shortened to just brush the floor or lengthened into a true train, and it would have worked much better for her.

What was YOUR favorite look of the night?