2023 Grammy Awards: Red Carpet Review

Put on your seatbelts, people, because there was a LOT to discuss on last night's Grammy Awards red carpet! I've broken the looks down into a number of categories. Let's start with the bland and the bad, and work our way up to the fantastically fabulous. 

Bland and Bad

Paris Hilton's metallic column had a lovely silhouette and the fabric was wonderful, but the oversized keyhole cutout was disproportionate and oddly tied together. Her messy half-topknot was also too casual for the glamorous dress, although the cascading super-blond, super-straight locks were lovely.

Lourdes Leon's snugly-fitted red gown was well-tailored and elegant, and the color was absolutely striking on her, yet the overall look came off as very bland to me. Perhaps some more dramatic jewelry or a contrasting bag or wrap might have livened up the look. 

The concept of DJ Spindoctor's outfit actually really worked for me: the Flashdance-styled sweatshirt with graffiti lettering suited her style, the leather miniskirt with front zip and side lacings was coolly chic, and the pointed slouchy boots were great, but the top (which was clearly meant to be baggy), was snug against her belly in a very unflattering way. 

There were definitely details I loved about Maren Morris' silvery gown: the scalloped edges at the hem and neckline, and the subtle sparkle of the fabric. But the overly-plunging neckline surrounded by a heavy cowl managed to look both too bare and too bulky, and the granny panties broke up the line of what could have been a long, lean skirt. 

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton's semi-sheer black dress was so close to being a win; however, the diamond "bra" pattern on the sheer bodice was not aligned with the real bra underneath, which completely ruined the shape, and the clear toe strap of the sandals made her feet look oddly shaped. I did love the jeweled bands at the neck that echoed the jeweled bands of the bra pattern, and I would have loved to have seen a jeweled toe strap bringing it all together. 

Rita Wilson was not well-served by this matronly mishmash of a look. The single bare arm and straight skirt on one side was completely out of proportion with the heavy, muumuu-type style on the other, making her look horribly lopsided, and I didn't like the combination of sequined bodice, velvet skirt, and heavy marabou trim running from the sleeve to the hem. 

Brooklyn Queen's outfit wasn't terrible, it was just overly simple and a little tacky. The spaghetti-strap catsuit was a good base, but accessorized by only a pair of thigh-high boots tackily adorned with a million stickers and a cute purse that looked like a bejeweled radio, it just wasn't enough. (Fun fact: A small evening bag made or of covered with metal pieces or jewels is called a "minaudiere.")

McKenzi Brooke's look was clearly an attempt to be cowboy glam, but it just didn't work. The plain black cowboy hat and charcoal grey boots weren't quite dressed-up enough to go with the super-ruffly, super-sparkly gown. If the gown had been a little toned-down or the hat and boots a little glammed up, it would have been a much more cohesive (and successful) look. 

Naz Perez also struggled with combining pieces that weren't terrible in and of themselves, but that just didn't work together. I actually liked her black-and-blue long cape, but pairing it with a solid blue catsuit was just boring. Add a sheer skirt, make the catsuit sparkly, do something to dress up the underlayer, and you'd have a much better look. 

Close But Not Quite

Frequently, a look would be great except for one aspect or detail, or perhaps it was missing a detail. In the case of Megan Fox, the missing detail was proper fitting. The gown itself is fabulous, but the bodice is clearly too tight and pushing her breasts up uncomfortably. It's not even too low-cut, the cups are simply too small for her. What a shame. 

H.E.R.'s look had the same problem, only more so. I loved the textured straight skirt under the solid black double-ruffled peplum, but the bodice was both too low and too tight. It's not a flattering look.

Ashley McBryde's dress wasn't so much poorly fitted as not designed for such a voluptuous figure. There was neither enough coverage nor enough support to be flattering, which is a shame because the lines of bodice were very graceful and pretty, and I loved the way it framed her tattoo between the bodice and the diamond choker. But her figure looked droopy and shortwaisted.

I loved Amber Rose's simple black micro-mini bandage dress with dropped shoulder straps, especially paired with a heavy choker, studded fingerless gloves, and terrific lavender sandals. But what was with the black tights? (With SANDALS?!??) Not a good choice. 

Ginger Gonzaga's black lace corset-style top featured fun cutouts and straps and was beautifully tailored for her. But the granny shorts and sheer black hose were the wrong choice to go with it. This outfit was begging for a leather miniskirt or a long pencil skirt with a deep slit. The outfit as it was looked like it escaped from a production of Chicago or Cabaret. 

I loved Gayle's sheer dress with black detailing, but I hated the stark black panties. I'm not sure whether the top was illusion fabric or if the black stars were simply very strategically placed, but it looked strange to see panties but not a bra, and the single patch of contrasting color pulled the viewer's eye down and away from her face. 

Ingrid Andress' bodice consisted of a fascinating pattern of diamond and triangle panels joined at the corners, then the solid skirt began at the hip. But despite its simple, sleek cut, the skirt looked heavy in contrast to the bodice. I would have loved a few lines of silver in the skirt echoing the bodice to tie the parts together and even the balance.

Anna Sitar's bodice was an interestingly asymmetrical shape held together by illusion fabric, which I really liked, especially with the tiny straps. But as she moved, the fabric of the skirt bunched awkwardly at the waist and hip. Not pretty.

I loved the drama and simplicity of Emma Brooks McAllister's long-sleeved, square-shouldered red column with deeply plunging neckline nearly meeting the high front slit. But the dress was too loose and shapeless at the waist, resulting in an almost baggy silhouette. Nip it in at the waist and it would be a terrific look.

Two Piece

Two-piece looks can be great when there's balance and proportion. But Camila Cabelo's sheer jeweled bra with white rosettes was too tiny relative to her high-waisted, straight but heavy skirt. It made her look extremely bottom-heavy, short-waisted, and hippy, which she is NOT. 

Taylor Swift has the height, the grace, and the abs to pull off a two-piece gown to sheer perfection. All the little details are right: slightly overlong sleeves, a rich color with just a hint of sparkle, fabulous chandelier earrings, and a neat little puddle of train. She's got style for days. 

A very different - but nearly as successful - take on the two-piece was Tiara Thomas' sheer sparkly thigh-length skirt and long-sleeved, boat neck crop top. With abs like a marathon runner and a streetwise air, I especially loved the delicate, feminine touch of the purple strappy sandals. 

Yet another variation, Charlotte Lawrence wore a very low-slung black pencil skirt with a stylized bandeau ruched into a center diamond-shaped panel. Although the hip-hugging skirt didn't land at the most flattering level, it wasn't bad, and the rest of the look was fabulous, especially the deep red lip.

I almost included Zanna Roberts Rassi's red alligator bandeau top and pencil skirt in the "Bland" category. Despite the visual interest of the vivid, shiny, textured fabric, the simple straight lines and complete lack of accessories resulted in a bland look overall. 

Cut-Outs and Straps

My favorite detail of Julia Michaels' white gown was the contrast of the super-straight bateau neckline and rectangular skirt panels with the curved, deep insets at the sides of the waist. Adding a hint of sparkle along the edges of the cutout and a tiny pop of color with deep periwinkle sandals was the icing on the cake. 

Kandi Burruss' gown, on the other hand, had an open back that just barely peeked around the sides, but that was just enough to prevent her crinkled, form-fitting, long-sleeved blue gown from being too prim and demure. I loved the shiny silver leaf detail down the front and the tiny hint of a train. 

Madeleine White's gown had some similarities to Julia Michaels': a bateau neckline and waist cutouts with silver edging. But White's didn't quite have the dramatic pizzazz of Michaels'. Perhaps it seemed to play it a little safe by comparison. Not a bad look at all, just not quite as memorable. 

Nija Charles wore a clinging metallic silver gown with a large diamond cutout at the front, making it almost but not quite a two-piece look. While I liked the overall silhouette and lines, both the neckline and the cutout were a little lower than I would have placed them, not because they were too revealing, but because it makes Charles' torso look too long and her legs too short. Always watch the proportions when designing cutouts! They need to be adjusted to the wearer.

If I cover up Bebe Rexha's dress from just above her waist up, I am absolutely in love with this dress. The wrapping detail at the waist and hips is simply exquisite. But above the waist, the proportions get all out of whack. Rexha is gorgeous, but the separation of the bodice "straps" makes her look very broad, and the way they pull in at her neck looks uncomfortable and unflattering. A few changes to the bodice and this look would definitely have been in the "fabulous" category.

Dear Berit Gilma, no one wants to see that much of your underboob. Well, no one who's thinking about fashion, anyway.

Pantsuits

Wide-legged pantsuits were in on the red carpet, and MC Lyte did it up right in a white pantsuit with black piping and lapels. It was simple, sleek, and effective. If I had to nitpick, I did wish the bottom of her black bra didn't fall right at the jacket closure, so occasionally a peep of skin showed underneath. Either higher, so the whole front of the bra was clearly visible, or lower, so it was more like a tank. But really, a very nice look. 

Brandi Carlile's pantsuit was more stylized, with a nearly knee-length black satin jacket with bugle beading down the sleeves and matching pants, worn over a vivid pink shirt with a super long, super thin black necktie. If I had to quibble here, I would have given the jacket a little more shape (nipped in a hair at the waist, or slightly flared at the bottom), but I liked the look as is. 

Jessy Wilson's oversized white suit featured starburst cutouts all over the pants and jacket, and was worn over a simple, casual white bandeau. It was wonderfully tailored so it was indeed oversized and not just baggy or ill-fitting, which is not an easy feat. Nicely done. 

Too Much

Yet another attempt at pairing a catsuit with a cape, Kacey Musgraves went for soft pink and a frothy eyelash cape that just barely deepened into a darker pink at the bottom. It was too big, especially at the shoulders, and overwhelmed her petite frame. Good idea, but just too much for her. 

Prints don't always work well on the red carpet, as demonstrated by Nancy Wilson's double-layered, patterned top. The print is too busy, the top is slightly too snug (as evidenced by the way the outer shirt flares open below the button), and the few inches of black between the bright top and the bright boots is too much of a visual break. That said, I absolutely love those magenta suede boots, enough that I forgive her for the bad top(s). 

Sierra Ferrell looks like she was aiming for "forest nymph" with this frothy, concoction topped with a flowered hat. I liked the corset top, but the sheerness of the top part of the skirt contrasts oddly with both the hotpants underneath and the tall, full ruffled hem. A little less volume and sheerness in the skirt, and this look might have worked very nicely. 

I'm still not sure what Shania Twain was going for here. Mad Hatter? Mad Cow? Lost a bet? It's just too sparkly, too flared, too oversized. Just...too TOO.

When I first saw Lizzo's orange outfit, she had the hooded cape up over her head and I HATED it. It was too huge and too frothy. But with the cape off her shoulders like a wrap and the lovely lines of her corset top showing, I liked it a lot. The two oranges didn't quite coordinate as much as I would have liked, and the skirt is a little too snug at the waist (a corset that fell about 3" lower would have worked much better), but the little detail of the flower in her hair that matched the flowers on the cape won me over. 

I got a serious 1980s flashback from Hannah Monds' gown, which featured a leather bodice with metal rings and studded straps, a studded belt, and opera-length black leather gloves, and a 4-tiered, hugely full, magenta ballgown-style skirt. I think it was the fullness of the skirt that made it feel off to me. The top tier was short and nearly horizontal, giving off a tutu-like feel and a sense of overall volume, rather than gradually gaining fullness toward the hem. Not awful, but very bottom-heavy and short-waisted-looking.

Alex Ritchie was channeling Pharrell Williams in an oversized white coat with plaid lapels and wide-brimmed, wide-crowned white hat. In contrast to Jessy William's oversized white suit discussed above, Ritchie's coat felt too big and poorly-fitted rather than deliberately oversized, due to the overlong flared sleeves and square but drooping shoulders, as well as the way the fabric folded awkwardly in on itself at the front hem. Good concept, poor execution.

Alisha Gaddis looked like a human flower garden in this flower-laden ballgown with bell skirt and hugely frothy, oversized tulle sleeves. Too many colors, too much volume, too much texture, and too much tulle. 

I'm not sure what look Cecile McLorin Salvant was aiming for, but I don't think she hit it (at least, I hope she didn't). The bright pink satin is a beautiful color on her, but the ruffle upon ruffle muumuu style is not doing her any favors, and the metallic gold stovepipe hat and platform clogs are a little too Seussian for the red carpet. Too cartoony. 

Runway Couture

Wild couture on the red carpet can be brilliant or horrifying, but Cardi B knocked it out of the park in this stunning cobalt blue gown with softly draped skirt and fantastically structured, soaring shoulders that somehow rise into a hood. I am fascinated by the construction of this gown, including how it can magically look sturdy and flowing at the same time. Simply marvelous. 

Yola's couture look was not quite so successful, mainly due to poor fitting. Her short-waisted jacket rides up awkwardly when she puts her hands on her hips, probably because the diagonal hip detail blocks her natural hip. Although I like the angle of the detail and the train trailing down from it, the fabric (which appears to be pleather or something else with a lot of body) looks rumpled and slightly wrinkled. But I do love the fabulous hat, particularly the way it's tilted rakishly with the vivid red ponytail carelessly tossed over her shoulder. Slightly lacking in execution, but not terrible. 

I'm sorry, Blac Chyna, but all I can think of when I see this outfit as that time when Blanche, Dorothy, and Rose played Loosey Goosey, Turkey Lurkey, and Henny Penny on The Golden Girls:

BAWK BAWK!

Back to runway chic done right with Angela Benson and her strapless black satin mermaid gown with metallic gold embroidery, topped with a fabulous silver-and-gold, Indian-inspired circular headpiece with long chains cascading down on either side. Fantastic. 

Dencia channeled Lady Gaga in a black gown with a dramatic blue jeweled standup cape/collar/hood. It stopped just shy of being truly over-the-top, and the very plain sunglasses were exactly the right finishing touch for her aloof, otherworldly look. 

Grace Modi could have walked directly from the runway to the red carpet in this spectacular black gown with silver detailing on the bodice and a beautiful collar that curled and curved down the side of the bodice before vanishing into the slit of the skirt. Her almost-shaved head and icy stare completed the look to perfection. 

 Frankly Fabulous

I'm not usually a fan of vivid yellow dresses, because so few people look good in that shade. Kelsea  Ballerini, however, makes it work in a big way in this glorious, sunshine yellow, strappy dress. I especially love the fitted ruching at the hip and the silver banding at the hip, waist, and bust. My only nitpick here is that her cleavage is noticeably paler than the rest of her skin - a little foundation or bronzer might have evened that out. 

Dylan Mulvaney's fabulous look made me think of an updated Audrey Hepburn. I loved the combination of the sleek, straight red halter column with angled cutouts, prim red opera gloves, and sleek, stark makeup and updo. LOVE IT.

Adele knows how to take a simple dress and add one extreme detail to make it work. This rich burgundy velvet column with a narrow self-belt could have been boring, but add a deep sweetheart neckline and large (but not disproportionate) wavy shoulder details, and you have a winner. 

Jennifer Lopez rarely hits a false note on the red carpet, and this magnificent gown is no exception. With a leotard-style underlay topped with sheer panels and long metallic silver chains, finished with a deep midnight blue ruffled train, this look slays. 

Another look that absolutely slayed was Anitta's textured black gown with corset bodice, fitted to mid-thigh, then flaring into a voluminous yet light ruffled train. The sleek auburn hair and dark lip were the perfect finishing touch. 

Super feminine without being girly, Alisun's sheer periwinkle gown revealed sparkly panels amid the chiffon of the bodice, and descended into a floaty side train. I did find the sleeves to be just a bit overly puffy and heavy, but that was a minor objection to a generally very nice look. 

All-gold gowns on the red carpet are always a good choice, and Coco Jones went classic in her gold halter gown with fitted bodice and A-line skirt with a wide, flared slit. I loved the way the metallic gold faded towards the hem, which tended to bring the viewer's eye upwards. 

Doja Cat rocked the goth look in a shiny vinyl one-shouldered mermaid gown with matching long gloves. Morticia Addams would be proud. 

Amanda Kloots proved that simple and classic can be a win in this one-shouldered black velvet gown with just a hint of a flared skirt. The lacing down the side of the bodice is a lovely detail that makes the whole look work.

Yet another fabulous one-shouldered gown, Tessa Brooks wore a brilliant orange gown with ruched bodice, also showing a peep of skin at the side, and a light, floaty skirt with a to-the-hip side slit and short train. Absolutely gorgeous lines, and an absolutely gorgeous look. 

Did I miss any looks that you loved or hated - or at least, remembered? Let me know!