“It’s just fashion, it’s supposed to be fun.” – Golden Globes 2017

Posted by Maggie

And we’re back! I really missed red carpets, guys. I read Anna Kendrick’s new book, Scrappy Little Nobody, over Christmas break and her section on Hollywood turned out to be the perfect warmup for the season. It was interesting to read about her evolving relationship with fashion, from freely exploring it to using it as a weapon to acquiring professional know-how. I love behind-the-scenes tidbits about working with stylists and the reality of attending an award show. (Read this excerpt, you’ll be hooked.) And she’s right: It’s just fashion, it’s supposed to be fun. So thanks to Colin for the book and thanks to Anna for the insight and entertainment, I’m ready to get down to business, let’s have some fun. Two things to know: 1) I can’t cover someone if I don’t see them on the carpet or at the ceremony, seeing someone move in their outfit makes all the difference, and 2) as a form of self-care, I’ve decided to try to get through this season forgetting that Sofia Vergara exists.

BEST

Evan Rachel Wood

As I was getting ready to start the red carpet and take notes, I said to Colin “I hope Evan Rachel Wood wears menswear” AND SHE DID. This look was custom but it looks like literal MENSwear, and she’s wearing the hell out of it right down to the flared leg, my god. I know I say this every time but the men are always so boring, so she’ll have to be my fix until Harry Styles does the circuit next year for Dunkirk.

Ruth Negga

Ruth’s not messing around, you guys. This is to die for, easily one of the best metallics of the night. It’s so bold yet sleek? And I love the soft hair and makeup, which complement the gown beautifully.

Kristen Bell

Honestly, this is all I’ve ever needed from Kristen Bell. If her last award show red carpet gown had a bit of a Disney princess feel, then this is the villainess-inspired look and it is working for her. This is how to swerve instead of resting on pretty. It’s killer, right? Flattering as hell and on trend (sparkles, long sleeve) but the dramatic black sets her apart.

Felicity Jones

Controversial opinion time? I love this. I love the subtle mix of blush and bashful, the black detailing, the jeweled bow; and I think it’s styled to perfection. There were some looks last night that I thought had entirely too much going on, but this wasn’t one of them. Lovely.

Viola Davis

Much like Adrienne Maloof, I’m all about a one-shoulder. My only nitpick, as usual with vibrant yellow gowns, is where is my red lip?? Otherwise, this is beaded perfection.

Millie Bobby Brown 

I am so in love with this girl and her savage sparkles, you have no idea. I can’t imagine the challenge of finding something age appropriate for an event like this, but she nailed it. I would have liked to have seen a small earring and maybe sleeker shoes, but that’s the grown-up in me talking.

Thandie Newton

I love this classic white with a splash of fire, and I think Thandie’s sleek pony and backwards necklace are the perfect complement. This striking look wasn’t originally in my top ten, which doesn’t even make sense to me looking at it again now.

Natalie Portman

I went a little back and forth on this one — is it too costumey, is the accent beading working? But ultimately, it’s just so flattering on her and I don’t know how to quit this one. It’s demure, it’s unexpectedly modern, and how she’s pulling off that color I will never know, but she is.

Claire Foy

I’m not usually one for Erdem gowns, but this is very pretty (and reminiscent of Kate Bosworth from last year). The sleeves shouldn’t really work but somehow do and I love the overall shape of it. My jury is still out on the blue ribbon, it doesn’t ruin the look but I can’t tell if I actually like it.

Naomie Harris 

This is somehow both futuristic and elegant, and I love it. Again, there were so many metallics that standing out was a challenge but she pulled it off.

WORST

Hailee Steinfeld

Remember when I said there were some looks last night that I thought had entirely too much going on? This is the worst offender. I knew it was Vera Wang because this bust detail reminded me of the tragedy that was Rosamund Pike’s Golden Globes gown two years ago. (I would like to forget, but I can’t so you don’t get to either.) Maybe take away the sleeves and the cape and there’s something to work with here? But as is, there are so many elements fighting each other. And I know Hailee is a young woman, but I think this color choice was a mistake. This just isn’t working for me.

Zoe Saldana

This is like the ugly version of Felicity Jones’ gown in my eyes. I don’t like the clashing shades and, for once in my life, I think there are too many ruffles.

Kerry Washington

I don’t love this heavy brocade but maybe if it hadn’t been see through? And the diamond accents and black detail really throw me off. I hated the length when I first saw it, but it seems less offensive now. I don’t know. Her hair looks amazing.

Carrie Underwood

What kind of fresh bridesmaid hell is this?

Jessica Chastain

I love Jessica Chastain and I hate everything about this look. She’s very suited to bold colors and I think this washes her out, which isn’t helped by hiding away all those if-only-they-were-flowing ginger locks. I don’t like the actual gown either, it’s aiming for a certain type of femininity and missing the mark, and I don’t like how it’s fitted. She deserves better.

SUPERLATIVES

Soulmates: Michelle Williams & Busy Philipps

I love years when Michelle is nominated for every damn thing and brings BFF Busy as her date. I think the kids say friendship goals, right? And that’s what these two are, proof that your soulmate doesn’t have to be romantic. Even stepping down from the E! platform, they didn’t need help from Ryan, thank you very much, because they had each other. (Here’s hoping that Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner’s friendship will be as enduring.)

And since we’re equal opportunity friendshippers here at HOF, look how cute besties Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal are:

Not all heroes wear capes: Meryl Streep

I don’t know about you, but I really needed to hear that speech. I can’t do it justice, you should just watch it again.

But sometimes they do: Mandy Moore

At first I thought this looked a little heavy and more mature than dramatic, but on second look it really is light and fresh which is impressive for a cape in a dark color, yes?

Oh, Jessica Biel’s in this?

Ticky tacky hot mess but she’s so boring I can’t even get worked up over it.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Janelle Monae

As a known black and white enthusiast, I am here for Janelle’s aesthetic. I love this from waist up and, while I don’t love the skirt, I respect how well she’s working it. Janelle was my favorite part of Hidden Figures (not Hidden Fences! That’s not a thing!) and I hope she’s here to stay on the red carpets we cover.

Are you shining just for me? Emma Stone

The stars are a little too on the nose for me and I just don’t like them, which is a shame because otherwise this is gorgeous.

Best surprise: Riley Keough

All I really know about Riley is that she dated one of Ashlee Simpson’s ex-boyfriends, so I was not expecting this art deco goddess on the red carpet.

PEPLUM YOU GUYS IT’S A PEPLUM: Chrissy Teigen

I need Chrissy to attend every red carpet, please and thank you.

Love the speech, don’t love the look: Tracee Ellis Ross

You couldn’t help but feel some of Tracee’s joy when listening to her acceptance speech, but I can’t quite get on board with this look. I think I would have liked a more straightforward gown with a necklace, I hated the rings overload, but the cool thing about Tracee is she doesn’t care what I think. You can tell from her insta just how much she’s feeling this, and you know what? Four for her.

English Rose Gold: Lily Collins

I really love this. I think with this look, it would have been very easy to fall on the side of too youthful but Lily still looks like an adult.

HEAR ME OUT: Nicole Kidman

I think it’s so cracked out that it may have come all the way back around to good. I don’t know, I think I like it.

Worst styling: Sienna Miller

I like this understated Michael Kors gown a lot, Kate Hudson should be sitting at home and taking notes, but the styling? The pearls are just… not right, and Sienna looks very cute but I just don’t think this is the ponytail for the Golden Globes.

This is like a Rorschach test: Drew Barrymore

I think I see jellyfish. What do you see?

Throwback Sunday: Winona Ryder

This easily feels like it could be from a red carpet twenty years ago and if you think that’s a negative, then you’re underestimating my child-of-the-90s love for Winona. And how cute was she talking about looking forward to seeing Christian Slater?

Where. Is. My. Red. Lip: Reese Witherspoon

I like this gown very much and love the callback to her iconic yellow cocktail dress from 2007, but for the love of god, Reese, why aren’t you wearing a red lip?

Why do you insist on doing this to me? Kristen Wiig

Every time.

I wish I had seen on the red carpet: Gillian Anderson

I didn’t even know she was there until I saw glimpses of her at the Netflix table. And look how glamorous she is in this photo! I would have loved to have seen her on the red carpet and been able to discuss this look in full. (Side note, I also wish I had seen Lola Kirke for accessory reasons.)

Most Missed: Naomi Watts

I’m still so sad that she and Liev Schreiber broke up and we won’t see them on the red carpet together anymore.

I Can’t With This Bitch No Matter What She Wears: Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting

Every time. Even when she doesn’t show up.

I Can’t With This Bitch No Matter What She Wears Runner-Up: Blake Lively

There’s a new bitch in town, guys.

I know, I spent my whole intro talking about Anna Kendrick and then totally ignored her gray gown. I thought it was kind of eh, let me know what you thought of it and the rest of the red carpet in the comments!