Golden Globes is all about Hollywood glamour as big names play it safe

The Golden Globes kicked off the awards season on Sunday evening and for the stars on the red carpet it was all about pure Hollywood glamour. There was none of the understated, “this isn’t quite the Oscars” approach for the big names, who instead opted for va-va-voom sexiness with a couture edge.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, as Hollywood’s reigning power couple, epitomised the look – she in a white one-shoulder Atelier Versace gown of silk cadis with a folded red detail at the shoulder, he in a classic tuxedo and bow tie by Ferragamo.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban also went ultra-traditional as her silver Versace gown covered in gold studs was body-hugging and sexy, and was allowed to shine against his lower-key one button peak lapel tuxedo (also by Versace).

Clare Danes made an impact in black and white J Mendel with a bare back, as did Kate Winslet in black and white Jenny Packham. Both gowns had a feel of 1930s Chanel about them. Understated but still glamorous.

Meanwhile Natalie Portman wore fuchsia strapless Lanvin with a flash of red that also channelled Old Hollywood.

Fishtail made an impact. Reese Witherspoon wore a crimson strapless heavy silk Zac Posen gown while Sofia Vergara chose the take the silhouette to extremes in deep blue Vera Wang. Paula Patton worked the look in brilliant yellow Monique Lhuillier and Evan Rachel Wood did fishtail-with-feathers in a peacock green halter-neck gown by Gucci premiere. Jessica Alba’s pale pink Gucci grown didn’t quite fit the fishtail theme but did make her “look like a mermaid”, according to the star’s daughter.

Shimmer and sparkle was high on the agenda for maximum red carpet impact with some gowns being nothing but sequins or beads. Nicole Richie wore a totally beaded silver halterneck column by Julien Macdonald, while Salma Hayek’s black and gold Gucci gown was all about contrasting sparkle. Zooey Deschanel’s Prada halterneck also put the focus on glimmer with green and black beading all over the bodice.

Many stars chose to live dangerously with gowns that revealed plenty of flesh but always stayed on the acceptable side of modesty for prime time TV viewers.

Lea Michele’s silver Marchesa gown was heavily sequinned with the sparkle morphing from hips upwards and sequins used more sparingly atop a bodystocking bodice. Rooney Mara in black Nina Ricci had her bodice plunging at the front but held in place by a series of straps, while Charlize Theron wore Dior couture with a plunging front, slashed skirt and layers of silk bow falling from the waist.

Emma Stone’s almost-Grecian Lanvin gown in red and burgundy also plunged at the front and looked as if the whole thing was held in place by a belt. Mila Kunis’s Dior gown had a bodice that looked see-through but in fact was made of chiffon over a flesh-toned underlay. Jessica Biel’s pale lace Elie Saab gown added a hint of daring by giving the illusion of see-through, coming complete with a thigh split.

Two strong contenders for best dressed that were less traditional were Dianna Agron, who trod boldly in a brilliant red Giles gown with swan motifs achieved by laser-cutting, and Michelle Williams in inky purple velvet devoré by Jason Wu.

Hair and beauty was mainly high on glamour to match the gowns but some experimented with a more modern edge. Reese Witherspoon teamed her Old Hollywood Zac Posen gown with decidedly untraditional, tousled hair, while hairbands were an important trend – worked well by both Michelle Williams and Charlize Theron.