Red Carpet Fashion: Emmys 2011

This years Emmy show was quite underwhelming. A bit of a snooze-fest if you will. (although that faux beauty pageant bit during the Best Female Lead in a Comedy section was pretty great) So thank goodness the red carpet was filled with fun and fresh fashion. The color of the night was definitely red and the bold color was chosen by more than a handful of ladies. Also trending on the carpet were tons of sparkly dresses (which made me super giddy) a bit of lace and a few pops of color thrown here and there. While the latest red carpets have been some what hit or miss I fell in love with quite a few of the looks featured last night. So let's get down to my favorite picks.

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karan

This look is absolutely SMASHING. Nina Dobrev of The Vampire Diaries has topped my list yet again. Last year she won my heart with a beautiful sequin Zurhair Murad. This year she absolutely stunned the carpet in an amazing textured mermaid gown from Donna Karan. The dress was so simple and so not simple at the same time [if that makes sense] The pleated and ruffled hem is just so fabulous. Since her dress had some intricate detailing I love that she kept the accessories easy and light. Although that Neil Lane choker does have over 50 carats of diamonds. Beautiful waves and dark eyes are the finishing touches. Everything about this is perfect. All around number 1 in my book.

Julie Bowen in Oscar de la Renta

This. Is. Beyond. Julie Bowen from ABC's hilarious comedy (and Emmy favorite) Modern Family claims that she has a 14 year old boy body that is hard to dress. Well she absolutely had no issue here in her beaded Oscar de la Renta column gown. First of all - her body is amazing! This dress fits it to a T. Secondly she just looks so fabulous. I love the Neil Lane jewels and the sleek ponytail. It lets the silver toned dress shine in all it's glittering glory. Julie also added another metallic to her look last night - Emmy Gold! She picked up the award for Best Female lead in Comedy series. And it was well deserved. Modern Family has us in stitches every single week. Congrats on a fabulous look and the win!

Cat Deeley in Monique Lhuillier

British beauty and So You Think You Can Dance host is always up for a little glitter and glam in her looks. I love seeing what she's going to wear each week on the show or at the latest fashion event. Practically everything she puts on looks amazing and this time was no different. She shined in a beaded and tulle Monique Lhuillier strapless gown and Bulgari jewelry. The beading has a sort of of ombré effect and I adore the simple and plain bottom. It's almost like an extra fabulous non-wedding bridal gown. Gorgeous beachy waves and fresh make-up top off an all around fab fashion choice.

Naya Riveria from Glee

Resident mean girl and Cheerio Naya Rivera really surprised me with this look. The Glee actress showed up in a spectacular structured black gown that showed off her amazing figure. (The designer is still unknown) The sophisticated choice is a new step for her as she usually wears less than thrilling options. But this sleek and geometric choice is fabulous! I love the embellished pleated bodice and pockets which add hints of modernism. Just a dash of Tiffany jewels keep everything minimalistic and chic. I love it.

Jennifer Carpenter in Tony Ward Couture

More sparkles! Last year Jennifer Carpenter was also on my favorite list with her one shoulder edgy gown. This year, glamour still came into play but with a much sexier silhouette. Her beaded Kaufman Franco gown has a skin baring slit and plunging neckline that brings the drama with a full force effect. I love her ombré waves and smokey eye makeup. I know that I'm like a moth to a flame when it comes to sparkly gowns but I still stand by this look. It's super fun!

Here are a few more looks from lovely ladies that I enjoyed:

Lea Michele in Marchesa and Maria Bello in Kaufman Franco

While Lea Michele brought a dramatic look to the red carpet I was slightly underwhelmed with the look. Maybe it's because of her hair. Usually I love high fashion gowns with slightly unkempt hair but hers just fell a little too flat for me. However I am dying over that should detail on the gown. Maria Bello's choice could venture into Miss USA pageant territory (yikes!) but there is something about her beaded Kaufman Franco gown that just draws me in. It's cut beautifully and fits her amazingly. She kept everything else simple, which I love, and all around it was a great choice.

Evan Rachel Wood in Elie Saab and Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

Evan Rachel Wood looked smashing in her glitzy Elie Saab dress. The Mildred Pierce nominated star really glammed it up for the red carpet and it definitely paid off. She's young and this look could veer into age-inappropriate but he cropped hair keeps everything fresh. Modern Family's resident Latina beauty Sofia Vergara popped on the carpet with her coral colored Vera Wang mermaid dress. Her body is also amazing but sometimes she doesn't always dress it well. This time there was no denying her stunning look. Dashes of what she called "Columbian Emeralds" and a gold cuff were the only accents needed for this look. Gorg!

Gwyneth Paltrow in Pucci

My last on the fence choice. I don't want to love Gwyneth's Pucci cut-out lace gown. But I keep coming back to it. Mrs. Chris Martin is still on my girl crush list and even more since I've been doing her workout plan with genius Tracy Anderson. I mean if that isn't motivation to keep going - not sure what is! I would also kill for her sleek strands.

What were your favorite picks? Do you like mine? Anybody I left out? Let me know in the comments section below. Happy Monday!

All images via People