Emmy styles: Flashy, not trashy
LOS ANGELES – Apparently, the Emmy memo went out: No fussy, shellacked up-dos, bypass the bacon-hued faux tans and be sure to don a variation of red or silver to blend in with almost every other attendee.
But not everyone got that memo, which, quite frankly, was a great relief.
The Emmys have never been known for its risque red carpet and this year was no different with many of TV’s finest choosing to stroll safely into the Shrine Auditorium.
When it came to seeing red, “Heroes” actress Ali Larter scored in a simple, high-shine strapless Reem Acra column, while Heidi Klum channeled Grace Kelly in a structured wine-hued Christian Dior gown.
Mary-Louise Parker, in a Dolce & Gabbana siren red satin corset dress that contrasted with her alabaster complexion, looked downright Raphaelite.
Less thrilling were “Grey’s Anatomy” actress Kate Walsh’s brick-tone Pamela Dennis sheath that drooped around the bust and Felicity Huffman’s revealing David Meister gown in murderous crimson.
Becki Newton of “Ugly Betty” was one of the evening’s real fashion mavericks, donning a silver mermaid-silhouette gown with delicious scalloped tiers. The effect bordered slightly on amphibious, but she pulled it off and added some high drama.
“Desperate Housewives” star Marcia Cross also swanned in silver with a bold, platinum-and-white Halston-inspired gown by Georges Chakra.
Eva Longoria, who opted to show off her knees, wore a silver sequined cocktail dress that rendered her as shiny as a sexy hood ornament.
Most men exercised sartorial caution too. Is it that none of these guys know how to knot a bow tie?
John Krasinski of “The Office” and Hugh Laurie of “House” stood out in classic tuxedos. But it was Alec Baldwin, looking like a debonair, well-nourished James Bond in a white dinner jacket and bow tie, who deserved a nod for going old school. Oh, and kudos to victor Terry O’Quinn of “Lost,” for courting ridicule with his flamingo-pink shirt.
Perhaps it was the eco-theme – 95,000 plastic bottles were recycled to create the red carpet – that spurred actresses to forgo hair spray. Long, tousled waves or straight manes with center parts dominated, and actresses such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kyra Sedgewick and Debra Messing styled accordingly.
Unfortunately, a few from the dewier set like Katherine Heigl and Hayden Panettiere opted for dowdy buns.
Alas, Charlie Sheen might have depleted some strata of the ozone layer with his mop of ceiling-high spikes.