My favorite part about last night's red carpet -- and many of the red carpets in the weeks leading up to last night -- was the understated elegance going on. A nod to the troubled economy? Likely.
The big jaw-dropping jewels were, for the most part (I'm still wondering if Angelina Jolie's emerald earrings were the real deal), left at home. Instead, the stars focused on adding umph to their best features with their gowns.
A perfect example? Meryl Streep in that off-the-shoulder gray dress by Alberta Ferretti. No fuss or fancy color (not Meryl's style). Just pure and simple elegance.
For the most part, the dresses did the talking rather than all the accessories. Like the big fluffy Christian Dior ball gown Sarah Jessica Parker wore (and nearly fell out of). Or the red architectural gem by Roland Mouret that Heidi Klum wore. That thigh-high slit said it all.
Other continuing trends: the one-shoulder look (Marisa Tomei and Kate Winslet) and belted ball gowns (SJP and Miley Cyrus' dresses).
A more recent trend, however, is the pale dress, which almost seems to have taken off ever since Michelle Obama wore a white gown to the Inaugural balls last month. Anne Hathaway, Melissa George, Evan Rachel Wood (Raleigh girl who was less goth and more elegance last night in an Elie Saab strapless gown that showed off her tattoos) and Marisa Tomei all went light.
If I had to pick a favorite "wow" moment from last night, it came from Meryl, followed closely by Angelina arriving and turning around to show off her enviable cascading dark locks.
