I’m not sure there could be a better way to kick off a new season of writing after a couple months’ break than the Golden Globes.  After the social media and newsfeed tumult that was 2016, it’s nice to have a bit of fun with good ole’ awards season and a brand new year to go with it.  It’s like hitting the refresh button and everything coming up glitter.

If I had to describe this year’s Golden Globes red carpet in one word it would be finally!  Finally!  I think this is the first red carpet I’ve encountered in years when I saw consistent risk-taking and some truly incredible head-to-toe styling across the board.  Honestly, most everyone looked great in one way or another.  Even the guys were catching my interest!  Donald Glover in that velvet brown suit with the purplish bowtie?!  In the words of Lando Calrissian, hello what have we here.  Of course there were a couple looks that had me wrinkling my nose, but maybe only a handful.  Overall, the stylists and glamsquads killed it this evening!

Before I list my favorites, try to remember once again that I’m not just considering the dresses- I take into account the hair, the makeup, the jewelry, and the accessories as a whole package along with the dress.  Some “weirder” dresses were made perfect to me by the overall styling pulling it together, while other looks were thrown off for me by maybe just one thing like a necklace.

Alright, enough with that.  Here we go!

Best Newcomer That You’ll Continue To See Forever – Ruth Negga in Louis Vuitton

Ruth Negga has that gamine kind of look that feels like she’s just stepped out of a chic Parisian nightclub in the 1920s.  Her finger-waved hair and gown that reminds me of the Maschinenmensch in Metropolis are adding quite a bit to that vintage vibe, but this look is giving me Wonder Woman feels too (especially with that cuff she’s wearing).  Considering that Ruth is currently on the cover of Vogue and she’ll probably land an Oscar nomination for Loving, I have a feeling she’s about to experience the kind of meteoric rise to fame like Lupita Nyong’O a couple years ago and we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.  This Louis Vuitton gown is not a bad way to start.

Best Throwback To A Bygone Era – Natalie Portman in Prada

To say this look is “1960s inspired” would be the understatement of the evening.  This is the 1960s; this whole look could’ve come straight off the set of Mad Men or straight out of Jackie O’s closet.  It’s getting a lot of flack on social media, but I love it.  Natalie’s hair is perfect, and the jewelry and makeup and chrome clutch merely adorn the gown rather than distract from it.  I was pleased to see Natalie wearing Prada as we’re so used to seeing her in Dior.  Prada is a little more playful and colorful, but there’s still something understated and regal about this gown (probably because we know who it pays tribute to).

Best Hard-To-Screw-Up Formula – Brie Larson in Rodarte

A glamorous shade of red.  Shiny, old Hollywood waves.  An incredible, always-flattering sweetheart neckline.  There’s little to be done wrong with a look like this, and I’m learning to appreciate the whole “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” philosophy when it comes to style.  I knew this gown was Rodarte as soon as I noticed the signature crystals on the bodice, and while it’s not the biggest risk of the evening, who cares?  Brie looks like a Valentine come to life!  This would be a beautiful gown on anyone, but Brie wears it like a dream.

SECOND Best Throwback To A Bygone Era – Drew Barrymore in Monique Lhullier

I think the history buff in me was going crazy tonight because I felt like so many gowns referred back to various decades in twentieth century America.  Something I love!  Ruth’s touched on the 1920s, Natalie’s embodied the 1960s, and Drew’s gorgeous dress here is a beautiful throwback to the 1930s.  Moreover, any gown that gets me thinking of art deco and architecture in general is a winner in my book.  Check out those sleeves!  There’s also a closeup shot of Drew’s makeup floating around social media and it is glorious.  I might’ve done something different with Drew’s hair; the dress seems to be calling for something that pulls her hair away from her face.  But you know, it looks so healthy and lovely on its own that I don’t care!

Best Weird Dress Completely Redeemed By Perfect Styling – Kerry Washington in Dolce & Gabbana

Like I’ve said, I like weird dresses that may initially have you going ohhh honey noooooo (or at least scratching your head wondering if you hate it or if it’s magnificent).  However, it’s typically the hair and makeup that rounds out the weirdness of the dress into something I love.  Kerry is good at this- she and her team frequently choose “bad” or “weird” dresses that are then styled into something magical because of a tweak here and there, the right manicure, and an excellent glamsquad.

This is the perfect example.  This Dolce & Gabbana dress is actually floor length on the runway, but the proportions make more sense when the skirt is shortened.  Thanks to strappy sandals and see-through lace, this dress actually elongates Kerry when a floor length dress with capsleeves typically shortens the one wearing it.  The bodice and sleeves are very ornate and complicated, but when you pair it with perfectly smooth, dark hair tossed behind the shoulders, the look seems balanced.  A nude manicure and a complete lack of jewelry aside from a simple pair of earrings allows the elaborately detailed gown to show off without being too much on Kerry.  Top it off with the perfect, purply-brown lip color and she is wearing the dress, not vice versa.  And suddenly, a dress that would normally have me giving the side eye has me ooh-ing and aah-ing.  That’s what stylists do!

Let me know your thoughts!  Any folks you thought looked absolutely stunning?  Any dresses have you dazed and confused?  Do tell, and next stop- the SAG Awards!  xo, MR

Photo credits in order of appearance:  Jordan Strauss for Invision via Associated Press, Getty Images, Rex via Shutterstock, Rob Latour for Rex via Shutterstock, Steve Granitz for WireImage