My favorite part of any awards shows has always been the red carpet. The one trend at the Golden Globes that surprised me this year was all the different shades of nudes, peaches & soft pinks that kept popping up in the ladies’ gown choices. I prefer to see color on the red carpet, so none of the nude shade dresses made my favorites list this year.

Some of my favorite dresses of the evening:

Diane Lane in Reem Acra.

Helen Mirren in a dramatic deep-blue Badgley Mischka gown.

Laura Dern in Andrew Gn.

Shailene Woodley looking etheral in Marchesa.

Reese Witherspoon showing less can be more in a dramatic red Zac Posen.

Worst Dressed

Piper Perabo in a gigantic, sheer and very unflattering Theyskens’ Theory collection dress. Personally, I would be firing my stylist. A total fail.

Bravest Choice

Bravest Choice goes to Sarah Michelle Gellar in blue-and-white Monique Lhuillier. Sarah said during the red carpet pre-show that her 2-year-old daughter Charlotte helped pick out this dress. Sarah is wearing jewelry by Bulgari and Jimmy Choo shoes.

Most Visually Interesting

This was a tie for me, between Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci and Dianna Agron in Giles Deacon. I love how the feathers on Evan’s dress add texture. I also love the laser-cut(!) detailing on Dianna’s dress. Bold choices for both ladies.

Best Gown Color

Ariel Winter in a stunningly gorgeous shade of royal purple. Gown by Dolce & Gabanna.

Best Dressed

This was a very tough call. My top three best dressed went to:

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Claire Danes in a striking J. Mendel gown

And last, but certainly not least…Emma Stone, a vision in Lanvin.  I love, love, love the purple and red combination, and the beading on the shoulders. Divine.

Who was YOUR best dressed for this year’s Golden Globes? Let me know in the comments!

All images © 2012 Getty Images.