Golden Globe Awards Dress Picks

Many actresses, particularly the ingénues, have a lot riding on what they wear for their red carpet appearances.

And as The Golden Globes, the first major award show of the season rolls out on Sunday night, many an actress and her stylist will be feeling the pressure to select the right dress as the big night draws closer.

The red carpet has become an important factor in an actress’ career because it will determine her fashion wattage. Will the fashion magazines love her style and anoint her with a cover? Landing a covet cover such as Vogue, the Holy Grail of fashion magazines, can lead to big paycheck campaigns with global beauty and fashion brands.

Not to mention, red carpet fashions are dissected and discussed for many days after the event, which leaves a best dressed actress in the public’s mind on the many blogs, sites and television shows that fuel the dress debate.

Never before has the term, dressed to impress, held such esteemed value.

But this of course, leads to a downside or boredom. An actress is never left alone to make such a decision as to what to wear. Stylists, publicists, managers, agents and probably mom, all probably weigh in with their opinions.

With such strategizing and marketing in mind, there’s rarely ever a misstep on the red carpet these days.

Gone for good are the days when sartorial smashups happened on the red carpet, which was often the most fun part of watching these award shows.

Who can forget Bjork’s swan dress? Or when Demi Moore somehow left the house on the arm of Bruce Willis wearing what looked like lacy biking shorts? Or when the actress fancied herself a designer and had her own designs made as in the case of Kim Bassinger’s weird white gown with the stand up collar and one sleeve?

This all made for entertaining red carpet viewing with delightful groans and endless discussions on what-were-they-thinking?

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1. We nominate this gold embellished boho gown from Altuzzura for Amy Adams.

1. We nominate this gold embellished boho gown from Altuzzura for Amy Adams.

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2. We nominate this sexy cut out gown by Elie Saab for Jennifer Aniston.

2. We nominate this sexy cut out gown by Elie Saab for Jennifer Aniston.

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3. We nominate this feminine floral print from Erdem for Emily Blunt.

3. We nominate this feminine floral print from Erdem for Emily Blunt.

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4. We nominate this sleek navy blue gown from Lanvin for Robin Wright.

4. We nominate this sleek navy blue gown from Lanvin for Robin Wright.

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5. We nominate this modern floral dress from Carolina Herrera for Meryl Streep.

5. We nominate this modern floral dress from Carolina Herrera for Meryl Streep.

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6. We nominate this citrus coloured gown from Ralph Lauren for Viola Davis.

6. We nominate this citrus coloured gown from Ralph Lauren for Viola Davis.

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7. We nominate this goddess gown by Jason Wu for Jessica Chastain.

7. We nominate this goddess gown by Jason Wu for Jessica Chastain.

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We nominate this ethereal starfish print dress by Valentino for Keira Knightley.

8. We nominate this ethereal starfish print dress by Valentino for Keira Knightley.

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We nominate this midnight blue gown from Rodarte for Julianne Moore.

9. We nominate this midnight blue gown from Rodarte for Julianne Moore.

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 We nominate this bejeweled gown from Ralph Lauren for Helen Mirren.

10. We nominate this bejeweled gown from Ralph Lauren for Helen Mirren.

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Today, red carpet dressing has a uniform look. Rarely will someone pick a punchy print. Often a mermaid gown or a svelte form fitting gown will be the obvious choice. Pants and pant suits are banished.

When it comes to embellishment, subtle sparkle are the tasteful decorations. And most likely, a big well known designer label is preferred rather than a young up-and-coming designer.

So as pundits, critics and regular arm-chair Joes weigh in on possible red carpet choices, we join the fray and offer our nominations from the spring collections we would love to see strolling down the red carpet on Sunday night before the klieg lights.