Emmy Fashions for 2009

Bold color, strapless gowns, and beautiful updos or long wavy tresses were the call of the evening for the 2009 Emmy Awards. The women accented their femininity and men went for old Hollywood glam.

First time hosts, "Dancing with the Stars" Carrie Ann Inaba, and Chris Harrison from "The Bachelor," schmoozed with the celebrity crowd like they had been doing it for years. They were both charming and delightful.

Golden gowns were popular among actresses who wanted to outshine Emmy herself. Jamie Lyn Sigler donned a gold halter gown with an unusual draped back from Donna Karen. She pulled her hair back in a sexy, yet sophisticated style, which was accented with crystal earrings.

Sandra Oh, from ABC's smash hit "Grey's Anatomy" also wore gold in a simple, form-fitting Marchesa gown. Leaving her hair soft and wavy, she chose simple gold hoop earrings to complete the look.

First-time Emmy novice, Kaley Cuoco, from "Big Bang Theory" chose a plunging neck gown in metallic gold. Soft waves framed her beautiful face, leaving her looking every bit the golden angel.

Jeanne Triplehorn; however, missed the mark with a golden number that aged her 20 years. Worse yet, the actress paid no attention to hair or makeup. The effect was not positive and didn't do justice to the lovely star.

Silver metallic was the second most popular metal. Holly Hunter went with a delicately woven metallic silver gown. She accented it with minimal jewelry and her long wavy locks.

Mariska Hargitay, from "Law and Order: SVU" followed suit in a silver lame gown from Carolina Herrera. Her longer hair was left soft and flowing. Although she really didn't need it, a jewel-encrusted bib necklace didn't take anything way from her overall look.

Kristin Chenoweth went over the top in a silver, crystal and beaded short dress from Zuhair Murad. She pulled her straight blond tresses into a low back ponytail.

Bronze was the metal of choice for Elizabeth Moss from TNT's juggernaut "Mad Men." Wearing Reem Acra, she accented her beautiful skin and natural coloring.

Black and white gowns were either stunning or far too matronly for those who chose to play it safe. A very pregnant Heidi Klum looked radiant in a tight, strapless black gown with beaded trim from Marchesa. She pulled her hair back into a sophisticated "do" and polished the look with long gunmetal earrings.

Perennial Emmy favorite, Sally Field, of "Brothers and Sisters" fame also chose black. Unfortunately, the overall look was matronly and her usual, casually mussed hair needed taming. That and little jewelry left the actress looking unfinished and as if she didn't care.

Likewise, controversial actress Shirley MacLaine missed the mark. Her black dress could have been simple and elegant but ended up looking odd with a bright orchid scarf tied around her neck. Her ESP must not have been working.

Another senior actress, Glenn Close, chose a more flattering picture neck gown. Although her hair could have stood some more attention, overall it was one of Close's better red carpet looks.

Former "Saturday Night Live" alum, Amy Poehler, donned a strapless black gown with silver leaf beading. From Reem Acra, the dress worked well on the actress's petite figure.

Another SNL alum, Tina Fey, finally glammed it up at least a tad with a black plunging back gown from Gucci. The actress never looked lovelier with pulled back hair and perfectly chosen jewelry - - a pin at the bottom of her draped gown back.

Alyson Hannigan, from "How I Met Your Mother," looked all grown up in her black, tiered mermaid gown. She left her lovely red locks loose and wavy to steal the show from many of her long-time alumni Emmy friends.

Shimmering in a white mermaid style gown, actress Olivia Wilde dazzled and bewitched showing a provocative "S" panel of skin down the front and low back. Like many other actresses, she pulled her hair back to accent her amazing bone structure and to call attention to her stunning smile. Long earrings completed the look.

Ladies in red included "Heroes" Hayden Pannettiere who suddenly looked very grown up and every bit the All-American beauty in a draped red chiffon one-shoulder gown from J. Mendel. Her bright red lips and glamorous updo made her one of the evening's most memorable beauties.

Actress Blake Lively followed the color lead with a beautiful red gown from Versace. The plunging V-neckline certainly made everyone sit up and take notice.

Fashionista Debra Messing also went red with a one-shoulder creation crystal accented number from American designer, Michael Kors. Messing opted for a one-sided sophistical "do", which was polished off with golden leaf earrings.

Toni Collette's Monique Lhuillier red ruffled strapless gown worked well on her petite figure. Jewelry was kept simple to let the gown do the talking all by itself.

Another perennial favorite color - - blue - - continued the American theme. Kate Walsh donned a silver blue chiffon, delicately draped number. Her shorter red tresses were worn straight just as decided upon by Emmy viewers. Simple pearl earrings finished the sexy look.

Julia-Louie Dreyfuss went royal blue in a stunning gown from Vera Wang. Her long dark tresses were left soft and slightly curly for an old Hollywood look that left the crowd wanting more.

Star of the former "Samantha Who", Christina Applegate, also went royal blue in a cowl-neck gown from up and coming Lebanese designer Basil Soda. However, the odd draping and strange cummerbund made the actress looking dumpy despite her curvy figure, on-trend stick earrings and pulled back hair.

Former Miss America, Vanessa Williams, reminded everyone of her beauty in a teal blue corseted gown and large chandelier earrings. She left her hair down so it flowed around her face, framing her near perfect features.

Pink made a return to the red carpet in various shades and degrees of success. Kyra Sedgewick's salmon pink front split gown looked more like a bridesmaid's dress than something for the red carpet. Nonetheless, the talented star of "The Closer" worked her L'Wren Scott gown and the crowd with her usual grace and dignity.

Drew Barrymore went for a princess style pink ruffled strapless gown from Raven Kauffman. She looked every bit the Hollywood royalty that she is with smooth slicked back hair and delicate earrings.

Jennifer-Love-Hewitt set off her sunny side in a yellow "keeper" from Max Azria. The strapless chiffon gown, in conjunction with her soft curly hair pulled back at the top made her look both ethereal and memorable.

A few actresses also claimed royalty in purple creations. "Top Chef" star, Padma Lakshmi went purple with red roses cascading down one side. The look, from Badgley Mischka, was a bit overdone although the TV host's sophisticated "do" was right on target.

Dana Delaney's beaded purple gown was much more interesting. With long curls and perfect chandelier earrings, the lady from Wisteria Lane was almost picture perfect.

Actress Joely Fisher donned a stunning dark orchid gown with a chiffon overlay. Unfortunately a dated updo ruined the finished look.

Maricia Gay Harden chose a strange purple Badgley Miscka gown with a black cumberband. She didn't look comfortable in the dress despite her lovely curly updo and chandelier earrings.

Rose Byrne of "Damages" fame went outside the box in a Valentino nude gown with taupe overlay. She kept her look simple, with loose straight hair and perfectly chosen jewelry.

Perennial favorite, Ellen Byrsten looked like a grand dame in a celery gown with a sparkly lace overlay. This is one woman that gets more beautiful with each passing year.

Thee you have it; the hits and misses of Emmy, 2009's red carpet look for women. Check back for my analysis of the men's clothing choices and my picks for the best and worst dressed.