The Best and Worst of Red Carpet Fashion at the Emmy Awards

Forget about who wore what by which designer. The average viewer of the Emmy Awards really doesn't care. It's the fashion that counts, and how an actress pulls off a red carpet ensemble. Some actresses have become legends for their glamour and style on the red carpet, yet others are much in need of a visit by Tim Gunn and his sidekick, Veronica Webb.

In honor of the 59th Annual Emmy Awards, a few unofficial fashion awards are necessary, honoring the red carpet stunners and the fashion challenged.

Flock of Feathers Award

Vanessa Williams, though elegant and beautiful to watch, must have flown to the cuckoos nest to wear the light green fitted dress adorned with hundreds of pale green feathers this year. An elegant updo and dress color to match her striking green eyes couldn't save this feather duster.

Black and Gold Award

Though not quite as dramatic as the feathered look that Vanessa Williams wore, Ellen Pompeo of Grey's Anatomy missed the mark with a fitted and belted black gown adorned with enough gold jewelry to send her back to the 80's. A gold necklace hung from her neck with two large gold adornments hanging from the necklace. The top of the dress gave the illusion of a stretched up tube top. Ellen's hairstylist should also be fired for sending her with a hairdo that looked like she forgot to take the large round curlers out.

Side Pony Tail Award/Worst Hair

Kate Walsh must have shared more than Dr. McDreamy with Ellen Pompeo. From the look of Kate's strange one sided pony tailed hairstyle, she may have shared a hairstylist too. Her hair looked carelessly swept together and pulled to the side into a loose, windswept pony tail, last seen in fashion around 1985 when Madonna made large lace hair bows popular.

The Black Dress Awards

There were multiple winners in this category, with several actresses wearing variations of a black gown. The looks lost their sparkle when more than a pair of black dressed actresses were shown together on screen. Glenn Close and Kyra Sedgwick chose black, as well as Sandra Oh and Ellen Pompeo. There were others, and so the trend of the black Emmy gown continues.

Classic Elegance Award

At the Oscars, this award is often fitting for actresses such as Gwenyth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, or Charlize Theron. This year, Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy) walked the Emmy Awards' red carpet with a classic elegance, wearing a striking, but simple, white fitted gown with a mermaid-like bottom. While other actresses chose more cleavage as their signature look, Katherine showed little and looked like a classic beauty. Her hair was pulled back in a large bun and red lipstick completed the classic look.

Too Hot to Handle Award

Eva Longoria did not disappoint walking the red carpet at the Emmys. Eva wore a short dress that glittered in gold. The low cut golden dress was a perfect match for her petite figure and style. Her wavy hair was loose, complimenting the overall style of her outfit. It is likely that other actresses steered clear of lovely Longoria, as her dress may have stolen their limelight.

Honorable Mention

Sally Field, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, and America Fererra all looked Emmy perfect on the red carpet. Sally and Julia chose colored gowns, fitted and bright, and America was definitely no ugly Betty in a royal blue strapless gown. All of these actresses should be commended for their smart fashion decisions.