Conditions Magazine: 2010

The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat" (the groping paws of an overzealous fashion guru...). This age-old adage seemed particularly fitting at the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards--a star-studded night of dazzling highs, devastating lows, and a vast middle ground of whatever. But we're not talking statuettes here; we're talking style. And if the Globes are any indication of what we can expect to see at next month's Oscars, most celebs will play it safe, sticking with timeless silhouettes and tried-and-true colors. Still, as the following ensembles prove, anything can and will happen on the red carpet.

Best in Show

Ladies in black stole the show, accounting for three of the evening's strongest ensembles. The perennially chic Reneé Zellweger was stunning in an asymmetrical, slit-to-there silk chiffon gown by Carolina Herrera. The coup de grace? A vintage Van Cleef & Arpels brooch fastened off-center (as fashionistas should heretofore demand) on one of the gown's back straps. Charlize Theron, another red-carpet favorite, looked lovely in not-so-basic black. Her flirty Dior frock--a short nude slip with black lace overlay--might've landed another wearer on Mr. Blackwell's, but Theron pulled it off with panache, dressing up the skimpy shift with a glittering Cartier bracelet. Rounding out the colorless trio was Natalie Portman in vintage Chanel: The strapless, ribbon-belted dress, worn without jewelry, looked as if it were made for the ingenue, who scores extra points for sporting the pixie--a hairstyle only the prettiest of stars can wear with aplomb.