Oscars red carpet preview: Best dressed at awards season arrivals

There are many stops on the trail of an Oscars campaign. Nominees do face time at the galas for the various guilds (writers, directors, producers). And then there's the daytime meet-and-greets at American Film Institute and the nominees luncheon for the Academy Awards themselves. But the clothes get louder where the cameras get brighter at the Golden Globes and later the SAG Awards. A highly subjective ranking of how stars showed up and showed off. —Ned Martel

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Jessica Chastain at SAG

How can anything this basic be the best of anything? There's the novelty of the actress, who had a here-to-stay set of performances without a been-here-before bored expression. But think of the balance this Calvin Klein dress strikes: an unusual blue against her long auburn hair, a display of form-following fabric that allows a lot of alabaster beauty up above.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty

Claire Danes at Golden Globes

"The Artist" made Hollywood think a lot about the glory of its monochrome past, and Claire Danes chose a look that explains it further. Her blond hair is pulled up and almost metallic, which with her red, red lipstick, reminds spectators that this actress is pulled together in a way her "Homeland" heroine is not. And then her J Mendel gown hit all the right major-and-minor notes, like one resounding chord.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Angelina Jolie at Golden Globes

She took on a weight-of-the-world genocide narrative in her directorial debut, and of lesser concern, she lost a few pounds. Ultimately, some immense confidence empowered her to put on this Versace strapless, which accentuated all her positives, and suggested some Valentine’s Day gifts strewn on satin sheets. Seriously, so many of these folks make you look twice, but she makes you look 20 times.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Bradley Cooper at Golden Globes

The prepster called Coop spoke French in his dirtball movie’s junket and suggested that America’s cultural imperialism -- and global box-office sales -- should have some better ambassadors. And Bradley Cooper can wear a tux and a beard without looking like the Brylcreemed slickster that Jean Dujardin has become, or as Bad Santa as Jeff Bridges.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Helen Mirren at Golden Globes

Age is never before beauty when Helen Mirren shows up, especially in this deluxe Badgley Mischka dress. The deep neckline lets her feel good about her neck, and all other components, in an ensemble that whispers, "Why give up?"

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Viola Davis with Julius Tennon at Golden Globes

Win or lose, it’s Davis's year and in all her outings, she looks like she’s enjoying every step and every clap. She looked best in this Pucci gown at the Golden Globes that was original and advanced and applause-worthy.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Kyra Sedgwick at SAG Awards

She closed down "The Closer" but is opening herself up to all sorts of possibilities in this flank-baring Pucci floor-length that bared her sinewy sides but also a tattoo tribute to her husband, Kevin Bacon, and their now-grown kids. (Nothing figurative, just an arrangement of initials!)

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Nicole Richie at Golden Globes

I apologize to those who want to consider only performers of the thespian variety, but sometimes the reality-show demimonde turns a bystander into a standout. Nicole Richie appeared at the Golden Globes in this Julien Macdonald that had some precious-metal value.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Demian Bichir at Academy Award Nominee Luncheon

Attention George Clooney and Jean Dujardin: While you lean on light gray and dark suits every time, this out-of-nowhere contender is taking nominee attire somewhere really, really good.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Natalie Portman at SAG Awards

She's tiny but with new post-pregnancy proportions, and possibilities, as encased in the Giambattista Valli gown.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Tilda Swinton at SAG Awards

This is not the Scot at her most experimental, and still, as with her acting, she makes the simple stunning in a pretty Lanvin dress.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Octavia Spencer at the Academy Award Nominee Luncheon

A lot of curves usually means a lot of cover-up, but Octavia Spencer had some form of sensible slink in this daytime outfit, with hint (and print) of animal under her sleeve.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Rooney Mara at AFI

It was expected that this goth debutante might have the power to pull fashion forward into the 21st century, but this Lanvin seemed the lone keeper of all her looks, which usually matched her scowl.

Dan Steinberg / AP

Zachary Levi at Golden Globes

His "Chuck" show ended its whimsical action, and Levi’s blue Ted Baker tux suggested that, like his up-for-any-caper character, he’s his own person.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Morena Baccarin at Golden Globes

This is a dazzler that displeased blogging finger-waggers, but the black Edition by Georges Chakra gown presents some youthful exposure in the torso that gets classed up with the society-lady hairdo.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Julianne Moore at Golden Globes

The actress insists on nothing in terms of New Fashion Statement, but with her hair mingling on her shoulders with jade-colored danglers, she implies quietly that she knows what she's got -- and it's good.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Heidi Klum at Golden Globes

Heidi Klum wore Calvin Klein to the Beverly Hilton and renounced the tributes to Old Hollywood, with a reminder that there's a beach and a desert nearby and tan (whether skin or silk) looks great with turquoise.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Kelly MacDonald at Golden Globes

She came out in a dress by Lorena Sarbu that learned all the lessons about how unusual color combinations -- green and purple -- can make the eye linger.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Tina Fey at Golden Globes

In her Oscar de la Renta gown she finally transmits she is not some shlub getting a makeover. Red-carpet practice has made perfect.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Armie Hammer with Elizabeth Chambers at SAG Awards

He got denied any big wins for his daring “J.Edgar” role, but Armie Hammer, with his wife, knows how to make this moment his own.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Kate Winslet at Golden Globes

The face is a little forced, the belt went a little bananas, but the Jenni Packham gown is black-and-white classic.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Brad Pitt at Academy Award Nominee Luncheon

He is as good an actor as he is a looker, and he rewards with the attention, looking grown up and honored, with his Louis Vuitton notched lapels and pocket square.

Joe Klamar / AFP/Getty Images

Jessica Alba at Golden Globes

She can boast some of the most gawked-at curves in Hollywood, but she keeps it demure in a Gucci purply gown that has girlishness and elegance.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Eva Amurri at HBO's Golden Globes after party

Her mother is Susan Sarandon, and her gown is Lela Rose, and her presence is duly noted. Wow.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Regina King at SAG Awards

The "Southland" star stepped out in Alberta Ferretti and looked happy to be caught up in a cyclone of ruffles.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Adam Levine with James Valentine at NBC Universal's Golden Globes after party

“The Voice” judge made chairs turn in his Tom Ford tux, and it’s cool that he brought a friend who was everything that he’s not, sartorially, but still solidly cool.

Jerod Harris

Ryan Kwanten at Golden Globes

Tuxedoed talent is all over the place at these Golden Globe after parties, but this guy is impressive not for any Cary Grant aspirations but more for the fact he still looks, in his Hugo Boss tux, like an Aussie surfer suiting up for a special occasion.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Viola Davis at AFI

Okay, because it's her year, let's look at how well she suits up in David Meister for a noon appearance, and puts her best colorful foot forward.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Octavia Spencer at AFI

Another for Octavia Spencer, because she has clearly considered her options, and chosen wisely in the sleeve-and hem-length categories, this time by Tadashi Shoji.

Dan Steinberg / AP

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