PurseBlog

Modern Family‘s Ariel Winter is the youngest actress to make this list for her girlish-but-modern Katherine Kidd gown in an abstract floral print. I love a print on the red carpet, and too few people take the plunge. The shoes are a shame, though – I like the color, but the dress and occasion require something a tad more delicately shaped. (Think open-toe.) Still, I think the dress is a real winner for a teen actress.

More controversy! I loved Julianne Moore‘s bold, covered-up citrine gown from Raf Simons’ first Dior Haute Couture collection. It’s such a ballsy pick: a difficult color, a gown with both a high neck and long sleeves, a fit that’s tailored within an inch of its life, no ostentatious bling to interrupt the line. I live for this sort of red carpet risk, and so few people ever take it. The ones who do always seem like they’re daring the Internet to tear them to pieces. I think they should be applauded for it, and I thought the dress was beautiful – strong, modern, but with just enough Dior history sewn into it.

Nicole Kidman is a veteran of practically every best-dressed list known to man, and this blue beaded Antonio Berardi column looks wonderful on her. It’d also look pretty great as a knee-length cocktail dress.

Last but not least, we have Revenge star Emily VanCamp in light-as-a-weather dove grey J. Mendel. This dress is much better in pictures than it was in the wonky lighting that the TV cameras had on the carpet. Grey that soft can be challenging, but it doesn’t wash her out at all. This design would also make a great wedding dress for a non-traditional bride – it’s pretty in a way that will translate for years to come.