2013 Grammy Awards Red Carpet

I know it's taken a while, but I think it's been worth the wait: here's the red carpet post for the recent Grammy awards!

One of the most interesting things about this red carpet is that CBS (the network that televises the show) sent out an email describing a dress code for the event, apparently in response to lawsuits about indecency on television. People were asked to :

Please be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered. Thong type costumes are problematic. Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack. Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic. Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could  possibly expose female breast nipples. Please be sure the genital region is adequately covered so that there is no visible “puffy” bare skin exposure.

I don't know how I feel about the dress code. I think it's ridiculous that many women feel they need to show off their bodies. On the other hand, I think if a woman is comfortable in her own skin, why shouldn't she dress in a way she likes? Then I think that I don't much like censorship in any form... but at the same time, I don't necessarily want to see everything a person has to offer.

Interestingly, it seems that no one was sent home to change even if they wore something that violated the rules. What's the point of a dress code that isn't enforced? That makes no sense to me.

Anyways, let's get on with the show. Happy reading!

Natasha Bedingfield in Emerson

I think I'd like this look more if she didn't appear to be slouching. She appears to be uncomfortable with the amount of cleavage she's showing. Of course slouching only draws attention to those areas.

Katy Perry in Gucci

This is quite an understated look for her! All the better to draw attention to her bust, I suppose. Technically, she broke the clothing rules by showing side- and under-boob. It's possible that they let this look through because she's showing cleavage and while cleavage is technically a side of the breast, some might say that the rules were only referring to the outside, not the inside, of the breast. 

Maria Menounos in Gomez-Gracia

There's not much difference between this and a mullet dress. I could overlook the mulletness of this dress but I can't get past that belt. It's too casual for the dress and much too casual for those shoes.

Kerli in Ezra (top)

She's quite unique, isn't she? Many people disliked this look because they thought she looked weird. I say, if you can't look weird at the Grammys, when can you look weird? Besides, it's just her makeup and hair that are unusual. Her whole look is cohesive and well put-together.

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

She's managed to follow the dress code - in her usual white - and still look sexy. I love this dress with its Grecian look, beaded silver straps, and floaty skirt. I also love that the back is as interesting and gorgeous as the front. Well done!

Faith Hill in J. Mendel

Interesting that both she and Taylor Swift are wearing dresses by the same designer and yet each looks like they're attending a different event. This is a lovely dress but seems a bit demure for the Grammys. It might work for a gallery opening or something.

Esperanza Spalding in Eden Diodati

Most people didn't like this outfit but I do (although that's not the way people normally wear jackets). I'm a huge fan of these digital prints and I love the way its been used here. The colouring and style suit her, too.

Chrissy Teigen in Joy Cioci

Just because something meets the dress code doesn't mean that it's tasteful. The open midriff (even though its covered by netting) and leg slit are tacky. There's nothing particularly flattering about the style of this dress, either; she may as well have worn a burlap sack to the event. 

Kelly Rowland in Georges Chakra

This dress doesn't exactly meet the dress code, does it? The underside of her breasts are clearly visitble through the cutout sections. They let it through, however, probably because nothing was in danger of being exposed or falling out. That's good, because this is an amamzing dress. It fits her beautifully and is sexy without being vulgar. 

Jenna Jameson in Michael Costello

This may be the most unexpected outfit on the red carpet because no one expects an adult film star to be completely covered up like this. Sure, the gown is form-fitting, but she is completely covered. I do wish the brocade pattern was centered on her, however, because I want to reach in through the screen and shift the pattern to the left a bit.

Bonnie McKee in Rafael Cennamo

There's a trend happening where a miniskirt is paired with a floaty dress. Sometimes it works and sometimes - like here - it doesn't. There are two dresses in one here: one is an edgy rocker dress and the other is a wedding gown. They don't work together.

Kaley Cuoco in Amen

She's not involved in music, I don't think, so there's no reason for her to wear a dress to the Grammys. This outfit is something one might wear to a concert (except for the high heels) and since the Grammys are like a big concert interspersed with award presentations, I'd say she's dressed perfectly.

Alicia Keys in Azzedine Alaia

 I was ok with this dress as it scrolled onto my screen ... until I got to the knee and saw that weird shape there. I have no objection or avant-garde ideas or playing with proportion but that knee shape thing  looks like a seam gone wrong to me. And the more I look at the bodice, which is all edgy and full of rock and roll, the less I like the idea of the skirt (even if it didn't have a crazy seam in it).

Nicole Kidman in Vera Wang

Aaah! Oh Nicole, what have you done? Even if you weren't wearing a dull, dirty dishcloth of a dress that does nothing for your colouring, your face looks less fresh and more tight and misshapen. The work you're having done is looking obvious and unattractive. You're beautiful no matter what your age so why not try looking your actual age? 

Ashanti in Tony Ward Couture

That's quite a bit of cleavage showing there but it looks like nothing is moving so I guess it's ok. That cleavage takes the eye off of that rather strange shoulder treatment and the fact that she's swimming in this skirt. Also, I hope this is a skirt-over-a-bodysuit dress and that's not the panty part of pantyhose at the top of the slit there.

Miranda Lambert in Roberto Cavalli

There's a little bit of cleavage there but we can overlook it, I think. This colour and style are lovely on her. She looks gorgeous.

Miranda Lambert (Grammy performance outfit)

If you want to see how much effect choosing flattering clothes can have on the way someone looks, compare this dress with her red carpet dress. This one is an unflattering colour, too tight, and makes her hips look disproportionately large whereas the red carpet dress fit her perfectly and was a flattering shape and colour.

Carly Rae Jepsen in Roberto Cavalli

Here's an example of a dress with a sparkly bodice with a floaty skirt that works even though it's strapless and has a mermaid shape. This colour is gorgeous on her, there's interest in the embellishments, and the floaty skirt has enough sparklies in it so that it looks like part of the dress, not just an afterthought.

Kat Von D in 10 Crosby Derek Lam

It never occurred to me that her legs would be covered with tattoos but of course it makes sense that they are since her arms and neck are covered. This dress looks like it would be a great choice for the office, don't you think? I could see it with a great pair of black pumps and hair back in a low ponytail. 

Kimberley Schlapman in Maria Luisa Hohan

Is it just me, or is there a strange similarity between her hair and the skirt? Maybe that's why she chose this dress. I'd call it a wedding dress except that the back and sides are sheer net and that seems like an odd choice for a wedding.

Allison Williams in KAUFMANFRANCO

I love love love the Art Deco feel this dress has what with the horizontal stripes and vertical design. The style and colour suit her perfectly. This is a lovely choice - she looks fabulous without showing off any part of her breasts or fleshy bits!

Beyoncé in Osman

The black jumpsuit needs that white contrast because otherwise the look is very plain. This is quite an understated look for her; I think I like it.

Lauren Mayhew in Blaque Label

Are those shoulder pads? I think they are and I'm pretty sure I don't like it, especially since she's also sporting a hairstyle that's reminiscent of the 80s. I do love the colour of the dress, and it works for her, but there's just not a lot to it.  Plus those shoes are more "ladies who lunch" than "Grammy red carpet".

Pauley Perrette

She and I share similar fishbelly-white colouring and black can be much too harsh against our skin. Especially when our skin is bleached further by flashbulbs. Imagine her in burgundy or emerald green instead of black. Much better, hmm?

Carrie Keagan

These shoulder pads have a very 40s look to them, don't they? I think I'd like that, and the embellishments, if only this dress didn't have that mullet hem. And she wasn't wearing those shoes. This is the Grammys, not a beach.

Kaya Jones in Alexis Monsanto

That's quite some cleavage there, yes? I wonder if the rules actually made a difference in what people were wearing? This dress is nice enough even though it does show cleavage (err, side boob). Well, and the orange-red isn't really her best colour.

Kat Dennings in Vivienne Westwood

See, here's where I don't understand the rules. She isn't showing any side boob or anything but her breasts look ready to pop out. How is that ok but side boob isn't? Anyways, this dress is interesting even though it has some towel-like qualities.

Skylar Grey in Armani

She definitely took a risk showing off that much side- and under-breast when those were specifically supposed to be not allowed. This dress is gorgeous and interesting and fits her, but I wouldn't have thought it would get through. Maybe it did because her breasts are small and not going anywhere? Maybe because it's an Armani dress?

Karen Fairchild in Dolce & Gabbana

I think I've seen this dress, or a version of it, on the red carpet a kabillion times. It must be comfortable to wear. It looks ok and meets the dress code requirements but there's something weird going on at the waist there which is a bit unattractive.

Mika Newton in AIISHA

There's something so sweet and possibly a little twee about this dress and the way she's wearing her hair. I love the embellishments on the dress but it comes across as a little too bridal for this event.

Giuliana Rancic in Carlos Miele

There's nothing especially wrong with this mermaid dress except for the colour. It's much too close to her skin tone and kind of patchy so she looks like she's wrapped in seeping skin-coloured bandages.

Adele in Valentino Couture

She just had a baby and this is her first public appearance after giving birth. People had much to say about this dress and almost none of it was flattering. While people praised her for not wearing all-black like she usually does, they really didn't like this print (although I think it's actually lace). Personally, I think she looks great for just having had a baby and I happen to like the fabric used in this dress. I like the contrast between the lace on the dress body and on the sleeves, and I like the colour combination. I do think the dress could have used a black belt and some black accessories but either way, this is very much an Adele dress.

Estelle in Genelle Brooks x Love Collins

This isn't the ugliest print I've ever seen but it's far from the most attractive. Somehow it suits her; even the bare midriff works for her. 

Karlie Kloss in Michael Kors

You might not be able to tell by those skeletal legs and visible ribcage around her sternum, but she's a model. While I like the colour of the dress, the shape of the armholes and that center cutout is a bit weird. Not to mention the fact that this is a lovely summer dress and this is not summertime.

Solange Knowles in Ralph & Russo Couture

More shoulder pads? More leg slits? When will these trends end? This colour isn't quite right for her skin tone and I can see her panty line but it's nice enough. The shoes add a welcome pop of colour.

Joan Osborne in Rani Zakhem

If you're going to wear a yellow dress, you may as well go all out and wear a bright yellow cocoon dress, right? It looks very comfortable and easy to wear, which can be a benefit. Too bad this particular colour doesn't flatter her all that well.

Kelly Osbourne in Paule Ka

I love this dress! These cutouts are perfectly placed for her and I quite love the bow on the back. The bottom is a little bit heavy but this dress still looks great.

Kimbra in Jaime Lee Major

In case you don't recognize her, she's the female voice in Gotye's "Somebody I used to know" song. I love that this dress is so completely unique on the red carpet but I could do without the extra hip- to knee- length tutu. She's not quite tall enough for the tutu to give her extra curves.

Florence Welch in Givenchy Couture

It's a ... lizard? or a ... dinosaur? Most people couldn't wear horns on their sleeves and chest because they would look silly. Not her, however: look at the expression on her face. She knows she's wearing horns and she's daring you to laugh at her. We can't laugh, can we? Not when that colour and that fit are so spectacular. 

Rihanna in Azzedine Alaia

If there's anyone who is going to push the dress code, it's Rihanna. She's worn some revealing outfits and many other tasteless outfits on the red carpet. This dress is absolutely gorgeous. Look a little closer and you'll see that it's made up of sheer panels of fabric and that the tops of her breasts are clearly visible (in other photos, her nipples could clearly be seen). Methinks she's thumbing her nose at the dress code.

Jennifer Lopez in Anthony Vaccarello

"I am the famous Jennifer Lopez. You cannot see my fleshy lady bits but my leg shows you where they are. Look and love, people." Let me tell you, JLo: we've seen your leg before, and quite frankly we're a little tired of it. It's ok to dress for your age in something other than a tucked swath of fabric. You are beautiful without showing off your body. Oh, and that little bitty topknot on the top of your head doesn't work with this dress. 

Carrie Underwood in Roberto Cavalli with a $31M Johnathon Arndt necklace

I don't love strapless dresses but this is one gorgeous dress. I love the embellishmnets on the bodice and the transition from bodice to skirt. The grey underlayer softens the black to make it work with her skin colour. And of course that necklace - oh, that necklace!!! - is the perfect accessory. Have a look at it in closeup here. Go ahead and drool. 

Carrie Underwood in Theia (Grammy performance outfit)

One of the most unusual performances at the Grammys involved this gorgeous dress. It's silk-satin and about four and a half feet wide so that high-resolution digital images could be projected onto it while images were also projected onto the background. In this way, the dress became part of the visuals that made up the program to create a new and interesting visual performance. I love this dress on its own and with the projected images. There's an interesting article on the background behind the dress here, if you're interested.

Denise Donatelli in Marc Bouwer

More shoulder pads! The turtleneck and shoulder pads make her look like she has no neck. The contrasting fabric on the sides is a great solution to a dress that's too small. If the contrast fabric was a design choice, it wasn't a flattering one.

Kady Z in Viktor Luna

Apparently she wore white because this was her first time on Grammy red carpet. I think this would work better as a jumpsuit because that train looks silly. Whether its a dress or jumpsuit it also needs a belt. And is that her bra I see on the sheer panel or is that some kind of embellishment? 

Anoushka Shankar

This is a lovely dress for a picnic or for walking around on a hot summer's day. It's not so much a red carpet dress even if it has a corset top and it's paired with red peep-toe platform shoes.

Nan Schwartz

I'm not sure what I think of this trend of the upper dress ending at miniskirt level and then adding a skirt below that. If this colour weren't gorgeous on her and the it didn't fit her perfectly, I'm quite sure I wouldn't like this dress at all.

Alicia Arden

I couldn't find a great picture of this outfot so it's hard to evaluate it. I like the idea of the sequinned ombré embellishment but I think it has a cutout back, which might be strange. Also, those sparkly heels and that guitar purse (which is awesome on its own) compete with the dress. An outfit really only needs one focal point - not three.

Lila Downs in Elia Cosmes

This is unusual, isn't it? I don't see this as a red carpet outfit at all as it looks more suited for... well, I have no idea where someone would wear this. She's happy in it, so I guess that's something, right?

Jeannie Mai

She looks so well put together! There are shoulder pads (along with wings, it seems) in the jacket but they add structure to the look. The velvet pants, simple white blouse, gold tie, and shoes add together to create a gorgeous, perfectly proportioned look. It works for the red carpet because the style is spot-on and the combination of metallics and textured pants elevates it from regular office-wear.

Keltie Colleen in Sherri Hill

Sticking a floaty skirt over a sparkly bathing suit doesn't make for a red carpet outfit. Even if you wear yellow shoes.

Ashlee Keating in Terani Couture

Oh look - an ombré sequinned towel dress. I like the ombré look but she needs more to her look than just that sparkly dress. The nude stompers and clutch don't help improve this look; they take away from it. 

Tamia in Michael Costello

I suppose that since she's covered up her cleavage with that tasseled necklace, it doesn't matter that we can see it. Looking at this picture, I thought she was a larger lady but after doing a quick search, I see that it's the outfit making her look bigger than she is! I conclude that this cocoon shape is flattering on only the most skeletal of people.

Erica Atkins-Campbell

She looks pretty good here; she's a bit pear-shaped but te dress looks good. The shoes, on the other hand. give her weird stumpy legs. However, while I can find information on the stylist and shoes, the dress designer is nowhere to be named. Odd as that's information that most designers and stylists are most willing to share.

Lzzy Hale in J. Gerard

I love love love this look. mainly because I love the necklace and the dress is a perfect backdrop for it (even though it's both a little bit long and a little bit sheer).

Rocsi Diaz in 5th and Mercer

Does she have two arms or was her left arm horribly mangled in an accident and now she doesn't want to show it? I think I'd like this look more if the legs were just a bit shorter so they weren't dragging on the ground and she was wearing a bolder necklace. Oh, and maybe a belt. Showing both of her healthy arms would be good, too.

Nancy O'Dell in David Meister

If this dress were a different colour it would be better as the bronze fabric doesn't match her bronze skin. it wouldn't hurt to go up a size, either - those horizontal wrinkles aren't just the fabric but evidence that the dress is too tight.

Shaun Robinson in Mireille Dagner

The subtlety of the midriff cutouts and front slit really appeal to me because there's something so much more sophisticated than in-your-face cutouts and slits. However, the midriff section is oddly shaped and too big so that her bust looks oddly proportioned.

Neyla Pekarek in David Meister

I don't think she has big hips but I do and I don't even need to see this picture to know that wearing the blousy top with narrow shoulders over the slim (mostly sheer) skirt makes her hips look rather big and her waist non-existent. The colour doesn't really do much for her, either. She's so beautiful and I have a hard time believing that she thought this would be the best choice.

Ali Tamposi in Mason

I saw a live interview with her on the red carpet and she looked so animated and happy. Here she looks terrified. The colour is lovely on her but the the dress style makes her look like a rectangle. Maybe she was feeling blocky that day.

Kathy Griffin in Oscar de la Renta

Look at that - even Kathy Griffin is showing off cleavage side boob! She's doing it in a gorgeous dress so I'm ok with it. I love the overall sequins, the neckline, the thin belt which perfectly accents the waist, and the length. 

Kate Pierson in Tom Ford

This is the Kate Pierson of the B52s and she's 64 years old. Wow! She doesn't look her age at all! Now, I assume she's had work done but her face don't seem to have that oddness to it that, say, Nicole Kidman's has. Many people didn't like this dress but I think it's the perfect choice for her. It's not like she's going to show up in a boring black dress, is she?

Cindy Valentine

I didn't think I'd ever see the day when someone would wear a sea-urchin dress (with a mesh-covered midriff - I guess she ran out of sea urchins). The jacket, hat (with a tiara as a band), and shoes are practically normal in comparison.

Michelle Pesce in Sherri Hill

And we have more (side-boob) cleavage and under-boob. What's the point in having dress code rules if they're not going to be enforced? It would help if they were clearly stated, of course. The bodice is too big for her, making it look strange on her. 

Brooklyn Haley in Jovani

Normally I don't much like dresses that match the skin colour of their wearer but I kind of like this one. The sequins cover her completely without being tacky and the underlying design is subtle but it's there. I also love that the dress is close-fitting and the right length.

Lisa D'Amato in Shareen

There's usually some crazy outfits on the red carpet but few are crazy like this one. Not everyone Is brave enough to wear an over-the-top circus-y beer wench costume to the Grammys. Someone needs to provide comic relief on the red carpet, right?

Tamala Jones

This dress looks remarkably like the one that Lauren Mayhew wore, doesn't it? I couldn't find out who designed this dress but they are very similar if not the same. Unfortunately, this dress is much too tight for her: no dress should outline one's fleshy tummy or give a uniboob appearance.

Elle Varner in Emil Couture

Ok, I love this print. Jigsaws are awesome, right? Unfortunately, the print is so huge and the bodice so short that she's overwhelmed by the dress.

Kari Jobe

This is a lot like the "stick a floaty skirt on a minidress" type of dress even though the upper dress isn't quite mini-skirt length and the skirt is a mullet skirt. Personally, I don't find this dress all that flattering, but apparently many of her fans thought it was awesome. There's no accounting for taste, is there?

Britt Nicole

Her Facebook followers say that  her eyes are shining with Jesus. I don't know about that, but she does look happy in this dress. I'm not a huge fan of the peplum (it's another 80s thing that was formerly a 40s thing that I lived through) but it adds interest to what would otherwise be a boring dress.

Radmilla Cody in a traditional Diné dress

At first I didn't know what to think of this outfit because it doesn't seem like the usual red carpet dress. Then I found out that it's a traditional Diné outfit and I have to say that I admire her for embracing her heritage and being herself. This dress may not be especially stylish but it fits her properly and the colour is gorgeous on her skin, which is more than I can say for some of the attendees.

MC Lyte

What an unusual dress! I love the skirt and midriff shapes and the contrasting skirt and bodice fabrics. She looks elegant and gorgeous in this dress.

Alana Watson in Boudicca Couture

Do they know how sheer the fabrics will be on the red carpet with all of the flashbulbs? I guess we should all be thankful that she's wearing a bodysuit or some other kind of double layer on her torso. 

Shemekia Copeland

The dress is more of a cocktail than a red carpet dress but it fits her beautifully and the style flatters her figure. Plus that colour is gorgeous on her.

Melanie Fiona

At first I thought she had two pockets hanging off of the vest but I think that gold is just the embellishment at the hem. Is it just me, or is that an odd place to embellish a vest?This slim-fitting outfit would be much more gorgeous without that visual pause at her hips. 

Dmanti in Claudio Milano

Oh.... wow. Just... wow. So how is it that side boob and under boob are supposed to be against the rules but this is ok? It isn't even so much sexy as it is tacky. I can't think of a way to improve it other than by wearing something else.

Janelle Monae in Moschino

I love the way she dresses! She only ever wears pants, blouses, and jackets and she's usually dressed mostly in black. I especially love the embellishment on the lapels here.

Bonnie Raitt

Here we have another pants-based outfit. I like this trend a lot - after all, this is the Grammys and dresses aren't necessarily required. However, the jacket looks a little droopy. Maybe it's supposed to look that way, or maybe it's just sagged over time because it's so comfortable to wear.

Alexa Chung in Valentino

This summery dress looks a little young for her - it's something that I could see on one of the teenaged celebrities when they're shopping or out walking along the beach. Maybe the problem is the lack of accessories: add a necklace, a belt, and a cuff and this would be great. 

photo credits: www.zimbio.com