Emmys Fashion 2010: Editors' Picks

The fashion at the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards last night was, well, a little bit boring. The red carpet crew of mostly small-screen starlets played things safe with many simple, "nice" dresses that didn't shock or awe. 

In fact the extremely funny, well-written telecast was more exciting than the style. And that is no easy feat for a show that we typically turn off after 20 painful minutes that leave us fidgety. 

But as the saying goes, if you don't have anything nice to say you should probably shut your mouth (that means you, Joan Rivers). So rather than pan well meaning thespians for their unfortunate sartorial selections (and lets be honest, there were more than a few to be found last night), we decided to share our absolute faves. 

Let us know if you agree. 

Andrew Harmon, who thinks rocker tuxedos belong at the Grammys. 

Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen

Despite his directional mark on fashion for the past 20 years, the late Alexander McQueen's design prowess didn't grace much of the red carpet for the Academy Awards. Unless you count Salma Hayek, which we don't, because she's married to the CEO of PPR, owner of the McQueen label. But seeing Anna Paquin in a McQueen frock was as much a revelation as it was a perfect fit. She knocked our socks off nearly 16 years ago as the Oscar-winner for Best Supporting Actress in The Piano. True Blood just makes us thirsty for more.

Lauren Graham in Yigal Azrouel

Who knew that Lauren Graham would become the Tilda Swinton of the Emmys? At least as far as fashion choices go. On a professional level the two aren't exactly in the same thespian league. But while Tilda has her famous "hefty sack" Lanvin gown from when she won an Oscar in 2008 for Michael Clayton, Graham has this Yigal headscratcher that's cool if only because it's like nothing else we saw today. Even if the beige accent looks like an inverted Hamburger Helper glove.

Jon Hamm in Giorgio Armani

The wide lapels in contrast gray, the foppish bowtie landing somewhere between Hugo Boss and Alber Elbaz — it's a good day to be Jon Hamm, and he has a striking tuxedo from Armani in part to thank. The geeky thumbs-up is also welcome pose from the endless left-hand-on-hip-and-pout-just-so vogueing that every woman on the carpet except for Betty White has now mastered.

Claire Danes in Giorgio Armani Prive

Armani Prive is definitely having a red carpet moment. Or many months of moments. Thanks largely to Lady Gaga, but also to starlets from Amanda Seyfried — who wore Prive to the Oscars this year — to Claire Danes, who is resplendent in this number (and looks somewhat like a stand-in for January Jones--we're having a Single White Female moment here). She's come a long way since the Kool-Aid red hair in My So-Called Life. Sigh.

Rakhee Bhatt, who thinks wearing strapless gowns is the only way to hit the red carpet this season.

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

The 24 year-old star of Glee has been all over the red carpet this past year with varying results. But we loved this midnight blue, Oscar de la Renta ruffled gown that made Michele look like a black tie-ready flamenco dancer. Fun and sophisticated at the same time. Now if only they would do something about her costumes on the show...

Eva Longoria Parker in Robert Rodriguez 

Since bursting on the scene in 2004, the Desperate Housewives actress has never disappointed us on the red carpet. Her choices are always sexy, feminine and so body conscious she always quashes our evil food voice. And though this rosette-embellished Robert Rodriguez gown was a little "safe," it made the sprite starlet look like a knockout. And check out that dramatic train and those pink, statement-making drop earrings by Loren. Very pretty.

Sofia Vergara in Carolina Herrera

There's a reason why they call this bombshell Sofia "Viagra." And the hilarious Modern Family star, which took top prize for outstanding comedy series, showed off her blessed curves in a golden yellow and silver beaded gown. Not only did the dress hug Vergara in all the right places, but the vertical strip of beading elongated her figure while the pale yellow hue worked with her natural, bronzed glow. A stunning sight to behold, for sure.