A Televised Primer Showing What Does and Does Not Work

For one segment of the audience, watching an awards show is akin to driving by a car wreck: They look, hoping not to see anything too gory, yet feel a twinge of disappointment if they aren’t just a little grossed out. Amid an evening of gorgeous gowns on stunning Hollywood women, the Golden Globes broadcast Sunday featured the inevitable style attempts that crashed and burned.

Chalk up winner Helen Mirren’s black ostrich plume hat, red clutch and knee-high boots with a simple black cocktail suit to British eccentricity. And a black strapless Calvin Klein dress was so unflattering on lovely Gwyneth Paltrow that any woman watching got the message, “Don’t try this at home.”

On the plus side, a number of mature stars looked smashing in sleek, dark pantsuits, from regal Lauren Bacall to Faye Dunaway and Jane Curtin. The evening’s style winner: Gillian Anderson, who looked comfortable and current in a simple nude tulle Armani gown.