2016 Critics’ Choice Awards

The Critics’ Choice Awards seem to be one red carpet event I skip over each year. Not necessarily on purpose but there’s never any looks worth talking about…UNTIL NOW. It could be a good thing or a bad thing, but you’ll just have to keep reading to find out.

alicia vikander

Alicia Vikander in Mary Katrantzou
Best Dressed Pick

Well it looks like we’re off to a good start, right? I’m shocked she didn’t wear Louis Vuitton, as I thought she was contracted to (either her contract is up or they’re more lax than Dior) but regardless, I’m glad she opted for Mary Katrantzou. We don’t see those intricate prints on the red carpet all that often (they aren’t exactly the easiest pieces to pull off), but when we do, they sure make a statement. Not many could make this dress work, but it looks absolutely perfect here.

 photo Courtney Eaton in Valentino.jpg

Courtney Eaton in Valentino
Best Dressed Pick

She’s wearing an ankle length full studded leather dress…and wearing it SO DAMN WELL (which I wouldn’t say for just anyone who dare to wear such a look). I don’t know who she is but I’m definitely taking note of this girl. Love the sleek middle part ponytail paired with the dress too.

 photo Gina Rodriguez in SAFiYAA.jpg

Gina Rodriguez in SAFiYAA

First off, how is this not Zac Posen? Second, how has she not fired her stylist yet?

 photo Kirsten Dunst in Chanel.jpg

Kirsten Dunst in Chanel

I’m quite torn about this, as I just voiced my opinion about tiered dresses (re: Zendaya at the Golden Globes) and they aren’t so positive. But I am digging the vintage vibe here…this sort-of 1920s couture flapper look. I don’t think the shoes are the best pairing but I might retract my statement about tiered dresses (I guess Chanel knows how to turn a girl!)

 photo Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab.jpg

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab

This is probably one of those dresses that looks good in pictures but even more amazing in person. You can make out a majority of the detail but with the intricate beading Elie Saab is known for, this has got to be much more exciting up close. I like the little elements like the chain spaghetti straps and the skinny belt. Am I blown away by this? No. But I am happy about it.

 photo Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Saint Laurent.jpg

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Saint Laurent

It looks like someone tripped on those long legs of hers, grabbed the front of her dress on their way down…and the dress just stayed that way. So as you can tell, I’m not living for the asymmetrical neckline, however the back is really pretty. One of those duh she looks amazing…she IS Rosie Huntington-Whiteley after all ..but it’s totally forgettable kind of looks.

Zoe Kravitz in Dior

I want to love this (she is major #goals) but there’s something slightly off…I just can’t put my finger on it. This outfit isn’t for everyone, I realize, but it looks fantastic on her. She took a very 90s-looking top and made it perfectly appropriate for 2016 with the slim pants and those Sophia Webster sandals. So then it comes down to the hair, the earrings an the bag. I know for sure I would have liked to see a smaller clutch but that can’t be why I’m not obsessing over this (as I feel like I should be). I am into the earrings but not with this specific outfit. I also love when her hair is braided and down…it would have made this much more casual but it could have also been really badass.

 photo Liv Tyler in Cushnie Et Ochs.jpg

Liv Tyler in Cushnie Et Ochs

THIS is how you dress a bump!

 photo Kate Beckinsale in Monique Lhuillier.jpg

Kate Beckinsale in Monique Lhuillier

She always looks like a soap opera star going to a charity gala. Always.

 photo Emmy Rossum in Dior.jpg

Emmy Rossum in Dior

I hate to say those three words no designer ever wants to hear but…it looks cheap.

 photo Abbey Lee Kershaw in Balmain.jpg

Abbey Lee Kershaw in Balmain

From the thighs up, it looks a little risqué for the occasion but I’ll give it to her. Now do we need to add extra fishnet and ruffles on top of it? I realize this wasn’t Abbey’s doing (Olivier designed this mess, not her) but no one forced her to wear it…so I blame both. It’s like in Mean Girls when Janis cuts out Regina’s tank top so you can see her bra and then she just rocks it — Abbey realized someone slashed her dress but instead of cutting it short, she just rocked it with some fishnets.

 photo Amy Schumer in Calvin Klein Collection.jpg

Amy Schumer in Calvin Klein Collection

One day she will have her red carpet moment where we’re all just like WOW…FINALLY. This just isn’t that day.

 photo Abigail Spencer in J Mendel.jpg

Abigail Spencer in J Mendel

My feelings towards this are my feelings towards many J. Mendel dresses on the red carpet — there’s too many elements going on at once. Between the ruffles, the slit and the bandeau detail…we can do without at least one. Although baby pink and black isn’t my favorite color combination, this would have looked great without the ruffles (just keep the slit and we’re good). One of the many examples of why less is should be more.

 photo Zoe Kazan in ODLR.jpg

Zoe Kazan in Oscar de la Renta

Cute-ish.

 photo Marisa Tomei in Zuhair Murad.jpg

Marisa Tomei in Zuhair Murad

I hope she didn’t actually pay someone for this…

 photo Mary J Blige in J Mendel.jpg

Mary J Blige in J Mendel

Again, too many elements! It’s a little more composed than other J. Mendels from previous awards shows but again — sheer, shine, shoulders and cut-outs…it’s like taking off one piece of jewelry before you leave the house, except this is PLEASE take away one design element before you let it be seen by the public!

 photo Jennifer Aniston in Saint Laurent.jpg

Jennifer Aniston in Saint Laurent

This looks like a Project Runway challenge…half way through the challenge…where Tim Gunn is questioning your every move and you then decide to scrap the entire thing and start from scratch. Although Hedi went the opposite route and decided to put this on a major celebrity for a huge (okay decently large) red carpet event.

 photo Hayden Panettiere in Maria Lucia Hohan .jpg

Hayden Panettiere in Maria Lucia Hohan

OH HEY GIRLS.

 photo America Ferrera in INGIE Paris.jpg

America Ferrera in INGIE Paris

You have to really know how to work a look to pull off a tea-length frilly dress and ankle strap heels. Emma Stone: A+. America Ferrera: C- (would be a C+ without that awful clutch).

 photo Bryce Dallas Howard in Balmain.jpg

Bryce Dallas Howard in Balmain

Wow. What a difference this is from the Jenny Packham she just wore to the Globes. If I only saw this and not that shiny blue situation we witnessed last week, I would think she just looks good…but after seeing the comparison, she looks fucking fantastic (minus the platform T-straps).

 photo January Jones in Altuzarra.jpg

January Jones in Altuzarra

I thought we had moved past the sheer overlay over a short skirt look. I appreciate the detail and the fact that she matches the blue text on the step and repeat but we KNOW she can do better. And let me just hate on those shoes for a sec…

 photo Krysten Ritter in Zuhair Murad.jpg

Krysten Ritter in Zuhair Murad

We’ve been seeing a lot more of this color on the red carpet as of late…and guess what? I’m all about it! Although this isn’t the most memorable dress, she looks gorgeous and I am really loving this deep burgundy right now.

 photo Regina King in Krikor Jabotian.jpg

Regina King in Krikor Jabotian

Oh Regina. Can’t you see this Krikor is trying to sabotage you? First this Golden Globes disaster, and now THIS?! A high-low skirt paired with a crop top? What is this…2013?! If this is the way this Regina / Krikor relationship is going, we need a break-up intervention ASAP.

 photo Sarah Paulson in Naeem Khan.jpg

Sarah Paulson in Naeem Khan

In the rotation for one of Lily Vanderwoodsen’s many philanthropic events.

 photo Leslie Mann in Monique Lhuillier.jpg

Leslie Mann in Monique Lhuillier

Who should be wearing this dress: Chloe Grace Moretz. Kiernan Shipka. Hailee Steinfeld. See a pattern here??

I hope you enjoyed the first ever Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet commentary here on ChiCityFashion…and hopefully, it won’t be the last! Be sure to let me know your best / worst dressed picks in the comments.

Images via Popsugar

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