These Stars Ruled The Red Carpet At The 2015 Sag Awards

I’ve been fighting a flu of epic proportions, so I was snuggling under layers of blankets last night, my hands clutching a cup of ginger tea, looking very unglamorous while watching the 2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards last night. And though I didn’t make it all the way through the actual awards ceremony (my nighttime medicine did me in!), I did get to admire the beautiful dresses on the red carpet special. Below, you’ll find a list of my nominees for the best-dressed title!

LUPITA NYONG’O

The Oscar-winning actress loves feminine dresses that practically call for a playful twirl. Who can forget the ethereal light blue Prada gown she wore to last year’s Academy Awards? Despite having long sleeves and a voluminous skirt, this striking Elie Saab gown had a similarly fanciful feel, and Lupita clearly thought so herself since she was snapped fanning out her skirt cheekily. Prints are a rarity on any awards show red carpet but, ever the risk-taker, Lupita dared to experiment with a watercolor floral motif, and the result was spectacular. In addition to the artful floral print, this number features bold black stripes that run vertically down the skirt and the long sleeves, but are positioned on a diagonal slant along the bodice for a most flattering effect. The combination of the romantic flowers and the bold black stripes is fresh and modern, Op Art meets Impressionism. In terms of the silhouette, I adore the voluminous nature of the skirt, the cinched waistline that accentuates Lupita’s slim figure, and the plunging neckline, which infuses some sex appeal into the design while also helping it feel a bit lighter.

In terms of accessories, Lupita opted for Sophia Webster shoes and tons of Fred Leighton baubles including pyramid pendant earrings in black jade, rock crystal, and diamond and four rings: a 2.5-carat cushion-cut diamond and onyx ring in platinum; an Art Deco three-stone diamond ring with emeralds in platinum; an ancient garnet cameo and diamond ring in platinum; and a 2-carat oval rose-cut diamond ring in platinum.

EMMA STONE

This is a girl after my own heart. I was impressed when, at the Golden Globes, Emma Stone eschewed a traditional floor-length gown in favor of a gutsy Lanvin jumpsuit but found myself hoping the ensemble were slightly gutsier and splashier. This time, however, Stone played with a gender-bending design, and it paid off brilliantly. The Birdman actress donned a tuxedo-inspired Dior Couture gown with a jacket-like bodice that extended down to the mid-thigh area and even featured pockets along the hips.  A skirt crafted out of a sheer black tulle overlay, meanwhile, added the requisite femininity to the design and allowed Stone to show off her slender legs and peep-toe sandals.

JULIANNA MARGULIES

This Giambattista Valli gown was one of the more polarizing dresses of the evening, with some fashionistas loathing the look and others applauding it. I, of course, was among those who extolled the virtues of the gown — from the electric cobalt blue color to the thigh-high slit along the front and the skirt’s origami-esque, draped folds. Margulies tends to favor rather understated designs in dark hues (black, eggplant, and so forth), so it was exciting to see her walking the red carpet a forward-thinking dress in an unexpectedly vibrant shade.

Margulies kept her accessories minimal, opting for one stand-out piece — a Fred Leighton diamond swirl bracelet worn stacked with Art Deco Onyx Line bracelets — and keeping her earrings simple by opting for 4-carat brilliant-cut diamond stud earrings, also from Fred Leighton.

REESE WITHERSPOON

The Wild actress opted for a minimalist design — which can often be as risky at an awards ceremony as going for an extremely intricate number. Fortunately, the gamble paid off for Reese. “Simple” can sometimes equal “snoozefest,” but that was certainly not the case with Reese Witherspoon’s custom Armani gown, which featured an asymmetrical neckline and a single cap sleeve. But what made this dress so remarkable was how impeccably it fit Reese’s body.

JULIANNE MOORE

Time and time again, Julianne Moore has shown us that redheads look amazing in green — and last night was no exception. For the 2015 SAG Awards, the Still Alice star opted for an intricately beaded, sleeveless Givenchy gown in an emerald hue. The placement of the beading and simple silhouette gave the dress a bit of a 1920s flapper feel, which made it all the more fun and lovable.

SOPHIA BUSH

Didn’t catch this gown on the E! red carpet special? Well, you missed out! Sophia Bush was a vision in a burnt orange Vivienne Westwood gown with a strapless, corset-like bodice featuring asymmetrical draping and a thigh-high slit. Given the bold color choice, Bush went for paired-down accessories including bronze-toned Stuart Weitzman sandals and a copper-tinged rose-colored Edie Parker clutch.

 EMMY ROSUM

Those yearning for a princess-worthy fashion moment at the 2015 SAG Awards had their wish granted when Emmy Rossum appeared in a Giorgio Armani Privé gown featuring a gold underlay and  a moody gray lace overlay encrusted with Swarovski crystals. A Cartier choker necklace added even more glamour to the classic and romantic look.

SOFIA VERGARA

When the Modern Family actress arrived with her fiancé Joe Manganiello, gossip mongers could not stop chatting about the size of Vergara’s mammoth engagement ring. Reporters doted on the happy couple, bombarding them with questions about their upcoming nuptials. Somehow, with all the wedding chatter, people forgot to mention just how stunning Vergara looked in her red Donna Karan gown. The gown featured an intriguing neckline, with one shoulder covered in  draped fabric for a slightly Grecian feel and the other left bare so as to showcase the pointy bustier-inspired bodice. The clever draping all along the waist and hips, as well as sheer panels with corset-like boning along the waistline, gave the look a siren-worthy sex appeal while keeping the overall look classic and elegant.