Let’s take one last judgmental glance at the red carpet before the stars all escape to their fabulous vacation homes for the holidays.

ZOE SALDANA in Los Angeles
dress by Preen

Zoe Saldana has recovered from a string of underwhelming looks, and is back in the top spot where she belongs. I love literally everything about this Preen dress, and I think she was smart to keep the styling simple with her shiny pointy black pumps. Love the hoops, love the makeup – welcome back to the best dressed list, Zoe!

HAILEE STEINFELD at her 16th birthday party in Los Angeles
romper and purse by Louis Vuitton

Can you imagine wearing this awesomely mod romper to your 16th birthday party? Love the tri-tone shoes with the platform matching the red clutch. Her hair is gorgeous, the makeup is beautiful – happy sweet sixteen, Hailee! May you stay this fabulous forever.

CAREY MULLIGAN in Gstaad, Switzerland
dress by Valentino, purse by Nina Ricci, shoes by Prada

I think the studded shoes are a bit too much, especially with the peep toe and the straps. It’s a little distracting from what is already a very detailed look, but the dress is so freaking lovely that I don’t seem to car. I think this rest of the look is all working – the sleeves, the belt, the sparkles, and the natural-looking makeup are all fantastic.

MARIA SHARAPOVA in Los Angeles
top by Zimmermann, skirt by Tanya Taylor, shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti

I love the easy chicness of this look – the loose-fitting but delicately detailed top; the long skirt in a deliciously bright color. The black waistband, sleeves, and shoes pull the look together nicely, and the pink lipstick is fun.

NAOMI WATTS in New York City
coat by Calvin Klein, shoes by Christian Louboutin

That, dear readers, is a motherfucking coat. That thing could stop traffic, it’s so fantastic.

NAOMI WATTS on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
jumpsuit by Valentino, shoes by Jimmy Choo

It’s not the most flattering thing in the world (though that’s mostly the camera angle’s fault), but Naomi managers to work this drapey jumpsuit. The color is gorgeous on her, and the gold platforms are sassy and fabulous.

KERRY WASHINGTON in New York City
dress by A.L.C., shoes by Christian Louboutin

I’ve seen enough black leather dresses on the red carpet to last a lifetime, but Kerry’s fierce enough to make the trend feel fresh again. The perfect hair, stunning makeup and loads of jewelry do tend to help, of course.

ELLE FANNING on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
dress and shoes by Chanel

I wish the sleeves were just a little less voluminous – it’s a lot of look for such a young girl – and I think the statement necklace is too distracting with such a high neckline. It’s perfect in the length, but the shoulders seem too broad and the sleeves too wide on her. Love the shoes, though!

BRITNEY SPEARS at The X Factor finale
gown by Bottega Veneta, shoes by Yves Saint Laurent

It’s far from perfect, and it’s a glorified corset attached to a skirt, but it’s still the best Britney has looked in years. It fits her, and her body looks great in it, and even her hair and makeup are at least normal, if not particularly awe-inspiring. Go and get it, Britney!

FREIDA PINTO at the Dubai Film Festival
dress by Sam & Lavi, shoes by Roger Vivier

I hate everything about this except the fact that it’s on Freida Pinto. Well, that’s not fair – I don’t really hate any of these pieces individually, but together they’re a big old mess.

FREIDA PINTO at the Dubai Film Festival
vintage gown by Valentino, purse by Roger Vivier

I know I’m supposed to see vintage Valentino and swoon, but there’s a reason women don’t wear giant center seams and massive ruffles at the bottom of their skirts anymore – it’s dated as hell. I don’t dislike it, I just think if you’re going to pick anything from the beautiful arsenal of vintage Valentino looks, it should be something more timeless than this.

RASHIDA JONES in Whistler, Canada
dress by Boy. by Band of Outsiders

Adorable dress. I’m usually not a fan of the black pumps/black stockings combo, but it’s winter in Canada, so that gets a pass.

FAN BINGBING in Beijing
gown and hat by Giorgio Armani, purse by Louis Vuitton

I love me some Fan Bingbing, but the hat is ridiculous, and the wig is a complete disaster. The dress, while beautiful, is incredibly aging – it belongs on Anna Wintour, not Fan Bingbing.

JESSICA CHASTAIN in New York City
dress by Alexander McQueen, shoes by Casadei

Peplum/pocket overload, Jessica. This is an LBD with a bit too much going on, and your shoes are boring.

KATIE HOLMES in New York City
coat by Balenciaga, dress by Narcisco Rodriguez, shoes by Isabel Marant

Surprisingly solid for Katie – that is, I don’t completely hate her dress, and I actually kind of like her coat, but I have no idea why she’s wearing those two colors together, or what those shoes have to do with anything.

JOANNE FROGGATT in New York City
top and skirt by Moschino

The whole outfit is kind of embarrassingly twee, but it’s the hair that pushes this over the edge into crazytown. Is that a beehive combined with a braid? Miss Anna, what on earth were you thinking?!

KATE BOSWORTH in Aspen, Colorado
dress by Proenza Schouler, shoes by Christian Louboutin

The side zippers, the high collar, the exaggerated shoulders, and the geometric print all make for an incredibly severe, overwhelming look. Add those giant boots in – seriously, when will the starlets realize how awful these look with minidresses? – and you’ve got a hot mess of a woman. When Dawson Leary is dressed better than you, you need to reevaluate your choices. Also, is it me, or do they both look incredibly stoned in this picture? Hey, when in Colorado, get high with Dawson, that’s what I always say.

BELLA HEATHCOTE in New York City
gown by Lanvin

Bella had been on a pretty good streak lately, but this ill-fitting belted vampire’s costume is really disappointing. A shame, because her hair and makeup are lovely as ever, but there’s no saving this dress.

ROONEY MARA at the Dubai Film Festival
dress by Calvin Klein, shoes by Givenchy

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Rooney Mara on the red carpet – so long, in fact, that she has apparently completed her transformation into a robot. Come on, Rooney, this is downright ridiculous. Your extended eyebrows and white eyelids are alienating enough, but that hideous new-age dress just looks silly.

KRYSTEN RITTER in Las Vegas
dress by Hervé Léger by Max Azria, shoes by Rachel Zoe

Krysten, I respect your freedom to adopt as many different red carpet personas as you like. But please take this as conclusive evidence that Dominatrix Barbie is really, really not your look.

 Need more? Catch up on Part 1!

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© Democracy Diva, 2012.
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