Grammy glam stylish and tasteful

BY BRAVETTA HASSELL World Scene Writer
Monday, February 11, 2013
2/11/13 at 7:37 AM

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So it looks like everyone got the CBS "hide your goodies" memo for this year's Grammy Awards. And those who didn't thumbed their noses at the dress code - but did it tastefully.

Carrie Underwood pegged her look perfectly when she called her lovely black Roberto Cavalli gown "classic glam" while talking to Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet.

With a gleaming necklace that the nominee said weighed "heavy on (her) soul" and beautiful, loose waves, the Checotah native did not disappoint.

On the other side of this year's dress policy was Jennifer Lopez, who was wearing what could be one of the most daring dresses in Grammy history. She arrived on the red carpet very much the rule breaker - and thankfully so. She wore a one shoulder stark black dress - cape-like and matronly on one side and punctuated on the other with a slit that was leotard-high.

But J-Lo's got the legs, she can do it. Add her gold nails (which looked almost like a Faberge egg) and her simple knot bun and Lopez was stunningly statuesque and absolutely stylish.

You break those rules, J-Lo.

Other rule breakers, well, there weren't that many.

If any, they were often the nameless dates of the award show's guests.

Country music star Miranda Lambert, also in Roberto Cavalli, laughed with E! Red Carpet host Seacrest when she said she didn't get the dress code memo, tapping her chest, featured in the black dress with its deep neckline.

Kelly Rowland, who briefly reunited with Beyoncé and Michelle Williams at last week's Super Bowl, skated around the rules, but barely, donning a black Georges Chakra dress that featured chevron shapes of sheer in strategic places - reminiscent of Rihanna's 2011 Grammy dress but so much more tasteful.

And speaking of RiRi, she was surprisingly subdued in a non-showy, though sheer (it is RiRi, we're talking about) red gown by Azzedine AlaÃ¯a. Not a stitch of unsanctioned skin was showing ... in theory.

Another standout of the night was singer Taylor Swift looking like a goddess from head to toe in white J. Mendel with silver accents and a pretty braid wrapped into a back-swept 'do that was light and slightly messy in a very good way. Swift was a beauty.

After rocking her Tina Turner-inspired outfit at last week's halftime show, Beyoncé likely surprised many when she hit the red carpet in an Osman black crepe jumpsuit with white panel detailing. Of course, Bey looks great in pretty much anything, but the look was a bit too understated given the occasion.

It was quite nice to see songstress Adele shining in a color other than black. The "Skyfall" singer wore a printed red, black and floral Valentino dress with shoes that matched pretty darn well.

The night was definitely one to pull out that black gown but some artists, including Florence Welch, offered some variety wearing a sparkling Givenchy dress in emerald green - Pantone's 2013 color of the year.

No word on who Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman was wearing, but the backless white gown with its corseted bodice and flowy rivulets of fabric to the ground was also a favorite of mine.

White was among the colors of the night for men with such artists as Chris Brown, LL Cool J, Sean Paul and others wearing it, tailored to their various styles.

Ever-the-sweetheart Justin Timberlake was dashing in Tom Ford as was Maroon 5's Adam Levine in all black.

Other winners of the night in the fashion department included Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Kimbra in her fanciful Jaime Lee Major dress, and Nicole Kidman, who never fails, wearing gorgeous gold and highly detailed Vera Wang.

Noteworthy on the red carpet

Best dressed
Carrie Underwood
Jennifer Lopez
Taylor Swift
Faith Hill
Beyoncé

Most daring
Rihanna (subdued but sheer, very sheer)
Kelly Rowland
Jennifer Lopez
Miranda Lambert
Katy Perry

Associated Images:

Native Oklahoman Carrie Underwood called her Roberto Cavalli gown "classic glam." JORDAN STRAUSS / Invision / AP

Florence Welch, of Florence and the Machine, wore emerald green, Pantone's color of the year. JORDAN STRAUSS / Invision / AP

Beyoncé looks great in pretty much everything, but her black crepe jumpsuit looked a little too casual. JORDAN STRAUSS / Invision / AP

Taylor Swift looked angelic in a white J. Mendel gown with silver accents. JORDAN STRAUSS / Invision / AP

Jennifer Lopez was daring in a gown punctuated with a leotard-high slit. JORDAN STRAUSS / Invision / AP