Now this is what I'm talkin' about - screw you MTV VMA, THIS is a proper red carpet. There is healthy mix of 'stunning (as in will take your breath away) dresses' and 'stunning (as in will actually slap you about the eyes a bit too much) dresses.'

Indeed that is why we've gone with the word 'stunning' - it can be taken a variety of ways. Generally it means a 'impressive' and there was certainly a lot of  ensembles 'impressing' themselves display last night.

First, to the breath takers...

Lizzie Caplan off Masters of Sex in Donna Karen. I dare you not to drool just a little.

Then there was Sarah Hyland in crop top and skirt by Christian Siriano. Oh, youth, how I miss you...

Next up is Sofia Vergara. We're not sure 'who' she is wearing, but boy is she wearing it. And it's nice to see her in a balcony setting for a change as opposed to the usual plunging neckline.

Other notable mentions include Cat Deeley, Alison Williams, and Kate Walsh. Now to those who took our breath away for altogether different reasons.

Lena Dunham in Giambattista Valli Couture. She always has the balls to be different, but she just looks a bit lost in this. Like, I actually can't see her. It's like she's melting in a bowl of Angel Delight... Her canary yellow number from last years' awards season was definitely more of a winner.

Christina Hendricks looked suitably lush in Marchesa, but her forehead is seriously missing her fringe.

Also in red was Christina's Mad Men co-star January Jones. Insert 'rolled herself in red carpet designed by Prabal Gurung' joke here. The bodice is nice, but the mullet skirt only serves to stumpify. Then again, when the shoes are that hawt they deserve showing off...

Keeping with the red theme (unavoidable, it was everywhere last night) we have Claire Danes wearing on of the Firey's off Labryinth. Yes, it's a comparison I've used before, but when it works it works. For those who like the firey forest nymph look, this one is by Givenchy.

In saying that, we'd happily watch her leave a room in this gown. We hope that doesn't sound too pervy, but the back really is stunning.

Whenever a starlet sidles up in a gold column dress to an awards ceremony, people are going to state the obvious about 'coming as an award.' It just seems to be a little bit 'sad' when you've not even been nominated. Hey, at least you look the part, Katherine Heigl.

Our ninth 'most stunning' look of the night goes to Kerry Washington in Prada. We like the idea, and love the colour, just a shame the execution didn't transfer. In other words, why is it all sloping off to her right like that.

And, finally, we have Julia Roberts in Elie Saab. Part of us mumbled "Julia Roberts is evidently borrowing clothes off Emma Roberts", but if you can pull it off, why not? She looks like she's off on a hot date with Poseidon (or Neptune) and they're going to dance their hineys off, godnammit.


 
Why not end on a properly 'stunning' note? Yes, most list goes up to 10, but this one goes up to 11... mainly because Mchelle Dockery in Rosie Assoulin could not go unnoticed. We're primed not to warm the colour scheme (something about the skirt just screams Aer Lingus to me), but you have to give it up to someone who consistently takes risks.