If there's one thing we've learned tonight, it's that 2013 might just be the year the tried-and-true black dress gets redesigned. We're talking about dresses that upped the style, drama, and sex appeal of a timeless red-carpet favorite. Naomi Watts, Jaime King, and Jennifer Lawrence all stepped onto the Critics' Choice Awards red carpet, showing us designers' new takes on black gowns featuring elements of shine, sheer cutouts, and soft draping. Naomi went minimal in Emilio Pucci, showcasing a bold sheer cutout, while both Jennifer and Jaime opted for dresses cinched at the waist. Jennifer's Prabal Gurung gown amped up the drama with gorgeous draping and leather detailing, while Jaime's Jason Wu number channeled Old Hollywood with its shimmering fabric. All three stopped us in our tracks, but which star do you think updated black the best?




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Which Black Dress Wins the Red-Carpet Battle?

Naomi — she never gets it wrong!

Jennifer — her gown is to die for.

Jaime — I love her old-school vibe.

When walking the red carpet for an awards show, it's pretty much customary to go with a gown — and at tonight's Critics' Choice Awards, we saw quite a lot of them. Floor-grazing looks were rife on the red carpet for everyone from from Anne Hathaway to Emmy Rossum to Jennifer Lawrence, but there were also a few standout ladies who decided to split from the pack and go for shorter silhouettes. Marion Cotillard stunned in a floral-embellished, tea-length Zuhair Murad dress, while Leslie Mann pumped things up in a petal-pink Honor dress that hit right at the knee. To round things out, Nina Dobrev stepped out in a showstopping teal embellished minidress by Monique Lhuiller, accented with a sexy keyhole cutout and bell-shaped skirt. We're loving these unique looks — and the fact that these three bucked the trend and went with something a bit shorter for tonight's event can only be applauded. Are you a fan of the short-dress trend? Let us know below.

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Marion Cotillard, Leslie Mann, and Nina Dobrev Opt For Shorter Silhouettes — Love It or Leave It?

Love it — it's fresh, flirty, and a nice changeup!

Leave it — awards season is for gowns.

The Sessions' Helen Hunt looked every bit the lady in red in a formfitting Philip Armstrong dress. Yes, it was perfectly body-skimming, and yes, it featured sexy, sheer lace insets that proved silhouette-sculpting . . . but it was Helen's demure approach to the bolder gown choice that made this look so compelling. Apart from the dress's scene-stealing hue, Helen kept things sleek and glamorous. Her hair was in loose waves, and her makeup was natural — and as for her accessories? Her gold drop earrings, gold cuff, and round gold clutch polished off the look. It's certainly an ensemble befitting a Oscar nominee, do you agree?

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Critics' Choice Awards: Helen Hunt

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Why mess with a good thing? That seemed to be Octavia Spencer's motto as she kicked off another award season in Tadashi Shoji. She showed her loyalty to the label in a midnight blue sheath with subtle lace detailing and figure-flattering draping gathered at the waist. She complemented the knee-length dress with a pair of peep-toe pumps, then added a coordinating clutch. The real statement makers were a pair of oversize teardrop earrings that perfectly framed her face — as did her voluminous waves and bangs. Do you love it?



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Critics' Choice Awards: Octavia Spencer

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Eva Longoria went for a body-hugging, fuchsia Monique Lhuillier gown tonight at the Critics' Choice Awards. Although the gown's silhouette was simple, the multilayered ruffles took her look to the next level. The ethereal waves of fabric danced and slightly flowed as she walked and caught the wind, while also perfectly accentuating her stunning figure. A black box clutch added a bit of edge and a dash of contrast to her outfit, while the slight train of her gown threw some extra drama into the mix. To complement her sexy and colorful look, she pulled her hair back in a sleek ponytail to perfectly frame her diamond stud earrings. What do you think of Eva's red-carpet look?




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Critics' Choice Awards: Eva Longoria

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Nina Dobrev may have been noticeably absent from last night's People's Choice Awards (it was her 24th birthday after all!), but there was no way we could miss her tonight. The Vampire Diaries starlet stepped out in an ultraembellished teal-hued Monique Lhuillier Spring '13 minidress that not only showed off her legs, but also bared a little décolletage, courtesy of one strategically placed cutout. And if you look a little closer, you'll notice the reason Nina shined so brightly is directly related to the amount of gems that made up the entirety of her dress. Translation: that's a real jewel-toned number. To finish, the actress accessorized with simple diamond earrings, ankle-strap peep-toe pumps, a smoky eye, and a sleek ponytail. Was this a hit or miss for your 2012 breakout star?

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Critics' Choice Awards: Nina Dobrev

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Amanda Seyfried didn't go the typical red-carpet route tonight, opting instead for a more unique, ultrafeminine Marios Schwab dress with intricate lace detailing at the bodice and a floaty, pleated skirt. Her ankle-length hemline made it easy to show off her strappy platforms, while her topknot likewise made it easy to flaunt a pair of delicate, jeweled earrings. Thoughts?



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Critics' Choice Awards: Amanda Seyfried

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Elle Fanning isn't the only starlet to don a dress with floral appliqués tonight. Marion Cotillard arrived on the red carpet in a lace fit-and-flare dress by Zuhair Murad, whose sleek silhouette channeled a slightly retro vibe — if the 1940s were filled with sumptuous lace dresses adorned with electrically colored floral appliqués. She paired her personality-packed dress with a nude clutch and matching heels to let the colors, textures, and details of her frock sing. But no outfit would be complete without a few jewels, right? Chandelier earrings, a diamond bracelet, and a cocktail ring, all from Chopard, set her look off with added sparkle. Aside from her sleek ensemble, she also kept her hair streamlined, with her bangs pulled neatly to the side. What do you think of Marion's floral look?



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Critics' Choice Awards: Marion Cotillard

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