WHIMSTOPIA™ ᨏ 異想之境 ᨏ

By Stephany McKnight on January 17, 2011

It seems like just yesterday that we were admiring Olivia WIlde in Gucci and swooning over Lea Michelle in her tulle Oscar de la Renta gown. That was last year, and this is now. Here are the gowns we loved this year.

A Pop of Color

Claire Danes, in Calvin Klein Collection, January Jones, in Versace, and Sofia Vergara, in Monique Lhuillier, all played with color in a big way. From pretty hues of pink, to fiery orange, these ladies were no shrinking violets.

Going Green

Elizabeth Moss, in Donna Karan, Mila Kunis in Vera Wang, and Catherine Zeta Jones, in Monique Lhuillier, all dazzled in lovely shades of green. Wearing this color, which turned out to be one of the biggest trends on the red carpet, always looks rich and glamorous.

Ruffled Gowns

Lea Michele, in Oscar de la Renta (of course), and Amy Adams, in Marchesa, gave us a romantic nod with ruffled dresses.

Sparkle

Amber Riley, Anne Hathaway, in Giorgio Armani Prive, and Carrie Underwood, in Badgley Mischka, all shined (literally) on the red carpet in shimmering loveliness. We always love Anne's picks (or should we say Rachel Zoe's picks), and we think she looks like an old Hollywood stunner in her slinky gown.

The LBD

Halle Berry, in Nina Ricci, and Eva Longoria, in Zac Posen, went for safe but sexy black dresses that were stunners on the red carpet. After all these years Halle Berry has not yet lost her ability to turn up the heat at awards shows in her sultry gowns.

Nude Attitude

While neutral hued dresses are usually chic, we often find them yawn inducing. Not this year! Julie Bowden, in Tadashi Shoji, Modern Family's Sarah Hyland, in Max Azria, and Diana Agron, in J. Mendel made their taupes, tans, and nudes stylish with  floral embellishments, beads, and pleats.

Whew! Those were the dresses we loved. Tell us: What were your favorite dresses?

photos via InStyle.com