I am speaking, of course, of last night’s many beautiful, sexy 40-and-over Red Carpeteers. Not only because they looked so good, but also—like so many of us as we’ve grown up and no longer felt compelled to try and squeeze ourselves into every damned look, trend or silhouette that comes down the pike—they clearly know how to assess what actually works for them, and take it from there. These are ladies for whom fashion is a good starting point, but not the point of the exercise. And a note to over-ambitious stylists looking to gain cool points: present a rolling rack full of dresses that are long on fashion cred but short on pretty to these ladies, and they’re likely to say not even on a dare and shut that business down. Check out Amy Poehler, for instance. She’s taken the whole YSL le smoking thing and made it cute and cropped and snappy. And she’s showing off her rack, but in a very tasteful way that says Yes, I’m a mother of two and yes, this is my very excellent rack.
Carla Gugino, 41, will be the sexiest girl in the room when she’s entering that room with a walker.
Petite Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 52, is positively dwarfed by that dress. But she always looks so pretty, and Veep is hilarious, so I included her anyway.
I wish there was a shot of Naomi Watts, 44, where you could see this dress without the funny cape thing, which she took off for the actual ceremony. Because, did you catch it? A vision!
It’s so nice to see Breaking Bad‘s lovely Anna Gunn, 44, looking so happy and fresh and not like the beleaguered accomplice to an evil drug kingpin that I’m giving her a pass on the tea-length thing.
Helena Bonham Carter, 46, is nutty as a fruitcake. But she’s shaped like an actual woman, and is the only person who ever turns up at these things looking like she’s wearing her own clothes. And I like that she’s carrying the same Lulu Guinness bag I’ve been passing at least once a day on dog walking duty and keep wondering if it’s too crazy. And now I know: absolutely and fabulously, yes.
I missed the show, so thanks for sharing these photos! Although there are plenty of gorgeous women over 40, I’m sure that the mainstream publications won’t show many of them. My favorites are Carla Gugino and Naomi Watts.
Donna
http://www.prettysparklythings.blogspot.com
Funny you should mention Amy Poehler’s rack…that had me thinking all night. Truth be told, I was a bit disappointed that every single outfit featured her rack. Once would have been OK, but when you do it over and over like that, it somehow loses its charm and starts getting dangerously close to tacky. (Unlike Tina Fey, who looked classy from start to finish.) I’m not sure where she wanted to go with this overt featuring, but I thought that it detracted from the power she wielded over the audience for simply doing an outstanding job.
I actually loved Naomi Watts butt cape, but very glad she took it off for the show. Couldn’t be fun to sit on. I need a butt cape though.
thanks for including JLD. I was year behind her at college and we used to swim laps at Patton pool at the same time. (I was only just a locker-room same-timer, not a friend). So I guess I can say I’ve seen her naked. So I am totally awed about how she looks better now than then. We were both pudgier back then. I still swim laps regularily, and when I can’t make my mile, I just think about JLD and how fabulous she looks on the carpet and it keeps me going. And yes, that dress does not do her justice.
And Jodie Foster looked fab for 50
We were also classmates (but not friends, can’t say I’ve seen her naked either).
As for Amy P’s rack, I’m not sure it’s possible for it to detract!
These are great photos. It is interesting that none of them were in the morning paper. But then again, the LAT isn’t what it used to be.
Amy P looks great except for those shoes. No no no. I didn’t watch the show so I don’t have an opinion on her other outfits except, it is nice to see people with not-huge tits who are happy with them. (Or, are hers supposed to be large? I can’t tell in that photo.)
Not pictured here but AMAZING….Helen Mirren. Check the Fug Girls…
Totally agree on Carla Gugino. She is walking sexy and always will be. I also loved Helena Bonham Carter. Girl hoes her own row and I like that. She looks happy in her clothes.
Naomi Watts, Helen Mirren, and Julianne Moore were my absolute favorites! Total class, sexy and beautiful.