Stylists must have gone into overdrive to ensure that their muse didn’t take to the carpet wearing the same color as a fellow cast-mate or competitor.   In fact, the only “fashionistas” to follow the trickle down effect of the Globe’s “white-dress” trend (at least of those who got air time) were the two commentators from the “E” channel.  Perhaps it was simply an homage to their “bread and butter”.

Instead, fleshy-golden tones of shimmer and lace were the hue de jour.  Cate Blanchett, in true star style, lead the trend in a form fitting, asymmetrical design by Armani.  Other fans of this hot color trend included Sandra Oh in a demure beaded lace gown, Kyra Sedgwick in a vintage Herve Leger (a golden nude-tone seems to be her signature color), Nicolette Sheridan in a slinky champagne colored Colette Dinnigan design, Helen Hunt in a gown with a tight-fitted bodice, and Heather Graham taking the trend shorter with matching too-high heels.

On the other side of the metallic coin, shades of gray ranging from the palest silver to the deepest hues went from somewhat somber (a la Angelina at the Golden Globes) to sophisticated when paired with the right sta.

Reese Witherspoon continued her trend of wearing a shorter cocktail-length dress, but this time around she choose a deep gray tint (sort of the yin to the yang of the yellow Nina Ricci dress that won her rave reviews at the Globes), Eva Longoria brought glory back to gray in a dove-toned, flowy Vera Wang gown, while Jamie Presley set the bar for glowing moms-to-be everywhere in a gunmetal gray, low-cut dress that looked more modern than maternity.

Mary-Louise Parker also went short and somewhat frillier than she normally does in a pale silver J. Mendel dress and Teri Hatcher’s form fitting long gown was such a pale shade of silvery blue-gray it almost read as white on screen.

Even the men looked a little more fashion forward. Steve Carell – winner of two “Best Ensemble” trophies for “The Office” and “Little Miss Sunshine” – wore a pale gray tie, while Tony Parker and TV’s “Dr. McDeamy” Patrick Dempsey looked casually classic in gray pinstripe.

Fiery shades of red which were hot this fall look like they will continue into the spring.  Luckily this time around some stars realized this powerful color’s red-carpet potential choosing gowns in warm shades of red and orange – Julia Louis-Dreyfus wearing a strapless Carolina Herrera, “Bobby” star Joy Bryant in a ruffled Valentino, Jennifer Hudson in a low cut “Dream Girls” inspired gown, Grey's Anatomy’s Katherine Heigl and Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton.

Other color mavens of the evening included Grey’s Anatomy’s Kate Walsh in a yellow chiffon dress with a tease of pale blue by Kevin Hall, America Ferrera (after looking gorgeous in a royal purple at the Golden Globes) stayed true to flattering jewel-tones and took home an award in a deep, emerald green, Vanessa Williams looking radiant (and much better coiffed then we saw her at the Golden Globe Awards) in bright turquoise, and Demi Moore causing a stir, arriving with husband Ashton Kutcher, wearing this spring’s most regal shade – cobalt blue.

But the “color maverick award” goes to….drum roll please… Jada Pinkett-Smith, looking beautiful in a hot pink vintage Bob Mackie dress (she stood out at the Golden Globes in orange). We applaud her fearless, fresh love and use of color!

“Men in Black” could have been the theme for some of Hollywood’s hottest hunks, with Will Smith, Kevin Bacon and Forrest Whitaker all wearing black head to toe.

The “Women in Black” were also well represented by Anne Hathaway, 24’s Kim Raver and Helen Mirren (who I think shined even more in her peacock-blue gown at the Globes) who all chose elegant, all black gowns.  Meanwhile, Mariska Hargitay and Edie Falco showed that brown is now just as much of a classic color choice as black for these events (and maybe even just a little more unexpected and sexy!)

With the race to the Oscars officially on, stars have only a handful of weeks to decide “who” and what to wear to Hollywood’s most important night.

Will the brighter colors and patterns from the spring runways influence their style or will the trend of monochromatic, muted metallics continue to reign supreme for their next sashay down the red carpet?  We’ll just have to stay tuned to find out.