BEST DRESSED: CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Just because there are a million different award shows (or, at least, it feels that way) doesn't mean that they're all created equal. Take yesterday: The morning started with us getting up very, very early to catch the Academy Award nominations announcement, where the big shocker was that Ben Affleck got shut out of the Best Director category. (Related: How could Kathryn Bigelow not be nominated for Zero Dark Thirty?!) But by Thursday night, the Boston boy was back on top, have practically swept the Critics' Choice Awards by winning Best Director and Best Picture for Argo.

Lesson learned: These prizes can vary wildly from event to event. Same goes for clothing. What one actress wears one night has no influence on what she wears the next. For example, we didn't love Jennifer Lawrence's sequined gown at Wednesday's People's Choice Awards ceremony, but she brought it to last night's party (in Prabal Gurung, no less). Though there are a few trends emerging--judging by all the white worn in the past two days, you'd think there is some killer crazed-bride role that every starlet in town is trying to be cast as--what we liked most about the Critics' Choice Awards is how varied the looks are, from Elle Fanning's adorable-but-cool strapless Chanel number to Amy Adams' up-to-there slit.

See what we mean in the gallery.

Jennifer Lawrence in Prabal Gurung

Marion Cotillard in Zuhair Murad

Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier

Emily Blunt in Miu Miu

Elle Fanning in Chanel

Jaime King in Jason Wu

Amy Adams in Vionnet

Amanda Seyfried in Marios Schwab