2011 Emmy Awards 2011 Red Carpet Design Trends: Belts and Slashed to the Navel Necklines

Wrapping up the Emmy Awards red carpet coverage, we focus on two key formal gown trends worth noting. Let's begin with what is in front of us. Cleavage. Lots and lots of acres of cleavage. Necklines were lowwwww last night, none more so than on the utterly brilliant Heather Morris from Glee in lavender Masai Payan. I don't love the dress, but I love her from the bottom of my heart and she demonstrates this trend with such elegance. Of course Modern Family winner Julie Bowen in Oscar de la Renta also looked pretty elegant in her navel-grazing fairy tale dress, as did the hilarious and wonderful SNL Kristen Wiig in Zac Posen. I loved the ombre in the drape of the dress too and am thrilled that she looked so stunning. In addition to these, there were also low necks on ladies like Emily Blunt, Jane Krakowski and, of course, Christina Hendricks. I have never been a fan of the uber-low neckline, but these ladies really have shown it to be a trend worth paying attention to, and, if you can get away with it, worth a try.
One last trend that needs to be noted - and in fact introduced - is the formal belt. Run through all the other looks from the Emmys this year and you will find at least half of them have a belt involved. A belt! A coupe of years ago this would have been unheard of. Especially when it is a contrast belt in leather or some other casual take. But it works brilliantly and I love it. I am going to try if for myself the next time I need to go formal. Will you?