I had low expectations for the Grammys this year. I expected talent to give earnest showings without doing too much in terms of showmanship – after all, one doesn’t lose their mind over 59 when 60 is right around the corner, right? This red carpet somehow felt emptier than most, probably because there have been more celebrity sightings in the past years. Fashion still had its place and those that gave style, gave it well.

Stars struck gold with classic silhouettes and little edgy footnotes here and there to take a look to the next level. Surprisingly, talent kept it simple with cuts and instead opted for elaborate fabrics and embroidery and crystals. But before we get into all of that…

Singer Kriss Mincey in Miri Couture with shoes by Aethon Ulyse and clutch by NS by Noof

Whenever I’m approached to style a client for the red carpet, I always think about the personality of the awards show. Each carpet has its own personality and each demands its own energy and attention. I looked to Miri Couture for Soul and Jazz singer Kriss Mincey’s red carpet look. The result was a stunning white sequined off the shoulder sleeved gown with a train long enough to follow her like the truest of stans and short enough to be practical when moving in and out of the exhaustive Staples Center. The silver and leather clutch from NS by Noof and the perfect blending of edgy and timeless styling in the form of chained white shoes from Aethon Ulyse collaborated to complete the look. If I was grading my client, I’d give her an A, but I’d probably be biased.

Here are some of my other favorite looks from this year’s Grammys:

Adele in Givenchy, Carrie Underwood in Elie Madi, Celine Dion in Zuhair Murad

Adele, Carrie Underwood, and Celine Dion all struck gold (some literally, congrats Adele) in solids that took the monochromatic trend to the next level. Adele’s gown was made by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy which made her night even more special because it’s probably one of the last things she’ll ever wear with the Tisci and Givenchy name on the same line since Tisci is leaving the French house.

Carrie Underwood’s Elie Madi red gown was different for the Country singer. She doesn’t do red often, and if she does, it’s never quite this sexy. Still, with the strategic cutouts, there’s still that southern class that we’ve come to expect from the singer.

Celine Dion’s been winning over the fashion crowd ever since she teamed with super-stylist Law Roach. This year, the singer made a big impression with a low-V green gown from Zuhair Murad that was enough to make anyone envious – a fitting color and perfect fitting gown.

Katy Perry in Tom Ford, Andra Day in Vintage Christian Dior, Solange in Gucci

Somehow, Solange and Katy Perry shocked with their uber-classic looks, while Andra Day stuck to her vintage aesthetic visiting Christian Dior no doubt from the late 60s and early 70s in an hombre-d burnt-orange crush with draping and cape attached to the neck.

All gold on the red carpet never goes out of style, but Solange’s Gucci was interesting in that it visited the 70s, but brought back a few edgy elements (the slit, the big flounce from the chest to the one-sleeve).

Katy Perry chose to make her return to, well, everything in Tom Ford. The dropped-waist metallic topped feathered skirt dress looked like it belonged in Gatsby, but since fashion and entertainment are both still obsessed with the 20’s, this frock (if that’s even what you would call something by Tom Ford) worked.

Paris Jackson in Balmain, Erika Jayne in Balmain, Kat Graham in Jean Paul Gaultier

Paris Jackson, Erika Jayne, and Kat Graham chose prints which pushed the excitement of the Grammy’s and the idea that some of the nominated songs this year make us all feel forever young.

The Balmain dress on Paris Jackson did wonders for the prince of pop’s daughter. She’s getting ready to be a fashion girl (you heard it here first) and maintaining a good relationship with red carpet mainstay Balmain is a good start.

The most fashionable of the Beverly Hills Housewives, Erika Jayne was the only one of her crew – other than Yolanda Hadid, who it would make sense to see at the Grammy Awards. She held her own effortlessly in the Balmain multi-colored short dress with blue shoes.

Kat Graham in Jean Paul Gaultier looked sexy and regal. The first adjective comes easy for the Vampire Diaries Bennet Witch, but the second is like a breath of fresh air. This dress could have dated her, but her team styled it well with hair and makeup to compliment and not complicate.

Chrissy Teigen in Roberto Cavalli, Rihanna in Armani Prive, Lea Michele in Roberto Cavalli

Black always ends up on my best dressed lists in one way or another. That’s why Chrissy Teigen, Rihanna, and Lea Michele made the cut. That, and, all three consistently slay the red carpet. Each with their own talented stylist, these three never let me down, especially Rihanna in head to toe Armani Prive. But there’s something different about this two piece dress. The black balloon skirt is the epitome of Couture, and the orange top is youthful enough to update the overall look.

Chrissy Teigen in Roberto Cavalli is sleek and see through. Still, the dress has an incredible sense of tact in the tradition of bombshell teases to which Teigen definitely belongs. No nominations necessary – John Legend was a big winner last night.

Finishing my list is Lea Michele also in Roberto Cavalli. The fact that the gown is two-piece takes it from ordinary to interesting. And then the skin detail always works on younger starlets like Michele because it accentuates the shape without making them look cheap which is easy to do these days. Well done Mr. (Brad) Goreski.

Beyonce in custom Cavalli with a sketch from Peter Dundas

And since Adele started it, let’s all take a minute and drool at Beyonce in the red Cavalli by Peter Dundas. Her performance was orgasmic, but this gown was the perfect cover up for her twins which are still baking in the best oven ever!