Dresses expected on the red carpet at the 2011 Golden Globes

At the Golden Globes this year, bright colors and soft silhouettes are expected to replace the tight-fitting, shimmery gowns we're accustomed to seeing at the event. According to celebrity stylists, the 2011 awards season could be the first one in a long time where designers break the red-carpet mold.

Last year at the 67th Golden Globes, there was a sea of romantic gowns in neutral peaches, light greys and soft whites on the red carpet, like Nicole Kidman's champagne-colored Nina Ricci gown and Jennifer Garner's asymmetrical shimmery Atelier Versace number.

In contrast, 2011 is expected to be rife with color. "A lot of the spring collections had vibrant, beautiful colors. Hopefully we will see a lot of that, plus softer silhouettes," said Jessica Paster, who predicts Dolce & Gabbana and Dior to be the major labels celebrities will wear to the January awards show. "The days of the beaded, silvery, gown-y thing are kind of done," Jeanne Yang, who counts three nominees among her clients, told Women's Wear Daily. "I don't see anyone wanting that."

"It's going to be fun to see the limits pushed this time, to see designers go off the beaten path," said Elizabeth Stewart, who is styling Jennifer Lawrence. "I think the gradient-colored dresses that Juan Carlos Obando did would be beautiful, and it was an incredible season for Dolce & Gabbana with that soft, feminine aesthetic."

The contenders for the 2011 Golden Globes were announced this past Tuesday. Among them include Hollywood favorites Natalie Portman ( Black Swan), Angelina Jolie ( The Tourist) and Anne Hathaway (Love and Other Drugs). People StyleWatch delineated the actresses' contrasting styles: "Portman continues to tap into her feminine side with elegant frocks by  Jason Wu , Rodarte and Lanvin , Jolie has taken to more sophisticated silhouettes from the likes of Atelier Versace . Never one to shy away from a fashion risk, Oscar co-host Hathaway's recent choices have run the gamut from timeless Dolce & Gabbana to edgier looks from Miu Miu." Portman is expected to wear a Dior frock, given her recent appointment as the Miss Dior Cherie fragrance spokesperson in 2011.

The 68th annual Golden Globes will be broadcast on NBC on Sunday, January 16.

http://www.goldenglobes.org/