Night to bare arms

After a three-day Los Angeles heatwave the weather cooled this weekend in time for the Emmys - but that didn't mean anyone was covering up. The red carpet was awash in strapless gowns, revealing the perfectly toned upper arms and ample cleavage that its habitues are known for.

Latina bombshell and Modern Family star Sofia Vergara rocked the red carpet in a pale saffron bustier gown liberally sprinkled with sequins, made for her by Carolina Herrera. The jewellery was also spot on: gold filigree dangly earrings and sparkly bracelets.

Comedic actress Jane Lynch abandoned the adidas tracksuits that are her uniform on Glee for a sophisticated amethyst taffeta number from Los Angeles designer Ali Rahimi. On the single shoulder: a simple diamond and platinum brooch borrowed from her sister-in-law.

Claire Danes also went strapless in a crystal-encrusted sculpted gown from Armani Prive. On her finger: a US$2 million ring from Martin Katz. The gown probably wasn't much cheaper.

Looking at least two decades younger than her 63 years, Glenn Close was sublime in a metallic olive coloured strapless gown, gently ruched and gathered in the front, from hip and edgy New York designer Rubin Singer. This dress may well make him a star.

But Anna Paquin looked like she got lost on the way home from the bullfight. Her black silk charmeuse Alexander McQueen gown boasted a matador-style top, covered in gold metal discs, a couple of which apparently fell off as she made her way down the red carpet.

Mad Men actress January Jones may be able to plead insanity after her Versace Atelier number. The finely pleated, origami-esque peacock blue gown with the Madonna-style conical bra cups, looked unwieldy and just plain baffling. Romantic and regal, singer Jewel's embroidered peach-coloured strapless gown from Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad was beautiful. The only problem was up top where the dress looked like it was two sizes too small.

Famous for being famous she might be, but Kim Kardashian knows exactly what works for her - and she nailed it again with a white Marchesa Grecian goddess dress with gold neck trim. Wearing great clothes might be the only thing this reality star ever wins an award for.

The spotlight is on Glee's Lea Michele these days, so she didn't disappoint in a navy Oscar de la Renta with a swirl of ruffles up the skirt. The knockout: the chunky 'statement' necklace and matching cuff. You wouldn't want to be hit on the head with either of those.

Looking all grown up was Kelly Osborne, who went from trash-talking Goth girl to a fashionista in her own right. Her Tony Ward black gown had a flattering plunging neckline but came with lattice work down the front that made it just on the right side of interesting.

Here's a red carpet rarity: a star who raids her own closet to find something to wear. Keri Russell picked a hot pink chiffon vintage Jean Louis Scherrer Couture gown from her own wardrobe, chose muted accessories and proved that you can be natural and low-key and still be a stunner.

With that flaming red hair, Christina Hendricks has some limited colour choices. But her smoky lavender Zac Posen gown with marabou feathers on the sleeves and trailing the hem worked perfectly.