Opposites Attract: Celebs Don Black & White on the Red Carpet

What’s black and white and red all over? That would be the celebs who walked the carpet at the People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday night. Those on the two-toned roster include Bella Thorne, Melissa McCarthy, Olivia Munn, Ellen DeGeneres, and co-hosts Anna Faris and Allison Janney.

“Black and white looks are timeless and do not outshine the woman in the dress,” style and beauty expert Mary Alice Stephenson tells Yahoo Style. “People are sick of seeing too much skin and over outrageous embellishment. This red carpet season will be all about effortless style, easy glamour and good taste.”

Meanwhile, stars opted for all black, all white, or a combination of both at other Hollywood soirees this week. Former bond girl Famke Janssen donned and black and white belted dress at a Taken 3 event while actress Marion Cotillard accepted two awards at the 2014 New York Film Critics Circle Awards in a black fit and flare mini dress accented by a white sequined high-neck. Perhaps the stars are saving their more colorful attire for this weekend’s Golden Globe Awards. Could this be setting the tone for an award season red carpet trend?

“I predict a more sophisticated and demure red carpet. There are too many intense, sad and difficult things happening in the world right now for us to be seeing a candy-colored red carpet,” Stephenson adds. “Over decorating oneself in colorful, outrageous, over-the-top gowns is unbefitting to the times. Actresses will play it cool and focus on elegant, glamorous modern looks that shine without all the bells and whistles.”

So who made it work and who was a total white out? You’ll just have to click through to find out.