Risk-takers fuel fun fashion on Globes carpet

Fashion risk-takers helped the red carpet at Sunday's Golden Globes live up to its reputation as the liveliest of the awards season, with Helena Bonham Carter leading the way in mismatched — one red, one green — shoes.

She topped her multicolored, printed cocktail frock with a wacky hairdo woven with black netting.

It can't be described as a do or a don't: It's just pure Bonham Carter.

Olivia Wilde cleared her own path in an oversized chocolate-brown ball gown by Marchesa with beading that mimicked a starry night. "I'm a wide load — give me 20 feet," Wilde joked.

"I like wearing big dresses, it's fun. We go to so many parties in this town, the Globes are something to play with in terms of fashion," she added.

Still, there was room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., for waves of gowns in green, red, blue,

"I don't see an overall trend. It's not all about strapless or one look — the way it's been so clearly in the past. You always hope to see individuality and you got it," said Cindy Weber Cleary, InStyle fashion director.

She also noted there were more covered-up looks, save January Jones' strategically cutout top, and a rainbow of colors.

Angelina Jolie wore a long-sleeve, green gown with subtle shimmer that matched the old-school style of Brad Pitt, looking very much the classic movie star in traditional bow tie.

Meanwhile, Michael Douglas escorted Catherine Zeta-Jones in a green, textured-organza Monique Lhuillier with a textured skirt. As presenters, young Justin Beiber, in a three-piece Dolce & Gabbana tux, and Hailee Steinfeld in a Prabal Gurung ivory racerback gown, with a rubberized finish, were a glimpse at the future, though.

"Glee" stars seemed like they were everywhere on the carpet: Lea Michele in a salmon pink Oscar de la Renta, Chris Colfer in Dior Homme, Dianna Agron in a delicate, subtly shiny J. Mendel with a heavy chain necklace by Cathy Waterman, and a Giorgio Armani-clad Cory Monteith and his silver bow tie.

"I really was struck by the fact that so many men were in real bow ties," said Weber Cleary. "They have not been 'the thing' for a couple of years."

Elisabeth Moss, in custom Donna Karan, and Mila Kunis also did green justice, and Amy Adams went with a teal, laser-cut gown by Marchesa. Blue was electric on Michelle Pfieffer, wearing a simple, sexy Roland Mouret, and Tina Fey channeled another era in a navy velvet L'Wren Scott.

Several red looks commanded attention, especially Sofia Vergara's back lace-up corset by Vera Wang, Christina Hendricks' one-shoulder Romona Keveza with an oversized ruffled strap (to match her oversized 20-carat Chopard diamond earrings), and Jones' Versace. Jones actually requested this dress — originally on the Versace runway in blue — to be made in the bright lipstick hue.

Black wasn't boring on Halle Berry, who wore a lingerie-style, minimalist mini by Nina Ricci. Surely the five stacked Harry Winston diamonds cuff bracelets weighed more than the barely there dress.

Eva Longoria was voluptuous yet sophisticated in a black Zac Posen with a jeweled waistband and elaborate mermaid train, while Piper Perabo was sleek and chic in a black Oscar de la Renta with bows on the shoulder strap and hemline. The top layer of Christina Aguilera's strapless Zuhair Murad was jet-black beading but it was hardly noticeable against the champagne lining. Remember, she was there representing a movie called "Burlesque."

Capturing a boho vibe were Sandra Bullock in a loose powder-pink, one-shoulder, crystal-encrusted gown by Jenny Packham, and Scarlett Johansson in a creamy, butterfly sleeve dress with a V neck in the front and back. She was one of Weber Cleary's favorites.