Highlights from the Golden Globes' red-carpet blackout

At the Golden Globes, the all-black red carpet took the spotlight off style as actresses dressed not to stand out but to stand together in solidarity against harassment, abuse and inequality, writes Carolyn Moore.

Wearing Versace, Saoirse Ronan had the kind of night that has to bode well for the Oscars. Looking sleek, strong and confident, she repped Time’s Up and Lady Bird — the Girl Power vehicle of the season — with grace and panache.

While some tried to over compensate, Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent leaned into the classic simplicity of black, and the result — with standout red lip/emerald earring combo — is sensational.

Someone once opined that Tracee Ellis Ross “wears clothes like she’s doing them a favour”. Look at her, resplendent in Marc Jacobs and casually rocking a turban, and tell me that’s not true.

Several ladies suited up for last night’s Globes, but The Crown’s Claire Foy did it best. She accessorised her Stella McCartney tux with diamonds and a 50:50 equal representation badge.

If nothing else, the Globes blackout was a reminder that everything is better in black. Worn by Dakota Johnson, the exhausting eccentricity of Gucci benefitted from its somber touch.

The skirt-over-trousers look was one of the night’s biggest emerging trends, and no one did it better than Alison Brie. Wearing Vassilis Zoulias, she’s like a modern Audrey Hepburn.

A less successful variation on this look for Debra Messing in Christian Siriano, but a successful red carpet outing for the Will & Grace star who called out E!’s gender pay gap – live on E!

Bag a Chanel and you’re bound to stand out on any red carpet. Unfortunately for Caitriona Balfe, her Chanel is oddly unflattering. A peculiar length, a bad fit, it’s retro in all the wrong the ways.

Star of The Handmaid’s Tale, Elizabeth Moss was one of the night’s big winners. But beautiful though it is, her Dior felt a tad too on point; too dour for what turned out to be a celebratory occasion.

Her Dior didn’t steal the red carpet, but on a night for speaking out, Natalie Portman stole the show, ad-libbing “And here are the all male nominees” as she announced Best Director.

Any appearance that ends with calls for a presidential run has to be chalked up as a win. If you thought the night couldn’t get more inspirational or poignant, you hadn’t counted on Oprah’s rousing speech.