The Worst Red Carpet Moments of 2008

They're the darlings of the red carpet -- the fashion-forward stars who send the paparazzi clicking and us clacking with their eagerness to take risks. Of course, if you're going to soar, you're occasionally going to flop. And though we could just ignore their faux pas, what would be the fun? And so, StyleList presents 2008's Ten Worst Fashion Offenses By Celebrities Who Really Should Have Known Better. After all, aren't their high-priced stylists supposed to save them from ridicule? First up: Lucy Liu. Fashion Week Rule No. 1: Every A-lister must wear a dress by the designer-of-the-hour to his runway show. So what does that tell us about Lucy Liu? Judging by her marshmallow-sleeved pink-and-purple confection, she was the last to RSVP to Valentino's Spring 2008 couture show.

Dominique Charriau, WireImage

Cate Blanchett is always-daring -- and usually successful -- but even she made a mistake in 2008. The gold lame dress she wore to the Australian premiere of "Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is actually by Giorgio Armani, but, honestly, it looks like her kids dyed a Hefty Bag.

Wendell Teodoro, WireImage

When a run of gladiator shoes and too-short-for-a-36-year-old dresses failed to convince the public that she really is sexy and not just a sprout-eating, yoga-loving Anglophile friend of Madonna, Gwynneth Paltrow picked this bizarre Antonio Bernardi dress to really hammer home her message. Unfortunately, her get-up was just embarassing. The lace cut-out made it look like she was wearing a 1940s girdle to the "Two Lovers" premiere, and her trendy booties looked like she was balancing her diamond necklace with white tennis socks. From her pout, it seems that even Gwynnie was not amused.

Tony Barson, WireImage

A couple of years of success on the red carpet -- and a close friendship with the ever-evolving Victoria Beckham -- has clearly left Katie Holmes with a false sense of fashion security. For the "All My Sons" opening-night party, the young actress designed this satin-and-lace jumpsuit herself, with help from her stylist Jeanne Yang. But if you ask us, it looks like she got her direction from Suri. At least Holmes got better reviews for her Broadway acting debut.

Jim Spellman, WireImage

A Marchesa dress is usually guaranteed to land you on the best-dressed list -- unless you're Eva Longoria. This sparkly fringed cocktail dress with the oversized bow at the bosom had (at least) one element too many. Of course, the "Desperate Housewives" sprite could be auditioning for a role as a Christmas package in next year's Radio City Christmas Show. If not, she should heed Coco Chanel's advice: Take off one thing before you leave the house.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Is Sienna Miller spending too many hours reading her press clippings? You know, the ones that call her a trend-setter. Her time might be better spent looking in the mirror. Her floor-length fringe top by Britain's Jasmine DiMilo, paired with a bowler hat, clunky shoes and leggings,should never have made it out the door (see Chanel advice, above) let alone onto the red carpet. The spider woman outfit was Miller's choice for the Edinburgh Film Festvial premiere of "The Edge of Love." Looks like she was also at the edge of taste.

Eamonn McCormack, Getty Images

After taking the pop-star equivalent of a maternity leave, Christina Aguilera was hot to announce, "I'm Baaaa-aaa-ck" at the 2008 MTV Music Awards. But like Britney before her, a big VMA return wasn't on the playlist for the sultry singer -- or her new look. Aguilera's spangly Roberto Cavalli spider dress looked like it belonged in the Costume Institute's "Super Heros" exhibit, not on the red carpet. Worse, all that glitters can accentuate a post-baby body in all the wrong places.

Steve Granitz, WireImage

Wearing an outfit by fashion darlings Proenza Schouler to the CFDA Fashion Awards should have been a slam-dunk for Maggie Gyllenhaal -- after all, if anyone is going to understand the cutting-edge work of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, it's the fashion flock in Maggie's hometown. But somehow, she got it all wrong. The enormous top and voluminous pants seem better suited for a mid-West matron than a hip Lower East Sider. Add the red lipstick and the face-frame of curls, and Maggie's ready for a swing on a porch somewhere.

Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

Red carpet moments don't come any bigger than attending the Academy Awards as a nominee. But instead of rising to the occasion, best-supporting-actress winner Tilda Swinton scrubbed off her makeup, slicked back her fiery red hair and threw on a one-armed dress made from a recycled trash bag (was that a trend this year?). Yes, we know hers was by the enormously talented Alber Elbaz at Lanvin, but, really, did he have to take out his tortured soul on THIS dress?

Steve Granitz, WireImage

And, finally, proof that even the most brilliant designers create dresses that should never, EVER make it off the runway. Case in point: At the opening of Alexander McQueen's boutique in Los Angeles, Janet Jackson looked dazed and confused in the Frenchman's ombre kimono. Even for a woman with Jackson's fashion history, this may have been her biggest wardrobe malfunction yet.

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images