The 2012 Orange British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London premiered today once again bringing up the age old question: Do the Brits do it better?

I must admit they sound infinitely more refined than us Yanks when discussing who designed their shoes. However, an American stole the red carpet hands down — my pick for best dressed is a surprising Christina Ricci in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci.

She was flawless. Ricci’s look was right out of a 1940’s Hollywood high-glamour movie, but the hair, makeup and accessories brought a modern finesse to the overall look. Simply breathtaking.

Other highlights included Michelle Yeoh in a va-va-voom crimson gown, Jessica Chastain in a slinky Grecian inspired Oscar de la Renta, and Melissa George who looked stunning thanks to the impeccable fit of her black seemingly endless gown by none other than fellow red carpet alum Victoria Beckham. 

There were also a lot of safe, muted colors (a big contrast to the fashion we saw coming down the carpet at the Grammy’s). A lot of variations on nude and blush tones like Shailene Woodley from The Descendants in a pretty barely-there blush gown.

Some disappointments were commentator Edith Bowman in her shapeless white Christian Dior couture dress (with a dowdy coat thrown over for red carpet interviews?).

Helena Bonham Carter reminded me a little of an early Madonna in her black, gloved getup with messy hair. Also, Meryl Streep in the overdone Vivienne Westwood (maybe her attempt at a nod to British designers). The corseted gown burgeoned on costume. Meryl Streep in Vivienne Westwood

An actress of her caliber deserves something more understated and elegant. I’m sure her win for Best Actress was a great consolation prize. Overall, the BAFTA’s and Brits did not disappoint.