The Hollywood Foreign Press Association officially votes on the awards given out annually at the Golden Globes. Unofficially, though, the ceremony is known as the first celebrity fashion show of the year. And 2009 definitely demonstrated the stars’ abilities to deck themselves in their classiest clothes.

Among those with fashion-to-die-for: Kate Winslet, who looked sleekly chic in her perfectly fitted black gown (Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent). The only detraction: bonny Kate tended to tug at the top of her strapless dress. Demi Moore, attired in a white Dior that contrasted beautifully with her hair, continues to appear about three decades younger than she is.

And although she and Brad snubbed Ryan Seacrest, Versace -clad Angelina Jolie looked every inch the star in a draped gown. Special mention must go to Drew Barrymore, whose exquisitely fitted blue gown deservedly drew gasps of appreciation as she paraded down the red carpet. From her perfectly coiffed hair to her demurely clad shoes , Drew shone like a real star.

It almost seems cruel to comment on some of the truly bad fashion that showed up for the Golden Globes … but it’s irresistible. Standing out among the worst: Renee Zellweger, who for some inexplicable reason (temporary insanity?) decided to slip into a solid white bra beneath her sheer black gown. Huh? Another pitiful failure: Rumer Willis, who wore a badly fitting dress that looked as if it came from a yard sale (hint to Demi: please give your daughter a lesson in fashion!).

Then there’s Maggie Gyllenhaal, a lovely girl who seems to have an unfortunate fondness for fashion errors. She began 2009 with her traditional lack of style by choosing a very peculiar print that had this volcanic eruption of fabric on her shoulder. Could someone please call in the fashion police for this hapless celebrity?

Last but not least: don’t men have fashion advisors anymore? The ones on parade at the Golden Globes certainly didn’t seem to. The one exception: youthful-yet-dapper Zac Efron, who chose a sophisticated tux-and-tie combo, which surely caused more than one young girl to sigh with envy at Zac’s gal pal Vanessa Hudgens (whose gorgeous gown’s elegance matched her boyfriend’s charm).