Grammys 2014: Best and worst dressed

She may not have walked the red carpet, but she stole the fashion show. After performing the opening number, the pop diva changed into a sheer white floral lace gown that was exactly the kind of risque style statement we expect to see on music’s biggest night. The dress was created by 31-year-old L.A.-based designer and “Project Runway” alum Michael Costello. To read an interview with Costello about this dress, click here. (Joe Klamar / AFP/Getty Images)

Jan. 26, 2014 7:03 PM PT

We saw gravity-defying hair, mother-and-son dressing and one batty hat, a striking wide-brimmed Smokey Bear-style worn by Pharrell Williams.

But fashion with a capital “F?” There wasn’t much of it on the Grammys red carpet this year. In fact, it was kind of a bust.

One reason? Style divas Beyonce and Rihanna didn’t walk the walk. No Gaga or Miley either. But Taylor Swift did, and she was the best-dressed of the rest, leading the charge in the metallic brigade.

-- By Booth Moore, Los Angeles Times Fashion Critic

Grammys 2014: Full coverage | Top winners and nominees | Red carpet arrivals | Complete list

Zebra stripes and lion heads, oh my. It’s a whole African safari on a dress. Another cuckoo fashion choice, yes, and I kind of like it. At least it doesn’t whimper like so much of what we saw on the Grammys red carpet; it roars. The gown is by Nicholas Jebran, one of several under-the-radar designers who were flying high on the Grammys red carpet. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images; Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

This sparkly white Haus of Milani gown with scroll-patterned insets is a little wack-a-doodle, especially with the super-high hair. But hey, this is the Grammys. And that’s what we expect. (Michael Nelson / EPA; Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Her Naeem Khan gown, with a maze of gold sequin embroidery, highlighted every curve. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images; Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Adding her own twist to the evening’s metallic trend, Ora chose a short, woven metallic Lanvin cocktail dress in a beguiling absinthe green with lavender undertones. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images; Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lots of guys wore vivid color on the red carpet, but Macklemore’s plush teal velvet tuxedo was one of the best looks of the night. A thrift store find, perhaps? If so, we’ll take it. (Christopher Polk / Getty Images)

Oh how I wanted to love this look, a Ralph Lauren tuxedo chosen by 8-year-old son, David, who was sporting a similar style. But the queen mum of pop piled on way too many accessories. The hat, gold mouth grill, Maltese cross pin and crystal-mesh hand bracelet -- it was overkill. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images; Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The pregnant star collaborated with Emilio Pucci designer Peter Dundas on this coppery sequined stunner, which was sexy and serpentine-looking, not unlike the Gucci gown Olivia Wilde wore to the Golden Globes. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images; Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A golden goddess in a Gucci column gown overlaid with so many crystals, she told E! Entertainment TV, “I think it’s bulletproof.” The workmanship is stunning. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images; Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

What could be more perfect for the Grammys than a gown dotted with musical notes? This Valentino Couture confection, which had come down the runway in Paris just a week before, is sweet and whimsical, just like Katy Perry. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Grammys 2014 best dressed: Chrissy Teigen

This Johanna Johnson gown fits her like a glove, and she looks like a tall drink of Champagne. Shown with John Legend. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Grammys 2014 best dressed: Kacey Musgraves

Romance at its best, the country star’s soft pink tiered tulle Armani Prive gown was reminiscent of spun sugar. (Matt Sayles / Invision/Associated Press; Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Pharrell Williams has been named to nearly every best-dressed list on the planet and this is what he comes up with for the Grammys? The hat is a quirky statement, we get it. But the jeans and leather track jacket just don’t cut it for the red carpet. (He is shown with his date.) (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)