The Dresses We Wish We'd Seen in '08

Miss those glam gowns? Vote on which amazing runway looks would've made Julia Roberts, Katherine Heigl, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightley and more fashion winners if the show had gone on! By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

01 of 26

JULIA ROBERTS: THE CLASSIC

JULIA ROBERTS: THE CLASSIC
Lester Cohen/WireImage

Her usual m.o.: The best supporting actress nominee (for Charlie Wilson's War) sticks to slim silhouettes, classic shapes and basic black for her red carpet appearances. Favorite designers include Valentino (remember her winning Oscars dress?) and Giorgio Armani.

Click on to see our dream picks for Julia!

02 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR JULIA

OUR PICKS FOR JULIA
Eric Ryan/Getty; Bryan Bedder/Getty

Roberts could not go wrong with Valentino in this one-shouldered gown. Or, she would look perfectly classic in this Oscar de la Renta.

03 of 26

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY: THE ETHEREAL

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY: THE ETHEREAL
Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo

The best actress nominee for Atonement may have garnered rave reviews for the slinky bias-cut green dress she wears in the movie, but her own style leans toward pale pastels and soft neutrals from high-end labels like Chanel and Rodarte. The actress softens her angular frame with layers of chiffon and tulle, always with luxe finishes and quirky details.

04 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR KEIRA

OUR PICKS FOR KEIRA
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty; JP Yim/WireImage

The actress could have stuck with her favorite designers – either in this pastel metallic Chanel Haute Couture gown with a chiffon hem or this pale pink Rodarte princess gown.

05 of 26

ANGELINA JOLIE: THE MINIMALIST

ANGELINA JOLIE: THE MINIMALIST
Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo

Jolie – a best actress nominee for A Mighty Heart – has honed in on a simple style – body-conscious with a neutral palette. The humanitarian favors elegant and tailored pieces but doesn't have just one go-to red carpet designer, wearing everyone from St. John to Versace.

06 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR ANGELINA

OUR PICKS FOR ANGELINA
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty; Courtesy L'Wren Scott

Jolie could work this bold Gucci – with a flash of yellow. Or she could spotlight her enviable décolletage in plunging L'Wren Scott.

07 of 26

CATE BLANCHETT: THE RISK TAKER

CATE BLANCHETT: THE RISK TAKER
Steve Granitz/WireImage

The double nominee (for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and I'm Not There) doesn't just take chances with her roles – Bob Dylan, anyone? – but also with her fashion choices. From edgy Balenciaga to ornate Armani, Cate the Great is never afraid to try a bold color, a daring silhouette or a trend ahead of its time. And for this year's awards, we would have seen the actress pregnant with her third child!

08 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR CATE

OUR PICKS FOR CATE
Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty(2)

The daring actress could mask her pregnancy in this flowing green Lanvin gown – or highlight her bump in this slim Armani Privé navy-and-black stunner.

09 of 26

JENNIFER GARNER: THE CHAMELEON

JENNIFER GARNER: THE CHAMELEON
Michael Germana/Globe

The actress – whose film, Juno, is nominated – is always able to make the seamless transition between laid-back mom and red carpet siren. While she plays off of her super-toned physique, the star never shows too much skin – and she's definitely not afraid of color. Favorite designers include Oscar de la Renta, Valentino and Gucci.

10 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR JENNIFER

OUR PICKS FOR JENNIFER
Lorenzo Santini/WireImage; Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage;

Garner can get away with either of these Elie Saabs, like this fun floral frock or this gray gown, which would highlight her buff arms and shoulders.

11 of 26

KATHERINE HEIGL: THE SIREN

KATHERINE HEIGL: THE SIREN
Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic

The Grey's Anatomy star may toil away in scrubs, but when she hits the red carpet, it's old Hollywood glamour all the way. The newlywed – a supporting actress nominee – favors bold colors, slim shapes and fishtail hems from designers like Zac Posen and Kevan Hall.

12 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR KATHERINE

OUR PICKS FOR KATHERINE
Courtesy L'Wren Scott; Alexanderk/WireImage

Heigl could focus on her curves in this off-the-shoulder L'Wren Scott stunner or take sexy to the next level with this lipstick-red Valentino.

13 of 26

AMY ADAMS: THE LADY

AMY ADAMS: THE LADY
RE/Westcom/starmaxinc

The star may have enchanted the Foreign Press into a nomination for best actress in a musical or comedy, but we're under the spell of her truly ladylike gowns on the red carpet. The petite actress never overwhelms her figure, sticking with strapless necklines and elegant detailing from designers like Carolina Herrera and J. Mendel.

14 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR AMY

OUR PICKS FOR AMY
Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty; Courtesy Carolina Herrera

She could take sophisticated turn in this black lace Sari Gueron, or set off her fiery locks in this lavender Carolina Herrera gown with scarf fringe.

15 of 26

AMERICA FERRERA: THE UPSTART

AMERICA FERRERA: THE UPSTART
Chris Carlson/AP

Since her very first awards show, the Ugly Betty nominee has hit her stride in bold colors, curve-hugging shapes and simple silhouettes. The young actress gravitates toward American designers like Monique Lhuillier and Badgley Mischka and shapes that won't overwhelm her petite height.

16 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR AMERICA

OUR PICKS FOR AMERICA
Biasion Studio/WireImage; Carlo Buscemi/WireImage

Ferrera could have continued on her cobalt streak in this sexy Zac Posen gown or flipped the switch to black and chosen this floaty Monique Lhuillier.

17 of 26

SHAKIRA: THE ATTENTION GRABBER

SHAKIRA: THE ATTENTION GRABBER
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Nominated for best song (for "Despedida", from Love in the Time of Cholera), the sexy singer never misses an opportunity to showcase those famous hips and long locks. Gravitating towards color and simple shapes, the South American songstress relies on classic designers like as Carolina Herrera.

18 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR SHAKIRA

OUR PICKS FOR SHAKIRA
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty; Andrew H. Walker/Getty

The singer could have tried out this slinky cornflower blue Elie Saab or stuck with her favorite in this sweet lilac Carolina Herrera for the awards show.

19 of 26

AMANDA BYNES: THE GIRLY GIRL

AMANDA BYNES: THE GIRLY GIRL
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The 21-year-old always caters to her feminine side with frocks that are sweet – and always age-appropriate. She favors American labels like Alice amp Olivia and BCBG Max Azria.

20 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR AMANDA

OUR PICKS FOR AMANDA
Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty; Carlo Buscemi/WireImage

Elegant yet girly, Bynes could have gone for this light-as-air Nina Ricci or tried this beige Monique Lhuillier tulle confection.

21 of 26

JAIME PRESSLY: THE HOT MAMA

JAIME PRESSLY: THE HOT MAMA
Carlos Diaz/INF

Only months after giving birth to her son, the best supporting actress nominee has her flawless figure back. The My Name Is Earl star usually flaunts her curvy, trim figure in glam gowns with plenty of shine. We've spotted her before in Badgley Mischka and in dresses from her own line, J'aime.

22 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR JAIME

OUR PICKS FOR JAIME
Catwalking/Getty; Arun Nevader/WireImage

The new mom could have brightened up the red carpet in this tangerine Temperley or sparkled in this gilded Naeem Khan.

23 of 26

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: THE THROWBACK

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: THE THROWBACK
Evan Agostini/Getty

With her blond ringlets and big blue eyes, the best actress in a comedy series nominee always looks like she fell out of a previous era. She's not afraid to sparkle in a flapper dress or show off her tiny waist in a '50s-style frock. The Samantha Who? star is often seen in Badgley Mischka and Alberta Ferretti.

24 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR CHRISTINA

OUR PICKS FOR CHRISTINA
Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty; Arun Nevader/FilmMagic

Christina could have gotten ruffled up in this pale lilac J. Mendel gown or gone glam in this silver Badgley Mischka with a swirling black hem.

25 of 26

CHLOE SEVIGNY: THE AVANT GARDE

CHLOE SEVIGNY: THE AVANT GARDE
Bryan Bedder/Getty

The star of the nominated drama Big Love has become even more famous for her quirky style and love of cutting-edge design. Often seen in Lanvin, Chloe or YSL, the Manhattanite is never afraid to try a new color, shape or style.

26 of 26

OUR PICKS FOR CHLOE

OUR PICKS FOR CHLOE
Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage; catwalking/getty

We could picture her bringing back '80s fluorescents in this multi-hued Valentino. Or, the actress could have gone for a bold floral in this pink Roberto Cavalli.

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