Chris Pizzello, Associated Press Virginia Madsen was both lacy and racy at the Emmys. Click photo for larger image. Listen In: PG fashion editor Lamont Jones chats about last night's red carpet fashions at the 2006 Emmy Awards. Related stories: Tuned in: Something old, something new Complete list of 2006 Emmy winners

Maybe they were trying to stay cool in the withering California heat.

Or maybe Emmy producers staged a cleavage contest and everybody wanted to win.

Forget accessories as fashion's current major headline. Although opulent chandelier earrings were all over the place last night, the most prominent accessory was -- how can we say it tastefully? -- a perfect pair of breasts.

As a group, the red-carpet actresses seemed to be in competition with today's hottest, scantily clad singers. You could almost hear Lisa Kudrow, swathed in black with decolletage to spare, hissing, "Take that, Jessica and Mariah!"

With strong emphasis on the "S" -- sexy, slinky, sultry, seductive -- Hollywood's hottest actresses made their more demurely frocked sisters look like frumps. Fabric, especially lace, hugged curves tighter than 100 miles of mountain road. Another popular silhouette was snug at the top and roomy draping at the bottom.

Purple was the new black in gorgeous shades, and dark color was dominant without a lot of monochromatic black -- two trends forecast for fall.

There also was a lot of white, perhaps one last chance, many ladies felt, to get in one more wear before Labor Day. Jennifer Morrison of the Fox drama "House" may have worn it best in a breathtaking full-length beaded lace illusion gown. Pure elegance, she proved that when it comes to showing skin, less is often more.

Laura Rauch, Associated Press Jaime Pressly went with purple and lace. Click photo for larger image.

For their part, the gents haven't appeared so confidently relaxed and diverse in years. Many wore dark suits with white shirts and white ties, a continuation of Oscar looks earlier this year. Jeremy Piven, supporting actor winner for the HBO comedy "Entourage," wore a dark ascot under a white shirt and black jacket, and "Rescue Me's" Denis Leary rocked a black shirt and suit with a red necktie. A number of guys sported a striped necktie, from Charlie Sheen and Howie Mandel to Jon Stewart and Isaiah Washington.

But the women, as always, provide the most stunning hits and misses. Here are a few who stood out, for better or worse.

HOT

Jaime Pressley ("My Name Is Earl") wore a sexy lace halter dress by Badgley Mischka in a lovely shade of plum.

Evangeline Lilly ("Lost") was in a dreamy purple Versace goddess gown.

Allison Janney ("West Wing") demurely channeled Old Hollywood in a stunning multi-tiered scarlet gown with beaded accents and spaghetti straps.

Chris Pizzello, Associated Press Cheryl Hines was among those wearing purple. Click photo for larger image.

Ellen Pompeo ("Grey's Anatomy") was dazzling in a strapless, slinky velvet gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior.

Tyra Banks ("America's Top Model") proved the essence of divalicious in a pretty up 'do and sparkling, lacy black one-shoulder mermaid gown.

NOT

Kyra Sedgwick ("The Closer") in an over-the-top dove-gray strapless number that looked like a reject from "Project Runway."

Sandra Oh ("Grey's Anatomy"), whose "oh, no!" periwinkle dress looked like a duvet salvaged from the trash heap.

Mariska Hargitay ("Law & Order: SVU") looked like a stuffed eggplant in a beaded strapless gown by Carolina Herrera.

Even a purple sash didn't help presenter Virginia Madsen, who looked trapped in a giant black doily with a neckline cut perilously low.

Speaking of a purple sash, what was up with best supporting actress winner Blythe Danner (for the HBO drama "Huff") in that purple-belted aqua horse blanket? She looked like a Party City paper napkin.