Hector Mata/AFP/Getty Images A smartly dressed Fergie struts her stuff on the red carpet before the Grammys. Click photo for larger image.

Paul Wall's tricked-out "Grammy grill" smile was just one of many reasons why the Grammys offer the most interesting fashion story of major awards shows.

Fashion at the Grammys, America's most respected music awards, is a lot trendier and more diverse than at its silver-screen counterparts, the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Looks are younger and hipper, less self-conscious and more free and expressive, rivaled only by the MTV and BET awards in terms of cutting-edge fashion from the sidewalks to the catwalks.

Last night, just about everything from sneakers and T-shirts to cocktail dresses and formal gowns ran the red carpet. Both male and female celebs took the trends beyond spring and summer and on into fall with mini dresses, retro-'70s suits, wide ties and plenty of metallic silver and gold.

Matt Sayles/Associated Press Nelly Furtado wears a mini that earned at least one fashion critic's ire. Click photo for larger image.

Itsy-bitsy dresses made the biggest splash, ranging from Corinne Bailey Rae's short and sweet black sequined mini to Hilary Duff's gold sequin shift and Fergie's sparkly silver number by Badgley Mischka.

Gold and silver glammed up the scene, from the fetching full-length gold frocks on Carrie Underwood and Mary J. Blige to India.Arie's chic ethnic statement: large gold disc earrings, gold pumps, a slinky olive-and-gold dress and a bushy natural 'do.

A few looks worthy of special mention:

Prettiest in Pink: Christina Aguilera, whose pale pink strapless Ungaro gown with a sweetheart neckline had a high-fashion touch with a long gray sash.

Most Curve-a-licious: Jennifer Hudson in a red-hot, fit-like-a-glove dress with a sexy plunging neckline.

	Matt Sayles/Associated Press Christina Aguilera is pretty in pink. Click photo for larger image.

Hottest Retro Rocker: Ludacris, whose '70s-style, vested three-piece suit, wide necktie and disco shirt collar looked classic, not corny.

Tackiest Dress: Nelly Furtado, in an ugly mini that looked like a handful of cold spaghetti with spangles on top.

Style Innovator: The peerless Terrence Howard, who wore French cuffs, a matching Armani vest and trousers, and a striped necktie with the matching pocket square tucked into a vest pocket. The finishing touch was a linear pin of man-made diamonds.