Brit awards: Fashion on the red carpet

Lily Allen arrived at the Brits in Chanel. There is something unpleasantly organic about that neckpiece, like she lost a fight with a jellyfish. Photograph: Dave Hogan/guardian.co.uk

Allen later graciously accepted her award for best Ronald McDonald impersonator Photograph: Matt Kent/guardian.co.uk

Allen performing in yet another outfit. Is it just us or do you feel dewy-eyed nostalgia for the days when one photo in the papers - sorry, one outfit - was enough? Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/guardian.co.uk

Lady Gaga needed only a Christmas tree to perch on, and her outfit was complete Photograph: Ian Gavan/guardian.co.uk

Dizzee Rascal and Florence Welch, who arrived in a minidress but whose hemline descended throughout the evening.
Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Robbie Williams singing from the bottom of his wallet, straight from his engagement as a wedding singer Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/guardian.co.uk

Cheryl Cole was too distraught at rumours of her husband's phone bill to mime properly, or find her trousers. Still, between her and Lady Gaga the wax technicians of the world must be riding out the recession
Photograph: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Lady Gaga was utterly shocked to win three awards Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/guardian.co.uk

JLS clearly stopped off at Boyband Shiny Suits R Us. The combination of sheen and forced jollity is headache-inducing Photograph: Ian West/guardian.co.uk

Ellie Goulding won the Critics Choice Brit award, and wins top style points for not getting out the orange permatan on her legs Photograph: Alastair Grant/guardian.co.uk

Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires in a suit last seen in the Queen Vic in the days of Frank Butcher Photograph: Dave Hogan/guardian.co.uk

Florence Welch in one of her more demure numbers. Lace was a big trend of the evening Photograph: Ian West/guardian.co.uk

Kasabian look oddly shifty, possibly because band member Sergio had stolen Noel Fielding's wardrobe Photograph: Richard Young/guardian.co.uk

Mika wearing a deconstructed tail coat, which shouldn't work but somehow does. Bonus points for the Louboutins, too. Photograph: Dave Hogan/guardian.co.uk

Katherine Jenkins is either electioneering or petitioning for a place in the New Year's honours list. She also get points for staying clear of fake tan though. Photograph: Brian Rasic/guardian.co.uk

Samantha Fox poses, looking oddly like Letitia Dean
Photograph: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Natasha Khan of Bat For Lashes, who missed out on an award but gets our thumbs up for wearing the Eiffel Tower round her neck and for not looking like she was styled to within an inch of her life.
Photograph: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

... Which is more than can be said for Pixie Lott, who also sported the black lace trend. If only someone would start a Black Lace trend, the red carpet would suddenly be much more fun Photograph: Ian Gavan/guardian.co.uk

Daniel Merriweather arrives on the red carpet. After extensive research on Google, we can confirm that a) he sang that song (you know, THAT one) and b) his jacket was designed by Tetris
Photograph: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Seasick Steve arrives from the States (presumably not by boat) as an ambassador for the new "double denim" trend
Photograph: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Alexandra Burke bravely smiled through her heartbreak in a red full-length gown, with the latest must-have accessory, a human umbrella-stand. You are NO ONE without one, civilians.
Photograph: Luke Macgregor/Reuters