fashions: Single ladies Eva Longoria, Christina Aguilera and Scarlett Johannson lead the fashion pack at the Golden Globes

By BAZ BAMIGBOYE and LIZZIE SMITH

Making a statement: Also newly single, Eva Longoria wore a black fishtail creation by A-list favourite Zac Posen

The most eye-catching accessory on this year's Golden Globes red carpet wasn't a jewelled clutch or a pair of Louboutins. Instead it was the confident walk of a newly single woman.

Amongst those striding down the red carpet at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles' blazing sunshine were a clutch of stars who have seen their marriages break down this year.

Leaving their private pain at home, last year's best actress winner Sandra Bullock, Eva Longoria, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry and Christina Aguilera all presented a confident face to the world.

Going it alone: Christina Aguilera looked every inch the Fifties starlet in black lace Zuhair Murad

Eva, in black Zac Posen, brought along a female friend to walk the red carpet at her side, while Christina brought her new boyfriend and Scarlett, in nude Elie Saab, found a male friend to accompany her.

But brave Sandra went it alone, enjoying a laugh on the red carpet as she joked she wasn't as popular as fellow guest Justin Bieber.

'It's a different kind of killing,' she said. The actress wore a sheer silk vintage-style dress with silver beading by British designer Jenny Packham and a pair of Jimmy Choos.

On sparkling form: Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham, and Scarlett Johansson in a pale sequinned Elie Saab gown, both stepped out as single women

Christina, who wore Zuhair Murad, was nominated for best original song for her film Burlesque. She avoided mentioning the recent break-up from her husband Jordan Bratman as she was interviewed about the movie.

But she did admit: 'I grew so much, leaps and bounds, making this film.'

Among the changes was new boyfriend Matthew Rutler, an assistant she met on set, who accompanied her to the awards.

Green was clearly the colour of the moment with two major attendees opting for emerald gowns.

Green goddess: Angelina Jolie made a colour statement in a slinky emerald Atelier Versace gown

Grand entrance: Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones also wore green, with a full Monique L'Hullier ballgown

Angelina Jolie wore a slinky embellished gown by Atelier Versace, the cowl back revealing one of her many tattoos.

She and boyfriend Brad Pitt held hands as they walked the red carpet together, barely leaving each others' sides.

Catherine Zeta Jones, who wore a dark green Monique L'Hullier ballgown, proudly accompanied husband Michael Douglas to the awards, who has recently recovered from throat cancer.

Angelina walked the red carpet with boyfriend Brad Pitt, while Catherine proudly held hands with husband Michael Douglas, who has recently beaten throat cancer

'Doesn't he look better?' Catherine asked the MailOnline as they arrived at the Beverly Hilton last night.

Douglas himself was in a happy mood, joking, 'There's gotta be an easier way to get a standing ovation,' as he took to the stage to present the award for Best Film.

His acting peers in the audience showed genuine affection as they applauded the 66-year-old.

Pale and very interesting: Megan Fox in Armani Prive, Michelle Williams in Valentino and Milla Jovovich

Happy couples: Nicole Kidman, nominated for Rabbit Hole, wore Prada, with her husband Keith Urban while Heidi Klum, pictured with husband Seal, wore a Seventies-inspired gown from Marc Jacobs' latest collection

One actress who did have a husband at her side was Nicole Kidman.

Nicole, dressed in a clinging white sheath which highlighted her slender frame, admitted she had worked extremely hard on her film Rabbit Hole.

But she said: 'I have a really understanding husband.'

Well-heeled: Glee's Lea Michele wore a ruffled Oscar de la Renta dress with sparkling Christian Louboutin shoes

In the nude: Modern Family's Sarah Hyland, Today correspondent Maria Menounos and The Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco

Understated hair: Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad, Tilda Swinton in Jil Sanda and Dame Helen Mirren, who wore a $6m diamond necklace

Green proved a popular choice for women.

Mila Kunis, who co-starred with Natalie Portman in the psycho-sexual ballet film Black Swan, looked a vision of young beauty in a figure-hugging emerald floor length dress by Vera Wang.

Angelina Jolie kept up the theme in a sparkling full-length gown with matching earrings and ring.

The only accessory on Angelina's arm was her other half Brad Pitt.

Living the dream: Kelly Osbourne showed off tattooed arms in her Zac Posen dress, while actress Olivia Wilde, right, teamed a fairytale Marchesa gown with platform spiked heels

The dark side: TV host Giuliana Rancic, The Fighter's Melissa Leo and Dexter's Julia Stiles all wore black

Three ways with black: Julianne Hough, Halle Berry in Nina Ricci, nominated for Frankie And Alice and Jessalyn Gilsig all chose dark gowns

Another big colour trend was peach, in all its shades. Pregnant Black Swan star Natalie Portman chose a regal satin shift, draped over her bump and accessorised with a large red rose.

Although nominated for best actress Natalie said she said she hadn't prepared a speech.

'I always feel that it's tacky to be presumptuous about this stuff,' she said. But she did admit she was looking forward to meeting the stars who inspire her.

'The most exciting thing about these events is that you get to see everyone you admire,' she said.

Quirky: Helena Bonham Carter wore mismatched red and green shoes and a Vivienne Westwood dress, while Julia Kurbatova wore a blue sheath with green embroidery

Also choosing the flattering shade was Modern Family's Sarah Hyland in a nude stapless gown, Today correspondent Maria Menounos in a plunging dress and The Big Bang Theory actress Kaley Cuoco in a ruffled outfit.

Lea Michele chose a peach a fairytale flouncy Oscar de la Renta gown, complete with train, while Scarlett Johannson chose an embellished diamanté Elie Saab gown in nude.

Bright scarlet also proved a popular choice, with Christina Hendricks bravely, and successfully, matching her ginger hair with Romona Keveza’s bright red gown, with ruffles around the neck.

The perfect accessory: Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf, with a hand-embroidered Swarovski rose and Jane Krakowski wore draped gowns over their growing baby bumps

Sparkle girl: Anne Hathaway wore a shimmering backless Armani Prive sheath as she arrived to pick up some tips for the Oscars, which she is hosting

Her Mad Men co-star January Jones teamed a plunging scarlet gown with bright red lipstick.

As the face of Versace, her dress unsurprisingly came from the Italian fashion house.
Sofia Vergara, who had worried she might not find a gown to fit over her curves, looked stunning in a figure enhancing red gown, with a plunging neckline to display her sizeable chest.

But not everyone took the fashion so seriously. Helena Bonham Carter teamed a theatrical Helena Bonham Carter dress with one red and one green shoe.

Scarlet women: Mad Men's Christina Hendricks and January Jones wore red, as well as Sofia Vergara, nominated for her role in Modern Family

Blue belles: Actress Mandy Moore, Amy Adams, nominated for The Fighter, and Hope Davis, nominated for The Special Relationship all chose inky hues for their gowns

Of course, it wasn't just women on the red carpet.

Robert Pattinson arrived to present the award for best foreign film. But he admitted to interviewer Alexa Chung that he had only seen one of the films on the list.

'They only told me yesterday which one I was doing, so I don't know,' he laughed, 'I don't know who's coming.'

Jake Gyllenhall also had a relaxed approach to the awards. With all the female guests heavily made up, he arrived with a heavy beard on his face.

'It's not for a role,' he said. 'it's just something that happens when I don't shave my face.'

All white on the night: Miss Golden Globe 2011, Gia Mantegna, Jennifer Love Hewitt in Romona Keveza, nominated for her TV show The Client List and True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld

Seeing the light: Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester, Ugly Betty's Vanessa Williams and Carrie Underwood

Bring me sunshine: The Insider's Lara Spencer, food critic Katie Lee, and Kyra Sedgwick, nominated for The Closer, all wore sunset shades of yellow and orange

Making an impact: Glee star Amber Riley and Precious star Gabourey Sidibe went for sequinned gowns

Moment in the spotlight: Actress Hailee Steinfeld walks the red carpet ahead of the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards, which was held at The Beverly Hilton hotel

Justin Bieber Golden Globes Red Carpet - Talks about Never Say Never 3D