Elle’s Women in Hollywood draws a stylish crowd

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The evening was about honoring the women who have made an indelible mark in film this year, but Monday night’s recipients of the 2011 Elle Women in Hollywood awards could also have taken home accolades for their fashion sense as well, turning up in stylish and understated cocktail dresses that let their glowing skin and true beauty shine.

Honoree Naomi Watts wore a nude Calvin Klein dress with a shiny bodice and matte skirt. She continued the no-color theme with a pair of patent leather nude heels by Brian Atwood.

Fellow honorees Freida Pinto and Elizabeth Olsen also wore Calvin Klein, Pinto a body-hugging white number that she paired with fun and colorful accessories like a teal and purple necklace and gray, black and lavender peep toe heels. Olsen was swathed in a shimmery silver floor-length dress that she dressed up with rings and a hammered bracelet by David Yurman.

Viola Davis continued the evening’s theme of solid and subtle by wearing a Calvin Klein silvery sheath, paired with Yurman bracelets and Jimmy Choo “Vibe” platforms.

Jennifer Aniston got the memo to wear metallic and showed up in a sexy open back and plunging front dress by Kaufman Franco. She carried a silvery-gray Ferragamo clutch and even had her fingers and toes painted a shade of gray to match the ensemble.

Presenter Reese Witherspoon arrived in all black, but punctuated her classic look with Irene Neuwirth pear-shape chrysoprase earrings that totally popped from beneath her blond hair.

Michelle Pfeiffer reminded us why she was the sexiest Cat Woman when she showed up in a black, fitted dress from Alexander McQueen’s 2012 resort collection. She may be 53 years old, but Pfeiffer was by far one of the most beautiful and best dressed women of the night.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

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Photos, from top: Naomi Watts, at left; Freida Pinto; Elizabeth Olsen.

Viola Davis, at left; Jennifer Aniston.

Reese Witherspoon

Michelle Pfeiffer

All photos by Matt Sayles / Associated Press