2013 Grammys – Best Dressed [PHOTOS]

Gorgeous ladies and gorgeous gowns prevailed at the 2013 Grammys. With the dress code a topic of conversation leading up to the event, we were all watching to see who would take liberties with the sanctions against butt cracks, side boobs and nip slips.

Jennifer Lopez and Kelly Rowland did just that, but in the right way, while Rihanna, the one star everyone was expecting to ignore the rules altogether, was pretty as a princess and largely covered up, albeit with sheer material.

Here's our rundown of the Best Dressed at the 2013 Grammys.

Carrie Underwood

The country singer is a perpetual bullet-point on best dressed lists, and for good reason. She looked ravishing in a black, lacy Roberto Cavalli column gown with a strapless bodice and plenty o' bling. While she rarely disappoints, her hair was a bit too "mature." But then again, we look at that figure of hers and go "wow." Love the subtle peek-a-boo in the train, too.

Carly Rae Jepsen

Dark Roberto Cavalli dresses were the order of the day. Carly Rae Jepsen of 'Call Me Maybe' fame was sophisticated in a shimmery, gunmetal Cavalli gown that showed off that not only showcased her enviable body, it had movement -- and as a result, she shone.

Jennifer Lopez

You know, that whole dress code thing didn't say anything about thigh cleavage, did it? Leave it to the diva that is J. Lo to flash a whole lotta flesh and to get past the censors anyway. In her drapey black Anthony Vaccarello gown, Lopez broke all the rules without getting vulgar. She showed lots of (toned) thigh and sunkissed shoulder. She dripped sex, in that Miami sun goddess way.

Rihanna

We expected her to show as much skin as she could get away with, but the pop princess threw us for a loop in a scarlet custom-made Azzedine Alaia gown. The fabric was a bit sheer, so you still got a look-see at Rihanna, but in a classy way. This is one of her best looks ever precisely because she decided to sidestep slutty for sexy. The train was extra beautiful.

Taylor Swift

The pop-country crossover queen continued her red carpet winning streak, this time in a cream-colored J. Mendel gown with a Grecian goddess cut. The sexy slit was an added surprising touch, while the low bodice was enhanced by the hardware. T. Swizzle wore her hair in milkmaid-style braids, giving the look a slightly boho chic tone.

Solange

Beyonce's little sister outdid her, at least on this red carpet. With her wild curls and deep emerald green Ralph & Russo Couture gown, the slit and clingy fabric along with the cap sleeves made this dress a head-turner. It's rare that Bey could be upstaged by anyone, let alone her sister, but that's what happened. Solange was money.

Kelly Rowland

It was six degrees of Beyonce on the Grammys red carpet. Her sister Solange looked better, and so did her former Destiny's Child bandmate. K. Rowl also pushed the dress code rules to near-breaking point, wearing a Georges Chakra gown in a charcoal hue with cutouts in all the right and strategic places. It was sexy without being trashy.