DRESSED TO WIN ON EMMY FASHION, 'ACCESS HOLLYWOOD'S' NEW MOTHER KNOWS BEST.

Byline: MELISSA HECKSCHER

>LA.COM 

For celebrities gearing up for Sunday's 59th Primetime Emmy Awards, the pressure is on to find the perfect answer to the perennial red carpet question: "What (or whom) are you wearing?"

But for the people asking that question -- the Joan and Melissa Rivers types who patrol the red carpet for fashion flubs like high school principals lurking in the hallways -- the pressure is even greater.

"We're standing next to some of the most beautiful women in the world," said Nancy O'Dell, the 41-year-old "Access Hollywood" co-anchor, who will be broadcasting from the red carpet for an Emmy show to air Monday. "That's pressure."

More so for O'Dell, whose Emmy show will be one of her first television appearances since going on maternity leave in May.

The 11-year "Access Hollywood" veteran gave birth to daughter Ashby Grace on June 11. It's the first child for her and husband Keith Zubchevich.

"Being a mom, I will have to choose something classic," said O'Dell, who already has lost 24 of the 30 pounds she gained during her pregnancy. "There'll be no Britney Spears moves for this momma. ... You think, 'My child will look at this some day."'

Of course motherhood doesn't mean matronly, and when it comes to picking a dress for the red carpet, O'Dell said she still has plenty of options.

"I would hope that women who become moms don't change (how they dress)," said O'Dell, a seven-time Emmy nominee herself. "They should feel sexy still. Being a mom is one of the most beautiful things you can do."

As for the other stars, O'Dell said metallics and bold colors will dominate Emmy night as celebrities make their way into L.A.'s Shrine Auditorium.

Melissa Heckscher [phone], Ext. 329;

[e-mail].

>What: "Access Hollywood's" Emmy Awards and red carpet recap with Nancy O'Dell.

>When: 7:30 p.m. Monday.

>Where: NBC (Channel 4).

WHAT'S IN / WHAT'S OUT

IN NEUTRAL-COLORED NAILS

VAMPY BLACK NAILS OUT

IN METALLIC

BASIC BLACK (UNLESS YOU'RE A GUY) OUT

IN SIMPLE HAIR/BIG JEWELRY 

BIG HAIR/SIMPLE JEWELRY OUT

IN RUBY RED LIPSTICK

PEPTO PINK LIPSTICK OUT

NANCY O'DELL'S RED CARPET PREDICTIONS

TV's biggest stars may be attending the Emmys on Sunday to honor their colleagues, but the show starts long before the first award is given out. Let's forget for a moment who might win what and talk about who might wear what. Nancy O'Dell, who will be working the red carpet for "Access Hollywood," has these fashion predictions for TV's big night.

THE COLORS

>Metallic and bold.

Whether it's clipped into the hair as jewelry or wrapped around the body as a floor-length Escada gown, think metallic. "Metallic is huge this year. Nobody goes with the basic blacks anymore," O'Dell said. "And some of the bold colors that you will see -- bright pinks and purples -- will have metallics in them."

THE DRESSES

>Very short or very long.

Apparently knee-length is out. "These days you're seeing more and more short dresses, even if it's a very dressy dress," O'Dell said. "For the Emmys, it's either the mini or the long." The mini may be an especially good choice for moms-to-be (and these days, the celebrity world is full of them), said O'Dell. Why? Going floor-length when your belly is bulging "just kind of feels like you're in a tent."

THE SUITS

>Basic black.

No surprises here. White tuxedos haven't been in style since "The Love Boat," and bright colors -- think pink -- only work for Willy Wonka. It's simple: Emmy men (or any man, really) should stick with the tried-and-true basic black. "The thing with the guys is they can wear the same thing as last year and nobody would ever know," O'Dell said. "It's tough for them to make a mistake."

THE ACCESSORIES

>Big and colorful.

Big is back. With dresses being streamlined and simple, the accessories can be bigger and brighter. Look for colorful accents, sparkling jewels (though "huge diamonds are out," O'Dell said), jeweled or metallic purses and flowers in the hair.

THE HAIR

>Sleek and feminine.

Think elegant, retro-chic and ponytailed. Straight hair in a ponytail "is the celebrity's way of saying, 'I got dolled up but didn't go overboard,' " O'Dell said. Plus simple hairstyles allow for fun accessories such as jewels and brightly colored flowers.

THE SHOES

>High heels.

When it comes to footwear, high heels have always been the standard for women, despite the risk of tumbling on live television, as Beyonce did last month during a concert. In addition, "Shoes are becoming a big accessory, sometimes making their own statements," O'Dell said. "This is where the big diamonds have gone -- on the shoes. And in an effort to show off those shoes, we will be seeing a lot of slits."

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) EMMYS FASHION WORLD

RED CARPET PREDICTIONS

(2 -- color) no caption (Nancy O'Dell)

(3 -- color) no caption (THE COLORS)

(4 -- color) no caption (THE DRESSES)

(5 -- color) no caption (THE SUITS)

(6 -- color) no caption (THE ACCESSORIES)

(7 -- color) no caption (THE HAIR)

(8 -- color) no caption (THE SHOES)

Box:

(1) WHAT'S IN/WHAT'S OUT

(2) NANCY O'DELL'S RED CARPET PREDICTIONS (see text)