GLOBES GLITTER AS RETRO STYLES STEAL THE SHOW.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Fashion Editor

Celebs were all goose bumps and glitz at the Golden Globes.

The weather turned cold and windy, but few Hollywood stars bundled up as they paraded along the red carpet leading to the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the 56th annual awards show - unless you count ``Touched By An Angel'' star Roma Downey, who said she wore long gloves with her gown to keep her arms warm. In true Hollywood style, these stars of big and small screens acted like it was a typical sunny L.A. day, dropping their stoles and baring arms, backs and even midriffs to pose for the press.

And the fashion trends that emerged were myriad. Gold, of course, was the favorite color, followed by red, orange and pink. Gowns were either skin-tight sheaths or fitted bodices on full, gathered skirts. Shoes were often made of clear Lucite like those Cinderella slippers made by Ferragamo, and purses were small and decorative with flowers or pave crystal. Jewelry was heavy on the diamonds, and hair styles were casual and sometimes rumpled-looking . . . but hairdresser-to-the-stars Frederic Fekkai called the look ``modern and healthy.''

Stars going for the golden girl look included early arrival Gloria Stuart, who chose gold leather pumps and purse to accent her rust-colored chiffon gown by Harari. Looking fab, the ``Titanic'' star says she has two new films coming up, ``Love Letter'' and ``Million Dollar Hotel.''

However, Lara Flynn Boyle of ``The Practice'' was awesome in her golden champagne-colored retro gown by David Cardona with matching boa that turned the actress who plays an attorney into a '30s screen siren.

Also going for the gold were John Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston, in a romantic Renaissance-inspired gown that laced up the back, and teen-ager Christina Ricci with a gold, fox-trimmed knit stole wrapped around her black Versace gown.

Visions in red - a great color that often clashes with the red arrivals carpet - included Jane Seymour, who chose a burgundy peasant-style gown by Jane Booke and accented it with a princess-style ruby-and-diamond necklace by Harry Winston. Emily Watson wore a Valentine-red sheath by Valentino, and Ann-Margret made a rare appearance on the red carpet in a beaded burgundy coat-and-dress ensemble by costume designer Nolan Miller.

Sharon Stone always goes for the unexpected, and it always works. One year it was a Gap shirt, this year it was a bright orange sheath with matching stole by Vera Wang.

The fashion trophy, however, goes to Julianna Margulies of TV's ``ER.'' She traded her medical scrubs for a frothy black tulle ball gown by Oscar de la Renta that made her the belle of the ball.

Sportier ensembles of short tank tops with full skirts that we'll be seeing more of by spring were worn by several young actors, including Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein, Calista Flockhart in Pamela Dennis, Keri Russell in Armani, and Christina Applegate in Christina Perrin.

Other fashion independents showing star style included Jamie Lee Curtis, who carried a crystal-studded purse shaped like a movie camera by Erin Lareau; Kim Basinger, who arrived in a gray '50s circle skirt with a pink cardigan sweater; Annette Bening, who wore an Armani tuxedo without a shirt; and Camryn Manheim of ``The Practice'' who vamped for the photogs in a slinky Anne Klein gown that made one think of a modern Mae West.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) Sizzling in orange by Vera Wang was Sharon Stone, who was accompanied by her husband.

(2 -- color) John Travolta got upstaged by his wife, Kelly Preston, who dazzled the crowd in her golden Renaissance-inspired gown.

(3 -- color) Camryn Manheim of ``The Practice'' vamped it up in a sexy Anne Klein gown.

(4 -- color) Roma Downey of ``Touch By An Angel'' was pure elegance in her Richard Tyler gown.

(5 -- color) Reigning over the fashion parade was Julianna Marguiles in an Oscar de la Renta gown.

Photos by David R. Crane

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