LOTS OF TRASHY, A LITTLE BIT OF CLASSY.

Byline: Barbara De Witt Daily News Fashion Editor

Guys in rhinestone tiaras, girls with rhinestone tattoos and couples in leather pantsuits with studs the size of Hershey kisses.

It looked like Hollywood Boulevard on prom night, but it was the Grammys. And the night when fashion independents come out in force.

Ricky Martin, who went for a more elegant Armani suit with a long black coat, called it an intense night for the music community.

Then there was the Goo Goo Dolls with the blond spiked hair, satin shirts and paisley pants. Dressed to thrill, the guys said their clothes were by Gucci, and they hoped their look would appeal to the Dixie Chicks.

But Brian McKnight and his wife, Julie, were an awesome pair in ensembles by Richard Tyler. Usually the fashion press zeroes in on the women's gowns, and Julie's was sassy in deep green velvet, but Brian's caramel-colored leather suit (and matching shoes) with an apricot shirt was a Grammy-winning ensemble.

Also looking glam were Clint and Lisa Hartman Black, he in a tuxedo with a black cowboy hat (he says that's as Western as he gets). Lisa was in pants and a tight-fitting top covered in lavender sequins by Rogani. Marc Anthony was more subdued in a gray turtleneck and suit, but his fiancee, Dayanara Torres, whom he called his lucky charm, was glittering in beads and sequins over a baby blue gown.

Red leather two-piece ensembles that showed toned and taut midriffs and an occasional diamond belly-button ring were the hot tickets.

There were so many classy/trashy ensembles on the narrow red carpet that cowboy hats and huge Mad Hatter hats were bumping into each other. The fur flew, both real and faux (think leopard and zebra), seen on hats, shoes and those must-have Fendi purses.

With all of the fun-and-funky fashion, and glittery chokers and bracelets, those who dressed down actually raised their style status.

Britney Spears was one of the standouts. Her take on Old Hollywood glamour was a clingy white jersey gown by Randolph Duke accented with a long white fox fur and rhinestone sandals. Sarah McLachlan also was looking good in a gold A-line gown by Sully Bonnali.

Jennifer Lopez made a mad (late) dash for the awards literally falling out of her floral chiffon gown. She was quite an eyeful, but Christina Aguilera was the sex siren of the night in her shimmery silver Versace cocktail dress with huge butterflies and stiletto sandals with pink flowers. Her eyes were rimmed in bright green crayon, which could be the next big trend.

By the time the fashion parade ended, the fashion press was weary of men with cowboy boots and big gold necklaces and women in leopard in python pants. But jeweled chokers and green eyeliner, and those Fendi bags - they were hot tickets to wear for the next big event.

CAPTION(S):

9 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Goo Goo Dolls were dressed to kill in spiked hair and Gucci satin shirts and paisley pants.

(2) Brian McKnight and wife Julie wore ensembles by Richard Tyler, his a caramel-colored leather suit and apricot shirt, hers a deep-green velvet gown.

(3 -- color) Husband-and-wife singers Clint and Lisa Hartman Black went the slightly western route, he in a Masatomo tuxedo with a black cowboy hat, she in lavender sequined pants and top by Rogani.

(4 -- color) Marc Anthony was subdued in a gray turtleneck and suit, while his fiance glittered in beads and sequins over a baby blue gown.

(5 -- color) Britney Spears exuded Old Hollywood glamour in a clingy white jersey gown by Randolph Duke accented with a long white fox fur and rhinestone sandals.

(6) Monica arrived in one of the evening's hot looks: leather and rhinestones.

(7 -- color) Sarah McLachlan glittered in a gold A-line gown by Sully Bonnali.

Will Lester/Staff Photographer

(8 -- color) Jennifer Lopez, with Sean ``Puffy'' Combs, was quite literally falling out of her floral chiffon gown.

Reed Saxon/Associated Press

(9 -- color) Christina Aguilera was the sex siren of the night in a shimmery silver Versace cocktail dress trimmed with butterflies.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press