STYLE STANDOUTS MAKE LESS DRESSED LIST.

Byline: Elizabeth Smilor Lifestyle Editor

Outside the 43rd annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center, the most popular fashion accessory was skin. And the least popular conversation topic was Eminem and Elton John's performance.

Playboy's Hugh Hefner set the tone when he arrived flanked by seven blond Playmates in a rainbow of skimpy sequined outfits.

Baring more skin then those seven combined was former ``Baywatch'' babe Traci Bingham in hot pink pants and purple, pink and white body jewels by Tina Marie strategically pasted to her bare upper body.

Shelby Lynne, later honored as best New Artist, bared her navel and more in a shimmering Bob Mackie powder blue outfit with a collared halter top featuring a plunging neckline, skirt with a high slit and midcalf stiletto boots.

Not to be outdone, Christina Aguilera also revealed a lot in a skin-tight, high-slit persimmon gown with plunging front sparsely laced together at the bodice and low back (revealing a large temporary tattoo). She also wore her hair in cornrows highlighted with jewels.

Sheryl Crow showed off her legs in an ultrashort black skirt with a belted blouse and knee-high black and white boots a la Nancy Sinatra. While others such as Erykah Badu, Justin Timberlake of N'Sync and the Blue Man Group proudly displayed bald or nearly bald heads.

There were a few class acts on the red carpet. The three members of Destiny's Child looked glamorous in metallic satin Versace gowns and Gwen Stefani of No Doubt was done up like Marilyn Monroe with a wig and bright red lipstick to match her strapless Christian Dior ball gown.

Among the men, Hef in a tuxedo and Brian McNight in a Dolce & Gabbana black suit with a scarlet tie to match his colored sunglasses were among the better dressed. On the other end of the spectrum was Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst in a black ski cap and grungy hooded sweat shirt. His attitude matched his outfit and he spoke his mind about the night's controversy.

``It's really not cool asking all the questions about Eminem and Elton John,'' he said before an interviewer could even raise the topic.

Melissa Etheridge, who is opening gay, spoke out in favor of the duo. ``I completely support what they do. I think it's fabulous. I think it's a way of coming together and saying, `Hey look, this is just our art. We are mirrors of a society.' And look, Eminem is not out chopping off any gay men's heads.''

Wire services contributed to this report.

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Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Purple, pink and white body jewels pass as a top for former ``Baywatch'' actress Traci Bingham, left. The gems, pasted to her bare upper body, are worn with hot pink pants. At right, Shelby Lynne, honored as best New Artist, bares her navel and more in a shimmering Bob Mackie powder blue outfit.

(3 -- 4 -- color) Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, left, dresses down in a black ski cap and grungy hooded sweat shirt. Below, the three members of Destiny's Child opt to look more glamorous than bare in metallic satin Versace gowns.

(5 -- color) Macy Gray's fans found her anything but Goofy, awarding her a Grammy for best Female Pop Vocal Performance for ``I Try.''

(6 -- 8 -- color) Christina Aguilera, left, keeps with the barely-there fashion theme in a skin-tight, high-slit persimmon gown with plunging front sparsely laced together at the bodice. Above, Sheryl Crow, here with Fiona Apple, shows off in an ultrashort black skirt with a belted blouse.. Crow won a Grammy for female rock vocal performance.

At right, Country's hottest pair Faith Hill and Tim McGraw arrive for the show. Hill won three Grammys, sharing on with McGraw.

(9 -- color) The Blue Men performance artists keep their look simple, arriving at the Grammys in turtleneck pullovers and a coat of paint. Their heads are fashionably bare.