On Tuesday night, Glamour held its annual Women of the Year to-do, with guests ranging from Maya Angelou and former President Clinton to Steven Tyler and the Queen of all Media, Ms. Tyra Banks. We can only imagine the kind of pressure that comes with trying to look your best at an event built around the awesomeness of women -- especially with a guest list so varied and glittering. As always, a few celebrities pulled it off with aplomb, but for others, actual glamour was in disappointingly short supply. Here's a roundup of our bests and worsts from the night, and what we can learn from their successes and missteps.

BEST

Serena Williams: Sure, that outburst at the U.S. Open official this past September was bad judgment. But in general we just love Serena Williams, and we're thrilled she showed up in a dress that's as fiery as her spirit. If the Romans had done togas anywhere near this well, we'd all still be wearing them, and fraternities would have to throw Elizabethan doublet parties instead. Not to mention the girl has worked hard for those guns; we say, if you've got 'em, be proud of 'em. God knows we would be, if we weren't allergic to push-ups.

Iman: We confess, our first reaction to this dress was to wonder whether a South Florida retirement community had lost its resident flamingo. But the bold lime-green belt adds a dash of interest, as does the fact that, well, this is Iman. Obviously, we can't all be Iman, and that's our cross to bear. But we can take a lesson from the ex-supermodel's admirable sense of just how much drama she can get away with before it all goes awry. By keeping the accessories simple and the flashes of color slight but bright, Iman prevents her look from getting too costumey and instead anchors it in the realm of "brave but beautiful." Which is more than we can say for ...

WORST

Rihanna: While we must salute Rihanna for wearing something this risky and interesting, the fact remains that her frock looks like a sartorial salute to the back room of our university library: stacks and stacks and stacks of paper, right up to her chin. We might have liked this if the clutter had been corralled before it crept onto her bodice, but as it stands, it's wearing RiRi rather than the other way around. In fairness, this may, in fact, be the first time that's ever happened to her, so she's probably as surprised as we are. Note to all: If even you forget to look at your own hair (which we assume Rihanna did, or she'd have noticed she's sprouting a heinous golden helmet), then your dress is probably too major.

Padma Lakshmi: Unless Padma's made an unbreakable blood vow to avoid maternity clothes for the duration of her pregnancy, there is no excuse for this. Regardless of your gestational situation, the general public should never be able to trace the contours of your belly button at an event involving heads of state. Or even the head of the PTA. Period.

Lisa Ling: This was one of our least favorites in the Drab Parade. We get that Lisa has had a rough year, what with her journalist sister being held prisoner in North Korea. But Laura Ling is back now, safe and sound -- and she wore red -- so we think Lisa ought to have drummed up something a little more joyful and celebratory, too. This grey sack, with its half-hearted ruching and awkward length, just looks frumpy. It's proof that no matter how tall and willowy you are -- or aren't -- the wrong length can make it look like you're playing dress-up in Joy Behar's closet. At least take it up to the knee, and then we'll talk, Lisa.

All Photos: Getty Images