The black and white of it! Claire Danes, Anne Hathaway Julianne Moore and Sofia Vergara lead the way as Hollywood's leading ladies go mad for monochrome on SAG Awards red carpet

PUBLISHED: 23:58, 27 January 2013 | UPDATED: 10:11, 28 January 2013

With the alcohol fuelled fun of the Golden Globes behind them and the stiff old Oscars just a month away, the stars turned to the SAG Awards on Sunday night for another round of backslapping and merriment.

And while this poor cousin of the really glamorous events can't lay claim to be the sexiest ceremony around, the 19th annual awards held at LA's Shrine auditorium managed to at least plenty of red carpet inspiration.

Holding back the major frocks for the Oscars, the overriding trend was a wall of monochrome as seen on leading ladies Anne Hathaway, Julianne Moore and Claire Danes.

Scroll down for video

The black and white of it! Claire Danes, Julianne Moore and Sofia Vergara lead the way as Hollywood's leading ladies go mad for monochrome on SAG Awards red carpet

Shades of light and dark: Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Claire Danes all wore variations on the monochrome theme to attend the SAG awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Sunday night

Shades of light and dark: Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta, Anne Hathaway in Giambattista Valli, Julianne Moore in Chanel and Claire Danes in Givenchy all wore variations on the monochrome theme to attend the SAG awards at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A. on Sunday night

And it was a wise one to follow as the black and white gowns grabbed attention against the red carpet, while Jessica Chastain - who dressed in a similar red - almost disappeared.

Anne Hathaway and Nicole Kidman opted for dark and dramatic gowns; with the latter embracing the trend for midnight black.

Hathaway, who accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress, looked incredible in a prom style Giambattista Valli gown which used layers of diaphanous black material over a shorter skirt.

Pre-Raphaelite: Sofia Vergara sizzles in this stunning classic Donna Karan gown as she led the ladies in white

Pre-Raphaelite: Sofia Vergara sizzles in this stunning classic Donna Karan gown as she led the ladies in white

Embracing the trend: Julianna Margulies and January Jones wore the monochrome look in all its glory

Embracing the trend: Julianna Margulies in Chado Ralph Rucci and January Jones in Prabal Gurung wore the monochrome look in all its glory

Whiter shade of pale: Naomi Watts, Kerry Washington, Sofia Vergara and Jayma Mays all opted for light dresses

Whiter shade of pale: Naomi Watts in Marchesa, Kerry Washington in Rodarte, Jennifer Westfeldt and Jayma Mays in Georges Hobeika all opted for light dresses

The big occasion: Hunt works the red carpet in her silver gown

Midnight black: Nicole Kidman spiced her black look up with a layering of blue thanks to the handiwork of Vivienne Westwood, and Carmen Electra opted for midnight blue look in a strapless fishtail gown

Nicole's embellished beauty was the handiwork of Vivienne Westwood, and added a punk edge to an otherwise polished look and used the now popular blue layering over black as its winning note.

The Australian looked like she was having a great time, larking around with director Tom Hooper on the red carpet and showing off her long slim legs in the split gown.

Meanwhile Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery flashed more flesh than her elegant on-screen alter ego with a gown which showed off a substantial amount of 'side boob'.

Back to black: Naya Rivera, Amy Poehler, Michelle Dockery and Clea DuVall all rocked obsidian gowns

Back to black: Naya Rivera in Donna Karan, Amy Poehler in Zuhair Murad, Elisabeth Moss in Dolce & Gabbana and Clea DuVall in Gomez-Gracia all rocked obsidian dresses

Flashing the flesh: Michelle Dockery showed off a distinct side boob in her Vintage Chado Ralph Rucci dress

Flashing the flesh: Michelle Dockery showed off a distinct side boob in her Vintage Chado Ralph Rucci dres

Black magic: Julie Bowen gave texture to her noir number, while old school glamour pusses Jessica Lange, Jane Lynch and Sigourney Weaver showed why black's a flattering look for all ages

Black magic: Julie Bowen gave texture to her noir Johanna Johnson number, while old school glamour pusses Jessica Lange in J. Mendel, Jane Lynch in David Meister Signature and Sigourney Weaver showed why black's a flattering look for all ages; American Horror Story star Lange echoed Kidman's midnight blue choice

Winter brights: Lea Michele, Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco and Freido Pinto all broke ranks with their Gothic sisters

Winter brights: Lea Michele in Valentino, Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco in Ramona Kaveeza and Freida Pinto in Roland Mouret all broke ranks with their Gothic sisters

Julianne Moore, who won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Movie Series for her portrayal of politician Sarah Palin in Game Change combined white, black and navy in her Chanel appliqué dress.

Looking stunning as always, the 52-year-old was one of the winners on the California carpet.

Combining the trend just as skilfully were January Jones, Julianna Margulies and Claire Danes, who won her award for Best Actress in a drama.

Blue for you: Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried and Marion Cotillard all decided that blue is the colour

Blue for you: Jordin Sparks in Nicole Miller Atelier, Amanda Seyfried in Zac Posen and Marion Cotillard in Dior and Jennifer Lawrence in Dior all decided that blue is the colour

Blue for you: Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried and Marion Cotillard all decided that blue is the colour

Rich tapestry: Naomi Watts was sumptuous in this delicate silver lace number

A fairytale come true: Katrina Bowden looked sensational in this duck egg blue embellished gown

Rich tapestry: Naomi Watts in Marchesa was sumptuous in this delicate silver lace number, which tied in with Katrina Bowden's pretty Badgley Mischka number

A fairytale come true: Katrina Bowden looked sensational in this duck egg blue embellished gown but Jennifer Garner gave a real lesson in how to really work this trend

Precious metal: Helen Hunt in Romona Keveza and Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta gave a real lesson in how to really work this embellishment trend

Funny ladies Tina Fey and Amy Poehler both stuck to classic black, Fey was outstanding in Oscar de la Renta.

And special mentions have to go out to Naomi Watts and Amanda Seyfried, who wore variations on the light and dark them by choosing lightest silver grey and a dark, dark blue.

Jessica Chastain looked stunning in a strapless scarlet Alexander McQueen dress which clashed with her long red hair.

However, she ended up leaving the ceremony empty handed after losing to Jennifer Lawrence for Outstanding Lead Actress.

Blending in: Jessica Chastain, Alexander McQueen, lost out to Jennifer Lawrence and missed a beat in this chameleon-esque red dress

Ladies in red: Presenter Maria Menounos and Alec Baldwin's wife Hilaria were no shrinking violets in bright, bright red

Black and blue: Kelly and Giuliana Rancic wore two of the season's hottest colours

Black and blue: Fashion Police hosts Kelly Osbourne in Jenny Packham and Giuliana Rancic in Max Azria Atelier wore two of the season's hottest colours

Daring: Peter Facinelli's girlfriend Jaimie Alexander wore a very revealing Marc Bouwer frock

Lawrence looked stunning on the carpet despite getting over a recent bout of pneumonia, sporting a Dior Haute Couture dress with Chopard jewellery.

Fashion Police star Kelly Osbourne pushed boundaries with her studded black Jenny Packham dress which she teamed with a striking purple hairstyle and chunky jewellery.

It was fitting on a night that honoured the biggest fantasy hit of our TV times, Game of Thrones for its stunt work, that Ariel Winter also joined in the natural inspired fantasy theme.

Glee ladies: Amber Riley cut a striking sight in a purple and black flounced dress, while her co-star Jenna Uskovitz wore black

Her other half: Alexander's boyfriend, Peter Facinelli, scrubbed up well as he toasted the event with Vitalie Taittinger, artistic director of Taittinger champagne

Catching up: Silver Linings Playbook co-stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence shared a laugh on the red carpet

Generations of purple ladies: Nominee Sally Field looked pretty in her detailed mauve number, while Modern Family star Sarah Hyland also opted for the hue

Generations of purple ladies: Nominee Sally Field looked pretty in her detailed mauve J Mendel number, while Modern Family star Sarah Hyland also opted for the hue

She wore a stunning beige gown which branched out into taffeta in the skirt and featured foliage on the corset, Jayma Mays and champagne heiress, Vitalie Tattinger, also showed off pale gowns that looked fit for a regal ball.

Continuing the theme, that old hero of fantasy and magical awards, Dick Van Dyke was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The 87-year-old 'Night at the Museum' star - who has been working in Hollywood since the 60s - admitted he can't wait to accept the award at the star-studded 19th annual event in Los Angeles because it means a lot to be celebrated as an actor rather than an entertainer.

Dazzling: Julia Stiles sported a stunning grey gown as she joined Jane Krakowski in peach and Sarah Hyland and Sally Field who both opted for purple

Blonde ambition: Julia Stiles sported a stunning grey gown as she joined Jane Krakowski in peach and Gretchen Mol in forest green

Blonde ambition: Julia Stiles sported a stunning Amen Couture grey gown as she joined Jane Krakowski in KaufmanFranco peach and Gretchen Mol in a simple forest green Calvin Klein frock

Pretty in pink: Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev looked vibrant in a fuchsia gown with narrow sheer slits

Pretty in pink: Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev looked vibrant in a fuchsia Elie Saab gown with narrow sheer slits

On a lighter note: Modern Family star Ariel Winter looked age appropriate in Alex Perry

Mad Men: Jessica Pare, left, and Elisabeth Moss both opted for very different looks on the carpet while Ben Affleck and Hugh Jackman had a chat as they arrived

Two's company: Mad Men stars Jessica Pare, left, and Elisabeth Moss both opted for very different looks on the carpet while Anne Hathaway held husband Adam Shulman close

Speaking to People.com before the event, the Diagnosis Murder star said: 'This was a surprise. People think of me as a song and dance entertainer. To be accepted by my peers as an actor is really a thrill.'

The actor also revealed that he will be celebrating his seven-year anniversary with his 41-year-old wife Arlene, who he first met at the 2006 SAG Awards, where she was working as a make-up artist.

He said: 'There was something about her beautiful eyes.'

The couple married in a 'spur of the moment' ceremony in Malibu, California, on February 29 last year.

Flirty in floral: Rose Byrne was pretty as a petal in Valentino

Flirty in floral: Rose Byrne was pretty as a petal in a ruffled Valentino gown

Coupling up: Viola David arrived with husband Julius Tennon; Leah Michele and Glee star boyfriend Corey Monteith smiled for the cameras, while Jon Hamm arrived with actress girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt

Coupling up: Viola David arrived with husband Julius Tennon; Leah Michele and Glee star boyfriend Corey Monteith smiled for the cameras, while Jon Hamm arrived with actress girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt

Different view: Dames, Washington and Dockery all showed off their svelte figures in their elegant dresses

Different view: Danes, Washington and Dockery all showed off their svelte figures in their elegant dresses

Couple love: Nominee Damian Lewis looked dapper in suit and bow tie, while wife Helen McCrory sported pale green, and Mad Men stars
Vincent Kartheiser and real life girlfriend Alexis Bledel made a striking sight with Alexis sporting emerald green

Mary Poppins star Dick - who presented Mary Tyler Moore with the Lifetime Achievement award last year - was first married in 1948 to Margie Willett in a ceremony broadcast live on radio show 'Bride and Groom'. They have four grown up children together, but divorced in 1984 after a long separation.

The actor also had a relationship with actress Michelle Triola from 1976 until her death from lung cancer in 2009.

Van Dyke and his new wife shared a chat and a photograph with Damian Lewis and his wife Helen McCrory on the carpet as they made their way into the ceremony.

Small screen stunners: Jessica Pare and Teyonnah Parris from Mad Men plumped for green and pink gowns, while Glee stars Naya Rivera and Jenna Ushkowitz opted for black floor length dresses

Small screen stunners: Jessica Pare and Teyonnah Parris from Mad Men plumped for green and pink gowns, while Homeland star Morena Baccarin and pregnant actress Busy Phillipps showed off her blossoming baby bump

Small screen stunners: Jessica Pare and Teyonnah Parris from Mad Men plumped for green and pink gowns, while Homeland star Morena Baccarin and Glee's Jenna Ushkowitz opted for black floor length dresses

Bringing it home: Homeland stars Timothee Chalamet, David Harewood, Jackson Pace, Mandy Patinkin, Morgan Saylor and Rupert Friend looked happy and relaxed as they arrived at the ceremony

Joking around: Nicole larked around with director Tom Hooper, while Freida joined boyfriend Dev Patel on the carpet

Catching up on the carpet: Frieda chatted to Jessica before going into the ceremony

Rubbing shoulders: Helen McCrory, Damian Lewis, Dick Van Dyke and Arlene Silver had a chat and a photograph on the carpet

The James Bond adventure Skyfall and the fantasy series Game of Thrones picked up prizes for best stunt work from the Screen Actors Guild.

The stunt honours were announced Sunday on the red carpet before the official SAG Awards ceremony, as stars were gathering for their guild's big night.

JoBeth Williams and Scott Bakula announced the winners, noting the value of stunt players, who often are overlooked for their contributions to film and television.