(Guest post by Kristin Tillotson on the latest fashions at the Cannes Film Festival in southern France.) Most of these looks were worn for the premiere of "Robin Hood."

Cate Blanchett always makes interesting choices, usually in a good way. But not so far at Cannes. First, that dress she wore to t he press conference : It's ice-pink organza Armani Prive, and looks glamourous from some angles but is that a jacket? A cape? A jack-cape? It seems to have sprouted a batwing. On the "Robin Hood" red carpet, Cate appears to have pulled a Scarlett O' Hara and tosses the nearest Colonial-patterned drapery over a bedskirt sample, but it's actually a design from the late Alexander McQueen's pre-fall 2010 collection.

Kate Beckinsale, on the other hand, looked regal, if slightly over the top, in a beehive 'do and lilac Marchesa gown with a seething mass of froth eddying below the waistline. Her day dress scores points for being almost demure, but not boring, with its color and texture play at the bodice.

Dame Helen Mirren continues her flawless record of avoiding matronliness on the red carpet in Elie Saab's elegant, form-fitting, one-shoulder black dress -- age-appropriate AND sexy.

It would be tough for Salma Hayek to manage to look bad, but still, she has a track record of classing it up and doesn't break her streak here with her restrained bombshell look in a Gucci Premiere silk georgette gown.