Patricia Heaton, of the nominated comedy series "Everybody Loves Raymond," arrives for the 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday. (AP photo)

Sarah Jessica Parker, the biggest fashion star at the Emmys for the past few years, didn't disappoint, wearing a strapless black-lace tea-length dress with a feathered skirt and a black sash by Chanel.

Jennifer Aniston wore a white Chanel strapless gown with bursts of gold. She told Star Jones, who took over fashion commentary on E! from Joan Rivers, that the dress was a "little Bohemian, raggy thing with a little bling-bling."

New mother Messing was in a pink strapless dress with subtle floral embroidery by Michael Kors that hugged her again fit-and-trim figure, and Janel Moloney wore a bright yellow strapless gown by Vera Wang that was equally body-conscious.

Wang put Mariska Hargitay in a bright green goddess gown and the actress added fresh yellow flowers in her hair.

The rest of the rainbow was there, too. Cheryl Hines wore a sea foam green gown with pink-and-purple beaded flowers and a few feathers, and Stockard Channing chose a teal dress with satin strips. Patricia Heaton was in a multicolor, wrap-top Elie Saab gown that included purple, magenta, yellow, green and black.

"It's a fun year for colors so I went with periwinkle," said Bonnie Hunt, wearing a simple off-the-shoulder gown with a gathered bust.

Black always is a favorite and de Rossi wore it well in a long Givenchy fitted sheath. Barbara Walters looked chic in her black bare-shoulder gown by Donna Karan. Laura Linney's black Prada dress had black beads dripping from the front.

White had its fans with Jennifer Garner - in an open-back embroidered gown with a trailing train and a black waistband - and Marlo Thomas and Felicity Huffman choosing the pure and pretty look.

Mischa Barton looked as if she might pick up where Parker - whose "Sex and the City" show ended this year - left off. She wore a hand-beaded gold dress by Maggie Norris that had flapper touches, including its knee length and paneled hem.

Both Jorja Fox and Drea de Matteo arrived in vintage gowns from the Paper Bag Princess, with de Matteo picking a black chiffon 1930s gown with gold embroidery along the neckline and waist, and Fox wearing a vintage Christian Dior slip gown with lingerie details.