The “naked dress” is a red carpet staple, but this year it evolved. Instead of simple sheer fabric, we saw high-concept transparency layered with intricate storytelling.
- Jennifer Lawrence stunned in a Givenchy by Sarah Burton creation. The floor-length, nude-toned gown was a masterpiece of floral embroidery and hand-stitched beads, cleverly balanced by a satin bomber-style shawl that added a touch of “cool girl” nonchalance.
- Jennifer Lopez and Lisa (Blackpink) also leaned into the sheer trend, with Lisa opting for a custom Jacquemus gown that felt “poured” onto her frame, marking her transition from K-pop idol to a serious fashion heavyweight.
Midnight Dominance: The Power of Black
While “all-black” can sometimes feel repetitive, the 2026 carpet used it as a canvas for high-drama textures.
- Selena Gomez arrived in a custom Chanel velvet bustier dress that was nothing short of a feat of engineering. The gown featured 200 handcrafted feather flowers that reportedly took 323 hours to create.
- Ariana Grande effectively “mourned” her Wicked Glinda era by ditching the pink for a voluminous, corset-bodied Vivienne Westwood ball gown in ink-black.
- Jenna Ortega took the “goth-glam” crown in a sheer Dilara Findikoglu dress, complete with beaded fringe and a controversial “whale tail” strap detail that set social media ablaze.
Breaking the Mold: Color and Cutouts
Amidst the sea of black and silver, a few stars used color to command the spotlight.
- Emma Stone defied the “gown” tradition entirely, opting for a custom Louis Vuitton butter-yellow crop top and beaded skirt. It was a refreshing, midriff-baring take on formalwear that felt modern and youthful.
- Teyana Taylor provided arguably the boldest moment of the night in a Schiaparelli gown featuring strategic cutouts and a bejeweled thong detail, proving that haute couture can still be punk.
Menswear Gets Experimental
The “penguin suit” is officially in the rearview mirror. This year, the men of Hollywood experimented with jewelry and non-traditional tailoring.
- Colman Domingo once again proved he is the king of the red carpet in a custom Valentino suit, accessorized with a cascading Boucheron brooch that draped like liquid diamonds across his chest.
- Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry) brought Old Hollywood back with a twist, wearing an Armani cream dinner jacket paired with a striking Bulgari Serpenti gold necklace.
Key Trends to Watch This Season:
Gothic Romance: Ariana Grande, Jenna Ortega, Lisa
Architectural Lace: Jennifer Lawrence, Justine Lupe
Statement Brooches: Colman Domingo, Connor Storrie
Butter Yellow: Emma Stone, Zoë Kravitz
As we move toward the Oscars, it’s clear that the 2026 aesthetic is about personality over perfection. Whether it was a 300-hour Chanel masterpiece or a vintage-inspired bob, the message from the Golden Globes was clear: Hollywood is ready to take risks again.
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