The Oscars are the culmination of the red carpet season. And the fashion show before “the show” leaned decisively into two directions: dresses that revealed more skin than ever and jewellery so commanding it sometimes eclipsed the gowns themselves. Resulting in a visual spectacle of daring silhouettes and statement gemstones. Meanwhile, the men, long relegated to safe tuxedo territory, stepped forward with looks that rivaled the women’s in creativity and panache.
Before a single statuette was handed out, the competition for best dresses was on, and it was fierce. Between the fit Oscar gold contenders such as Teyana Taylor, Elle Fanning, Rose Byrne, Emma Stone, and Jessie Buckley, the presenters like Demi Moore, Mikey Madison, Zoe Saldana and Rachel McAdams and the plus ones that included Gracie Abrams and Kylie Jenner, there were plenty of svelte stars to dress. And many of these marquee women decided to finish the season with a bang by showing off their hard-earned and well-toned backs, legs, midriffs, shoulders and sides.
The Reveal Era
If there was one dominant narrative on this year’s red carpet, it was the confident embrace of the body. Designers seemed determined to blur the line between couture and sensuality, presenting gowns with sheer panels, high slits, and sculptural bodices that celebrated the female form.
It should come as no surprise that one of the most talked-about looks came from Taylor, who wore a striking custom gown by Chanel, and has made a name for herself during the whole awards season with her sexy, body-con ensembles. Her dramatic black design featured a sheer bodice revealing her midriff, intricately embellished with pearls and crystals and finished with sweeping feathers. The look, equal parts glamour and daring, perfectly encapsulated the evening’s appetite for transparency and movement.
Another standout moment arrived courtesy of Madison, who appeared in a sculptural Dior gown in a saturated blood-red hue that was channeling Jessica Rabbit energy. The dress featured a structured bodice, off-the-shoulder straps, and a dramatic slit that went up to there, that emphasized movement and leg. But she wasn’t the only one who went for a red ya va voom look. Jenner counterbalanced her boyfriend Timothée Chalamet’s custom all-white Givenchy tuxedo with a shimmering fire-engine red gown from Schiaparelli. Repeating a look, with a central keyhole aperture, she has previously worn it in white back in 2023. A more avant-garde take on the red dress / high slit style came courtesy of nominee Renata Reinsve, whose custom Louis Vuitton gown finished in an asymmetrical train that felt almost like an extension of the red carpet itself.
Other great moments where skin became an integral part of a guest’s ensemble include Odessa A’zion’s almost navel-baring all-black look from Valentino. Misty Copeland in a “jacket – no shirt” outfit from David Koma that was given a tutu flourish at the waistline. Abrams, on the arm of Paul Mescal, in a black midriff-baring Chanel. And Rachel McAdams in a “business in the front, party in the back” shimmering gold Alberta Ferretti gown that features a fully denuded back.
But the true winner – and now arguably undisputed red carpet champion of her generation – goes to Zendaya. Who, even though she skipped the red carpet entirely and appeared only to present the Best Director award alongside her The Drama co-star, Robert Pattinson, still stole the show in her custom chocolate brown one shoulder gown by Louis Vuitton. As always, she was styled by Law Roach, who made sure that the dress was the perfect balance between sophistication and skin. The high slit gown was effortlessly draped, while the open back extended just enough at the front to show an elegant sliver of her side as a billion people watched her announce the winner. It was a sartorial chef’s kiss.
Jewelry That Stole the Spotlight
But if skin was one headline of the evening, diamonds were the other. Some of the night’s looks were dominated by the impressive jewelry they were paired with. The most flagrant examples of this are Saldana, who wore a black YSL ensemble with an Art En Équilibre Chapter 3 High Jewelry necklace in platinum with rubies and diamonds. Ginnifer Goodwin’s black organza gown was no match for the 18k gold choker necklace with a central 10.35-carat emerald, and &4 carats of mint tourmaline that came courtesy of the Indian brand Sabyasachi. And Priyanka Chopra’s white Dior gown paled in comparison to her serpent-inspired Bulgari necklace that was a world premiere from the brand’s soon-to-be-revealed Eclettica high jewellery collection. And finally, it was hard not to be drawn in by Byrne’s unexpected one-of-a-kind asymmetrical diamond-and-enamel choker by Taffin by James De Givenchy.
A Moment For the Men
For decades, men’s fashion at the Oscars was largely defined by black tuxedos and subtle variations on classic tailoring. In 2026, that narrative shifted noticeably.
Actors like Michael B. Jordan arrived in sharply cut suits from Louis Vuitton, offering a modern interpretation of classic eveningwear with subtle architectural tailoring. Meanwhile, Paul Mescal chose a refined look from Celine, demonstrating the continued influence of fashion-forward tailoring on the red carpet.
Menswear trends this year also leaned into statement accessories: elaborate brooches, silk scarves, and embellished lapels were everywhere, bringing a touch of theatricality to otherwise classic silhouettes. Fashion commentators noted that feathers, frock coats, and bold jewelry helped elevate men’s looks from conventional to compelling.
The result was a red carpet where the men, who are often relegated to a bit of a red carpet afterthought, held their own as genuine style setters. The result was a red carpet where the men, who are often relegated to a bit of a red carpet afterthought, held their own as genuine style setters.
The Real Winners: Chanel and Louis Vuitton
On the red carpet, two brands dominated the night.
Chanel, with its newly minted artistic director Matthieu Blazy, brought a fresh perspective to the competition. Long synonymous with red-carpet prestige, the brand enjoyed a particularly triumphant evening. The house dressed several notable attendees, including Taylor and Best Actress winner Buckley, whose dramatic and bold-hued gown paid homage to classic Hollywood elegance.
The effect was powerful: Chanel managed to embody two distinct sides of modern glamour – the daring sensuality of Taylor’s sheer gown and the poetic refinement of Buckley’s award-winning moment.
Louis Vuitton, meanwhile, proved once again how effectively the house has embedded itself within contemporary celebrity culture. Designer Nicolas Ghesquière, for the ladies, and Pharrell Williams, for the men, presented looks that felt uniquely suited to each individual’s personality. From Chase Infiniti’s elaborate lavender gown for her Oscar debut to Stone and Wunmi Mosaky, who each wore distinctive interpretations of the brand’s red-carpet aesthetic.
Some Red Carpet Confidence
Ultimately, the fashion narrative of the 2026 Oscars was about confidence. Designers and stylists leaned into contrast: sheer fabrics against sculptural silhouettes, delicate pastels alongside saturated reds, minimal gowns offset by maximal jewelry. It was less about being part of a trend or style, and more like a collection of individual outfits for people experiencing one of the most unforgettable nights of their lives – all of them wearing looks destined to be referenced in the annals of fashion history for years to come.
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