The 2026 Golden Globes red carpet was not about shock value or headline-grabbing gimmicks. Instead, the best-dressed women of the night delivered something far more compelling: evolution. At the 83rd edition of Hollywood’s most glamorous awards show, style stars leaned into craftsmanship, silhouette confidence and subtle risk-taking, proving that refinement still reigns supreme.
From couture gowns that took hundreds of hours to create to archival fashion moments steeped in old-school glamour, this year’s standout looks felt considered, intentional and deeply personal.
The return of modern glamour
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence marked one of her most memorable Golden Globes appearances to date in a sheer Givenchy gown by Sarah Burton, adorned with delicate floral appliqués and softened by a satin shawl. The look signalled a new chapter for the actress, blending vulnerability with confidence in a way that felt distinctly modern.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Emily Blunt
Similarly understated yet powerful was Emily Blunt in white Louis Vuitton. Her asymmetrical gown was a masterclass in restraint, proving that small design details can carry just as much impact as dramatic embellishment.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson also embraced texture over excess, turning heads in a gunmetal Armani Privé gown finished with shredded fringe and Swarovski crystals that moved fluidly under the lights.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Couture, craftsmanship and couture-level patience
If one theme dominated the red carpet, it was reverence for slow fashion.
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez’s black velvet Chanel dress, featuring more than 200 hand-crafted floral details, reportedly took over 300 hours to complete. The half-feathered design nodded to Old Hollywood while still feeling youthful and current.
(Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Renate Reinsve
Renate Reinsve’s silver Louis Vuitton gown, composed of more than 800,000 beads, shimmered with movement rather than weight, demonstrating how technical excellence can still feel effortless.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Fashion risk, done right
Some of the night’s strongest looks came from women who were unafraid to subvert expectations.
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor once again proved her fashion authority in custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture. While the front of the gown featured daring cut-outs, it was the diamond-encrusted whale-tail detail at the back that turned the look into a red carpet moment.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega leaned fully into her gothic aesthetic in a Dilara Findikoglu two-piece, complete with tassels and strategic cut-outs. It was rebellious without being costume-like, reinforcing her status as a Gen Z style force.
(Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Lisa
Lisa, the K-pop star turned actress, surprised in a sheer Jacquemus gown that marked a departure from her edgier past looks. The fluid silhouette and refined styling felt elegant, statuesque and perfectly suited to the evening.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Old Hollywood, reimagined
Several stars paid homage to classic Hollywood glamour without slipping into nostalgia.
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning embodied modern princess energy in textured Gucci.
(Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Mia Goth
Mia Goth’s all-black Dior look relied on shape and proportion rather than colour to make its statement.
(Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Elle Fanning attends the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Odessa A’Zion
Meanwhile, Odessa A’Zion embraced archival fashion in a vintage Dolce & Gabbana coat, delivering drama with historical depth.
(Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Confidence as the ultimate accessory
What united the best dressed women of the 2026 Golden Globes was not a single colour, designer or trend, but clarity of self. Whether opting for sculptural silhouettes, soft romance or fashion-forward rebellion, each standout look felt aligned with the woman wearing it.
In a season where extravagance is expected, the true winners were those who knew exactly when to push forward and when to refine. At the 2026 Golden Globes, style was not about reinvention for reinvention’s sake. It was about evolution, and it showed.
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