The 12 Best Looks From the Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 Red Carpet

A refined start to awards season

The Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 marked the official opening of awards season with a ceremony that felt understated yet quietly influential. Held in Santa Monica, California, the event may lack the spectacle of the Oscars or Golden Globes, but its red carpet has increasingly become a space where fashion risks feel more thoughtful and directional. This year’s looks reflected that mood, favouring intention over excess and craftsmanship over shock value.

From archival gowns to subtle personal statements, the 2026 Critics’ Choice red carpet set the tone for what promises to be a more considered season of celebrity style.

Vintage revival and archival elegance

One of the strongest themes of the night was a renewed appreciation for fashion history. Several stars stepped out in carefully selected archival pieces, reminding audiences that true glamour is often timeless. These looks felt especially powerful in contrast to the fast moving trend cycles dominating social media.

By choosing vintage, celebrities signalled not only style literacy but also sustainability awareness. The craftsmanship and storytelling embedded in these garments elevated the red carpet beyond mere spectacle, turning it into a celebration of fashion as art and legacy.

Sarah Snook’s confident minimalism

Fresh from major wins for All Her Fault, Sarah Snook delivered one of the evening’s most assured looks. Her outfit balanced structure with softness, opting for clean lines and refined tailoring rather than embellishment. It was a reminder that confidence often comes from restraint.

Snook’s styling felt deliberate and mature, reinforcing her position not just as an awards season favourite, but as a figure whose fashion choices reflect clarity and control rather than performance.

Erin Doherty’s modern romanticism

Erin Doherty brought a different energy to the carpet, embracing romantic silhouettes with a contemporary edge. Her look combined fluid movement with sharp styling details, striking a balance between softness and strength.

The result was a fashion moment that felt emotional without being nostalgic, aligning perfectly with the evolving red carpet preference for expressive yet wearable design.

Timothée Chalamet’s subtle statement

No awards season would feel complete without Timothée Chalamet redefining menswear expectations. His Critics’ Choice look leaned into elegance rather than provocation, but still carried a personal narrative. A subtle nod to girlfriend Kylie Jenner added emotional texture to an otherwise polished ensemble.

Chalamet continues to demonstrate how menswear can be expressive without relying on excess, reinforcing his role as a quiet disruptor on the red carpet.

Colour as storytelling

Colour played a key role throughout the evening. From Glinda inspired pinks to bold franchise coded oranges, several looks used colour as a narrative device rather than decoration. These choices felt intentional, often referencing characters, projects, or personal branding.

Unlike trend driven colour moments, these hues felt rooted in storytelling, giving audiences visual cues that extended beyond the red carpet and into broader cultural conversations.

Custom creations and quiet craftsmanship

Custom designs were another highlight, with many stars opting for bespoke looks that prioritised fit and individuality. Rather than loud logos or experimental silhouettes, designers focused on fabric quality, construction, and proportion.

This approach aligns with a broader shift toward quiet luxury on red carpets, where the impact comes from precision and confidence rather than spectacle.

Why this red carpet mattered

The Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 red carpet may have been quieter, but it was no less influential. The best looks reflected an industry increasingly interested in longevity, intention, and personal narrative. Rather than chasing viral moments, celebrities and stylists embraced fashion as a form of storytelling and self definition.

As awards season unfolds, many of the themes seen here are likely to echo across future carpets. If this evening was any indication, 2026 may be remembered not for excess, but for elegance done with purpose.