The best dressed stars of the 2026 Oscars, according to fashion experts

Hollywood celebrated its biggest night of the year at the 2026 Oscars, and celebrities certainly brought their fashion A-game to the red carpet.

The Oscars are the highlight of awards season, and attendees certainly met the moment on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre as they all dressed to impress. From classic ball gowns to slinky silver dresses and everything in between, the best dressed stars at the 2026 Oscars covers a wide range of charming couture.

To compile our best-dressed list, we consulted several fashion pros who couldn’t wait to dish on their picks for the most alluring looks of the night. Here’s what they had to say.

McKenna Grace

Frazer Harrison/WireImage

McKenna Grace in a pink Vera Wang gown.

“Regretting You” star McKenna Grace was pretty in pink as she glided along the red carpet in this sublimely tailored gown.

Bridal designer Hayley Paige describes the look as “modern princess couture.”

“The corseted bodice and sculpted skirt have that beautiful sense of structure, but the color keeps it young and fresh,” she tells TODAY.com. “I love the architectural lines in this dress and the way the skirt is almost folded like origami. It feels like a contemporary reinterpretation of a classic ball gown.”

Rose Byrne

When Rose Byrne stepped onto the red carpet in this black gown with embroidered florals, the word “statuesque” came to mind for Paige.

“What I love about this gown is the restraint. The silhouette is incredibly disciplined, almost like a classic mermaid from old Hollywood couture,” she says. “Then the floral embroidery winds across the dress like a botanical illustration. It’s subtle, but incredibly sophisticated.”

Fashion expert Zanna Roberts Rossi said on TODAY that Byrne’s stylist Kate Young described how the actor reacted when she first put on the gown.

“She said, ‘I feel like I’m walking through a garden.’ How beautiful is that? And perfect for her namesake as well,” Roberts Rossi said.

The fashion pro was also captivated by Byrne’s “incredible” asymmetrical diamond.

Elle Fanning

Paige appreciates Elle Fanning’s stunning nod to bridal couture with her ensemble.

“The structure of the bodice feels very classic atelier, but the softness of the skirt keeps it dreamy. It’s romantic without being precious,” she says.

As a bridal designer, Paige loves when red carpet fashion “embraces that kind of romance” that she encounters every day in her line of work.

“It feels like a wedding dress wandered into Hollywood in the best possible way,” she says.

Jessie Buckley

“Hamnet” star and best actress winner Jessie Buckley turned heads in this flowy gown that played with color.

“The soft pink column gown feels romantic and classic, but the bold red off-the-shoulder detail adds a perfect unexpected twist,” celebrity fashion stylist Kim Appelt tells TODAY.com.

The fashion expert says Buckley incorporated two timely trends into her look: color blocking and sculptural necklines. She also notes that her overall styling was totally on point.

“The understated hair and jewelry let the look shine,” she says, calling the look “class personified.”

On TODAY, Roberts Rossi described the inspiration behind Buckley’s look.

“This dress was actually based on a Grace Kelly look from 1956. It was a modern interpretation, 70 years later,” she said.

Kirsten Dunst

Appelt says Kirsten Dunst was the epitome of “effortless elegance” in this tiered black gown.

“It’s a reminder that sometimes the most powerful statement on the red carpet can be simplicity,” she says.

The stylist says the strapless silhouette and architectural tiers are “clean, modern and polished.”

“Black can easily disappear on a red carpet, but the structure of this dress gives it presence,” she says.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone’s shimmery silver gown had a “modern glow without feeling overdone,” Appelt says.

“The cut is so simple, but the way it skims the body makes it incredibly elegant,” she adds.

From the low-cut neckline to the demure cap sleeves, the look was all about “class” and “simplicity.”

“Looks like this don’t try too hard. They just are. And that kind of effortless elegance always stands out,” Appelt says.

Roberts Rossi explained on TODAY how creating the gown’s delicate beading was a laborious process.

“It looks effortless. It looks simple. Six hundred hours of work in this beading. It was stunning in real life. I cannot tell you how exquisite this was. Only somebody like her could make couture look that casual,” she said.

Nicole Kidman

Paige says this “elegant but slightly surreal” look is “classic Nicole Kidman.”

“The feathered peplum almost feels like sculpture, and the silhouette has that old Hollywood discipline. It creates this moment of drama right at the waist before the gown flows down. It’s a very couture way of controlling the eye,” the designer says.

Paige particularly adores the “tension in the design.”

“The top half feels very structured and almost jewel-like, and then the feathers give it movement and personality. It’s a little bit ‘Swan Lake’ and a little bit couture experiment,” she says.

Odessa A’zion

“Marty Supreme” star Odessa A’zion defied traditional red carpet glamour in this look that Appelt describes as a mix of “bohemian” and “rock ‘n’ roll” energy.

“I love the uniqueness of this look and how different it was from everything else,” the stylist says. “The silhouette is simple, but the embroidery and texture make it incredibly special.”

Damson Idris

TV personality Elaine Welteroth didn’t have a hard time nailing down her pick for best dressed male since Damson Idris’ multi-textured long coat instantly caught her attention.

From the deep blue jewel tone hue to the fur detailing at the lapel, everything about the coat delighted Welteroth.

Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson — Goldie Hawn in a black Grayseful gown and Kate Hudson in Armani Privé.

Mother-daughter duo Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn always nail their red carpet looks, but their fashion choices at the 2026 Oscars were particularly impactful. That’s why fashion expert Zanna Roberts Rossi selected the pair as her pick for best dressed duo.

Hawn opted for a black V-neck gown with embellishments at the bust and waist and paired the fabulous frock with black gloves. Meanwhile, Hudson brought the sparkle in a green gown with an architectural neckline and waist.

“This was one of my favorite Kate Hudson looks I’ve ever seen her in,” Roberts Rossi said on TODAY. “This is Armani Privé. It’s actually a gown, not a two piece as it looks. She topped this off with $ 35 million of diamonds.”

Gwyneth Paltrow

Roberts Rossi was quite fond of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Armani Privé gown.

“It’s business at the front and then party at the side,” she said.

The gown featured “high cut tulle all the way to the top” and a sheer panel that revealed sequined pants underneath.

“It’s like the duality of her: She’s the business mogul but she’s also the movie star,” Roberts Rossi noted.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore donned a custom Gucci gown that incorporated what Roberts Rossi described as two of the biggest trends of the night: feathers and the color green.

“Her stylist Brad Goreski said that she wanted to wear a piece of art — and that she did,” Roberts Rossi said, noting that the iridescent feathers stood out on the red carpet.

Anne Hathaway

Roberts Rossi described Anne Hathaway’s Valentino look as a true “showstopper.”

The fashion pro loved the black velvet material and embroidered floral details and even made a reference to a famous line from “The Devil Wears Prada,” saying, “Florals for spring. Groundbreaking.”

Teyana Taylor

While speaking with Roberts Rossi, Hoda Kotb said on TODAY that Teyana Taylor brought her “A++” game to the red carpet.

“She just keeps on winning one fashion battle after another,” Roberts Rossi agreed.

The fashion pro loved the gown’s sheer middle panel, feathers, and the black and white pearls and crystals.

Rei Ami, Ejae and Audrey Nuna

Rei Ami, Ejae and Audrey Nuna, the stars of “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” went full-on glam with their ensembles — with a nod to the movie’s Oscar-winning original song.

“They all have different stylists,” Roberts Rossi said. “The only theme that they all had to go off was golden, so all three of their stylists came back with a different look.”

This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from TODAY:

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