Roll out the red carpet for our favorite fashion trends from awards season 2023
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Beginning with the Golden Globes in January and concluding with last week’s Oscar Awards, it’s been a busy awards season filled with emotional speeches, hotly contested wins and a celebration of the achievements that the entertainment industry has made over the past year. And while we’re still reeling over how Everything Everywhere All at Once dominated the award brackets this year, there’s one thing we can’t get over: The stellar red carpet styles we saw over the last two months.
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From bold and blinged-out style at the Grammy’s to Jenna Ortega’s glam-goth at the SAG Awards, the stars pulled out all the stops for an unforgettable season filled with color, drama and excitement. To learn more about some of the season’s top trends, we chatted with world-renowned couturier and designer to the stars, Manish Malhotra. See what he had to say about some of the most memorable styles from the 2023 awards season red carpet, and then see how you can shop the styles yourself. Whether you’re just looking to add a little glamour to your wardrobe, hoping to stand out during wedding season or are searching for the perfect prom dress, these are the looks you’ll want to replicate this year.
1. Spotted on Angela Bassett: The return of statement jewelry
Ubiquitous throughout the early 2010s, the statement necklace is back and better than ever. Gone are the colorful and over-the-top styles that dominated in the past, swapped instead for tasteful styles that are big on sparkle. “There was an array of eye-absorbing, statement jewelry pieces that were displayed” at the Oscars, according to Malhotra. “It was minimal yet maximal in all its glory. Truly opulent pieces, vintage jewels, supersized gems, dramatic layering, [and] statement earrings. This year’s Academy Awards displayed iconic jewels.”
Some of the stars who shone the brightest include Angela Bassett, whose serpentine Bulgari necklace added the perfect finishing touch to her regal Moschino gown. Not to be outdone, Sofia Carson was dripping in Chopard jewels, while Bollywood phenom Deepika Padukone opted for a stunning necklace from Cartier that featured a large pear-shaped yellow diamond.
When it comes to a statement necklace, bigger isn’t always better—but it’s certainly more fun. The Evil Eye Crystal Statement Necklace from Kurt Geiger London features large faceted crystals that circle your neck, along with a bold rhinestone Evil Eye pendant that reminds us of some of the styles made popular recently by the couture label Schiaparelli. For a more subtle statement, opt for the Violet Necklace from Elizabeth Cole which uses a cuff style that is dotted with delicate floral embellishments. If you’d prefer a statement earring over a necklace, consider the Pebble Drop Earrings from trendy accessory label, Lele Sadoughi. The large drop earrings make use of large black stones in gold-plated settings to achieve a commanding look.
Get the Lele Sadoughi Pebble Drop Earrings from Nordstrom for $165
Get the Kurt Geiger London Evil Eye Crystal Statement Necklace from Nordstrom for $248
Get the Elizabeth Cole Violet Necklace from Revolve for $320
2. Worn by Mindy Kaling: Monochromatic styles reign supreme
Malhotra is not afraid of color—which is why he uses bold palettes unabashedly in his designs. And while we’ve certainly seen our fair share of neutral colors on the red carpets this year, the designer pines about the many looks that celebrated the entire spectrum. “I’ve always believed that the allure of classics never fades,” he says. “Black and white tones are seasonless, ageless and timeless. Even though my love for color is deep and personal, there is a distinguished charm in the simplicity of color as well. I love the versatility of color and have always made use of unconventional color palettes in my designs; it brings meaning to my garments. That being said, there were some fantastic monotone numbers that embraced the magnificence of color and the life it gives a garment.”
A life in color was certainly de rigueur at the Grammy’s, where stars like Lizzo and Sam Smith stunned in monochromatic looks by Dolce and Gabbana and Valentino, respectively. These bright and fearless colors were on full display, with Lizzo in a dramatic floral coat along with a corseted dress in orange. Smith didn’t just understand the assignment, they did extra credit—showing up to the red carpet with their entire squad in matching crimson ensembles. One of our favorite monochromatic looks from the red carpets this year, however, had to be Mindy Kaling, who wore not just one, but two Vera Wang gowns to the Oscars. We’re big fans of costume changes, and Kaling executed hers masterfully.
While it’s always fun to don a print for a formal event, keeping it monochromatic isn’t just timeless and tasteful—it makes shopping a lot easier. Got the dress? Shop the shoes, accessories and even your makeup to match. To be the bold splash of color at your next event, consider the Ubud one-sleeve feather-trimmed crepe gown from Italian fashion label Taller Marmo. The asymmetrical sleeve design is classic, while the feather trim adds visual interest and movement. For something more traditional, opt for the Mac Duggal Indy A-Line Ruffled Back-Lace Chiffon Gown, which makes use of a tie-back, ruffled shoulder details and a full, A-line skirt for a look that’ll look great on any red carpet you have to walk down. Best of all, the dress is available in eight vibrant shades. Finally, for something a little bolder, consider the Rjer Sweetheart Tulle Prom Dress. This classic princess-cut dress uses yards upon yards of tulle for volume and drama.
Get the Rjer Sweetheart Tulle Prom Dress from Amazon from $119.99
Get the Mac Duggal Indy A-Line Ruffled Back-Lace Chiffon Gown from Anthropologie for $598
Get the Taller Marmo Ubud one-sleeve feather-trimmed crepe gown from Net-a-Porter for $1,900
3. Seen on Beyoncé: Opera gloves for timeless glamour
If you ask us, opera gloves should have never gone out of style to begin with. The endlessly elegant accessories had all but disappeared from red carpets for decades, but we were excited to see the style return with a vengeance on this year's red carpets. Beyoncé accepted her historic 29th Grammy this February outfitted in a silver and rose-colored gown by Gucci, but we were focused on the full-length black gloves that she was wearing. They added a touch of vintage glamour to her look while still looking entirely contemporary.
Modern twists on opera gloves were indeed an ongoing trend throughout awards season this year—Doja Cat’s vinyl ensemble from Atelier Versace made the star look as though she was dipped in liquid leather, along with full-length dominatrix-style gloves. And at the Oscars, actress Emily Blunt put a twist on the trend with glove-like detached sleeves with her stunning minimalist Valentino gown.
The fabulous thing about opera gloves is that you don’t need a red-carpet event to get in on the trend. Want to add some visual interest to a dressed-up dinner? Maybe your maximalist wardrobe means you’d sport the trend even with a casual look. Fortunately, retailers all over have released full-length gloves that’ll go with any outfit. From these basic Women’s Sheer Gloves available at Amazon, to a more classic style like the Modern Opera Gloves from Anthropologie, there’s a glove for every fashion-lover. If you’re trying to recreate Blunt’s Oscar look, opt for the Nookie Majesty Gown, which is a columnar black gown that comes with detachable black velvet sleeves.
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4. Full drama with Florence Pugh: Oversized sleeves add a touch of Hollywood glam
For Malhotra, the styles we saw on Oscar night were an unbridled celebration of drama, excess and romance. “It was a night of glamour, grandeur, and champagne which wasn’t just restricted to the spontaneously colored carpet,” says the designer. “The attendees painted vivid stories through their outfits, which gave a general idea about people’s mindsets on fashion at the moment. It was an exceptional mix of subtle, dramatic, romantic and classical.”
That mix was perhaps no more evident than in the opulent confections worn by stars like Florence Pugh and Fan Bingbing. Pugh donned a beige gown from Valentino that opened to reveal black hot pants, being at the same time both punk and romantic, classic and contemporary. Tony Ward Couture dialed up the classic Hollywood glam for Fan’s sparkling silver gown and a showstopping diaphanous emerald shawl with exaggerated sleeves.
To add a touch of classic Hollywood style (and a heavy dose of maximalist drama) to your formal fits, consider the Mac Duggal Sweetheart Off-The-Shoulder Puff-Sleeve Gown. Available in three vibrant colors, the dress features an exaggerated sleeve that mimics Pugh’s Oscar gown while still having its own unique look. For a style that’s a little less dressed-up without sacrificing glamour, opt for the Rachel Gilbert Violet Printed Gown. This green gown is printed with pink botanicals, along with an off-the-shoulder A-line design and those trendy puff sleeves. Finally, for a splurge that’ll land you on the best-dressed list, look no further than the Embellished gathered moire kaftan by Oscar de la Renta. The coat-turned-kaftan style features a high neck that closes with a sparkling floral brooch, the puffiest sleeves yet and a floor-length design in a gorgeous, luxurious silk moire.
Get the Mac Duggal Sweetheart Off-The-Shoulder Puff-Sleeve Gown from Saks Fifth Avenue from $398
Get the Rachel Gilbert Violet Printed Gown from Olivela for $2,495
Get the Oscar de la Renta Embellished gathered moire kaftan from Net-a-Porter for $6,990
5. Worn by Zendaya: The enduring effect of Barbiecore pink
Since last spring, pink has been dominating runways, red carpets and even mass market retailers (in part driven by the upcoming Barbie film, which saw the rise of the Barbiecore trend). And as an Indian designer, pink is a color that Malhotra knows something about. After all, it was the legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland who famously exclaimed that “Pink is the navy blue of India!”
Says Malhotra, “Whether it’s the romanticism in voluminous gowns or the timelessness of the monochrome classics, there was a stark contrast between the moods as I saw an abundance of classic monochromes [on one hand], and on the other, an abundance of monotone looks in statement colors.” The statement color of the season had to be soft Barbiecore pink, seen in the feathered Valentino design Kasey Musgraves sported to the Grammys or the effortlessly dapper Dior Men suit worn by Seth Rogan at the Golden Globes. One of the most memorable red carpet looks we saw this season, however, had to be the floral pink Valentino gown worn by Zendaya, styled by the now-retired star stylist Law Roach.
This season, whether it’s a red carpet, prom or even just an elevated date night, there’s just one rule: Think pink! Men’s Wearhouse makes things simple with a pink linen suit that’ll leave you looking as dignified as Rogan looked at the Globes. Shop the Joe Joseph Abboud Linen Slim Fit Suit Separates Dress Pant, Rose and matching Slim Fit Suit Separates Jacket, Rose now. For a more playful take on the trend, consider the Asos Edition trapeze blouson sleeve v neck mini dress, which utilizes a textured mesh to add movement and visual interest. Finally, if you want to keep it truly classic, shop the Signature Collection Bettina Dress from Alexia María. This timeless design features a columnar design that is nipped in at the waist, along with a large bow along the collar—in a soft, almost metallic shade of baby pink.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Awards season 2023: Top fashion trends from the Oscars, Golden Globes and more
