<p>At the 2026 Academy Awards, silhouettes were sleek, tailoring was deliberate, and embellishment felt measured rather than theatrical.</p>

<p data-start="331" data-end="835" style="text-align: center;"><strong>PHOTOS</strong> via Getty Images</p>
<p data-start="331" data-end="835">The&nbsp;<strong>Oscars</strong> remain the most anticipated red carpet of awards season. This year, the stars unintentionally aligned around a shared aesthetic: streamlined glamour with a distinctly sophisticated edge. Sculpted silhouettes, metallic finishes, and classic couture references dominated the carpet, reflecting a broader shift toward refined elegance rather than maximalist whimsy.&nbsp;<span class="" data-state="closed"></span></p>
<p data-start="837" data-end="1072">Despite the relative absence of playful theatrics, the 2026 Oscars still delivered a high-octane fashion spectacle. From statuesque couture gowns to ballet-inspired ensembles, these were the women whose looks stood out from the rest.</p>
<h2 data-start="837" data-end="1072" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Best Dressed Women at the 98th Academy Awards</strong></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Elle Fanning</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">The Best Supporting Actress nominee embraced classic Hollywood fantasy in a Givenchy ball gown by Sarah Burton, its sparkling white finish and embellished corset delivering pure princess energy.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Audrey Nuna</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">The <em data-start="1368" data-end="1388">KPop Demon Hunters</em> star leaned into avant-garde tailoring with a bold Thom Browne dress, an audacious red carpet choice that underscored her experimental approach to awards-season fashion.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Renate Reinsve</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">The Norwegian actress made a striking case for minimal drama in a vivid red strapless Louis Vuitton gown, proving the power of a single saturated hue on the Oscars carpet.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Teyana Taylor</strong></h3>

<p data-start="1850" data-end="2068" style="text-align: center;">A perennial fashion risk-taker, Teyana delivered a custom Chanel moment adorned with pearls, crystals, and feathers &mdash; an opulent yet sharply tailored look that commanded attention.&nbsp;<span class="" data-state="closed"></span></p>
<h3 data-section-id="zyc1jj" data-start="2070" data-end="2086" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Rose Byrne</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">Byrne embraced timeless glamour in a black Dior gown embellished with delicate floral beading, channeling the polished sophistication of classic Hollywood eveningwear.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Odessa A'zion</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">The actress opted for a dramatic embroidered ensemble with a deep neckline and intricate embellishment, reinforcing her cool-girl reputation on the red carpet.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Kirsten Dunst</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">Kirsten delivered quiet elegance in a streamlined column silhouette, a reminder that the most impactful Oscar gowns are often the ones that keep it simple rather than shout.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Gwyneth Paltrow</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">Returning to the Oscars stage as a presenter, Gwyneth stunned in a strapless ivory Giorgio Armani Priv&eacute; gown with daring side slits revealing shimmering trousers beneath &mdash; a subtle subversion of classic eveningwear.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Emma Stone</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">Emma shimmered in a meticulously beaded Louis Vuitton gown, a sleek metallic creation that reportedly required hundreds of hours of craftsmanship to complete.</p>
<h3 data-section-id="j24jl6" data-start="3195" data-end="3215" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Jessie Buckley</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">The Best Actress nominee embraced high-impact color in a red and pink off-the-shoulder Chanel gown, a dramatic couture statement inspired by Grace Kelly.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Misty Copeland</strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: center;">Blending ballet heritage with red carpet drama, Misty wore a custom David Koma ensemble featuring a structured bodice and tutu-inspired detailing&mdash;an elegant tribute to her dance legacy.</p>

The Best Dressed Women at the 2026 Oscars

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