Tonight, the 2026 Critics Choice Awards kicked off what is sure to be an eventful awards season (soon to come: the Golden Globes, the Actor Awards, and eventually, the highly-anticipated Oscars in March). Hollywood’s finest donned their best formal attire for this evening’s ceremony—hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler—which was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
The best dressed stars of the bunch, of course, delivered more than your standard glitzy gowns and sharp suits: They delivered fresh, unexpected twists on Old Hollywood glamour. Armed with colorful hues, sculptural shapes, and loads of crystals, you could say these showstopping looks kicked off awards season with a bang. Chase Infiniti shined in a draped butter yellow Louis Vuitton two-piece number, which featured a high-waisted opera skirt and built-in cape. Wicked star Ariana Grande continued on with Ginda pink, choosing an ornately beaded Alberta Ferretti gown with a tulle overlay.
Even the more muted looks excelled, too. Take Mia Goth, whose quietly elegant, off-the-shoulder Dior dress struck all the right notes. Ditto for Chase Sui Wonders and her simple halter Miu Miu gown, which came in powerful red. Other stars forwent gowns all together, however, such as Britt Lower, who slipped into a textural Bottega Veneta top with an open back—paired with high-waisted trousers.
As for the standout gentleman of the night, a sense of modernity and timelessness also leveled up the assortment of suits and tuxedos. Paul Mescal, for one, added a dash of cool to the classic tailored look, pairing his satin-lapel Gucci tuxedo with a black satin V-neck tee. Michael B. Jordan went double-breasted in a deep red hue, while Jacob Elordi did tonal dressing in head-to-toe black by Bottega Veneta—right down to the shiny tie.
Which celebrity look was your favorite of the night? Scroll on for the best outfits from the 2026 Critics Choice Awards below, and be sure to vote on your very best dressed star.
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