Oscars 2026: Red Carpet Trends – Frock Coats, Pastels and Statement Jewelry

The 98th Annual Academy Awards, held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, showcased a striking array of fashion choices. While vibrant colors and exquisite jewelry dominated the red carpet, a surprising trend emerged in menswear: the frock coat.

Menswear: The Return of the Frock Coat

Several male attendees opted for knee-length coats reminiscent of styles popular between the 18th and early 20th centuries, offering a modern twist on a classic silhouette. Shaboozey, Damson Idris, and Ethan Hawke were among those who embraced this trend. Other notable menswear trends included burgundy suits, as seen on Chase Stokes and Miles Caton, double-breasted suits – notably Timothée Chalamet’s all-white Givenchy ensemble – and the prevalence of brooches adorning tuxedo lapels, such as the Tiffany & Co. Bird on a Rock brooch worn by Channing Tatum and the Boucheron Bee brooch paired with Leonardo DiCaprio’s Dior tux.

Womenswear: A Shift from Black

For the women, black gowns took a backseat to pastels, brilliant hues, and stark white. Chase Infiniti captivated in a lavender silk gown with tiered ruffles by Louis Vuitton, while Barbie Ferreira made a bold statement in a custom cobalt moiré taffeta corset gown designed by Zac Posen for GapStudio. Statement necklaces and brooches competed for attention as the key jewelry trends, showcasing the artistry of high jewelry houses and their rare diamonds and gemstones. A trio of feather-embellished gowns, worn by Demi Moore, Teyana Taylor, and Nicole Kidman, further emphasized the celebratory atmosphere of the awards season.

Standout Looks of the Night

• Jessie Buckley in Chanel: The best actress winner wore a light pink bustier chiffon gown with a red satin stole, inspired by a 1956 design worn by Grace Kelly.
• Zoe Saldaña in Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello: Saldaña’s slim satin and lace gown was complemented by a stunning Cartier necklace featuring rubies and diamonds.
• Chase Stokes in Dunhill: Stokes sported a deep red cotton velvet double-breasted jacket paired with evening trousers and a point-collar shirt.
• Rose Byrne in Dior: The best actress nominee looked regal in a strapless Dior haute couture gown embellished with floral embroidery and Taffin jewelry.
• Benicio Del Toro in Giorgio Armani: Del Toro opted for a classic black Giorgio Armani Made to Measure suit.
• Shaboozey in Campillo: The artist, performing during the musical tribute, wore a custom sculpted suit from Mexico City-based brand Campillo, accessorized with a vintage Briony Raymond brooch and a Chopard watch.
• Elle Fanning in Givenchy by Sarah Burton: Fanning wore a custom white silk tulle gown with wisteria embroidery and a vintage Cartier necklace.
• Teyana Taylor in Chanel: Taylor’s Chanel gown featured black chiffon and feathers, paired with platinum and diamond Tiffany & Co. Jewelry.
• Jacob Elordi in Bottega Veneta: Elordi wore a custom Bottega Veneta tuxedo with a longer jacket length.
• Odessa A’zion in Valentino: A’zion embraced a boho aesthetic with a fringed beaded jacket and velvet skirt from Valentino’s spring 2026 couture collection.
• Nicole Kidman in Chanel: Kidman wore a powder pink silk crepe gown adorned with feathers and Chanel high jewelry.
• Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton: The best actress nominee wore a hand-embroidered empire-cut gown by Louis Vuitton.
• Damson Idris in Prada: Idris wore a navy Prada evening suit with a shearling collar and a brooch from his own jewelry line, Didris.
• Kate Hudson in Giorgio Armani Privé: Hudson captivated in a custom Armani Privé gown in icy jade green with stone and crystal embroidery.

The 2026 Oscars red carpet proved to be a strong showcase of style and substance, with stars making memorable fashion statements.