Between movie premieres, film festivals, award shows and splashy events, there are hundreds of red carpets every year. That’s countless suits, dresses, tuxes, ball gowns and whatever Adam Sandler shows up in. Suffice to say, it’s a lot of clothes, and some argue that red carpet fashion can feel repetitive or out of touch in 2025.
And yet, I would argue we need sartorial escapism now more than ever. What is red carpet style if not a temporary suspension of disbelief: a chance to embrace the fantasy and forget reality. A moment for mere mortals to imagine their own Cinderella story from the comfort of their couch.
The best fashion moments of 2025 delivered exactly that, in swirly pink tulle, luminous orange silk and even a pair of men’s patent leather thigh-high boots. These standout looks reminded us why, year after year, watching red carpets is still so much fun: a chance to marvel, dream and indulge in pure spectacle.
Lisa in Lever Couture
Few gowns feel truly unforgettable, but “White Lotus” and Blackpink star Lisa’s Lever Couture dress at the Emmys was nothing short of mesmerizing. With its cotton-candy-like texture and delicious pink colour, it seemed plucked from a childhood drawing yet was refined enough for a contemporary icon. Perfection.
Zendaya in Louis Vuitton
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Zendaya can wear anything — from tennis ball heels to a literal suit of armour. But the “Dune” star truly shines when she leans into old Hollywood glamour, as she did at the Golden Globes wearing Louis Vuitton and Bulgari jewels.
Doechii in Thom Browne
One Thom Browne look? Cute. Five? Now that’s how you make a Grammy debut. Doechii hit the red carpet, the stage and the winner’s podium (for Best Rap Album!) in head-to-toe Browne, but this gloriously exaggerated off-the-shoulder moment is the one we’re still singing about.
Ariana Grande in Schiaparelli
Ariana Grande has had a wickedly good 2025. Sure, a few of her red-carpet looks drifted a bit too close to Glinda cosplay, but the Schiaparelli gown she wore to the Oscars was pure magic — defying gravity, indeed.
Pamela Anderson in Danielle Frankel
For a lesson in sartorial reinvention, look to Pamela Anderson. Though her renaissance has been underway for a few years, the “Naked Gun” press tour, including this forest green Danielle Frankel two-piece at the Berlin premiere, cemented her style status and proved that Liam Neeson is the second-best accessory — after this scarf!
Colman Domingo in Valentino
This year’s Met Gala theme was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” and we can’t think of four better words to describe Colman Domingo’s style. As one of the co-chairs of the Vogue event, he wore a majestic Valentino cape before revealing this dapper set underneath.
Anya Taylor-Joy in Dior
On the film festival circuit, TIFF is like the laid-back little sister who’s cool without really trying. As a result, many celebs aim for easy glamour on the red carpet, but this year Anya Taylor-Joy nailed it in baby blue tea-length Dior, mastering the “I just threw this on” esthetic with a look that’s both effortless and arrestingly chic.
Alexander Skarsgård in Saint Laurent
This year, the Cannes Film Festival banned naked dressing from the red carpet, so Alexander Skarsgård chose to be more covered up than usual — and was even sexier for it. Wearing a now-infamous Saint Laurent suit and footwear, the Swede made fetish boots high fashion. Jättebra!
Jenna Ortega in Givenchy
When this jewelled top came down the runway in creative director Sarah Burton’s debut Givenchy collection, the question was not whether it would reach the red carpet — but when. Six months later, “Wednesday” star Jenna Ortega delivered the answer, gliding into the Emmys in a look that fused high-octane sparkle with ’90s minimalism.
Ayo Edebiri in Chanel
Chanel has logged more miles than most on the red carpet, but rarely have we seen the French house quite like this. In a silky white gown from new creative director Matthieu Blazy’s debut collection, Ayo Edebiri shone like liquid moonlight at the BFI London Film Festival.
Sabrina Carpenter in JW Anderson
In 2025, Sabrina Carpenter cemented her status as pop’s reigning showgirl (sorry, Taylor). She arrived at the Grammys dressed for the spotlight, dazzling in a custom blue JW Anderson gown and Chopard necklace that had the rest of us happily shaking our tailfeathers.
