Crop tops and whale tails? Hollywood’s leading women show how it’s done

1 month ago 7

The Golden Globes red carpet made it clear that the key trends of 2026 are taking longer to settle than a toddler after two sippy cups of red cordial.

When best-dressed-list regulars Jennifer Lawrence and Lopez struggle to make the right impact in nude-illusion dresses and the majority of actresses, including Ariana Grande and Julia Roberts, take refuge in big black dresses, it hints at a clothing crisis.

It was left to leading ladies who know their personal brand as well as their luxury labels and some teen spirit to offer style self-assurance to the proceedings.

Rose Byrne in Chanel

Australian actress Rose Byrne was a winner on the red carpet before picking up her trophy for her performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.

Byrne’s custom green Chanel dress from the brand’s new creative director, Matthieu Blazy, was like a pimped up version of Keira Knightley’s iconic outfit from the 2007 film Atonement, featuring more than 4600 embroidered elements.

Teyana Taylor in Schiaparelli

It has taken a bedazzled bow for a whale tail to finally make the best dressed list. The ’90s trend of deliberately exposing thong underwear, parodied in the Australian television series Kath & Kim, was revived on the red carpet by One Battle After Another actress and Globe winner Teyana Taylor.

Contrasted with the elegant swoops of Taylor’s custom black Schiaparelli gown, with a gentle train and scarf detail, the cheeky undergarment embellishment was the fashion equivalent of an amuse bouche that left us tickled.

Owen Cooper in Bottega Veneta

Growing up on screen and the red carpet can be hard for self-conscious teenagers (see Judy Garland, Jodie Foster and Daniel Radcliffe), but Golden Globe winner Owen Cooper, 16, has the help of one of Italy’s most coveted luxury labels.

The Adolescence actor looked at ease in a putty two-piece suit, with a belted cropped jacket with leather collar from Bottega Veneta. Think of it as the thinking boy’s tracksuit. Just don’t try running in the brand’s leather shoes with woven leather toes.

Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

Alongside the stiff structured broken mirror ball dress of One Battle After Another actress Chase Infiniti and Jenna Ortega’s gothic Dilara Findikoglu dress, Emma Stone looked relatively at ease in a butter yellow two-piece ensemble from Louis Vuitton.

Only in Hollywood can a crop top with matching bralette and fringed skirt come across as casual and relaxed.

After 10 Golden Globes ceremonies, Stone clearly knows the drill.

Selena Gomez in Chanel

On the surface, the black velvet off-the-shoulder bustier dress worn by Selena Gomez to the Golden Globes looks easy. Sorry Temu suppliers, but it took the Chanel atelier more than 323 hours to construct the deceptively simple outfit, with its 200 flowers made from feathers, organza and silk chiffon.

Follow the Only Murders in the Building star’s lead and do not try this at home or online.

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.