Hollywood knows how to ease into an awards season, as proven at Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards. From a style standpoint, the event at Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hangar put a focus on easy looks that for the most part lacked any fuss or felt overtly grand. On the black carpet, more than one star noted that this night requires a quick bounceback from holiday vacations, hence the plethora of sleek gowns and modern takes on evening suits.
That latter theme was embraced not only by men — including Paul Mescal in Gucci and the plush turtleneck that Tom Pelphrey wore under his black tux jacket by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello — but also a slew of women, starting with Pelphrey’s wife, Kaley Cuoco, who wore a satin blazer and trousers by Simkhai, while Critics Choice winner Sarah Snook looked chic in a menswear-inspired tuxedo by Akris. Critics Choice Awards host Chelsea Handler also wore a suit by Ralph Lauren during the show’s final half-hour as a tribute to the menswear influence Diane Keaton made famous in Annie Hall.
Ultimately, Sunday’s best style felt sleek and effortless, while also allowing plenty of space to add opulence, grandeur or formality as the awards season progresses — a strategy viewers surely will see at the Golden Globe Awards in exactly seven days, on Sunday, Jan. 11. In the meantime, here’s a look at 10 stars who balanced elegance with ease.
Ginnifer Goodwin in Giorgio Armani
Attending as part of the cast of Zootopia 2, nominated for best animated feature, Ginnifer Goodwin indeed looked sleek in a long-sleeve black and silver gown by Giorgio Armani, which was fully embroidered with sequins and crystals.
Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton
The One Battle After Another star balanced ease with modernity in a custom two-piece look by Louis Vuitton, consisting of a sleeveless, intricately draped top with high neck and a flared evening skirt, both in yellow crepe georgette. The actress finished her look with high jewelry by Messika.
Justine Lupe in Prada
Black was a popular hue at the Critics Choice Awards, but not for Nobody Wants This co-star Justine Lupe, who stood out beautifully in a chiffon gown in pale teal by Prada, which was accented with crystal-embellished tie details. Lupe completed her look with Boucheron jewels and Prada shoes and evening clutch.
Teyana Taylor by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello
Sure to be among the most-watched stars on carpets throughout the 2026 awards season, One Battle After Another’s Teyana Taylor made a strong style statement straight out of the gate. Her head-to-toe, menswear-inspired look by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello included a wool double-breasted jacket embellished with feathers, matching wool trousers, cotton poplin shirt and a wide silk and wool tie, accessorized with leather gloves and over-the-knee leather boots. Taylor completed the look with diamond stud earrings and a Sixteen Stone ring, both by Tiffany & Co.
Chase Sui Wonders by Miu Miu
Sleek, chic and a splash of red: The Studio‘s Chase Sui Wonders without question understood the evening’s assignment. Her red cady gown by Miu Miu exuded stylish simplicity, with its only details a subtle red satin trim and a small bow at the back of her neck. Adding to her polish were black platform shoes and satin clutch, also by Miu Miu, as well as Tiffany & Co. jewels that included the jewelry house’s Bird on a Rock by Tiffany earrings in yellow and white diamonds.
Jessica Biel in Lanvin
The Better Sister‘s Jessica Biel created one of the night’s best wow moments upon her arrival at the Critics Choice Awards, wearing a Lanvin halter gown that virtually floated on the carpet. The backless tiered gown by Lanvin creative director Peter Copping was crafted of mesh, lace and an abundance of gold sequins. Biel completed the look with a collection of Cartier jewels in yellow and white gold embellished with diamonds.
Michael B. Jordan in Louis Vuitton
Amid a bounty of black tuxedos, Sinners star Michael B. Jordan made a standout statement in a beautifully fit double-breasted suit in burgundy, accented with a tonally matched shirt and striped tie and finished with boots by Christian Louboutin.
Mia Goth in Dior
The Frankenstein co-star looked ethereal in a white silk floor-length dress by Dior; a supremely simple design, the gown’s only detail was off-the-shoulder draping that placed the focus squarely on her stunning shoulders. Goth finished the look with fine jewelry also by Dior.
Tyler James Williams in Emporio Armani
A closer look at the Abbott Elementary star’s suit was needed to discern that it wasn’t a basic black tux, but instead was crafted in a rich, deep navy. By Emporio Armani, the peak-lapel tuxedo was trimmed in satin and paired with an evening shirt and bow tie also in navy blue for a sleek head-to-toe look. Williams completed his look with Christian Louboutin black oxfords and a diamond and spinel ring by Singapore-based Simone Jewels.
Elle Fanning in Ralph Lauren
Few people have as much fun, or show as much versatility, on awards season carpets as Elle Fanning, a Critics Choice best supporting actress nominee for Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. On Sunday night, she chose a gown from the Ralph Lauren Collection archives, a 2003 design that blended simplicity in its lines with the bombshell styling of a plunging necklace and bias-cut construction in shimmering gold. Fanning finished the look with Cartier jewels.
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