SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Ariana Grande, Elle Fanning and Teyana Taylor set the early pace for awards-season style as they topped the best-dressed conversation at the Critics Choice Awards 2026, Jan. 4, 2026.
With Hollywood’s film-and-TV crowd gathering at the Barker Hangar for the 31st annual ceremony, the trio’s looks underscored why this red carpet still matters: It’s where the season’s biggest fashion themes arrive in one sharp, highly photographed burst.
The show aired on E! and USA Network, with host Chelsea Handler returning to emcee, per the Critics Choice Association’s broadcast details and Vogue’s ceremony preview.
Critics Choice Awards 2026 best-dressed power list
These are the looks that read cleanest in photos, landed the strongest from head to toe, and felt most “now” for Critics Choice Awards 2026 — drawing from red-carpet roundups by People, InStyle and E!’s best-dressed gallery.
Ariana Grande — The “Wicked: For Good” nominee leaned into full-on, character-adjacent glamour in a custom pink satin off-the-shoulder Alberta Ferretti gown, elevated by a sheer, floor-length cape with delicate floral detailing. The silhouette was classic; the styling sold the fantasy.
Elle Fanning — Fanning’s plunge-neck, liquid-gold archival Ralph Lauren Collection gown was the night’s cleanest example of “old Hollywood, sharpened.” Minimal fuss, maximum shine — and a reminder that vintage can still feel modern when the fit is precise.
Teyana Taylor — Taylor went for power tailoring with a fashion-editor edge: a full Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello look built around a double-breasted jacket with feathered texture, plus a tie and over-the-knee boots. It read commanding, not costume.
Jessica Biel — Biel’s sheer Lanvin moment played with exposure and structure without losing elegance, the kind of risk that looks intentional when every seam and angle is controlled.
Michael B. Jordan — Jordan kept the menswear story bold but streamlined in custom Louis Vuitton, proving (again) that great tailoring and a strong color choice can do all the talking.
Bella Ramsey — A crisp Prada look that stood out in a sea of gowns, showing how a sharp, modern silhouette can register instantly on a carpet dominated by sparkle.
Jacob Elordi — Elordi’s Bottega Veneta pick was understated in the best way: sleek, current and styled with the kind of restraint that reads expensive.
Ego Nwodim — Carolina Herrera delivered polished impact here — a reminder that red-carpet “best dressed” can be about proportion and finish, not just shock value.
Audrey Nuna — Marc Jacobs (spring/summer 2025 ready-to-wear) brought a fashion-forward edge that felt intentionally different from the night’s more traditional glamour.
What made the top looks click
The best style at the Critics Choice Awards 2026 shared one trait: clarity. Grande’s romantic silhouette landed because it was committed; Fanning’s metallic minimalism worked because it stayed disciplined; Taylor’s suiting hit because every element — from the jacket to the boots — kept the same assertive line.
Continuity: Critics Choice fashion has been telling this story for years
If Critics Choice feels like a “trend preview,” it’s because the carpet has long rewarded strong points of view. In 2025, a more subdued, respectful mood pushed stars toward darker tones and pared-back statements, as noted in Vogue’s 2025 best-dressed recap. In 2024, the pendulum swung back toward high-glam variety — a reminder that the show often captures the season’s mood shifts in real time, as reflected in Vogue’s 2024 list.
And Fanning, in particular, has been consistent: She’s been a Critics Choice fashion bellwether since at least 2023, when Vogue highlighted her in a romantic Alexander McQueen look on its best-dressed lineup. Three years later, she’s still doing what she does best — making a single gown feel like a full thesis.
With more major carpets ahead, the Critics Choice Awards 2026 offered an early answer to the season’s biggest style question: Who’s dressing with intention? For now, Grande, Fanning and Taylor are clearly in front.
