Melissa Rivers Shares Her Thoughts on the Best and Worst Red Carpet Looks from the 2026 Oscars
Oscars 2026: A Night of Fashion Triumphs and Misses on the Red Carpet
The 2026 Oscars red carpet dazzled with an array of fabulous fashion, where vibrant hues and feathered ensembles reigned supreme, albeit with few bold fashion risks taken. According to Melissa Rivers, a seasoned commentator on red carpet style, “There were very few big swings and misses; everybody looked really pretty.”
Among the standout looks, Rose Byrne captivated attendees in a "gasp-worthy" Dior dress adorned with floral embroidery. Gwyneth Paltrow turned heads in a sophisticated Giorgio Armani Privé gown, while Teyana Taylor showcased a playful black-and-white Chanel look. In contrast, Elle Fanning’s appearance in white Givenchy and Kirsten Dunst’s tiered black Celine gown drew disappointment from some observers.
Melissa Rivers shared her perspectives on both beloved and less favorable outfits from this year’s Academy Awards.
Rose Byrne
“So good; a gasp-worthy moment. She looked amazing.”
Teyana Taylor
“There’s no one right now on the carpet who can work a look like her. We haven’t seen someone be able to work a dress like that since Jennifer Lopez. And she’s having fun — as is Rose Byrne. They’re enjoying it, and I think that comes through as well.”
Jessie Buckley
“She came dressed to win. Pretty shoulders, clean hair, tasteful jewelry. It’s all about the picture holding your Oscar. She knew she was going to win — or figured she was going to win — and the whole dress was geared toward that, and it was all the right choices.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
“Vintage Gwyneth! It harkens back to when she wore the white [Tom Ford] cape dress [at the 2012 Oscars]. The perfect cut. Just so sophisticated.”
Ava DuVernay
“She had a full-fledged fashion moment. The shoulders, the tiny waist, the hair, the jewelry. I’m not saying she hasn’t looked good in the past, but this was a moment.”
Anne Hathaway
“[Her] dress was really pretty; I did not like the gloves. That particular dress, I felt, didn’t need it. But obviously Anna thought she did, so I’m not gonna argue with the boss!”
Leonardo DiCaprio
“For the guys, no matter what you do, no matter how fashion you are, you’re just not gonna get past him and George Clooney.”
Elle Fanning
“First of all, we’ve seen this look all through awards season. I just felt she looked washed out, and that’s the problem. And she’s such a fashion girl! I wanted that big fashion moment for her.”
Kirsten Dunst
“Nine times out of 10, she’s wearing something that I look at and I go, ‘Oh my God, that’s something I would pick to wear.’ And she was wearing Celine, one of my favorite designers. And it just, to me, went wrong. I don’t know if it was the proportions — I think that could’ve been it — but for me, it fell flat.”
Pedro Pascal
“Brooches are back! Do I love the [lack of jacket] in general? No. Can he pull it off? Yes.”
Emma Stone
“Loved the color, loved the dress — I just didn’t necessarily think it was an Oscar dress. I could see that at the Actor Awards, the Golden Globes or any of the other 200 awards shows in between. It was just a little too simple.”
Kathy Bates
“Best she’s ever looked. And it’s not easy walking the carpet with all of these young, gorgeous, 20-feet-tall [women]!
As the evening unfolded, stars showcased their unique styles, revealing a blend of elegance and flair that characterized the 2026 Academy Awards.
