This early awards season, the Golden Globes was not just another red carpet- it was a reflection of where fashion is right now. This season, dressing up felt less about excess and more about intention with looks that leaned into confidence, softness, drama, and edge.
At the Fashion Desk, we are not here to talk about EVERY look- we are here to talk about the ones that started conversation in the world of fashion.
Standouts that Stole the Night
Some red carpet looks that just click- you know immediately that these are looks everyone will be talking about for weeks. In this section, I will highlight that stars who brought polish, presence, and undeniable style, proving that dressing up still has that power to mesmerize.
Selena Gomez: Selena anchored the season in a strapless Chanel gown embroidered with manmade feathers and subtle texture- a refined take on a classic glamour that felt both elegant and intentional. Her bold red lip and sculpted waves completed a look that was timeless without being predictable.
Michael B. Jordan: On the menswear side, Michael B. Jordan proved that color can be as stylish as tailoring. His chocolate brown Prada double-breasted suit felt rich, modern, and perfectly calibrated for red-carpet impact- accented with eyewear and jewelry that read like carefully chosen punctuation.
Ayo Edebiri: Ayo Edebiri's off the shoulder Chanel look struck a perfect balance between class fabric and modern detail, elevated with resin and pearl brooch accents that felt ;like just the right kind of stylish punctuation.
Trend Threads Worth Noting
Beyond individual show stoppers, every awards season has its whispers of the future moments. In this section, I will break down the recurring motifs, bold moves made, and emerging style currents that hint at what 2026's fashion landscape might look like off the red carpet.
Naked Dress
Sheer mesh and strategic cutouts dominated many of the evening's most talked about looks. With stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Jenna Ortega, and Teyana Taylor all interpreting the "naked dressing" trend in different ways- from floral embroidered mesh to structural cutouts that framed the silhouette. It was a reminder that red carpet fashion still flirts with risk when it is anchored in intent.
Minimalist Shoes, Maximal Impact
While dresses and suits captured headlines, footwear was quietly making its own statement: sleek metallics, sculptural heels, and intentional silhouettes signaled that minimalist shoe styling might just be the accessory trend of 2026- elegant but deliberate.
Most Controversial Moments
Not every look lands- sometimes, style sparks debate, raises eyebrows, or simply cofounds expectations. I want to talk about the moments that polarized audiences and made us pause, reminding us that risk is always part of the red carpet conversation.
Sheer Drama that Divided Opinion
Not all sheer moments were met with universal praise. Some looks- particularly those pushing the boundary of "nude mesh", such as Jennifer Lopez- sparked debate among fashion watchers who felt the execution was edgy for edgy's sake, rather than eloquent. These weren't missteps so much as polarizing calls that got people talking.
Hairstyles + Menswear Mixes that Raised Eyebrows
Glenn Powell's velvet tux was sharp, but his retro inspired hairstyle became the talk of the fashion forums for how it undercut what was otherwise a classic look. This is proof that in 2026, hair choices can be just as headline-making as couture.
Color Clashes & Clashing Textures
A few red carpet entries drew criticism for muddled palettes or over-complex design combinations. One pastel Saint Laurent gown, for example, became an online talking point for combining too many colors and textures without a cohesive anchor.
Final Notes from The Fashion Desk
Alright, let's be real- the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet was very enlightening. Some people arrived knowing exactly who they were and what they were going for, while som people were...experimenting. Some looks definitely had some of us squinting at our screens wondering, "is this supposed to be fashion?" Personally, the night had some clear winners. Selena Gomez in her strapless Chanel was pure perfection. It was classic, playful., and just the right amount of texture to keep it interesting. If there was one look that got everyone scrolling, it was Jennifer Lawrences sheer, embroidered gown from Givenchy by Sarah Burton- a standout example of naked dressing that isn't just revealing for the sake of it. Lawrence leaned fully into the trend with a nude mesh design that was delicately embroidered with pale floral motifs, strategically placed to feel more artful than arbitrary. What I loved about this interpretation is that it felt thoughtful, not lazy. The florals softened what could otherwise been read as purely provocative, giving the look a romantic, almost poetic energy. Some stars wear sheer for shock; Lawrence wore it with the subtlety of someone who understands that fashion can flirt with risk and still look composed. At a moment when naked dressing could easily feel tired or overdone, this was one of the intentional- and for that, it earns a place in the Fashion Desk highlight reel. Another win at the fashion desk was Michael B. Jordan's Chocolate brown Prada suit. His look at the Golden Globes is proof that menswear can be just as exciting in the world of fashion. All of these looks felt intentional, confident, and most importantly, wearable in your imagination long after the cameras turned off.
At the end of the night, what I loved most was the balance: stars who leaned into old school glamour, stars who leaned into edge, and a few who leaned somewhere in between and made us question everything (in a good way). Dressing up mattered again, and the looks that won didn't just photograph- they felt. That is what makes the Golden Globes exciting, and why I will always be watching, taking notes, and telling it straight for you here at The Fashion Desk.