BAFTA 2026 Red Carpet: When Fashion Missed the Mark
London, United Kingdom — The 79th British Academy Film Awards red carpet wasn’t just about celebrating the finest in global cinema — it also became a stage for some eyebrow-raising fashion choices that left critics and fans talking long after the last award was handed out. While many attendees brought glamour and sophistication to the event held at London’s Royal Festival Hall, several high-profile figures opted for outfits that turned heads — largely because they didn’t quite work in the ways their designers intended.
Seen as one of the most prestigious nights in film, the BAFTAs attract international A-listers, designers and stylists hoping to make bold statements that will be remembered and reprinted in fashion magazines worldwide. But at this year’s ceremony, a number of ensembles missed the mark so thoroughly that they generated more social media commentary than the winners themselves, highlighting how walking the fine line between creativity and chaos on a red carpet can be a risky business even for the most experienced stars.
Outfits That Raised Eyebrows
Some celebrities who stepped onto the red carpet seemed to have misunderstood the assignment entirely, presenting looks that drew more laughs, confusion or outright criticism than admiration from fashion observers who dissect every detail. Here’s a look at some of the most discussed fashion missteps from the night that had everyone talking for all the wrong reasons.
Voluminous and Overwhelming Silhouettes
One of the most talked-about outfits came from Teyana Taylor, who wore a dramatic satin gown with a large, swirling collar that fashion commentators quickly compared to a “Venus flytrap” in their post-show analyses. Though ambitious and undoubtedly attention-grabbing, the exaggerated shape completely overshadowed the wearer and made the outfit look more like costume design for a sci-fi production than couture appropriate for one of film’s most elegant nights.
Similarly dramatic was the choice by Erin Doherty, whose highly structured conical dress with sharp geometric elements seemed better suited for an art gallery installation than a seated awards ceremony where movement and comfort might actually matter. The sharp, sculptural design made moving and sitting difficult for the actor while also missing the elegant fluidity expected at the BAFTA red carpet, creating awkward moments every time she needed to reposition.
Patterns and Proportions That Confused
Veteran actor Glenn Close, known for taking fashion risks throughout her career, appeared in an embroidered set that reviewers felt looked more like an ornate rug or tapestry than a red-carpet ensemble worthy of her legendary status. The mix of textures and mismatched accessories only added to the sense that the outfit lacked cohesion, creating a busy visual effect that distracted from rather than enhanced her presence.
Another standout — but not for the right reasons — was Ethan Hawke, whose speckled black-and-white suit was likened to a “dandruff illusion” by some unkind commentators on social media, highlighting how even classic silhouettes can go terribly wrong with the wrong design details. The unfortunate pattern created an optical effect that made the garment look dirty from certain angles, a disastrous outcome for any red carpet appearance.
Ill-Fitting and Underwhelming Looks
Some stars seemed to miss the formal tone of the event entirely, arriving in outfits that would have been more appropriate for casual dinners than an awards ceremony. Olivia Cooke opted for a dressed-down athleisure-inspired zip-up dress that felt far too casual for the red carpet, breaking the unspoken contract between celebrities and the fashion establishment that formal events require formal attire.
Jack O’Connell’s oversized jacket and bow tie skewed his proportions badly, lending his appearance a cartoonish vibe rather than the refined, tailored look expected at such events. The poor fit suggested either a misunderstanding of his measurements or a deliberate choice that simply didn’t pay off.
Color and Fit Fails
Colours and fits that didn’t flatter the wearer also made the list of fashion missteps. Aimee Lou Wood appeared in a very tight pink dress that reviewers said washed out her complexion completely, failing to complement her natural coloring in ways that professional stylists should anticipate. The unforgiving fit also highlighted areas that might have been better camouflaged with more thoughtful design.
Kirsten Dunst’s oversized pink jacket was seen as detracting from what might have been a more elegant look beneath, with critics noting that the outer layer overwhelmed her frame and created an unbalanced silhouette that fought with rather than complemented her proportions.
Chaotic Combinations
Perhaps the most striking fashion failure was by Audrey Nuna, whose layered, eclectic outfit — featuring a bold print skirt, multiple textures, and dramatic accessories piled on without restraint — was described by some observers as chaotic and overwhelming in its visual impact. The ensemble demonstrated that creative risk doesn’t always pay off, especially when multiple strong elements compete rather than harmonize.
Why These Choices Didn’t Work
Fashion at major award ceremonies typically walks a fine line between bold expression and adherence to elegance, a balance that requires both creativity and discipline. At the BAFTAs, some designers and stars evidently leaned too far toward experimentation without enough grounding in classic tailoring, balance or thematic consistency that would have anchored their looks.
The result was a night where several outfits were memorable — but mostly for being perplexing or visually jarring rather than genuinely innovative. Critics noted that while award shows increasingly welcome fashion as a form of artistic expression, there is still an expectation of cohesion: silhouettes should flatter the wearer, colours should complement both the individual and the setting, and accessories should enhance rather than distract from the overall look.
This year’s red carpet proved that even well-intentioned style choices can backfire spectacularly when those fundamental principles are overlooked in pursuit of attention or shock value. The difference between avant-garde and avant-garde disaster often comes down to execution details that separate great styling from regrettable choices.
More Than Just Gowns and Tuxes
It’s worth remembering that the night wasn’t all fashion faux pas, and many stars managed to navigate the red carpet with elegance and style. Alia Bhatt, Emma Stone and royalty such as Princess Kate turned up in standout looks that were widely praised by critics and fans alike, demonstrating that classic glamour remains a reliable choice.
But because fashion commentary tends to amplify extremes — the best and the worst — it’s the misses, not the hits, that dominated conversation after the BAFTA red carpet wrapped and social media users had their say. The viral nature of fashion criticism means that missteps are amplified far beyond their actual significance.
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The Bigger Picture
In the world of celebrity fashion, even missteps can spark discussion and influence future trends as designers learn from what didn’t work. As stylists and their clients reflect on what worked — and what decidedly didn’t — the red carpet remains an ever-evolving showcase of glamour, daring choices, and yes, occasional disaster that keeps fashion journalism thriving.
For every outfit that misses the mark, there are lessons to be absorbed and boundaries to be tested. The BAFTA 2026 red carpet will be remembered as much for its failures as its successes, but that’s the nature of fashion: it’s always a gamble.
When fashion goes wrong, the internet remembers. BAFTA 2026 delivered moments we won’t soon forget.
