The Golden Globe: Why "Audacious Opulence" Just Took Over the 2026 Red Carpet

If you thought 2025 was the peak of "Quiet Luxury,"  the Golden Globes 2026 proved we have entered the era of Audacious Opulence.

Darlings, put down the beige cashmere - the era of "Quiet Luxury" officially ended the past Sunday January 11th, at the Beverly Hilton. The 83rd Annual Golden Globes didn't just kick off awards season; it rewrote the rules of red carpet dressing. We saw Jennifer Lawrence trade her signature Dior for a daring, sheer Givenchy debut, Selena Gomez stun in 323 hours of Chanel velvet, and a return to architectural noir that felt dangerous, romantic, and chic.

​But what does this mean for your wardrobe? I’m breaking down the top 3 trends you need to know (hello, "Lobby Bob"), ranking the top 26 looks of the night, and serving you a curated shopping board so you can rock the "Naked Floral" look without the couture price tag!

The Showstopper: Jennifer Lawrence in Givenchy

Frazer Harrison/WireImage/Getty Images

Amy Sussman / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images

​Jennifer Lawrence provided the shock of the night. After years as the face of Dior, she made her debut as a Givenchy by Sarah Burton muse.

  • ​ Photo of J-Law’s Givenchy Gown - Credit : Frazer Harrison/WireImage/Getty Images

  • ​The Vibe: A gauzy, entirely sheer custom dress embroidered with ivory, moss green, and blush floral appliqués. It was a masterclass in "The New Nakedness."

  • ​Stylist: Ryan Hastings.

  • ​Beauty: Hair by Gregory Russell, featuring tousled waves and her signature "Barbie" fringe bangs. Makeup by Georgie Eisdell was a luminous "glass skin" dream with a custom nude lip.

  • ​Accessories: She stunned by layering it with a pink satin bomber jacket for the after-party - total cool-girl energy.

  • ​The Look for Less: For that same romantic, sheer aesthetic, try Needle & Thread ($800+) or the For Love & Lemons "Tulle" dress ($250) at Revolve.

​The Noir Masterpiece: Selena Gomez in Chanel

​Selena was, quite simply, the moment. Draped in a custom Chanel black velvet gown that took over 323 hours to create.

  • ​The Look: Photo of Selena’s Chanel Gown

  • ​The Vibe: A body-skimming velvet silhouette with a dramatic off-shoulder neckline framed by 200 handcrafted flowers made of feathers, organza, and silk chiffon.

  • ​Stylist: Erin Walsh.

  • ​Beauty: She debuted her shortest chin-grazing bob yet, styled with sculpted finger curls. Makeup featured a bold matte red lip.

  • ​The Look for Less: Safiyaa offers high-society weight ($1,200+), while NBD at Revolve has the "Kira" Velvet Gown ($250) for a similar mood.

The Architectural Icon: Ariana Grande in Vivienne Westwood

​Ariana left the "Wicked" pink behind for an "Elphaba Noir" look in all-black Vivienne Westwood.

  • ​The Look: Photo of Ariana’s Westwood Gown

  • ​The Vibe: A crimped chiffon ballgown with a snatched corset and a signature asymmetric shoulder drape.

  • ​Stylist: Law Roach.

  • ​Beauty: The brunette high ponytail is back! Hair by Alyx Liu and makeup using R.E.M. Beauty.

  • ​Jewelry: Swarovski Idyllia diamond choker and studs.

  • ​The Look for Less: House of CB for the snatched corset ($300) or Katie May for that sharp noir silhouette.

The Ultimate "Best Dressed" 26 of 2026

  1. Jennifer Lawrence in Givenchy (See Photo: The floral sheer debut)

  2. ​Selena Gomez in Chanel (See Photo: The 323-hour velvet masterpiece)

  3. ​Ariana Grande in Vivienne Westwood (See Photo: The "Elphaba Noir" corset)

  4. ​Elle Fanning in Gucci (See Photo: The "Silver Siren" with Norwegian floral embroidery)

  5. ​Teyana Taylor in Schiaparelli (See Photo: Saree-coded backless drama with a bejeweled thong detail)

  6. ​Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Dior (See Photo: Tiered midnight blue with a 14-carat Bvlgari sapphire)

  7. ​Miley Cyrus in Saint Laurent (See Photo: Sequinned noir with dramatic fanned shoulders)

  8. ​Jenna Ortega in Dilara Findikoglu (See Photo: Gothic lace with a beaded cape)

  9. ​Lisa (BLACKPINK) in Jacquemus (See Photo: Sheer black bandeau style)

  10. ​Ayo Edebiri in Chanel (Panneled black velvet and satin)

  11. ​Leighton Meester in Miu Miu (Canary yellow satin and tassel-shimmer)

  12. ​Kate Hudson in Armani Privé (Liquid silver fringe "fountain" dress)

  13. ​Colman Domingo in Valentino (Autumn-leaf patterned tuxedo)

  1. ​Kylie Jenner in Ashi Studio (Hourglass chrome with David Yurman jewels)

  2. ​Lisa (BLACKPINK) in Jacquemus (Sheer bandeau global-it-girl style)

  3. ​Hailee Steinfeld in Prada (Shimmering pink baby bump debut)

  4. ​Renate Reinsve in Louis Vuitton (Ethereal sheer layers)

  5. ​Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton (Silver bustier vs. velvet skirt)

  6. ​Amal Clooney in Balmain (Radiant red with mocha-brunette waves)

  7. ​Zoey Deutch in Prada (Art Deco white silk georgette)

  8. ​Wunmi Mosaku in Matthew Reisman (Canary yellow bespoke pregnancy reveal)

  9. ​Laufey in Balenciaga (Draped floor-sweeping orange)

  10. ​Chase Sui Wonders in Balenciaga (Strapless emerald green)

  11. ​Kirsten Dunst in Tom Ford (Bias-cut green slip by Haider Ackermann)

  12. ​Jacob Elordi in Bottega Veneta (Monochrome minimalist black suit)

  13. ​Timothée Chalamet in Chrome Hearts (Bad boy Bond with a Cartier necklace)

Style Trends for 2026: What’s Next?

  • ​The "Lobby" Bob: Chin-grazing, polished, and powerful.

  • ​Visible Lingerie: Bejewelled thongs and sheer paneling are officially high-fashion.

  • ​The Slinky Scarf: Draped shoulder details are the new "cape" for 2026.

Personal Shopping Board

  • Trend: The Naked Floral (Inspired by J-Law)

    • ​High Luxury: Givenchy.com

    • ​Luxe-for-Less ($800+): Needle & Thread "Petal" Tulle Gown

    • ​The Revolve Edit ($200+): For Love & Lemons "Tulle" Dress

  • ​Trend: Noir Velvet & Feathers (Inspired by Selena Gomez)

    • ​High Luxury: Chanel.com

    • ​Luxe-for-Less ($800+): Safiyaa "Hallie" Gown

    • ​The Revolve Edit ($200+): NBD "Kira" Velvet Gown

  • ​Trend: Molten Silver (Inspired by Elle Fanning)

    • ​High Luxury: Gucci.com

    • ​Luxe-for-Less ($800+): Jenny Packham Silver Sequins

    • ​The Revolve Edit ($200+): Michael Costello x REVOLVE "Nora" Gown

  • ​Trend: Architectural Snatched Corsetry (Inspired by Ariana Grande)

With Love and Style

Betty Lam

Sources

  1. ​Vogue: 323 Hours of Couture: Decoding Selena Gomez’s Chanel Masterpiece

  2. ​Marie Claire: Jennifer Lawrence Trades Dior for Givenchy in 2026 Debut

  3. ​W Magazine: Jennifer Lawrence Offers a Sheer Surprise at the 2026 Globes

  4. ​Harper’s Bazaar: The Best Dressed Celebrities on the 2026 Red Carpet

  5. ​The Guardian: March of the Penguins: Why Noir is the Unofficial Dress Code of 2026

  6. ​Economic Times: Ariana Grande Brings Back the Iconic Ponytail for Golden Globes 2026

  7. ​Who What Wear: 31 Celeb Looks That Epitomize Elegance: Red Carpet Beauty Updates

  8. ​The Times of India: Teyana Taylor’s Saree-Coded Schiaparelli Sparks Global Debate

  9. ​Metro Style: The Beauty Looks We’re Obsessed With at the Golden Globes 2026

  10. ​Elle: Every Look You Might Have Missed from the After-Parties