Catherine, Princess of Wales attended alongside Prince William, re-wearing a lilac off-the-shoulder Gucci gown she previously debuted in 2019. While sustainability is always admirable, this particular recycled look lacked the wow factor expected from such a high-profile event.
The velvet belt coordinated sweetly with William’s Giorgio Armani suit, and her mermaid waves were flawless. However, the cut of the dress didn’t flatter her silhouette as beautifully as past BAFTA appearances have. For a royal known for consistently chic fashion moments, this felt surprisingly underwhelming.
Aimee Lou Wood’s Pale Pink Misstep
Aimee Lou Wood, beloved for her role in The White Lotus, opted for a structured pale pink gown by Emilia Wickstead. Unfortunately, the soft shade drained her complexion, and the rigid tailoring gave her a boxy appearance rather than highlighting her enviable figure.
Though the fabric featured embossed floral detailing, it read as wrinkled from afar, distracting from what could have been a romantic, ethereal look. It was a rare red carpet stumble for the rising star.
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Tilda Swinton’s Oversized Chanel Suit
Tilda Swinton is known for fearless, avant-garde fashion choices — and she certainly stayed true to that reputation. Wearing an oversized black-and-white Chanel suit from the brand’s 2026 Pre-Fall collection, she paired high-waisted trousers with a sharply tailored jacket and a buttoned-up white shirt.
While Swinton can typically pull off androgynous tailoring with ease, this particular ensemble felt overwhelming and ill-fitted rather than intentionally bold. Instead of chic minimalism, the look veered into shapeless territory.
Paul Mescal’s Wrinkled Prada Moment
Paul Mescal, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as William Shakespeare in Hamnet, arrived in a custom Prada suit that lacked polish.
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The black jacket and matching trousers appeared noticeably wrinkled, and his open-collar off-white shirt — worn without a tie — gave more after-party energy than awards ceremony sophistication. The laid-back vibe may have been intentional, but it didn’t translate well under the red carpet spotlight.
Sarah Niles’ Dated Turquoise Gown
Sarah Niles, known for Ted Lasso, wore a turquoise strapless gown with corset detailing and a full-length skirt. The vibrant color complemented her skin tone beautifully, but the structure of the dress felt outdated and overly rigid.
Rather than enhancing her figure, the gown appeared stiff and heavy — more reminiscent of early 2000s red carpet trends than 2026 high fashion.
Kirsten Dunst’s Risky Valentino Gamble
Kirsten Dunst stepped out in a look from Valentino’s Fall 2026 Haute Couture collection that left fashion critics divided. The ensemble featured a soft sweetheart-neckline top paired with a sleek black skirt, but the real focal point was a dramatic jacket with exaggerated puffed “mutton” sleeves.
While bold fashion risks are often applauded, this particular statement piece felt more confusing than couture. The voluminous sleeves distracted from the otherwise elegant silhouette, making the overall look feel disjointed.
A Night of Fashion Highs and Lows
The 2026 BAFTAs may have celebrated cinematic excellence, but the red carpet told a different story. While some stars delivered timeless glamour, others missed the mark with questionable tailoring, awkward silhouettes, and unexpected styling choices.
In a year where bold statements seemed to dominate, it was clear that not every fashion gamble paid off.
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