I've never seen a Grammy Awards red carpet go by without a twist on corset dressing. Coco Jones delivered one of this year's most ethereal entries with this blush gown. Tulle drapes from an over-the-top flower to a train down her side. Note the extra structure around her hips—a callback to the pannier trend major designers have been playing with for the past two seasons.
Model Kelsey Merritt proved my naked dressing theory correct. Her take involves a slightly-sheer, beaded slip over matching black undergarments and sleek sandals. It's understated, but very Grammys appropriate.
Sabrina Carpenter Sparkles at the 2026 Grammys Red Carpet
Sabrina Carpenter is toasting her nominations for Man's Best Friend in a custom Valentino gown that shimmers like a freshly-popped bottle of champagne. The flutter sleeves? The beaded bodice? The tiered skirt? It all strikes me as a maturation of her red carpet style—and an easy contender for best dressed.
One of the biggest red carpet trends I've tracked throughout my time at Marie Claire? How celebrities use rare vintage fashion to flex their style prowess. 2025's red carpets were filled with early-aughts and Old Hollywood vintage pieces. Now, the trend continues into 2026 with Tyla's peachy-pink, feathered gown. It's courtesy of Dsquared2, from its Fall 2013 ready-to-wear collection.
Like I was saying: two-pieces are a staple in Grammys fashion. Between the silver embellishments and swirling chiffon fabric, Rhea Raj's feels reminiscent of an early-aughts Britney Spears in the best way.
Will the 2026 Grammys Red Carpet Fashion Feel Like History Repeating?
Some of the night's biggest nominees have yet to walk the Crypto.com step-and-repeat. So in the meantime, I've asked Marie Claire's fashion editors to weigh in on their favorite looks from the 2025 rendition. Here's what made an impression.
"Sabrina Carpenter’s custom JW Anderson dress, styled by Jared Ellner, from last year’s Grammys was an all-timer for me. Referencing Shirley Maclaine’s costumes by Edith Head in 1964’s “What a Way to Go!”, the Jonathan Anderson-designed baby blue gown featured a halter neckline with embellished straps that turned into a Chopard diamond necklace that dangled down the open back, and was accented by feathers encircling the hips and hem. It was fun and playful, with Old Hollywood charm." —Ana Colón, interim style director
"Doechii was such a breakout at last year’s Grammys, and her Thom Browne looks (styled by Sam Woolf) really solidified her fashion girl status. She wore the brand throughout the night: an off-the-shoulder grey wool corset dress with exaggerated hips over a white button-down and matching tie on the red carpet; a grey sportcoat and shorts set (accented by the signature red, white, and blue striping) that then revealed a white cotton bra and brief underneath; and a cropped short-sleeve grey wool jacket over a corset with matching tie and pannier trousers to accept her award for Best Rap Album." —Ana Colón, interim style director
"Chappell Roan, styled by Genesis Webb, in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2003 Couture—I mean, showing up to her first-ever Grammy Awards in a dress that’s almost as old as she is? Iconic. The gown featured an illustration of the late master painter Edgar Degas’s “Dancer With a Bouquet” and was accented with nests of sticks, blue flowers, and fruit ornaments along the neckline, waist, and bust (details that called Zendaya’s 2024 Met Gala gown to mind).
"On the live red carpet pre-show, E!'s fashion correspondent Zanna Roberts Rassi said that Webb had that specific gown and matching feathered headpiece on her vision board for 10 years, and once she procured it for Roan, she 'slept with it in her room because it’s that precious.' You can certainly tell the look, which featured an illustration of late master painter Edgar Degas’s "Dancer With a Bouquet," meant a lot to both Roan and her fearless stylist." —Emma Childs, fashion features editor
"For me, the answer to this question is simple: Beyoncé. Queen B won Album of the Year in a custom gold Schiaparelli number styled to perfection by Shiona Turini. Her shimmering gown featured a sculpted silhouette, a scoop neckline, and a floor-grazing hem. What stood out the most, though, were the crystal embellishments that took the shape of paisley prints. The dazzling design served as a symbolic reference to B’s Cowboy Carter album." —Lauren Tappan, fashion editor
"I was still very much in my brat era during the 2025 Grammys, so my eyes lit up when Charli xcx graced the red carpet. I expected my livestream to turn neon green (the 2024 album’s signature color), but instead, she surprised me and my fellow brats in a custom Jean Paul Gaultier x Ludovic De Saint Sernin ballgown. Don’t be fooled: It had various indie-sleaze elements, including distressed tulle sleeves and a matching high-low train. However, its basque-waist corset polished the look in a way I couldn’t have predicted.
"Once the curtain closed on last year’s Grammys, I expected never to see that under-bust corset again. (Usually celebrities waste no time adding designer looks to their archives.) Just a few days ago, at the premiere of her mockumentary, The Moment, she re-wore the bespoke bustier alongside (what else?) her vintage Alexander McQueen wedding bra. If that’s not the ultimate brat move, I don’t know what is." —Meguire Hennes, fashion staff writer
Where Grammys Fashion Meets Broadway Glamour
"Michelle Williams's semi-naked Jean-Louis Sabaji dress is a win for the musical theatre girlies," staff writer Meguire Hennes tells me. "She took a night off from Broadway's Death Becomes Her as it's nominated for Best Musical Theatre Album." It was worth the cross-country trip, IMO—just look at that train!
An Update for the Swifties...
If you've been waiting for music's leading showgirl, I have some bad news: a 2026 Grammys red carpet dress isn't on Taylor Swift's radar tonight. Reports including an interview with one of the broadcast's executive producers suggest she isn't attending. It tracks: Her album wasn't eligible for nominations this year. (That said, I would have loved to see a vintage Bob Mackie moment on the red carpet.)
Girl Group Fashion Returns to the 2026 Grammys
"This year's girl group convention is off to a fabulous start thanks to Flo," staff writer Meguire Hennes told the team Marie Claire slack. I have to agree: the unified colors tweaked for each member to wear it her own way works in perfect harmony.
Zara Larsson Honors a Grammys Red Carpet Fashion Tradition...
If there's one thing pop stars at a Grammys red carpet are going to do, it's wear a sparkly crop top and skirt in lieu of a dress. For Zara Larsson, who's a student of Y2K style and musical influences, this floral gold set makes perfect sense.
My Early Votes for Best-Dressed Status? The Best New Artist Nominees
This year's class of Best New Artist nominees really knows how to turn a look. I'm not the only member of team Marie Claire who thinks so—here are their takes on the new faces set to light up the red carpet in just a few moments.
"I’ve loved following Addison Rae’s style evolution because she’s always making interesting, surprising choices, especially since she started collaborating with Dara Allen. Together, they’ve managed to build a record with a vast, unexpected mix of designers, from the high luxury (think Thom Browne and Versace) to the emerging (Miss Claire Sullivan and Giovanna Flores) to the archival. I’m curious to see what they pull out for her first Grammys red carpet as a nominee." —Ana Colón, interim style director
"Echoing Ana, here: Addison Rae, without competition. Her work with stylist Dara Allen is irreverent, sometimes strange, and always interesting. As much as she clearly appreciates and pays respect to pop greats like Britney Spears and Madonna, Addison’s style is setting her up for a career that’s as singular as she is. Case in point: When she wore a custom Miss Claire Sullivan look consisting of a ginormous white tutu and feather-fringed cone bra.
"That said, I also need to give some love to María Zardoya’s style, the lead singer of The Marias. Everything she wears looks like it’s been pulled from an incredibly chic dreamstate, from gothic-inspired frilly nightgowns and harlequin-striped silk jackets to archival Tom Ford Gucci and off-the-runway Alexander McQueen." —Emma Childs, fashion features editor
"I’d steal Olivia Dean’s on-stage wardrobe in a heartbeat. From fringed Feben dresses to sequined Coperni slips, her outfits embrace a strong sense of vintage elegance. While the star’s velvety vocals speak for themselves, her style enhances the retro undertones of her songs. Dean’s clothes and music are constantly in conversation with one another, and we can thank stylist Simone Beyene for that." —Lauren Tappan, fashion editor
"Lauren and I have waxed poetic about our love for Olivia Dean before, so I’m not surprised our Best New Artist frontrunner aligned. You can tell her stylist, Simone Beyene, loves her, as evidenced by her charming performance outfits from British brands Stella McCartney, 16Arlington, and David Koma. (She is the ultimate London It girl if I’ve ever seen one.) I, for one, am over-the-moon excited to see her performance tonight. This weekend, she prepped for her Grammys debut with not one, but four stage looks, ranging from a 16Arlington sequin shift, a Herve Leger Spring 2026 striped slip, a little black Conner Ives dress with plunging side cutouts, and a label-less tiger-print maxi. Needless to say, Dean is more than ready for the 2026 Grammys." —Meguire Hennes, fashion staff writer
A Country Welcome to the 2026 Grammys Red Carpet
Margo Price is up for two trophies at tonight's Grammys: Best Traditional Country Album for Hard Headed Woman and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "Love Me Like You Used To Do." She also turned my head in a tiered, blush pink gown with fluttering, scarf-like details along her arms—plus, an "Ice Out" pin.
What Else Can We Expect at the 2026 Grammys Red Carpet?
Glad you asked. While I'm waiting for more stars to arrive, I tapped Marie Claire's expert fashion editors for their 2026 Grammys red carpet predictions. Here's what we're expecting...
Old Hollywood Versus Modern Personal Style:
"Award season is just heating up, but I’m already noticing a few red carpet trends—chief among them being Old Hollywood glamour. Several weeks ago at the Golden Globes, stars dazzled in a range of black off-the-shoulder dresses and embellished floor-length gowns, and I think we’ll see a similar hint of timeless elegance tonight at the 2026 Grammys." —Lauren Tappan, fashion editor
"Call it wishful thinking, but I think personality-packed red-carpet fashion is back—less simplicity and Old Hollywood glamour; more unique self-expression as artists. With creative beasts like Jonathan Anderson at Dior, Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, and Sarah Burton at Givenchy, it’s a fantastic time for high fashion, which lends itself to a lot of fresh experimentation on the celebrity side, too." —Emma Childs, fashion features editor
More Couture Is More: The 2026 Grammys came fresh off the heels of Paris Haute Couture Week, meaning there’s no shortage of new couture right now. I must say, couture gowns from leading ateliers like Chanel, Dior, and Schiaparelli tend to dominate the Oscars red carpet, where the dress code reads more glamourous and less glitzy. But tonight could be the night that Grammys guests trade party-ready for polished picks. I mean, wouldn’t it be a treat to see Sabrina Carpenter in Dior Spring 2026 Couture? She is a JW Anderson girl, after all. (Jonathan Anderson, Dior’s new creative director, dressed the winner at last year’s Grammys in his eponymous label, JW Anderson.) —Meguire Hennes, fashion staff writer
Stars Protest Against ICE at the 2026 Grammy Awards
Early arrivals at the 2026 Grammy Awards weren't just showing up for their music—they were sending a message. In light of protests against ICE across the U.S., guests like Helen J. Shen added an "Ice Out" pin to their red carpet looks. Kehlani, accepting her Best R&B Performance Award for "Folded" in pre-broadcast awards, also wore her "Ice Out" pin onstage.
PinkPantheress's Grammys Red Carpet Is Already a Wrap
When she stopped by Marie Claire's "Listen Up" column, PinkPantheress revealed her favorite piece of music merch: "A faded Burial hoodie that’s definitely not aesthetic anymore, but I still wear it because it makes me feel cool, TBH." She's upgraded her wardrobe by several notches, arriving at the 2026 Grammys in a Vivienne Westwood gown. The cinched-in corset and mixed materials are a combination that feels very "cool, TBH" to me.
Our First Look at 2026 Grammys Red Carpet Fashion
You're not imagining things: The 2026 Grammys red carpet got off to an early start. But frankly, I'm grateful for an excuse to kick-off Marie Claire's coverage ahead of schedule. Here are a few of the first looks that hit the step-and-repeat.
Lola Young, nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Solo Performance, skipped the red carpet gown for a cozy Vivienne Westwood suit. A collar and tie peeking out from underneath kept things professional.
FKA Twigs reminded me of a modern woodland fairy, in her drapey Paolo Carzana dress and leaf-shaped clutch.
No word yet on the designer behind Kehlani's 2026 Grammy Awards red carpet dress, but the cut-out feels apropros for the usual dress code. Peek at the top of her dress—she's also wearing an "Ice Out" pin, likely the first of many to appear at tonight's awards.