The Tamesis
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival kicks off today in Park City, Utah, its final year in the snowy mountain town before moving to Boulder, Colorado next year. While the lineup promises to feature a number of hit movies and documentaries including now With Charli XCX and gallerist and Natalie Portman), we’re especially excited about the star sightings. After all, it’s not every day that celebrities step out in cozy coats and scarves to promote their movies.
With a 41-year history, the Sundance Film Festival has become synonymous with chic winter wear. Awards shows in Park City tend to feel more laid-back compared to more formal awards shows like Cannes, Venice, or shows like the Golden Globes or Oscars. You’re less likely to see A-listers hitting the red carpet in fancy gowns or black-tie suits; instead, many will be repeating the move in their fanciest coats, winter boots, and sometimes even quirky little hats.
Chloë Sevigny 2003Photo: Getty Images
That’s not to say Sundance hasn’t had some pretty cool looks in the past. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: Remember back in 2020, when Tessa Thompson wore a white puffer jacket dress from Loewe (with the hood on!) to an after-party? The look was voluminous and dramatic—it had all the makings of a red carpet look—while still retaining her vibe. warm. Anne Hathaway wore a similar Versace look in 2023 — she wore black — and just last year, Ayo Edebiri hit the Sundance Film Festival wearing a green knitted ensemble from The Row, which included a moss green dress and a giant shawl scarf.
There is definitely a sense of ease and ease in seeing top actors wearing such wearable and thought-provoking looks. (Stars can be standoffish, just like us!) Compared to high-stakes awards shows — when their teams of stylists spend months customizing looks — there was a spontaneity and authenticity to the body-hugging costumes at Sundance.
Will we see more ideas for cold-weather formalwear at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival? We certainly hope so. It’s a different challenge than dressing for a fancy Hollywood ceremony—trading the gown for gore, if you will. That’s why Sundance will always be the weirdest, coziest, most underrated event of awards season.
Below, scroll through to see some more comfortable looks from Sundance over the years.
