The Tamesis
When you think of awards season, you probably picture A-list stars hitting the red carpet in custom gowns and fresh-off-the-runway looks. But lately, vintage clothing has been all the rage in Hollywood. We’re just days into awards season, and we’re already seeing some stars embracing vintage clothing — proving that, with the right styling, retro silhouettes can always feel modern in their step and repetition.
The vintage fun started last weekend at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, when Elle Fanning wore a blue strapless gown courtesy of vintage Nettie Rosenstein Couture. At last night’s Critics’ Choice Awards, Fanning kept the vibe going in a gold Ralph Lauren plunging dress from 2003. Will Fanning continue to wear only vintage clothing throughout awards season? Time will tell!
There were other award-winning, classic moments at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Kylie Jenner is one of them, wearing a classic body-hugging black dress from Versace (Fall 1996, to be exact). Actress Mckenna Grace also looked classic in a black and white Vera Wang dress.
As awards season continues, more A-list stars are sure to revive retro designs ahead of the Oscars on March 15. Of course, their sartorial choices go beyond fashion. By delving into the archives, celebrities and their stylists have proven they support recycling and rewearing, a form of sustainability increasingly common on the red carpet. It’s a thoughtful move: During awards season, when celebrities face intense pressure to wear lavish outfits, these throwback moments call for more awareness on the red carpet (especially given the significant environmental impact fashion and its supply chains have). To that, we say, please be more retro! especially when it looks like this OK
Below, we explore some of the best throwback looks from the 2026 awards season.
