Oscars 2023: Was this year's red carpet the best ever?

Trying to remember the 2022 Oscars red carpet pales in comparison to the drama that unfolded during the Academy Awards ceremony itself: a now infamous slap by Will Smith, who later won the best actor gong, dominated headlines. But this year attendees on the aptly named champagne carpet have ensured that the 2023 Oscars red carpet was certainly one to be remembered.

Two years of uncertainty and pared-back ceremonies meant that perhaps stars weren’t sure where they stood last year. But we’ll forgive them. For this year, they pulled out all the stops.

The Oscars evening might be more demure than its musical counterparts such as the Grammys or the Brits (no latex balloon suits here I’m afraid, Sam Smith), it does not mean any less prowess on the style front.

Whilst the Academy Awards doesn’t have an official dress code, classic old-school Hollywood glamour was the order of the day for stars including Phoebe Waller Bridge and Jennifer Connolly, who chose demure black gowns with fantastic silhouettes for the occasion.

The 1920s inspirations weren’t far either (perhaps inspired by the champagne-coloured carpet?). Sequins, fringe and lace were a common thread for several big names on Sunday night including Michelle Yeoh in Dior Couture, Zoe Saldana in Fendi, Eva Longoria in Zuhair Murad and Kate Hudson in Rodarte.

Of course, there were the occasional more out-there looks – Fan Bing Bing’s return to the red carpet in a Tony Ward sequin dress with voluminous green bow and Cara Delevingne’s deliciously red Elie Saab couture didn’t go unnoticed – but it was the poignant, yet subtle, looks that really stole the show.

Keep scrolling to see the best looks from the 2023 Oscars red carpet.

Michelle Yeoh in Dior Couture

Michelle Williams in Chanel Couture and Tiffany jewellery

Halle Berry in Tamara Ralph

Cate Blanchett in Louis Vuitton

Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé

Angela Bassett in Moschino

Austin Butler in YSL

Rihanna in Ala?a

Eva Longoria in Zuhair Murad

Florence Pugh in Valentino

Stephanie Hsu in Valentino

Emily Blunt in Valentino

Jessica Chastain in Gucci

Jennifer Connelly in Louis Vuitton

Cara Delevingne in Elie Saab

Jamie Lee Curtis in Dolce & Gabbana

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Dolce & Gabbana

Fan Bing Bing in Tony Ward

Paul Mescal in Gucci

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Lady Gaga in Versace

Kate Hudson in Rodarte

Zoe Saldana in Fendi

Ana de Armas in Louis Vuitton

Watch: Most OTT Dresses from the Oscars 2023