Best Dressed at the Actor Awards 2026

No one should be surprised that only a handful of the men and women attending the 2026 Actor Awards on Sunday night embraced the requested dressing theme, “Reimagining Hollywood Glamour from the ’20s and ’30s.” It’s a fine idea and part of the partnership between Elle magazine and Netflix, also with the thought of perhaps elevating the event’s red carpet so it might rival May’s Met Gala. Unfortunately, there’s a vast difference between the two evenings, one an industry spotlight and the other rooted in artful statements at a museum benefit. At the industry-focused Actor Awards, no one should be faulted for wearing what they prefer, regardless of a requested dress code.

Even so, many found ways to channel the requested decades in ways both subtle and artful. From bias-cut slip dresses to double-breasted suits and tuxedos, stars and their stylists opted for old-Hollywood glam without veering into flapper or mobster territory. Beyond the 1920s and ’30s, other decades that likewise cemented the marriage of Hollywood film and high fashion also were much in evidence, from the exquisite structure of the 1950s to the more relaxed and seductive 1970s. The result: a beautiful mix of decades and influences, focused more than anything on a central idea of Hollywood glamour.

With that in mind, we selected 10 stars who either embraced the assignment or went their own way, all with stylish results.

Jenna Ortega in Christian Cowan

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega is no stranger to bold red-carpet choices, so it’s not a surprise that details of her look exuded a 1920s vibe, from the lingerie vibe of her bias-cut Christian Cowan gown to the delicate drape of her Mikimoto necklace and the thigh-high stockings that channeled the decade while feeling modern in equal measure.

Tyler James Williams in Sergio Hudson

All shades of red trended at the Actor Awards, with the hue also seen on Wunmi Mosaku in Louis Vuitton and Patricia Arquette in Rick Owens. But few men chose suiting in a color other than black, which is why Tyler James Williams stood out beautifully in an apple-red tuxedo jacket by Sergio Hudson. The jacket’s cut and fit, paired with ultra-classic details in his shirt, trousers and tie, resulted in a look that was supremely crisp and clean on the Abbott Elementary star. Williams finished his look with a Blancpain timepiece and Christian Louboutin shoes.

Demi Moore in Schiaparelli

Demi Moore’s Schiaparelli gown put one in mind of the glamorous fashion seen in 1950s musicals like Funny Face or How to Marry a Millionaire and unquestionably created a wow moment when the Landman star stepped on the carpet. From creative director Daniel Roseberry’s spring/summer 2026 haute-couture collection, the sleek black bustier dress in wool crepe was punctuated with the drama of a white tulle “cloud” on its back, a design that required more than 700 hours of embroidery work. Moore paired the look with more than 95 carats of Harry Winston diamonds set in platinum, while her shoes likewise were by Schiaparelli.

Jacob Elordi in Bottega Veneta

From gangsters to bankers, pinstripe suits indeed became popular attire among men in the 1920s, so perhaps that may have been the inspiration for Jacob Elordi’s custom suit by Bottega Veneta. A global brand ambassador since 2024 for the Italian label, the Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights star paired the suit with a cotton poplin shirt and tie and lace-up shoes also by the brand.

Teyana Taylor in Thom Browne

Among the night’s most artful gowns was this custom design by Thom Browne for One Battle After Another star Teyana Taylor. Crafted to highlight an anatomical torso intarsia effect comprised of more than 160 pattern pieces in grey, white and champagne silk and wool, the bodice led to an embroidered tulle mermaid skirt embellished with 400,000 sequins and 175,000 beads. Taylor accessorized the gown with Tiffany & Co. jewels, including the Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Leaves necklace of platinum and 18-karat yellow gold, embellished with more than 47 carats of diamonds.

Rufus Sewell in Brioni

The co-star of The Diplomat struck the right balance of formal and relaxed in this all-black look by Brioni, which consisted of a wool-silk blend evening jacket in a subtle paisley motif, black cotton evening shirt and black tuxedo trousers. On his lapel, a single jewel, the Pagoda Jabot pin by Stephen Silver, crafted of 18-karat yellow gold and platinum and highlighting a fancy yellow vivid diamond and white diamonds around a 5.74-carat portrait-cut Colombian emerald.

Rose Byrne in Chanel

The If I Had Legs I’d Kick You nominee exuded a beautiful ease in this ecru embroidered dress in silk crepe, from Matthieu Blazy’s Métiers d’art 2026 collection for Chanel. Byrne’s Messika jewelry included the cascading high-jewelry Sirenetta earrings, while her silver evening shoes are by Gianvito Rossi.

Matt Cornett in Pal Zileri

Not unlike Sewell’s evening suit, Matt Cornett’s navy jacket by Milan-based Pal Zileri likewise was crafted in a subtle print, this time in feathers, paired with black tuxedo pants. Cornett finished his look with Omega’s De Ville Prestige 40mm timepiece.

Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton

The delicate beaded headpiece One Battle After Another star Chase Infiniti wore undoubtedly was a nod to the 1920s, while her gown felt wholly modern. Both headpiece and gown were custom designs by Louis Vuitton, with the latter crafted of hand-knit plissé fabric. Infiniti finished the look with a variety of jewels by De Beers London, including the house’s Metamorphosis Spring diamond chandelier earrings in 18-karat white and rose gold, embellished with 9.96 carats of white diamonds.

Connor Storrie in Saint Laurent

Fresh from a red-eye flight following his Saturday Night Live hosting duties, the Heated Rivalry star made a shirtless style statement at the Actor Awards in a double-breasted jacket in Prince of Wales wool and wide-legged pants in cashmere flannel, both by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. Storrie completed his look with jewels and a timepiece by Tiffany & Co., including the Tiffany Victoria Mixed Cluster necklace in platinum and diamonds.