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

The 2023 Oscars red carpet had the stars back at the top of their style game. (Getty Images/Yahoo Life UK)
The 2023 Oscars red carpet saw the stars back at the top of their style game. (Getty Images/Yahoo Life UK)

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 Yeoh on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Michelle Yeoh on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Michelle Williams in Chanel Couture and Tiffany jewellery

Michelle Williams on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Michelle Williams on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Halle Berry in Tamara Ralph

Halle Berry on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Halle Berry on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Cate Blanchett in Louis Vuitton

Cate Blanchett on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Cate Blanchett on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé

Nicole Kidman on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Nicole Kidman on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Angela Bassett in Moschino

Angela Bassett on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Angela Bassett on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Austin Butler in YSL

Austin Butler on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Austin Butler on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Rihanna in Alaïa

Rihanna on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Rihanna on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Eva Longoria in Zuhair Murad

Eva Longoria on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Eva Longoria on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Florence Pugh in Valentino

Florence Pugh on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Florence Pugh on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Stephanie Hsu in Valentino

Stephanie Hsu on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Stephanie Hsu on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Emily Blunt in Valentino

Emily Blunt on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Emily Blunt on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Jessica Chastain in Gucci

Jessica Chastain on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Jessica Chastain on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Jennifer Connelly in Louis Vuitton

Jennifer Connelly on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Jennifer Connelly on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Cara Delevingne in Elie Saab

Cara Delevingne on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Cara Delevingne on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Jamie Lee Curtis in Dolce & Gabbana

Jamie Lee Curtis on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Jamie Lee Curtis on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Dolce & Gabbana

Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Fan Bing Bing in Tony Ward

Fan Bing Bing on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Fan Bing Bing on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Paul Mescal in Gucci

Paul Mescal on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Paul Mescal on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Salma Hayek on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Salma Hayek on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Lady Gaga in Versace

Lady Gaga on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Lady Gaga on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Kate Hudson in Rodarte

Kate Hudson on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Kate Hudson on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Zoe Saldana in Fendi

Zoe Saldana on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Zoe Saldana on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Ana de Armas in Louis Vuitton

Ana de Armas on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)
Ana de Armas on the 2023 Oscars red carpet. (Getty Images)

Watch: Most OTT Dresses from the Oscars 2023