2026 Vs. 1996: How Oscars Red Carpet Fashion Has Evolved

When it comes to glamorous red carpet fashion, no event does it like the annual Academy Awards. Held in the first quarter of each year, the prestigious awards show might recognize the best of the best in the film industry, but over the years, it has also become a place for celebs to showcase their fashion prowess. Of course, the worst-dressed celebs in Oscars history show that not everything goes according to plan at each red carpet, but without risk, there is usually no reward. The Oscars are such a cultural staple that they're also a reflection of their decade, allowing us to see how fashion has evolved.

A look back at the red carpets of past Oscars certainly shows one thing — the rules of fashion have significantly changed over the years. To understand just how the trends have changed and how different the Oscars red-carpet fashion is today, we compared the star-studded events in 1996 and 2026. With three decades between them, plenty has changed at the Oscars — except for Nicole Kidman's attendance, as the star was present both years, and pretty much during most of the ones in between, too. From drapey shawls to tight corsets, here's how fashion at the Academy Awards differs in 1996 and 2026.

The most noticeable difference between red carpet fashion at the Oscars in 1996 and 2026 is just how much simpler the fashion was. In 1996, the Academy Awards weren't known for overly extravagant dresses just yet, at least not in the way that we tend to see them at the prestigious event nowadays. Sure, some stars dared to push the boundaries, but that was nothing compared to the drama that Oscars' fashion gives us today.

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In 1996, stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Sandra Bullock went the safe, minimalist route. We can attribute this to the minimalist trends of the second half of the decade, when Calvin Klein designs were incredibly popular. However, it's likely many stars also went the simple route because it was safer. After all, nobody wants to be deemed "worst dressed" at an event like the Oscars, where Hollywood glamour reaches its peak.

In 2026, things look very different. Paltrow and Bullock's dresses, while pretty, would look a bit boring compared to the dramatic haute couture gowns stars wear today. Demi Moore showed up to the 2026 Oscars in a moody feathered gown by Gucci, a look that instantly drew attention. Similarly, Teyana Taylor donned a feathered number; hers was a semi-sheer design by Chanel. Side by side, 1996 certainly seems very bland compared to 2026, which, on the other hand, often looks like fashion from the Capitol in "The Hunger Games." The comparison of the Oscars' style in both decades clearly showcases the shift of the red-carpet trends from predictable and simple looks into extravagant and avant-garde fashion.

Now, it's unimaginable for the rich and famous to attend an event like the Academy Awards without consulting a stylist, but back in 1996, many stars still made their fashion choices on their own. While today's stars tend to have multiple carefully cultivated choices by stylists to ensure the fit and accessories are just right, the '90s were different. In 1996, even the stars who had looks planned often didn't go above and beyond to ensure there were backups for backups — which brings us to Sharon Stone.

In 1996, the actor had planned to wear a Vera Wang design to the Oscars, but unfortunately, the FedEx package with the gown was damaged, so Stone had to improvise. Together with her friend, costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, Stone put together a look that we truly can't imagine seeing at the 2026 Oscars. "So we ended up putting together this Gap shirt and a ready-to-wear Valentino skirt, then I had this Armani tuxedo dress that I wore as a jacket, and I picked a Gardenia out of the garden," Stone revealed on "No Filter with Naomi" in 2020.

This happening to an A-lister at the Oscars today seems unimaginable, as we don't doubt that their team of stylists prepares numerous backup looks just in case. In 2026, Zendaya stunned in an asymmetrical brown Louis Vuitton gown as she hit the stage to present alongside Robert Pattinson. Zendaya has had an iconic style evolution, often stunning on red carpets. The "Euphoria" actor famously collaborates on all of her fashion choices with stylist Law Roach, who has certainly become a celebrity in his own right thanks to his talent. While we can't confirm it, it's safe to say that Roach probably had not one but multiple other choices ready for Zendaya in case something happened to the Louis Vuitton number. 

Back in the '90s, shawls were a classic red carpet accessory, usually worn with glamorous gowns by delicately draping them across the shoulders or arms. In the 2020s, the look isn't nearly as popular, even though one star did wear a shawl to the 2026 Academy Awards. Singer Gracie Abrams attended the prestigious award show in a matching black set by Chanel featuring an ultra-long, skinny shawl, which the musician wore around her neck, having it drape along her back. She looked incredible, but this is the only shawl look from the 2026 Oscars, making it a rather rare red-carpet choice.

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Flashback to 1996, and the Oscars were truly full of shawls. Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, and Alicia Silverstone were among the actors who opted to accessorize their gowns with matching pieces, adding movement to their fashion choices. Regardless of whether their gowns were simple like Gwyneth Paltrow's or bright like Kate Winslet's, attending the 1996 Academy Awards without a shawl seemed like a major fashion no-go. Two decades later, the accessory has pretty much gone extinct at the Oscars.

Wearing vintage to the 1996 Oscars was not too popular, as most stars wore timely designs. Halle Berry showed up to the prestigious awards show in a purple Valentino design from 1995. The look remains one of the most memorable fashion moments in the stunning style transformation of Halle Berry, proving that not following the minimalist fashion trends of 1996 did pay off. Similarly, Emma Thompson rocked an Armani design from the brand's 1996 collection, showcasing that the Academy Awards were a great place for designers to showcase the directions their work was headed in. Three decades later, things have changed. The Oscars are no longer a place with a "new designs only" implicit rule.

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At the 2026 Oscars, plenty wore vintage or vintage-inspired looks, paying homage to past fashion trends and potentially helping them come back into style. Miyako Bellizzi showed up on the red carpet in a Christian Dior design from 1999, while Ariana Greenblatt wore a dress by John Galliano from 2008. New fashion still plays a significant role at the 2026 Oscars red carpet, but vintage fashion and finding inspiration in trends of past decades have become popular in both everyday looks and red-carpet fashion in the 2020s.

While shawls were a major trend at the 1996 Oscars, corset bodice dresses were their equivalent at the 2026 award show. The snatched waist look has been popular for a while now when it comes to red carpet gowns, but comparing fashion choices from the Academy Awards in 1996 and 2026 shows just how many stars have opted for the corseted look now. In fact, when Nicole Kidman attended the prestigious awards show in 1996 alongside her then-husband Tom Cruise, the actor was rocking a loose periwinkle blue dress by Prada. Three decades later, the Hollywood star attended the Oscars in a strapless Chanel gown with a tight corset and feathers (another popular trend at the 2026 Oscars).

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Kidman wasn't the only star to show up in a snatched corset bodice. Kate Hudson appeared at the 2026 Oscars in a Giorgio Armani Privé gown with a tight bustier peplum corset top with a deep neckline. Elle Fanning walked the red carpet in a Givenchy princess dress that featured a snatched corset. Mikey Madison wore a moody red Dior gown with a structured bodice and thigh-high slit. All of the ladies looked absolutely stunning, proving that corsets not only deserve a spot at the Oscars red carpet, but they also work with a variety of different dress styles.