Golden Globes Red Carpet Trend: Black and White

January 12, 2026

6

This year, the Golden Globes red carpet embraced a mood of refinement and old-school chic, with black and white emerging as the evening’s defining palette. Gone were the bright colors and excess of seasons past; in their place came clarity, proportion, and craftsmanship – a disciplined approach that felt both modern and timeless.

White appeared in soft, muted tones, echoing Pantone’s color of the year, Cloud Dancer, a gentle, airy shade that speaks to the present moment. Amanda Seyfried stunned in a strapless ivory Versace gown, its clean column silhouette and sweetheart neckline offering a nod to 1930s Hollywood elegance. Claire Danes offered a fresh interpretation of winter white in a GapStudio couture gown by Zac Posen, crafted from off‑white silk jersey and accented with subtle bugle beading and a low scoop back. This marked Gap’s return to the red carpet after decades. Jean Smart, too, embraced the trend in a flowing white dress with delicate embellishment, declaring that this color is for everyone.

Claire Danes at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. — Jesse Grant/2026GG/Penske Media

Claire Danes in GapStudio designed by Zac Posen

Amanda Seyfried at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. — Gilbert Flores/2026GG

Amanda Seyfried in Atelier Versace

Black, by contrast, allowed for a broader range of expression. Ariana Grande made a striking departure from the pink-heavy gowns of her Wicked press tour in a black Vivienne Westwood design – its sculptural silhouette and understated drama signaling a new chapter in her red-carpet style. Ayo Edebiri, Chanel’s newest ambassador, opted for black velvet, a fabric that balanced heritage and modernity with its depth and polish. Selena Gomez followed suit in a structured Chanel gown, also in black velvet, accented with white details – a subtle homage to old Hollywood glamour.

Ariana Grande at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. — Gilbert Flores/2026GG/Penske Media

Ariana Grande in Vivienne Westwood Couture

Together, Cloud Dancer white and the varied interpretations of black created cohesive, disciplined red carpet looks. Here, fabrics, cut, and proportion did the talking – not embellishment. The 2026 Globes reaffirmed that timeless elegance comes from restraint and clarity, and this year, black and white were not just colors—they were the most powerful languages of red‑carpet dressing.