On March 15, Hollywood’s biggest stars pulled out their most fabulous looks for the 98th Academy Awards ceremony. After years of overly modern, experimental dresses, the carpet was surprisingly full of classic silhouettes and timeless fabrics, hinting at a return of old Hollywood glamour.

Despite its name, old Hollywood glamour emphasizes subtle elegance and simple silhouettes. No flashy patterns, asymmetry or loose fits. Think Elizabeth Taylor’s soft curls, column dresses and diamond earrings.

One of the biggest tells of old Hollywood style is how a dress’s fabric drapes on the body. Whether it’s silk or chiffon, fabric hugs the waist and flows down the body with luxurious draping. Dresses like Mikey Madison’s at this year’s Oscars are a perfect example of this.

Madison won Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role at last year’s ceremony, for “Anora,” and this year returned in a deep red custom Dior gown. She paired this expertly draped dress with soft curls and Tiffany & Co. diamonds, flawlessly executing Elizabeth Taylor’s old Hollywood glamour. 

Kate Hudson, Best Actress nominee, for her performance in “Song Sung Blue,” opted for a more modern Giorgio Armani Prive dress. But with her perfectly polished soft blonde curls and custom Garatti diamonds, the old Hollywood glamour was unmistakably present.

This year’s Best Actress winner, Jessie Buckley, delivered a heartbreakingly brilliant performance in “Hamnet.” At the Oscars, she matched it with an equally brilliant ensemble, fit for one of the night’s most sought-after awards.

Buckley’s bubblegum pink and eye-catching red custom Chanel dress drew inspiration from Grace Kelly’s 1956 Oscars look. It’s not far-fetched to say the design is a subtle nod and good luck charm from the old Hollywood icon and 1955 Best Actress Oscar winner. 

Emma Stone’s simply elegant white sequined gown was also reminiscent of an old Hollywood icon. Nominated for Best Actress for her performance in “Bugonia,” Stone wore a custom Louis Vuitton dress. 

The color, capped sleeves and empire waistline reflect Audrey Hepburn’s iconic gown from the 1956 film “War and Peace.” Stone’s softly curled bob and simple styling created a polished and timeless look. 

Rose Byrne, also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her performance in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” wore a sleek Dior dress that mixed modern elements with an old Hollywood silhouette.

The mermaid shape is classic of old Hollywood style, while the sweeping floral detailing and matching red lipstick reinforce the vintage glamour. 

The strapless neckline and slicked-back hair kept Byrne’s look fresh while still staying timeless, earning Byrne my personal pick for Best Dressed at the 2026 Oscars. 

A similar look to Byrne’s was Anne Hathaway’s floral, strapless mermaid silhouette Valentino gown. Hathaway looked stunning and channeled old Hollywood glamour with diamond earrings, a diamond necklace and a pair of black opera gloves, a staple of old Hollywood, famously worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” 

Hathaway presented the awards for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup & Hairstyling alongside the legendary Anna Wintour. The presentation promoted Hathaway’s upcoming film “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” famously based on Wintour herself, an iconic moment for both fashion and film.

Nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “Sentimental Value,” Elle Fanning looked classically stunning in a drop-waist, full-skirt Givenchy gown. 

The angelic white tulle dress featured sparkling floral detailing that perfectly matched her 1903 Cartier necklace. Nothing says old Hollywood like diamonds over 100 years old!

Mckenna Grace wore a fairytale-pink Vera Wang gown that instantly reminded me of Gwenyth Paltrow’s iconic pink Ralph Lauren gown from the 1999 Oscars, where she took home Best Actress in a Leading role for “Shakespeare in Love.”

Grace’s gown has a beautiful fitted bodice and full skirt, perfectly old Hollywood, with diamonds from Smiling Rocks to complete the vintage-inspired ensemble. 

Old Hollywood glamour made a strong return at this year’s Oscars, filling the carpet with diamonds, flowing skirts and soft curls. From call backs to iconic Hollywood moments to modern looks with vintage inspiration, Hollywood’s golden age of glamour is back.