BAFTA 2026 Fashion Fails: A Comprehensive Look at Red Carpet Disasters
The 79th British Academy Film Awards, hosted by the charismatic Alan Cumming, was a night of cinematic celebration, royal appearances from the Prince and Princess of Wales, and unforgettable moments. However, amidst the glamour and accolades, the 2026 BAFTAs also delivered a parade of fashion missteps that captured public attention. While we honor artistic achievements, there's an undeniable fascination with dissecting style failures, and this year's event provided ample material for critique.
The Worst Dressed Celebrities of BAFTA 2026
Here is an in-depth examination of the celebrities whose fashion choices missed the mark completely on the prestigious red carpet.
Teyana Taylor's Overwhelming Ensemble
Just weeks into 2026, Teyana Taylor has already established herself on unfortunate fashion lists. Her appearance featured a brown satin gown that completely engulfed her frame. The design included a crumpled, excessively high collar and an overwhelming volume of fabric, creating an effect reminiscent of being consumed by a giant satin Venus flytrap rather than presenting as a Hollywood star.
Glenn Close's Living Room Aesthetic
Veteran actress Glenn Close opted for an oversized matching set that evoked casual living room comfort rather than red carpet elegance. The white embroidery patterns bore a striking resemblance to vintage rugs or decorative throw pillows. Compounding the issue were clashing accessories, including a distracting brooch and mismatched clutch, along with hemlines that dragged excessively, resulting in a complete fashion failure.
Ethan Hawke's Dandruff Crisis Illusion
While experimentation with traditional menswear can be refreshing, Ethan Hawke's choice proved memorable for all the wrong reasons. He wore a black suit heavily speckled with white dots that, despite likely being intentional, created the unfortunate appearance of a severe dandruff problem. The addition of a skinny bolo tie served as the final element in a thoroughly misguided outfit.
Olivia Cooke's Athleisure Confusion
Olivia Cooke presented an ensemble better suited for gym activities than a glamorous awards ceremony. Her peculiar zip-up dress featured a dropped waist and mesh bottom that screamed athleisure wear. With different styling—perhaps a sleek bun and statement footwear—the look might have been redeemed. Instead, it appeared as exercise clothing awkwardly attempting to masquerade as formal evening wear.
Jack O'Connell's Proportion Problems
Did Jack O'Connell accidentally consume a shrinking potion before arriving? The actor wore an unusually long jacket paired with an enormous bowtie, creating such distorted proportions that it generated a comical optical illusion. This styling choice made the actor of average height appear remarkably diminutive on the red carpet.
Erin Doherty's Impractical Sculpture
Erin Doherty represented the opposite extreme of unusual silhouettes with a conical, sculptural dress that essentially functioned as a mobile table. While such avant-garde designs might find acceptance at events like the Met Gala, they prove completely impractical for awards ceremonies where sitting comfortably is essential.
Aimee Lou Wood's Unflattering Fit
The White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood, despite her natural beauty, suffered from a form-fitting pale pink dress that did her no favors. The "Pepto Bismol" shade washed out her complexion entirely, while the extreme tightness created an illusion of near-nudity rather than sophisticated glamour.
Kirsten Dunst's Oversized Distraction
Kirsten Dunst concealed what might have been an elegant black and white dress beneath a perplexing pink jacket. The garment's spherical sleeves were so enormous—literally larger than her head—that they completely dominated her appearance, drawing attention away from any potentially stylish elements.
Maya Rudolph's Wardrobe Malfunction Illusion
Maya Rudolph's ensemble featured baggy rolled-up sleeves and an asymmetrical skirt that genuinely appeared to be falling off mid-stride. No celebrity desires to navigate the red carpet while giving the impression of experiencing an active wardrobe malfunction.
Audrey Nuna's Sensory Overload
The award for maximalist excess undoubtedly goes to Audrey Nuna. Her outfit seemed assembled from a kitschy grandmother's closet, incorporating a giant poodle skirt, peculiar cardigan, frilly collar, tie, and blue lipstick. The result was sensory overload in the most unfortunate manner possible.
The 2026 BAFTAs demonstrated that even at the most prestigious events, fashion risks can sometimes result in spectacular failures. While these celebrities missed the style mark, their choices certainly generated conversation and highlighted the fine line between fashion innovation and sartorial misjudgment on the global stage.
