19 best dressed stars in January 2026 – including a Stella McCartney mini dress
Katie DalyLifestyle Writer
Isabel DruganSocial Media Coordinator
Updated: 1 day ago
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This January, the stars are beckoning in a New Year with fresh sartorial energy. December 2025 was an eventful month, from The Gotham Awards, an annual American film awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, to The Fashion Awards in London.
Stars stepped out in their droves during the festive period before hunkering down with those closest to them to ring in a new year. Now it’s all out with the old and in with the new, with 2026 getting off to a flying start with two star-studded events inviting the A-list style set to showcase their sartorial agenda for the year.
The 37th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center in California on 3 January was followed by the 31st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica one day later. It was Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester‘s look from the most recent event that caught the eye of our in-house fashion aficionado, HELLO!‘s Fashion and Beauty News Editor, Laura Sutcliffe.
“I absolutely loved the fact that she wore a glorious lilac gown. In January and the winter months, everybody tends to embrace darker tones such as burgundy, chocolate browns or creams, but it was really nice to see her wearing a really refreshing lilac tone,” Laura tells us.
“It was obviously a nod to the pastel springtime trend, which is just around the corner, and I think her Carolina Herrera dress, which was emblazoned with beautiful appliqué detail, really did lift her complexion and give her a truly modern, ethereal finish.”
But Ms Meester wasn’t the only star to make our list of best-dressed celebrities in January 2026. To see the full line-up, keep scrolling…
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1/19
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Bella Hadid
We’re still recovering from this bombshell look from Bella Hadid! The model looked incredible in this sheer red Schiaparelli gown as she walked the red carpet at the New York Premiere of FX’s “The Beauty”. Bella will be playing Ruby, a successful supermodel, in the new series.
2/19
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Adjoa Andoh
Adjoa Andoh showed off her figure in this striking floor-length gown compleye with delicate black lace appliqué for the World Premiere of Bridgerton Season 4. The halterneck silhouette and figure-skimming fit gave the look a sleek, modern elegance with a touch of drama. We can’t wait to see what she does as Lady Danbury in the new season!
3/19
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Ruth Gemmell
Ruth Gemmell was a stunning lady in red at the World Premiere of Bridgerton Season 4. The actress, who plays Lady Violet Bridgerton in the hit Netflix show, took to the carpet in this stunning belted gown by Rebecca Vallance. We wonder if the bold and beautiful colour is a nod to Violet’s rumoured upcoming romantic storyline…
4/19
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Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke kept it simple and classy as she stepped out in Manhattan, New York City. The Game of Thrones actress had the perfect cold weather style in a chic, full-length trench coat and sleek, brown heeled pumps – the picture of understated elegance.
5/19
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Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez oozed Old Hollywood glamour at the Golden Globes in a black Chanel gown, which featured a dramatic white feather trim across the neckline. She completed the look with her neatly styled Parisian bob and a dark red lip – all class and elegance.
6/19
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Amal Clooney
Amal Clooney, human rights lawyer and wife of George Clooney, stole the show at the 2026 Golden Globes in her red Balmain dress. The outfit featured a classy sweetheart neckline and mermaid silhouette, perfectly complemented by Amal’s diamond drop earrings and glossy hair.
7/19
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Dakota Fanning
What could be more elegant than silk and lace? We think this choice by Dakota Fanning is just that – simple, classic and elegant. The actress chose the Rodarte number of W Magazine’s Annual Best Performances Party, where a star-studded guest list gathered to celebrate awards season.
8/19
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Hailey Bieber
Nominees will be hoping to walk away with some shiny silverware this awards season, but Hailey Bieber brings enough sparkle of her own. The model and beauty entrepreneur stunned in Armani Privé 2009 Couture at the WWD Style Awards, where she won the title of ‘Style Trailblazer’. Go, Hailey!
9/19
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Demi Moore
You simply can’t go wrong with a classic black dress, as Demi Moore proved as she stepped out at the WWD Style Awards to receive the ‘Fashion Icon’ award. The actress came dressed to impress in a glittering black halter neck dress by Gucci, elevating the look further with some gorgeous jewellery and simple but classy makeup.
10/19
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Nina Dobrev
We love this look that Nina Dobrev chose for the Hollywood Reporter & Spotify Golden Globe Nominees Night. The 37-year-old actress looked amazing in this dramatic gown, which featured a mixture of sparkles and lace alongside a sculptural off-the-shoulder neckline. Nina finished the look off with simple but elegant jewellery which matched the sparkles on her bodice.
11/19
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Rebecca Ferguson
Rebecca Ferguson is known for her spectacular red carpet looks, and she didn’t disappoint this time. Although the actress opted for a more casual look, choosing trendy wide-legged jeans and a t-shirt as she promoted her upcoming film Mercy, we love her statement piece – a dramatic leather Ferrari trench coat that really ties the outfit together.
12/19
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Supriya Ganesh
Actress Supriya Ganesh chose this elegant chocolate brown number for the Los Angeles Premiere of The Pitt Season Two. With its daring cowl neckline, silky shine and dazzling diamond accessories, Supriya’s outfit was the embodiment of simple elegance.
13/19
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Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson had a rather important role at the Critics’ Choice Awards as she presented the Best Actor award to Marty Supreme star Timothee Chalamet. The Song Sung Blue actress stunned in a Stella McCartney red mini dress with a plunge neckline and billowing train, styled with Louboutin heels and a dripping diamond necklace.
14/19
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Leighton Meester
As Laura tells us, Nobody Wants This star Leighton Meester was a vision in lilac. Her Carolina Herrera gown featured a strapless neckline and intricate beading. The playful hue paired perfectly with her understated makeup look.
15/19
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Teyana Taylor
All’s Fair star Teyana Taylor switched it up at the Critics’ Choice Awards as she rocked a full suit from Saint Laurent’s menswear line with a fur shawl, over-the-knee boots, and leather gloves.
16/19
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Ariana Grande
Wicked actress Ariana Grande appeared to pay homage to Diahann Carroll’s 1969 Oscars dress as she made an appearance at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Her Alberta Ferretti look featured a crystal-adorned layer over the floor-length bubble-pink dress – very Glinda!
17/19
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Miley Cyrus
Songstress Miley Cyrus oozed cool at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards. Styling it out in a Tom Ford pantsuit, the star, whose new song ‘Dream As One’ featured in Avatar: Fire and Ash, paired her ensemble with a plunge-neckline shirt and killer heels.
18/19
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Bella Hadid
Model Bella Hadid was just one of the stars who flocked to Aspen, Colorado, this ski season. The star looked understatedly chic in a white baby tee, and jeans teamed with black block-heel boots and a cropped leather jacket.
19/19
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Kim Kardashian
Skims founder and reality TV icon Kim Kardashian was also spotted in Aspen as she left Prada. Her lace-up leather pants were paired with a velvet corset and dramatic fur coat.
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