As October draws to a close, the autumn weather has proven to be as unpredictable as ever. Amidst the seasonal shift and the frantic rush to piece together last-minute Halloween costumes, style enthusiasts and fashion chroniclers alike have found plenty of distraction in the week’s most compelling celebrity looks. While the past few weeks have offered a masterclass in transitional dressing, the standout sartorial moments have come almost exclusively from high-profile red carpets, gala events, and press tours across fashion capitals.
Even for those whose daily rotations rarely call for an archival designer gown or a striking red carpet entrance, these high-end appearances offer invaluable style lessons. The overarching takeaway from the season is clear: rich textures are always welcome, dramatic headwear commands attention, and vintage Roberto Cavalli remains a timeless asset. More than anything, these bold choices serve as an inspiring reminder to dress up simply for the joy of dressing up. From Gigi Hadid leaning into rich autumn tartans to Rihanna championing quintessential earthy tones, the global style scene has officially embraced the mood of the new season.
Week of October 26th
The final full week of October delivered a flurry of high-profile events, bringing out some of the most anticipated red-carpet appearances of the autumn season.
Gigi Hadid kicked off the week celebrating the expansion of her cashmere label, Guest in Residence. For the opening of the brand’s flagship store, Hadid opted for a quintessentially autumnal look, pairing a tartan wrap skirt from her own collection with a rich brown leather jacket and matching boots, proving her effortless ability to style her own knitwear designs for the urban environment.
Meanwhile, at the 2026 WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards, Dua Lipa made a striking statement in a Chanel Fall 2026 Haute Couture skirt suit, topped off with a dramatic feathered hat that immediately drew the attention of photographers and fashion critics alike. The evening highlighted a growing appetite for theatrical accessories paired with classic tailoring.
At the Airbnb Gala, Adéla opted for sleek minimalism, wearing a form-fitting black Saint Laurent gown featuring subtle cutouts along the bust. Sharing the spotlight at the same event, Charli XCX leaned into archival fashion, selecting a greenish-gold vintage gown from Roberto Cavalli’s Fall/Winter 2005 collection, underscoring the enduring appeal of mid-2000s runway aesthetics.
The press tour for The Hunger Games franchise provided multiple standout moments. In the UK, Whitney Peak arrived at the premiere wearing a Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture gown distinguished by a heavily textured bodice and a softly pleated skirt. For daytime promotional duties in New York City, Peak kept her aesthetic grounded, pairing classic denim with a navy pinstriped blazer. Her co-star Elle Fanning brought a fairy-tale element to the London red carpet, wearing a ballerina pink gown featuring a voluminous tulle skirt from Robert Wun Couture’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, complete with a spinning ballerina music-box headpiece.
In Southern California, Rihanna was spotted leaving a Santa Monica dinner in an effortlessly cool outfit that captured the essence of autumn. The multi-hyphenate artist paired an olive-brown sweater with baggy tan trousers. A similar dedication to earthy utility was seen in Los Angeles, where Halle Berry was photographed arriving at a courthouse in a dark olive-green trench coat and matching trousers, proving that daily errands can still be approached with high-fashion sensibility.
Other notable appearances included Kim Kardashian stepping out in a corseted white gown from Schiaparelli’s Fall/Winter 2027 Haute Couture collection during a press event for All’s Fair. At the WWD Honors, Louisa Jacobson chose a sharp pinstripe suit from Tom Ford’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, while Tracee Ellis Ross embraced relaxed luxury in an ivory satin pants and top set by Celine from the Fall/Winter 2026 line.
Week of October 19th
Moving backward through the month, the middle of October was defined by museum galas and high-profile film premieres.
At the Academy Museum Gala, Taylor Swift commanded attention in a custom silver-blue dress designed by Jonathan Anderson for Dior. Kendall Jenner also made a strong impression at the same gala, walking the red carpet in a classic black-and-white polka-dot Valentino gown. Sarah Paulson rounded out the major gala looks by closing the evening in the sequined finale look from Ferragamo’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection.
Street style during this week offered a more relaxed interpretation of luxury. Adéla appeared in a sheer, bright pink polka-dot dress, demonstrating that the sheer "naked dress" trend easily transcends traditional seasonal boundaries. In New York City, Kristen Bell made a convincing argument for navy blue as the premier neutral of the season, while Jenna Ortega promoted her film Klara and the Sun in New York wearing a custom metal-fringe gown by Elias Matso.
Actor Alexander Skarsgård brought a distinct pop-culture reference to the Los Angeles premiere of Wicker, wearing a tartan pleated Chopova Lowena skirt paired with a custom shirt featuring an image of actress Olivia Colman.
Week of October 12th
The second week of October brought international flair, with stars gathering in European style capitals and major television studios.
In Paris, Celine Dion was photographed wearing Look 50 from Ferragamo’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, consisting of a camel suede jacket, cape, and coordinating skirt. Dion later reaffirmed the arrival of fur coat season with a rich brown belted jacket featuring a high, cozy neckline.
Charli XCX made multiple high-impact style statements during this window. For MISTR’s National PrEP Day, she wore black lace-up micro shorts paired with a sheer black blouse featuring dramatic sleeves. Shortly after, at the InStyle Imagemaker Awards, she stepped out in a complete Balmain look comprising leather micro shorts, a silk tie, and a structured leather blazer dress.
Jenna Ortega continued her cinematic promotional run by wearing a golden slip gown accented with black lace detailing and a matching gold headpiece. In New York, Kim Kardashian appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a sculptural black gown featuring pronounced peplum details, while Nara Smith was spotted in an embroidered velvet jacket from Schiaparelli’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection.
Week of September and August Highlights
As the calendar turned further back toward the end of summer and the height of the fall fashion weeks, the style narrative shifted seamlessly between transitional beachwear, early autumn outerwear, and runway debuts.
September highlights included Selena Gomez turning heads at the Emmy Awards in a custom gold chainmail dress by Louis Vuitton, alongside off-duty moments where she championed head-to-toe monochromatic white. Bella Hadid offered a masterclass in vintage and archival styling across New York and Paris, ranging from a vibrant orange baby-doll dress and a red gingham headscarf to a historic chainmail dress from Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2008 collection.
Meanwhile, the Venice and Toronto film festivals brought out a wealth of archival couture. Kendall Jenner made her Venice debut in a gold-floral sleeveless dress from Giorgio Armani’s Fall/Winter 1995 collection, while Nicole Kidman premiered Practical Magic 2 in a sheer black lace Versace dress—notable for being Pieter Mulier’s inaugural design as the newly appointed creative director of the historic Italian house.
From sophisticated trench coats and structured leather jackets to daring sheer ensembles and classic denim combinations, the late summer and autumn seasons have proven that celebrity style remains as dynamic and multifaceted as ever.
