Every year, the red carpet feels like the ultimate fashion battlefield. Hollywood’s finest celebrities step out in jaw-dropping designer looks, hoping to steal the spotlight, spark inspiration, and make it onto the “Best Dressed” lists of major fashion magazines. But let’s be honest, while some looks send shockwaves of admiration through the internet, others have us scratching our heads, wondering how so many eyes approved that outfit before it hit the carpet.
The 2025 red carpet season was no exception. Sure, we got plenty of unforgettable, show-stopping fashion moments, but there were also a few eyebrow-raising missteps that reminded us that even with elite stylists, top designers, and access to luxury everything, fashion perfection is never guaranteed. So, which celebrities missed the mark according to us this year? Let’s get into it.
Zoe Saldana’s Saint Laurent Dress Missed The Mark
Zoe Saldana is hardly a fashion flop, she’s usually spot-on with her red carpet choices. But her 2025 Oscars look left us confused. The three-tiered bubble-hem Saint Laurent gown didn’t do her any favors. It flattened her silhouette and swallowed her petite frame in unnecessary volume. The layered peplum detail only made the whole outfit look busier and less flattering. Even if you tried to love it, it was hard to look past how chaotic it felt.
Cynthia Erivo’s Black Dress Didn’t Impress
Cynthia Erivo is known for her bold, dramatic fashion choices, but this one didn’t quite land. Her black gown at the Golden Globes looked like it was trying too hard. The oversized white floral patterns clashed with the rest of the design, and that odd rectangular-shaped accessory around her waist was just confusing. It didn’t highlight her figure, it distracted from it. We get that she wanted to make a statement, but unfortunately, the dress said all the wrong things.
Stacy Martin’s Structured Gown At The Oscars Fell Flat
Structured gowns are meant to make an entrance, but Stacy Martin’s attempt did the opposite. Her Oscars look had an overwhelming design that ended up looking stiff and shapeless. The structure was more strange than striking, leaving her looking lost inside the outfit instead of empowered by it.
Whoopi Goldberg’s “Liquid” Dress Didn’t Flow As Expected
Whoopi Goldberg is never afraid to take risks, and we absolutely love that about her. But her attempt at a “liquid” metallic dress didn’t quite turn into the show-stopping moment she probably imagined. The draped shoulders and full shimmering skirt created a heavy, almost costume-like feel. It’s one of those looks where the idea was bold, but the execution just didn’t deliver.
Ariana Grande’s Modest Golden Globes Look Was A Miss
Ariana Grande is known for her dramatic style moments, think tulle, volume, and princess vibes, but her cream-colored gown at the Golden Globes fell flat. The modest design didn’t seem to match her fun, youthful energy. It lacked sparkle and shape, and the gloves, which were clearly meant to elevate the look, ended up making it feel dated instead. Ariana usually nails her looks, but this one barely tried.
Lily-Rose Depp’s Black Lace Gown Fell Below Expectations
Lily-Rose Depp usually serves major fashion moments, so this one genuinely hurt to watch. Her low-cut black mermaid gown for the Oscars was more disappointing than disastrous, but still far from her usual standard. The lace detailing and embellishments felt disjointed, and the overall styling didn’t come together cohesively. It wasn’t terrible, but it was definitely a “we expected more” kind of look.
Ali Wong’s Red Carpet Gown Wasn’t The Laugh We Expected
Comedian Ali Wong brought the laughs during her award-winning night at the Golden Globes, but her outfit didn’t bring any smiles. She wore a red Balenciaga gown covered in curly feathers, which sounded dramatic in theory but looked chaotic in reality. Instead of making her stand out for all the right reasons, the gown distracted from her natural charm. Sometimes less really is more, and this look proved that perfectly.
Leonie Benesch’s Chanel Look Fell Flat
When you hear Chanel, you instantly expect elegance and sophistication. Sadly, Leonie Benesch’s Golden Globes look was missing both. Her Chanel haute couture gown had an outdated color palette and an odd pattern that felt more early 2000s than 2025 chic. The silhouette didn’t do her figure justice either, it just hung there, offering no real moment or magic. A rare miss from one of fashion’s most iconic houses.
Kerry Washington’s Pink Ensemble Missed The Mark
Kerry Washington is a certified red carpet queen, but even queens have off days. Her bright pink gown at the Golden Globes felt disjointed, almost as if it was pieced together last minute. The fabric looked unflattering under the lights, and the design didn’t reflect her usual grace and sharp sense of style. It was bold, sure, but not in a good way.
Even the most stylish celebrities aren’t immune to fashion fails, and honestly, that’s part of what makes the red carpet so exciting. Every risk comes with the chance of reward or regret, and this year, we definitely saw both. But that’s fashion for you, unpredictable, daring, and full of surprises. Because at the end of the day, even when they miss the mark, these stars remind us that true style isn’t about perfection, it’s about confidence, expression, and owning every moment, even the questionable ones.
