The 2026 Actor Awards — formerly known as the SAG Awards — weren’t just a night of celebratory performances and trophies. Thanks to a first‑of‑its‑kind red‑carpet theme, “Reimagining Hollywood Glamour From the ’20s and ’30s,” fashion took center stage in new and unexpected ways. While Old Hollywood references abounded, one trend rose above the rest: lingerie‑inspired dressing. Across the red carpet, stars embraced boudoir chic with delicate lace, slip dresses, and soft bra‑like silhouettes that married sensuality with sophistication.
This lingerie‑inspired moment didn’t just borrow from innerwear aesthetics — it elevated them, turning pieces that once lived behind closed doors into bold, public style statements. Here’s how the trend unfolded and which celebrity looks helped define it.
The Boudoir Trend Takes Over
Rather than limiting itself to subtle hints of intimates, lingerie fashion dominated the carpet in a way that felt fresh, empowered, and fully intentional. Think layered lace, slip‑style gowns, and silk drapes that suggest softness without losing formal flair — a dramatic twist on traditional awards‑season dressing.
During the evening, this “boudoir” approach — sometimes called bedroom chic — proved to be much more than a fleeting trend. It emerged as a central style narrative, with several stars leaning into the concept while still interpreting it through their own signature looks.
Standout Lingerie‑Inspired Red Carpet Looks
Jenna Ortega: Grunge Meets Lace
One of the most talked‑about interpretations came from Jenna Ortega, who pushed the lingerie trend into grunge‑leaning territory. She wore a shredded lace slip dress by Christian Cowan that emphasized soft femininity with an edge — complete with thigh‑high stockings and platform heels that gave the classic boudoir look a punk‑inspired twist.
Ortega’s approach — layered, slightly distressed, and styled with dark accessories — reflected a creative blend of the theme and her own aesthetic, proving how lingerie fashion can be both elegant and rebellious.
Gwyneth Paltrow: Classic Glamour, Modern Sensuality
For her first appearance at the ceremony in 26 years, Gwyneth Paltrow made a striking statement by channeling boudoir elegance with a black lace gown designed by Givenchy. The gown featured deep floral lace and a plunging neckline, bridging classic tailoring with sheer, corsetry‑like details that nodded directly to lingerie aesthetics.
Paltrow’s choice was notable not just for its sensual appeal but for how it played within the Oscar‑season red‑carpet tradition, honoring vintage glamour while tipping its hat to modern boudoir influence.
More Interpretations and Variation
Other celebrities also embraced the trend in diverse ways, showing the versatility of boudoir dressing:
- Emma Stone opted for a sparkly, lilac slip dress paired with a coordinating cardigan, giving the lingerie reference a soft, 1990s‑inspired twist.
- Parker Posey brought a mid‑century lingerie influence to life with a pink chiffon Gucci gown trimmed with feathers — a dramatic take on boudoir fashion.
- Jackie Tohn embraced teddy‑style design with a Genny ensemble, mixing boudoir cues with bold bold tailoring.
These looks — from sensual slips to elaborately adorned gowns — prove that lingerie fashion was not a one‑note moment, but rather a multi‑faceted trend with room for individual expression.
Why the Lingerie Trend Resonated
Several factors contributed to the rise of lingerie‑inspired outfits at this year’s Actor Awards:
1. The Themed Dress Code
With a red‑carpet theme rooted in vintage Hollywood, stars had both context and creative freedom to reinterpret glamor. Many chose boudoir elements as a way to mesh that heritage with contemporary design.
2. A Shift Beyond Naked Dressing
While sheer and “naked” fashion still has its place in modern style, the lingerie look signaled a new variant — one that suggests intimacy and allure without total transparency. Some critics even see boudoir dressing as a worthy successor to “naked dressing” in the fashion zeitgeist.
3. Personal Style Flourishes
Ultimately, many celebrities didn’t just follow a trend — they made it their own. From Ortega’s gothic hints to Paltrow’s classic sophistication, personal stylistic choices helped transform lingerie cues into individualized fashion moments.
A New Chapter for Red Carpet Fashion
The 2026 Actor Awards red carpet showed that lingerie‑inspired fashion can be both respectful of tradition and a platform for innovation. Whether worn as soft lace, slip elegance, or deconstructed edge, boudoir elements reshaped how awards‑season style is talked about this year.
Far from fleeting, this trend hints at broader transformations in celebrity fashion — one where glamor doesn’t have to be conservative to be elegant, and where intimate fashion becomes public spectacle.
