The Best Dressed Stars of the Week Embraced a New Kind of Formal Wear

Formalwear doesn’t have to be traditional (or, even worse, boring). When it comes to evening dressing, the best dressed stars of the week proved that an elegant look can still be nontraditional—as in, yes, dare to break the rules! On the Hollywood red carpets or in the front rows at Paris Fashion Week, stars like Angelina Jolie, Selena Gomez, and Jennie all chose striking designs that felt dressy and appropriate for a black tie dress code—yet extremely modern, as well.

The 2024 New York Film Festival delivered plenty of such moments. Angelina Jolie turned heads in a vintage white Madame Grès dress, which was draped in all the right places; while Naomi Watts opted for a black strapless Schiaparelli frock, featuring just the right amount of volume with its flower petal-like skirt. The key here was taking classic formal details and elevating them—like how Selena Gomez’s black Vera Wang dress featured an oversized bow on the back delivering an instant wow factor.

Sculptural silhouettes also helped add some drama to the mix. At the Louis Vuitton show in Paris, Zendaya made a statement in her bubble-hemmed skirt, paired with a boxy oversized blazer. At the premiere of Joker 2 in Hollywood, Lady Gaga’s custom Celine gown featured voluminous ruffled sleeves. Consider these ensembles a new type of formalwear—perfect for those who, like these A-listers, aren’t afraid of commanding a room and taking a risk.

Which were your favorite celebrity looks this week? Vote below, and check back on Friday to see who Vogue readers crowned best dressed.