Lace Dress Trend 2026: Celebrity Red Carpet Looks from Sydney Sweeney to Florence Pugh

Lace is having a major moment. From the Golden Globes to the Met Gala, from film premieres to fashion week front rows, the delicate fabric has dominated red carpets throughout 2024 and 2025. And it’s not slowing down — industry forecasts confirm lace will continue its reign into 2026.

What’s driving this revival? A perfect storm of romantic aesthetics, sheer dressing trends, and a new generation of style icons who aren’t afraid to embrace femininity with a modern edge. Sydney Sweeney, Florence Pugh, Jenna Ortega, and Kendall Jenner have all made lace dresses their red carpet signature, each bringing a unique interpretation to this timeless fabric.

This guide breaks down the biggest celebrity lace dress moments, the types of lace dominating the trend, and how to bring this romantic aesthetic into your own wardrobe.

Why Lace is the Defining Trend of 2025-2026

The lace resurgence isn’t accidental. Several cultural and fashion forces have converged to make this fabric the must-have of the moment.

The Sheer Dressing Movement. Transparency has become one of the defining aesthetics of contemporary fashion. Designers from Valentino to Dior have embraced see-through fabrics, and lace offers the perfect balance — revealing yet refined, daring yet elegant. Unlike plain mesh or chiffon, lace adds texture, pattern, and artistry to sheer looks.

Romantic Renaissance. After years of minimalism and athleisure dominance, fashion has swung back toward romance. Ruffles, bows, corsets, and florals have flooded the runways. Lace, with its centuries-old association with femininity and luxury, fits perfectly into this aesthetic shift.

Red Carpet Risk-Taking. Today’s celebrities use fashion as a form of self-expression and conversation-starting. A lace dress — especially a sheer one — generates attention, photographs beautifully, and signals confidence. For stars building their style identity, lace has become a powerful tool.

From Runway to Street. What starts on the red carpet quickly trickles down to everyday fashion. Major retailers have responded to celebrity influence by expanding their lace offerings, making the trend accessible at every price point.

Sydney Sweeney’s Iconic Lace Moments

Sydney Sweeney has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most-watched style stars, and lace dresses have played a central role in her red carpet evolution.

The Emmy Awards Breakthrough. Sweeney made her first major red carpet statement at the 70th Emmy Awards wearing a blush pink lace strapless dress from Reem Acra’s Pre-Fall 2018 collection. The romantic, feminine silhouette introduced audiences to her signature aesthetic — soft colors, delicate fabrics, and classic Hollywood glamour with a youthful twist.

Alexander McQueen at London Film Festival. For a London premiere, Sweeney chose a custom Alexander McQueen gown that showcased the versatility of lace. The design featured pink silk and lace in a two-in-one construction: a tailored corset micro dress with a sheer ruffled maxi layer underneath. This look demonstrated how lace can work across different silhouettes within a single garment, adding dimension and visual interest.

Galia Lahav Boudoir Glamour. At Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s post-wedding celebration, Sweeney wore a custom Galia Lahav gown that pushed lace into more daring territory. The dress featured a corset bodice with a scallop-laced sweetheart neckline and basque waist, plus a tulle peplum and sheer lace skirt. The combination of structured corsetry with delicate lace created a balance between strength and softness that defines modern red carpet dressing.

Her Style Formula. Sweeney’s approach to lace tends toward:

• Soft color palettes (blush, ivory, pale pink)

• Romantic silhouettes with corset details

• Mixing lace with other textures (silk, tulle)

• Classic femininity with subtle edge

Florence Pugh: The Queen of Sheer Lace

If Sydney Sweeney represents romantic lace, Florence Pugh owns the daring, boundary-pushing side of the trend. The Oscar-nominated actress has become synonymous with sheer dressing, and lace has been her fabric of choice for many of her most talked-about looks.

The Valentino Moment That Changed Everything. Pugh’s fashion reputation was cemented when she wore a completely sheer hot pink Valentino tulle gown that sparked global conversation about body confidence and fashion freedom. While not technically lace, this moment established her willingness to embrace transparency — setting the stage for her subsequent lace looks.

Dior at “We Live in Time” NYC Premiere. For the New York screening of her film, Pugh wore a black sheer Dior gown styled by Rebecca Corbin-Murray. The look featured an intricate lace overlay with fluttering short sleeves and a plunging neckline. Underneath, she paired a black bralette with high-waist underwear — a styling choice that acknowledged the sheerness rather than hiding it. This outfit exemplified how modern celebrities approach lace: as a statement fabric meant to be seen through.

Rodarte Lingerie-Inspired Look. At the London screening of the same film, Pugh chose a black Rodarte gown with silk-satin finish and lingerie-inspired lace elements. The design referenced intimate apparel while remaining entirely appropriate for a major premiere, demonstrating how the line between lingerie and outerwear continues to blur in contemporary fashion.

Stella McCartney at CinemaCon 2025. To promote “Thunderbolts,” Pugh wore a Stella McCartney white mini dress fresh from the Fall 2025 runway. The figure-hugging design included a sculpted corset, ruched detailing, and sheer lace panels. This look showed how lace works beyond evening gowns — it can be modern, youthful, and appropriate for daytime events.

Alexander McQueen ELLE Style Awards. For the ELLE Style Awards where she received The British Icon Award, Pugh wore an Alexander McQueen see-through white lace halterneck gown. From the mermaid silhouette to the lace-trimmed train, the design balanced drama with elegance. The transparent fabric featured delicate floral lace appliqués throughout, while the high neckline contrasted with a low, open back.

Her Style Formula. Pugh’s approach to lace includes:

• Bold transparency (embracing sheerness fully)

• Black and white color choices

• Lingerie references and intimate detailing

• Confident, unapologetic styling

More Celebrities Embracing the Lace Trend

Sweeney and Pugh may lead the pack, but the lace trend extends across Hollywood’s style elite.

Jenna Ortega. The “Wednesday” star brought romantic lace to the 2025 InStyle Imagemaker Awards in Los Angeles. Her look featured lace detailing with thoughtful layering that added texture without overwhelming. Ortega represents the younger generation’s interpretation of lace — slightly gothic, always sophisticated.

Kendall Jenner. At the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, Jenner chose a vintage lacy black dress from the Mugler Spring/Summer 1992 ready-to-wear collection. The high-neck design was embroidered with waxy black florals that created a witchy, dramatic effect. Her choice to wear vintage demonstrates how classic lace designs remain relevant across decades.

Naomi Watts. For the “All’s Fair” premiere in Paris, Watts wore a sheer lace top with a sculptural black skirt. The black lace long-sleeve turtleneck featured a dramatic cutout running from neckline to waist — proving that lace works beautifully for sophisticated, mature aesthetics.

Elle Fanning. At the 2025 Oscars, Fanning wore the first Givenchy Couture gown designed by Sarah Burton — a white lace confection featuring a sweetheart neckline, black belt detail, and Watteau back. The look signaled lace’s importance in haute couture and its continued evolution at the highest levels of fashion.

Dakota Johnson. At the Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women Dinner, Johnson wore a see-through black floral lace gown from Gucci. Underneath the high-neck design, she wore lingerie from Fleur du Mal — showcasing how lace dresses have become vehicles for layered, intentional styling.

Types of Lace Seen on the Red Carpet

Not all lace is created equal. Understanding the different types helps explain why certain looks work and how designers achieve different effects.

Chantilly Lace. This delicate, lightweight lace features fine floral patterns outlined with silk thread. Named after the French town where it originated, Chantilly lace appears in many of the most elegant red carpet gowns. Florence Pugh’s Dior looks often feature this refined variety. Its subtle shimmer photographs beautifully under flash photography.

Guipure Lace. Unlike Chantilly, guipure lace is heavier with a more graphic, geometric quality. The patterns connect without a mesh background, creating bold positive-negative effects. Kendall Jenner’s vintage Mugler dress showcased this more architectural approach to lace.

Appliqué Lace. When designers want three-dimensional texture, they turn to lace appliqués — individual motifs sewn onto a base fabric. Elle Fanning’s Givenchy gown featured this technique, with delicate patterns applied to create depth and visual interest.

Stretch Lace. Modern stretch lace incorporates spandex or elastane for comfort and fit. This innovation has made lace practical for body-conscious silhouettes that move with the wearer. Many of Sydney Sweeney’s corset-style dresses likely use stretch lace in their construction.

Eyelash Lace. Characterized by delicate, fringe-like edges that resemble eyelashes, this variety adds softness and romance to hems and necklines. The fluttery, feminine effect appears in many of the lingerie-inspired looks on current red carpets.

How to Wear Lace: From Red Carpet to Real Life

The celebrity lace trend translates beautifully to everyday style. Here’s how to incorporate this romantic fabric into your wardrobe.

Start with Layering. If full sheerness feels too bold, layer lace pieces over solid foundations. A lace blouse over a camisole, or a lace overlay dress with a slip underneath, captures the aesthetic while maintaining comfort.

Choose Your Transparency Level. Lace comes in various opacity levels. Heavier guipure and lined lace offer romance without reveal, while Chantilly and mesh laces provide the celebrity sheer effect. Select based on occasion and personal comfort.

Mix Textures. Follow Sydney Sweeney’s lead by combining lace with complementary fabrics — silk, satin, velvet, or tulle. The textural contrast elevates simple outfits and creates visual interest.

Consider Color. While black and white dominate celebrity lace looks, the fabric works beautifully in:

• Soft pastels (blush, lavender, mint)

• Rich jewel tones (burgundy, emerald, navy)

• Unexpected neutrals (champagne, taupe, cream)

Occasion Mapping. Different lace styles suit different events:

Accessorize Simply. Lace makes a statement on its own. Keep jewelry minimal and let the fabric’s texture be the focus. Simple studs, delicate chains, and understated shoes complement rather than compete.

Conclusion

The lace dress trend of 2025-2026 represents more than a passing fashion moment — it signals a broader shift toward romantic, feminine aesthetics with modern confidence. Sydney Sweeney brings soft glamour, Florence Pugh brings fearless transparency, and together with Jenna Ortega, Kendall Jenner, and other style leaders, they’ve established lace as the defining fabric of the era.

From delicate Chantilly to bold guipure, from classic white to dramatic black, from floor-length gowns to mini dresses — lace offers endless possibilities for self-expression. The red carpet has spoken, and the message is clear: lace is back, bolder and more versatile than ever.

Whether you’re shopping for a special occasion or simply want to add romantic texture to your everyday wardrobe, the celebrity lace trend offers inspiration at every level. The key is finding your own interpretation — soft and sweet like Sweeney, or daring and confident like Pugh — and wearing it with conviction.