If you’ve been anywhere near a screen in the last year, you know the vibe has shifted. The ponytail is still high, sure, but the wardrobe? It's evolving into something way more complex than just "pop star" territory. Seeing Ariana Grande in a skirt used to mean one thing: a very specific, flared "Sweetener" era silhouette paired with over-the-knee boots.
It was a uniform. A great one. But honestly, that’s ancient history now.
Lately, Ariana—under the surgical-precision styling of "image architect" Law Roach—has turned every red carpet into a literal history lesson. We aren’t just talking about cute outfits anymore. We’re talking about archival 1950s Dior, 1966 Givenchy, and custom Schiaparelli that looks more like a sculpture than a piece of clothing. She’s moved past the "baddie" aesthetic into something that feels like high-art method dressing, particularly as she navigates the massive Wicked press cycle.
The Method Dressing Masterclass
Most people think "method dressing" is just wearing the color of your movie character. For Ariana, it's deeper. During the Wicked: For Good press tour in late 2025, she didn't just wear pink because Glinda likes pink. She wore a 1952 Gilbert Adrian gown. Why does that matter? Because Adrian was the original costume designer for the 1939 Wizard of Oz.
That’s a flex.
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It shows a level of respect for the source material that you just don't see from most celebrities. She isn't just wearing a skirt; she’s wearing a narrative. In Manhattan on October 27, 2025, she showed up at a screening in a Vivienne Westwood ensemble—a hot pink silk skirt that felt like a direct nod to the "Popular" number we all know is coming. It’s calculated, but in a way that feels authentic to someone who has quite literally dreamt of this role since she was eight years old.
The Breakdown of the New Silhouette
The days of the simple skater skirt are basically dead. In 2025 and early 2026, the Ariana look is defined by:
- The Bubble Hem: This was huge at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. She wore a silver Louis Vuitton gown with a skirt so voluminous it practically had its own zip code.
- Archival Lace: Just look at the AFI Awards in January 2026. She pulled a 2000s-era Vivienne Westwood lace corset and skirt combo that Law Roach likely sourced from a private auction. It’s dainty, but the structure is pure punk.
- Structural Tulle: At the Singapore premiere of Wicked, she wore a Thom Browne dress that looked like a cloud. It took over 1,500 hours to hand-bead.
Why the "Glinda-fication" Still Matters
It’s easy to dismiss celebrity fashion as superficial. But with Ariana, the shift in her clothing—specifically the transition from "dangerous woman" to "ethereal good witch"—marks a huge turning point in her public persona. She’s leaning into a softer, more sophisticated femininity.
At the 2026 Golden Globes, she finally ditched the Glinda pink. People were shocked. She went dark in a black Vivienne Westwood couture dress, bringing back the signature high ponytail but keeping the refined, ballgown-skirt energy. It felt like a graduation. She proved she could occupy the space of a "serious actress" while still honoring the pop-princess roots her fans adore.
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The Critics' Choice Reference
Earlier that same month, at the 31st Critics' Choice Awards, she wore a bejeweled pink Alberta Ferretti gown. If you’re a fashion nerd, you probably noticed the reference. It was a direct homage to Diahann Carroll’s 1969 Oscars dress. This isn't just "Ariana Grande in a skirt"—it's Ariana Grande as a student of Hollywood history. She’s using her clothes to bridge the gap between 1960s glamour and 2026's digital-first fashion culture.
Real Talk: How to Actually Reference This Look
You probably aren’t calling up Daniel Roseberry at Schiaparelli for a custom silk organza skirt. That’s fine. Most of us aren't. But you can still take notes from her 2026 style evolution.
The trick is the "High-Low" balance. Ariana often pairs these massive, dramatic skirts with very tight, structured bodices or corsets. It creates that "doll" silhouette without looking like a costume. If you're trying to mirror this, look for:
- Drop-waist silhouettes: This was a huge theme in her Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga looks. It elongates the torso before the skirt flares out.
- Monochromatic pastels: Butter yellow, powder pink, and mint green are her current trinity.
- Vintage-inspired fabrics: Think moiré silk, heavy satin, and chantilly lace.
She also loves a "mini" moment, but even those have changed. At a London reception in 2025, she wore a Celine minidress with sheer black tights and pumps. It was simple. It was "Old Money" before that phrase became a TikTok cliché.
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The Law Roach Factor
We have to talk about Law Roach. Since they started working together, Ariana’s fashion "vocabulary" has expanded. He’s pushing her toward archival pieces that require a certain level of gravitas to pull off. You don't just put on a 70-year-old dress and walk out. You have to carry the history of it.
Whether she's in a butterfly-inspired Robert Wun couture piece or a "jellyfish" Schiaparelli gown at the 2025 Oscars, there is a clear intention. Every outfit is a choice. Every skirt length is a statement about where she is in her career.
Key Pieces from the 2025-2026 Era
- The "Jellyfish" Schiaparelli: A structured, sparkling tulle skirt that she actually used to prop up her phone during the Oscars ceremony.
- The "Sistine Chapel" Vera Wang (Throwback): Still cited by experts as the moment she became a "fashion girl."
- The 1952 Gilbert Adrian: The black sequined gown that connected her to the original Wizard of Oz lineage.
What’s Next for the Ariana Aesthetic?
As we move further into 2026, expect the "pink" to fade out even more. The Golden Globes black dress was the first signal. She’s moving into a "Dark Glinda" or "Post-Oz" phase. The skirts will likely remain voluminous—she clearly loves the drama of a full hem—but the colors will get moodier.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, start looking at 1950s evening wear. That’s clearly where her head is at. The combination of hyper-feminine shapes with a slightly "witchy" or gothic undertone is the new North Star for her style.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
- Audit your proportions: If you’re wearing a big skirt, keep the top as minimal as possible to mimic that 2026 Ariana silhouette.
- Invest in a corset: Not the cheap, fast-fashion ones, but something with actual structure. It’s the foundation of almost every iconic look she’s worn lately.
- Watch the archives: Follow vintage curators on social media. Ariana and Law are sourcing from places like Amarcord Vintage; knowing those references will help you understand her next "big" fashion moment before it even happens.