Honestly, if you looked at a photo of a Charli XCX red carpet moment from 2017 and compared it to her latest 2026 Golden Globes appearance, you’d think you were looking at two different people. It’s wild. Back then, she was often playing it "safe"—well, safe for a pop star—in gorgeous, ruby-red Vivienne Westwood gowns or sweet pink prom-style dresses. Fast forward to now, and Charli isn’t just attending these events; she’s basically the one setting the entire mood board for the season.
People love to talk about "Brat summer," but the reality is that Charli’s influence on the red carpet has outlived the viral neon-green memes. She’s transitioned from being a "pop girl who dresses cool" to a legitimate high-fashion power player who makes even the most stiff-collared critics lean in.
The Shift From Pop Princess to Gothic Icon
The Charli XCX red carpet evolution really hit its stride when she stopped trying to fit the "Hollywood Glamour" mold. You’ve probably noticed that her recent looks have a certain... "slept-in" quality? That’s intentional. It’s a rebellion against the ultra-polished, airbrushed vibe that dominated the early 2020s.
Take the 2025 Met Gala, for example. While everyone else was trying to be literal with the "Garden of Time" or dandyism themes, Charli showed up in Ann Demeulemeester. It was this incredible, slightly chaotic mix of a sharp black blazer and a sheer, trailing skirt that basically showed her underwear. It felt like she’d just walked out of a basement rave in East London and happened to stumble onto the steps of the Met. Her hair was messy. Her makeup looked like she’d been dancing for ten hours. It was "Brat" in its purest form—unapologetic and a little bit feral.
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Breaking Down the 2025 Grammys Look
If you want to understand her current status, you have to look at the 2025 Grammys. She wore custom Jean Paul Gaultier by Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
- The Vibe: A shipwrecked, dusty blue chiffon gown.
- The Detail: It had two corsets cinching her waist so tight it looked painful, but she paired it with these "pirate-vixen" boots.
- The Result: She won her first Grammys that night, and the dress looked exactly like what a winner who doesn't care about the rules should wear.
Why Designers Are Obsessed With Her
It’s not just that she looks good. Designers like Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent or Francesco Risso at Marni aren't just lending her clothes; they’re collaborating with her.
At the 2024 Met Gala, she wore a dress made entirely out of shredded vintage white T-shirts from the 50s and 70s. Think about that for a second. You’re at the most prestigious fashion event in the world, and you’re wearing old undershirts. But because it was Marni and because it was Charli, it wasn't a joke—it was a statement about the "reawakening" of fashion. It was sustainable, weird, and deeply cool.
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The 2026 Golden Globes: Parisian Edge
Just a few days ago, Charli hit the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet in a Saint Laurent piece that felt like a sharp pivot. No more ruffles. No more "shipwrecked" chiffon. It was all about clean lines, a Parisian edge, and that signature "don't look at me, but actually please do" energy. She’s shifted into this more mature, structured gothic allure that still feels like it has a pulse.
Most people get Charli’s style wrong by thinking it’s just about being "messy." It’s actually very calculated. She works with stylist Chris Horan to ensure that every "unpolished" hair strand or "visible underwear" moment is a deliberate middle finger to the expectation of female pop stars being perfect.
Common Misconceptions
- It's just "Indie Sleaze": Not really. While she draws from that era, the tailoring is way too sophisticated for it to just be a throwback.
- She only wears black: True, she loves a dark palette, but her 2019 "lemon-colored" Gaultier or the chartreuse "Brat green" moments prove she uses color as a weapon, not a default.
Actionable Insights for Fashion Obsessives
If you’re looking to bring some of that Charli energy into your own wardrobe without having a custom Gaultier budget, here’s the blueprint:
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- Embrace the "Wrong" Shoe: Charli often pairs delicate gowns with heavy boots or "ugly-chic" sandals. It breaks the symmetry of the look.
- Texture Over Color: Look for shredded fabrics, sheer panels, or distressed knits. It’s about how the light hits the material, not just the shade.
- The Sunglasses Rule: If the outfit feels too "pretty," throw on a pair of black shield sunglasses. It immediately adds a layer of "I'm not actually here" cool.
- Tailoring is Key: Even her messiest looks often feature a very structured element, like a corset or a sharp-shouldered blazer. Balance the chaos with a bit of bone-deep structure.
Charli XCX has proven that the red carpet doesn't have to be a place of stiff poses and borrowed diamonds. It can be a performance in itself. Whether she’s wearing shredded T-shirts or high-octane couture, she’s remindng us that fashion is supposed to be fun, slightly uncomfortable, and always a little bit bratty.
Keep an eye on the upcoming 2026 awards season. If her recent Saint Laurent streak is any indication, she’s moving away from the "feral girl" summer and into a "gothic high-fashion" era that might be her most influential yet.
For those tracking her specific credits, always check the works of Dilara Findikoglu and Ann Demeulemeester, as these houses seem to be the current cornerstones of her evolving visual identity.