Sorry, Naked Dresses—BAFTA’s Best Dressed Wore This Elegant Alternative Instead

February 22, 2026 / Swedan Margen /

Sorry, naked dresses—the A-list style set has had a change of heart. Swapping barely-there silhouettes for something far more refined, this evening’s chicest attendees embraced a head-to-toe trend that feels exponentially more elegant—and, crucially, wearable.

Stepping out in a floor-grazing design cut from glossy satin, Sadie Sink tapped into the elegant dress trend that dominated the BAFTA red carpet. While subtle in tone, the fabric’s natural luminosity brought a radiance to her ensemble, elevating the pared-back palette into in a fuss-free way.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Likewise championing the graceful fabrication, Carey Mulligan opted for a deep navy satin gown that cascaded elegantly past her feet. The fluid drape created a beautifully elongated silhouette void of excess frills or embellishments.

BAFTA Awards attendees wear satin dresses.

Skimming the body without clinging too tightly, satin offers a flattering, comfortable alternative to the naked dress trend that has dominated red carpets in recent years. It still highlights the figure, but with a more grown-up sensibility.

Seen in a spectrum of shades across the London red carpet this afternoon, the trend was styled with a similarly restrained approach: minimal jewellery and an emphasis on letting the fabric speak for itself.

Inspiring my own formalwear mood board, this is the elegant dress trend I’ll be turning to next. Read on to shop the chicest satin styles available now.