54 Times Women Wowed With Outfits That Weren’t Dresses

Marilyn Monroe moment? Not today!

Dresses are pretty common on the red carpet, but skirts aren’t seen so much. I love the simplicity and elegance of Uma’s ensemble here – classic and timeless, but a bit different to another ballgown.

There’s so much going on with this outfit! The plunging neckline, the short shorts, the bold necklace…combined with voluminous hair and simple heels, Kristen’s look was one that certainly caught people’s eyes at the 94th Annual Academy Awards.

Kristen’s screenwriter fiancée also said no to the dress, opting for a sleek, dark brown patterned suit. She and Kristen must have coordinated the button usage on their shirts — Kristen’s buttoned the bottom and Dylan’s gone for the top!

Ariana ran with red for the Oscars. She wore palazzo pants coupled with a cropped top, and accentuated the simple but eye-catching combo with a dramatic cape and jewelry by De Beers.

“Pants at the Oscars is lit, hunnyyyy,” she told Vogue. “That’s a four-hour telecast — comfy and chic? Werk!”  

I’m obsessed with this suit of Miley’s. It’s super simple yet flattering, and the splash of baby pink on the lapels gives it a bit of personality.

Just look at this ensemble! I love the split design of the jacket, the tailored fit, and those beautiful glittery heels. It takes a stereotypically masculine outfit and combines it with a feminine flowing train, creating a stunning look that really shows Mary’s individual style.

Brandi is certainly no stranger to a suit, but this is one of my personal favorites. It’s the sleek silhouette, bold contrasting colors, and those beautiful silver embellishments. Plus, she’s topped it off with a bow tie which — excuse the pun — really ties the whole look together!

Look at this outfit!! Ugh, I just love it. I was kinda spoilt for choice with Michelle and her suits, but finally settled on this one because the color really pops, the shape is super flattering, and she just looks so happy wearing it. I also love the playful element the black glittery tube top adds.

The more I look at this outfit, the more I see. The blouse has that unique frill pattern which gives it some movement, then the asymmetrical blazer gives a nod to military-style. The baggy trousers that tailor in at the ankles really draw the eye to those bold golden platform heels, too. A super unique look — I love it!

Emily is another person who spoilt me for choice, and I’m gonna have to include two of her looks because I reeeeally couldn’t pick! I just love this look on Emily. I love all the little details that bring it together, like the black cravat, glittery pantyhose, and chunky black patent pumps.

Do you see why I had to let Emily on the list twice? This look gives me major Clueless vibes, and I just love its playful twist on the traditional suit.

Sandy has SO many outfits I just wanna nick right out of her wardrobe. This one is a great example of her quirky style. That print, the shape, the chunky shoes — so Sandy, so good!

*Chandler Bing voice* Could I BE any more obsessed with this look? Guys, I just love it. The soft pastel colors, the cinched-in waist paired with the baggy trousers, that cute little boxy bag…just perfection. I also love the blown-out hair Victoria has combined the look with, completing that vintage vibe.

The small details can really change an outfit, right? The turtleneck finish and cape-like shape of the cropped jacket give the look a totally different silhouette. I love the cut-out detail at the ankles, too.

Tracee is another one who caused me trouble. She has too many great outfits! I particularly like this one as the jacket and the suit shouldn’t go together…but somehow, they just work!

Orange isn’t the most common colour at formal events, is it? After seeing Katie’s outfit at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, I think it should be more prevalent!

It’s the SHOES. They just give this look a whole different vibe! The elegant silver jewelry at the top combined with the white sneakers at the bottom give it a chic but cool air — plus, it looks comfy!

Guys, this is too hard. I’m putting Zendaya on this list twice, too. She has rocked up at so many events with outfits that make jaws drop, whether in a dress or not. Here’s one of her looks that I love. A full body bold color outfit never fails to draw the eye, and she’s teamed it with mega platform heels and textured trousers. Plus, a high waist with a long jacket always looks great!

You see why I couldn’t exclude this, right? I love the cool color theme, the sparkles, the jewelry, the cropped blouse — it’s so simple, yet at the same time, there’s actually a lot going on. Love. It!

The shine on the suit, the glittery details, and the contrast between the fitted blazer and the wide leg of the trousers — ugh, so good. Plus, it’s a gorgeous shade of pink! I need this suit in my life.

This look means business! I love how everything she wears here has a subtle shine — the satin look to the blazer and trousers, the silver blouse, and the patent boots. The stompy boots really give this look a badass edge!

Get a tux, but make it Charli. Obsessed with that neon pink bow tie and those glittery pink peeptoe shoes! 

I really like the frilled shirt and the fact she’s gone all out with the three-piece suit. (Although it’s all white, so I’d be terrified to eat, drink, or generally exist while wearing it!)

I love a good jumpsuit! Loving the asymmetrical lapel detail and the combo of silver and gold Emma is showcasing here, too. The gold accents go so well with her hair color, too!

The boots change the WHOLE look of this outfit, am I right?! At first glance, it looks like an elegant black suit with lace accents and dainty jewellery. But then you clock those mega chunky boots and it becomes a stunning hybrid of tough military and delicate formal.

I love a good layered outfit with different lengths, and Julia’s waistcoat combined with shorts and a thigh-brushing jacket totally runs with this. Paired with simple black heels and accentuated with a silver brooch, the outfit looks breezy and smart-casual. 

Blake has such a good collection of suits — honestly, look her up and you’ll see how hard it was to pick just one! I settled for this one as I love the soft color combo spliced together with bold glittering shoes which go so well with the sparkly jewelry, plus there are those little details like the rolled-up ankles on the trousers. Truly lovely!

The sharp tailoring of Jillian’s jacket is an amazing contrast to the soft, ethereal-looking tulle skirt. The stark difference between the styles and colors gives the outfit such a cool look overall.

A black and silver combo always looks great. Concentrating a bold pattern in one place on an outfit always draws the eye, and I love that Lizzie’s outfit has short sleeves too, which gives it a different vibe to a traditional long-sleeved blazer/trouser combo.

Millicent just exudes elegance with this look from the BAFTAs. It’s super simple, but the high neck/high waist combo looks stunning on her.

I love that cutout/swirling pattern detail! The placement on the arms, hips, and from the chest to the waist really accentuates Elizabeth’s shape.

I know I’ve been singing the praises of high-waisted looks, but Kelly’s showing the power of a more flowing, less structured outfit. I also love the combo of dark green and light pink!

Playsuits are not worn enough! They’re so versatile — they can be elegant and formal, or quirky and playful. Lauren’s outfit at the Eternals world premiere is a great combo of both.

So. Much. Happening. Here! The bold pattern from head to toe, the big hoops, then that bright pink turtleneck. It shouldn’t work, but Lucy pulls it off!

This looks so darn svelte! I love the bright pink color, and the subtle accent it gives to the wrists. The color combo elevates what could have been a pretty run-of-the-mill suit to a whole new level.

Hailey is like a walking fabric swatch board in this outfit! So much is going on all in one ensemble. Lace, leather, ribbed sleeves, ruched waist, long sleeve, no sleeve, high neck, boat neck, asymmetrical waistline, fingerless gloves — whew! I could go on!

Kerry said, “I’ll take all of the pattern, please — oh yes, and all of the colors too.” This outfit is a barrage of florals and bright colors, but somehow Kerry makes it look great.

A subtle colour combo and a nice mix of fitted and floaty thanks to the tailored waist paired with flared bottoms, and a baggy blouse with flowing side detail.

So sleek! I love the way the neckline embellishment matches the shoe detail, and the suit is given a new silhouette through its plunging neckline. Cara’s icy blonde hair with the black ribbon matches so well with the black and silver of her outfit.

There were actually so many great outfits at the Janelle Monae and Belvedere Vodka’s A Beautiful Future Campaign with Fem the Future Brunch, with these two being just a couple of them!

Here’s Tessa at the same event — what an outfit, eh?!

There’s been a fair amount of black and silver in this post, so I’m loving Selena’s white and gold combo. I really like the fringe detail on the shoulders.

Halle Berry rocked up to the 2021 People’s Choice Awards in this motorcycle jumpsuit, making her possibly the most glamorous motorcyclist I have ever seen!

Sunshine in an outfit! I love the different shades of yellow coupled with bright sparkles and colored sunglasses.

I love the unusual shape Storm’s outfit has! It also has an open back, where those side details kinda open up from, petal-style.

Demi’s outfit is pretty simple, but I love the way she’s used bright color sparingly to really change it up. The electric blue of her necklace and gloves are so eye-catching!

Sofia’s outfit just looks so comfortable! Breathable linen and a light color coupled with her beachy waves give it an effortless summer vibe.

Scarlett brought the vintage vibes to the Avengers cast hand printing event. Honestly, I can see her as a 60s movie star in this outfit!

Gigi and Bella both said no to dresses at the Variety Power of Women event. I especially love Gigi’s outfit — that stunning blue shade and the contrast between the jumpsuit’s sharp silhouette and the flowing cape detail.

I love how this baggy boiler suit-esque outfit is cinched in at the waist and showcased in a powder pink to give a feminine twist to a traditionally masculine outfit. I really like the color combo, though I’m not sure about the boots with the look — what do you think?

It’s the details for me. Look at those stunning brooches! Plus, it’s combined with a subtle lemon yellow shirt instead of the traditional crisp white.

Such a nice springtime look! The bright floral pattern is really set off by the simple black crop top it’s paired with.

Major nostalgic vibes! The dainty frilly top shouldn’t work with the bold zebra print trousers and sneakers, but it really does!

Arguably one of Gaga’s most simple looks, she somehow makes drowning in fabric look mega chic and stylish!

I am bloody obsessed with this look! The hood, the midriff cutout, the mesh parts of the skirt — ugh, I just love it!