The Rise of Intentional Wrinkles on the Red Carpet
While red carpets have long been synonymous with immaculate, perfectly pressed glamour, a surprising new trend has emerged among A-list celebrities. In a deliberate departure from traditional standards, stars are now embracing noticeably creased and wrinkled garments at premieres and high-profile events. This relaxed approach to formalwear represents a significant shift in fashion philosophy, one that British designer Amanda Wakeley OBE attributes directly to post-pandemic changes in attitude.
A Post-Pandemic Fashion Revolution
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Wakeley explained that this seemingly unconventional style is far from accidental. 'After years of everything looking aggressively pressed and perfect, fashion has relaxed a little,' she observed. 'Since Covid-19, many of the old-fashioned rules have softened anyway. People got used to being comfortable in their clothing, and more at ease, and that attitude has carried through into how we dress still now.'
The designer further revealed that many celebrities are deliberately selecting fabrics designed to crinkle or hold texture. 'Quite a few savvy celebrities also choose fabrics that are designed to crinkle or hold texture, such as clever silks, technical blends or linens that crease beautifully, and so the look feels relaxed while still being completely intentional.' This trend has been prominently featured on designer runways from Erdem to Calvin Klein, signaling its establishment within high fashion circles.
Royal Relaxation: Meghan Markle's Jordan Tour
The Duchess of Sussex, typically known for her polished, high-fashion ensembles, notably embraced this relaxed aesthetic during her recent quasi-royal tour of Jordan with Prince Harry. Meghan Markle, 44, sported a series of neutral, casual looks featuring visible creases, including a khaki ensemble comprising wide-leg, high-waisted trousers paired with a matching short-sleeved T-shirt and a white shirt worn as a jacket.
Without the extensive entourage that typically accompanies royal tours, and likely lacking the portable ironing facilities preferred by some royal predecessors, the Duchess's trousers appeared understandably wrinkled. However, rather than focusing on sartorial perfection, Meghan directed her attention toward her humanitarian work at a Syrian refugee camp, demonstrating how fashion priorities have evolved for modern celebrities.
Hollywood's Wrinkled Wardrobe Moments
Katie Holmes presented a striking example of this trend at the Aligne Giving Tuesday Holiday Dinner at Chateau Royale last December. The 47-year-old actress wore a lingerie-inspired burnt orange satin set from Aligne, featuring a £85 top and £129 matching skirt with lace trim. While radiant at the event, the Dawson's Creek star's ensemble showed noticeable creases, particularly notable given satin's tendency to wrinkle easily.
Gwyneth Paltrow, rarely one to make fashion missteps, raised eyebrows with intentionally creased trousers at the 2026 BAFTA Tea Party at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles in January. The wellness guru paired an elegant black blazer with trousers so conspicuously wrinkled that the effect appeared deliberate. This followed another attention-grabbing look earlier in March, when Paltrow made her first Actor Awards appearance in 26 years wearing a plunging black lace Givenchy gown.
International Stars Join the Movement
Irish actress Jessie Buckley sported a crinkled satin shirt dress at the Hamnet premiere in New York last December, though the 36-year-old has since showcased more polished ensembles at subsequent awards ceremonies. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, now 53 and known for her pristine lifestyle, surprised observers with a belted cream dress featuring light creases at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey earlier this month.
Kate Hudson joined the trend at a recent ceremony in Los Angeles alongside Samuel L. Jackson and John Davis. The 46-year-old actress, currently nominated for a BAFTA for her role in Song Sung Blue, wore a creased olive satin dress that crumpled naturally during wear. Director Greta Gerwig provided perhaps the most definitive example of intentional creasing at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where her fuchsia Balenciaga ball gown incorporated wrinkles as a deliberate style statement.
The Future of Fashion Formality
This widespread adoption of creased garments among celebrities signals a fundamental shift in red carpet expectations. What might previously have been considered fashion faux pas are now embraced as intentional style choices, reflecting broader cultural changes toward comfort and authenticity in formalwear. As Wakeley notes, this trend represents fashion's evolution beyond rigid perfection toward more relaxed, personal expression that maintains sophistication while acknowledging the realities of modern life.
