For the past decade, the red carpet has been a playground for bold experimentation. 

Think sheer, nude dresses (and no, not in the Kanye West’s wife hits the Grammys way), retina-searing neon hues, and silhouettes so structurally ambitious they defy both gravity and good sense.

But if Angelina Jolie and Demi Moore’s 2025 Critics Choice Awards appearances are any sign, Hollywood mystique — particularly on the awards circuit — is staging a glamorous comeback.

Draped in classic Hollywood sophistication and ethereal elegance, these icons remind us of a time when glamour was less about shock value and more about allure.

So, are we witnessing a shift from avant-garde extravagance to the return of timeless beauty? Let’s talk about it.

The Timeless Spell of Old Hollywood

There was a time when red carpets weren’t battlegrounds for who could wear the most outrageous outfit. Ruled by Grace Kelly, Liz Taylor, Diahann Carroll, Dorothy Dandridge, and Audrey Hepburn the catwalk oozed classic elegance.

Hollywood’s Golden Era was all about mystery — a carefully curated enigma created through impeccable tailoring, luxurious fabrics, and an air of untouchable grace. In recent years, That magic seemed to have taken a backseat as it’s been overshadowed by the rise of social media-driven fashion statements.

But nostalgia is a powerful thing. And in 2025, our longing for the quiet power of Hollywood’s Golden Age has seeped into our collective consciousness once again.

Enter Jolie and Moore: Modern-Day Muses

At the Critics Choice Awards, Angelina Jolie and Demi Moore walked the red carpet draped in ensembles that exuded poise, confidence, and an unspoken you could never energy.

Jolie — who played opera legend Maria Callas in the biopic Maria — fully embodied old-world glamour in a sheer lace Elie Saab gown. The filmmaker complemented the intricate embroidery with a bold red lip, adding coolness to her signature badassery.

Moore, meanwhile, redefined vintage elegance in a waist-cinching Schiaparelli couture corset gown that sculpted her figure with dramatic precision. The structured silhouette featured a clever back closure that mirrored the scar on Demi’s back after giving birth to her second self in The Substance. This evoked the opulence of 1940s Hollywood as if she had stepped straight off the silver screen.

Intricate beading shimmered under the lights, and the gown’s quiet elegance reminded us that real glamour doesn’t announce itself— it simply draws you in.

A Shift in Red Carpet Fashion?

It’s not just these two legends bringing back the golden age. Lately, we’ve seen a quiet yet powerful renaissance of Old Hollywood aesthetics. From Zendaya‘s cheeky bobs to Margot Robbie’s recent embrace of classic silhouettes, the red carpet seems to be moving away from the gimmicky and back toward the timeless.

The shift is also visible in the growing appreciation of the “Old Money” aesthetic. In contrast to the flashy logo-mania of recent years, today’s stars are leaning into understated luxury, that emphasizes fine tailoring, neutral tones, and a refined look.

Sofia Richie Grainge is the poster child for this effortlessly chic style, favoring sleek gowns and polished hairstyles over trend-chasing ensembles.

Fashion houses, too, are responding to th shift. Elie Saab, Valentino, and Dior are returning to their roots, favoring romantic silhouettes, rich fabrics, and designs that prioritize craftsmanship over spectacle.

Could the resurgence of opera gloves, pearl embellishments, and structured gowns be signaling a collective craving for normalcy in a chaotic world?

Why Now?

Fashion is cyclical and nostalgia always plays a role in its evolution. But beyond the predictable return of past trends, this resurgence of Old Hollywood glamour is tapping into something deeper — a reaction against the hyper-exposure of modern celebrity culture.

In the age of social media, where everyone is accessible all the time, the mystique that once defined Hollywood icons has vanished. Stars are no longer enigmatic figures who only occasionally grace us with their presence.

Today, they’re perpetually online — acting overly familiar, cringe-y, and being even more embarrassing than our parents by oversharing family drama on our Facebook timelines.

The return to glamour — grounded in grace, subtlety, and a touch of mystery — channels Old Hollywood and lets modern celebrities reclaim their allure.

While the era of avant-garde, headline-grabbing looks isn’t going anywhere — there will always be room for Met Gala-level drama —  the pendulum is swinging back toward classic glamour. And honestly? It’s refreshing.