A Return to Old Hollywood: The 98th Academy Awards

BY MAISIE ADAMS

MARCH 24, 2026

March 15th marked the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, and this year it was truly for the girls. With the first female director taking home the win for the hit horror film Sinners, it was a momentous occasion that saw a woman triumph in a traditionally male-dominated genre. On stage, audiences were treated to a Bridesmaids reunion, Anna Wintour and Anne Hathaway's iconic duo presentation, and celebrations of cinema's biggest names. As always, the Oscars was a classy affair and this year the red carpet embodied old Hollywood glamour, with celebrities opting for vintage designer gowns and paying homage to the queens of the silver screen. Join LOOCH as we take a walk down the carpet and embrace this year's most stunning styles.

Courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. It seems Anne Hathaway has learnt nothing from her time under Miranda Priestly—yet her delicate spring gown has us all yearning for warmer days. Hathaway wore Valentino, a bittersweet tribute to her dear friend, the late couturier Valentino Garavani. Ahead of the long-awaited The Devil Wears Prada sequel, Anne was joined on stage by former Vogue editor Anna Wintour for a nostalgic nod to the iconic film, teasing audiences in anticipation of this May's premiere.

Courtesy of Julian Hamilton/Getty Images

Taking home his first Oscar for his double role in the vampirical horror 'Sinners', Michael B Jordan came dressed to kill. The custom Louis Vuitton ensemble was a refreshing departure from the traditional tuxedo, proving that Jordan's style evolution is anything but bloodless. Jordan's win marked a career-defining moment, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's most versatile actors. His victory also represented a significant milestone for the horror genre, which has historically been overlooked by the Academy, proving that exceptional acting transcends traditional category boundaries. His second stop after his Best Actor win? In-N-Out for a cheeseburger, his newly won trophy sat on the table as he signed paper hats for the surrounding guests.

Courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Jessie Buckley was the true epitome of Old Hollywood. Her Chanel colour-block gown paid homage to Grace Kelly's 1956 Oscar gown—whoever said pink and red don't go together? Buckley took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for her incredible role in Chloe Zhao's Hamnet. Based on the fictional story detailing the inspiration behind Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, Buckley gave a devastating portrayal of Agnes. The Irish actress dedicated her award to "the beautiful chaos of a mother's heart."

Courtesy of Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Everyone's favourite hockey duo reunited at the Vanity Fair afterparty. Though menswear on the red carpet typically sticks to the classic tuxedo, these rising stars put a modern twist on the evening. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie shot to stardom in the TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry. Both dressed in sheer shirts—little was left to the imagination, but that's typical of their time on our screens. Storrie's high-neck shirt came from Anthony Vaccarello's most recent collection, whilst Williams' Balenciaga tuxedo with adorning brooch transformed into a sheer, sleeveless shirt for the afterparty.

Courtesy of Carlos Barria/Getty Images

Nothing screams Hollywood is back like Leonardo DiCaprio's moustache debut. Dressed in J. W. Anderson's latest Dior, DiCaprio kept it classic with his tux, but the chevron moustache wasn't the only thing debuted. Vittoria Ceretti joined her new love for their first award season appearance. Nominated for Best Actor for One Battle After Another, the couple were seen throughout the show but didn't pose for the red carpet.

Courtesy of Digszy/Instagram

Elle Fanning took to the red carpet for her first Oscar nomination, honouring her roots with her gown. Wisteria petals, as that grew on her childhood home, were embroidered onto her dress by hand. As the first person to wear Sarah Burton's Givenchy last year, there was no one else to turn to for her nominee debut. Wanting to "steer clear of trends and keep the look timeless," her hand-sewn, wisteria petal gown in blues, pinks, and silvers was the dress of her dreams. Fanning is vocal about the importance of sustainable fashion and is regularly seen on the carpet in vintage pieces.

The 98th Academy Awards reminded us why we fell in love with cinema in the first place. From groundbreaking wins to nostalgic reunions, this year's ceremony celebrated both the future and the past of Hollywood. The red carpet proved that elegance never goes out of style, whether through vintage homages or daring modern twists. As the lights dimmed on another award season, one thing became clear: Hollywood glamour is alive and well, and we can't wait to see what next year brings.