Critics’ Choice Awards 2023 best dressed: Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Coolidge, and Aubrey Plaza

The red carpet was rolled out on Sunday evening (January 15), as actors gathered for the 28th annual Critics’ Choice Awards in Los Angeles. Those that could, that is. Many guests, including Colin Farrell and Jamie Lee Curtis, were struck down with Covid after the Golden Globes ceremony last week.

Nevertheless, the awards season is picking up pace, and television’s women of the moment pulled focus. Namely, The White Lotus’s Aubrey Plaza, and Jennifer Coolidge.

Plaza was mesmerising in a black-sequin custom Louis Vuitton gown with an ombré-sunset-shade tulle neckline. Meanwhile, co-star Coolidge was sophisticated in a black satin, long-sleeved gown by Dolce & Gabbana, which she wore with black gloves and chunky Graziela Gems crystal bracelets, to receive the award for best supporting actress in a drama series.

Dramatic silhouettes were a popular choice. Michelle Yeoh, who was up for best actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, opted for a black column dress by Carolina Herrera which came with a statement, fuchsia train and big, structured sleeves.

Elle Fanning wore a slashed, crinoline-hooped cream dress from Alexander McQueen’s SS23 catwalk, while Jessie Buckley honoured the late Vivienne Westwood in a black corseted gown that billowed into a voluminous tulle skirt.

Gold and high-octane sparkle were mainstays of the event. Amanda Seyfried led the way in a sweeping, Grecian-inspired wrap dress from Dior’s SS20 couture collection, and was triumphant in taking home the award for best actress in a limited series or movie made for television for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout. Michelle Williams was equally high-glitz in an asymmetric custom Louis Vuitton gilded gown.

Elsewhere, Viola Davis was sequin-strewn in a shimmering, plum Valentino gown, while Daisy Edgar-Jones wore a metallic jacquard cutout frock from Alessandro Michele’s final collection at Gucci.

The evening’s surprise look came courtesy of Cate Blanchett, who was woman of the hour as she scooped the best actress award for her role as the monstrous musician in Tár. In a step away from the glitter favoured by other guests, she stood out in a taupe shirt and maxi skirt by Max Mara, which she paired with a Louis Vuitton bangle.

Claire Foy also leaned into the rustic-chic aesthetic, in a cream- and blue-painted, strapless Prada gown.

As awards season continues, expect these purposefully understated looks to continue coming.

Click through the gallery above for the best looks from the Critics’ Choice Awards 2023.