Forget Black and Red—Leighton Meester donned the top color trend for 2026 at the Critics' Choice Awards.

      When we associate Leighton Meester with fashion, the first thing that usually comes to mind is Blair Waldorf and her various outfits from the original Gossip Girl series. However, the actress’s latest red carpet appearances are beginning to rival even Blair's most memorable looks. For example, her liquid-like Versace gown at the 2025 Golden Globes gained significant attention, as did the minimalist dark brown satin column dress by St. John that she wore to the 2024 SAG Awards. Nevertheless, it’s the lilac strapless dress she opted for at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards that truly stands out.

      Leighton Meester attended the 2026 Critics Choice Awards wearing a dress by Carolina Herrera and accessorized with Chopard earrings and a ring. She chose a fitted, slightly sheer gown from Carolina Herrera’s spring 2026 collection. While the runway model accessorized with a purple minaudière, a black velvet headband, and matching pumps, Meester opted for a more understated approach, wearing only chandelier earrings from Chopard's Haute Joaillerie collection in 18k white gold adorned with pink sapphires and diamonds, alongside a few rings, including a floral Chopard ring from the L'Heure du Diamant collection with 0.86 carats of diamonds and her engagement ring from husband Adam Brody, who is nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Netflix’s Nobody Wants This.

      Accessories proved to be unnecessary, particularly due to the intricate details throughout her purple gown, crafted by the American brand’s creative director, Wes Gordon. The gown's stunning color likely contributes to its status as one of the top trends of 2026, having also featured in Chloé's S/S 26 collection and Valentino's. While black and red remain classic choices on the red carpet for good reason, Meester's lilac dress demonstrated that choosing a different path can be quite rewarding.