Let it be known: you don't need a dress to achieve a sexy, confident look on the red carpet. The proof? Emma Stone [1], Diane Kruger [2], Jennifer Aniston [3], and more of this season's leading ladies showed up to award shows [4] in picture-perfect pants, and we were so, so glad they did.
Even though we didn't need any more proof that sleek, tailored trousers can appear just as elegant as a flowing gown, all the getups here are solid reminders. Plus, the smart styling tricks [5] these gals employed are already inspiring the outfits we'll wear to our next fancy soirees. Keep reading to see why we're toasting to easy, movable, carefree ensembles that are totally next-level chic.
Diane Kruger
The actress mixed things up at the Vanity Fair Oscars party with a Donna Karan Atelier jumpsuit and graphic clutch.
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles went with a sleek avant-garde look for the Oscars. She matched the red carpet in pants and a turtleneck from Christian Siriano's Fall 2015 collection [6]!
Naomi Watts
After the Oscars, Naomi Watts [7] hit up the Vanity Fair party in a sleek, white Armani suit. The actress opted for strappy black accents including a skinny belt and sandals.
Joan Smalls
The supermodel slipped into a sheer, movable Spring 2015 Balmain number for the Oscars festivities, showing us it's possible to look sexy and totally carefree at the same time.
Leslie Mann
Leslie Mann looked elegant and chic in a cream Giorgio Armani pantsuit and gold Neil Lane jewelry at the Vanity Fair Oscars party.
Hannah Davis
At the Vanity Fair party, the supermodel worked a suit the ultrasexy way: tight tailoring, black pumps, and a deep plunging neckline.
Marisa Tomei
The actress pulled off an avant-garde navy jumpsuit at the Vanity Fair party, completing her look with simple Stuart Weitzman heels.
Tegan Quin
Tegan Quin looked edgy in an a jet-black suit at the Oscars. She completed her look with patent-leather oxfords.
Gwen Stefani
The singer and coach on The Voice showed off her shoulders in a strapless black Atelier Versace jumpsuit at the Grammys.
Anna Kendrick
The actress chose to borrow from the boys in a black Band of Outsiders pantsuit, sans shirt, for the Grammys red carpet, pulling her look together with Jimmy Choo pumps.
Danielle and Alana Haim
At the Grammys, Danielle and Alana Haim coordinated in black and white ensembles, all accented with Neil Lane jewels. Danielle went with a loose-fitting white suit, while Alana showed a bit of skin in her cutout jumpsuit.
Charli XCX
For the Grammys, Charli XCX wore a wild look from the Moschino Spring 2015 collection, complete with an all-white tuxedo, pale pink faux-fur stole, bright pink bow tie, and matching glittery mules.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts [8] opted for a Givenchy jumpsuit at the SAG Awards [9]. Though she may have been in all black, the star played up her look in bright Tiffany & Co. jewels that lent her outfit subtle pops of turquoise.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon [10] went with an unexpected look at the Producers Guild Awards [11]. The star paired her Mario BH cropped trousers with a Giambattista Valli tank, and completed her ensemble with Christian Louboutin pumps and Tiffany jewelry.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer stunned on the red carpet [12] at the Critics Choice Awards sizzled in a bold red Gucci suit, playing up the warm color with a long gold Amrit chain, and finishing her look with Christian Louboutin heels.
Lorde
Lorde [13] took to the Golden Globes red carpet in a custom Narcisco Rodriguez look, baring her midriff [14] in a crop top, loose trousers, and a blazer.
Lorde
At the Golden Globes afterparty, Lorde [15] showed off even more skin by opting for the same bralette she wore to the award show earlier — but in a different color [16]! Most importantly, though, we love how the singer chose a skinnier, tapered pant for her postshow look.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone [17] wowed the crowd in a Lanvin jumpsuit, which was adorned with an oversize bow on the back. Even in pants, she made our Golden Globes best dressed list [18], and we're already deeming her outfit one of this award season's best.
Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne wowed at the People's Choice Awards in a sexy Armani suit. She looked sleek and effortless with minimal accessorizing.
Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy didn't shy away from making a statement at the People's Choice Awards. The actress looked fierce as she mixed navy and black [19] in a suit that she designed herself!
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen may have been wearing her signature look at the People's Choice Awards, but that doesn't mean we're not more obsessed with her functional suit this time around. After all, we appreciate a girl who can rock all white (and cream!), and Ellen's design is her own. Plus, not many women can pull off sneakers on the red carpet. Just leave it to Ellen.
Portia de Rossi
Portia de Rossi [20] turned up the heat in a cobalt Zuhair Murad jumpsuit, complete with a plunging neckline and geometric peekaboo detail. Not only do we admire Portia for wearing pants, but we also love that she chose a design in a bold, striking color!
Ellen Pompeo
Ellen looked totally luxe in a beige Elie Saab jumpsuit at the People's Choice Awards. She must've been totally comfortable on the red carpet, but she looked elegant, too — those lace panels totally upped the fancy factor!
Iggy Azalea
The star brought glamour to the audience at the People's Choice Awards in an embellished crop top and high-waisted, wide-leg trousers. The silhouette highlighted her tiny waist, and the embellishments on her crop top made her glow. In other words, pants were the perfect foundation for a winning look.