The Colors Celebs Over 40 Always Wear on the Red Carpet

Red carpets are typically filled with a sea of different hemlines, shapes, prints, and trends, but sometimes celebrities are amazingly in sync with their outfit choices. Take, for instance, the 2019 Oscars red carpet, which was replete with scores of hot pink dresses specifically. As it turns out, women over 40 led the color trend both before, during, and after that particular event, and everybody else can only hope to pull it off as well.

Jennifer Lopez, Tilda Swinton, Angela Bassett, and Tracee Ellis Ross are just a handful of celebrities who have co-signed on the hot pink trend, and it's making us want to buy everything in the color. Meanwhile, Michelle Yeoh, Carolyn Murphy, and Lucy Liu have all been spotted in one particularly pretty hue lately, and brands like Cult Gaia and Everlane are also fans. Scroll down to see three colors celebrities over 40 always wear on the red carpet and shop our picks in each shade.

Hot Pink

We've been talking about neon colors for a while now, but hot pink, in particular, is the shade du jour—so don't be afraid to strike while the iron is hot and test it out for yourself.

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555458037487-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Tracee Ellis Ross: Esteban Cortazar dress

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555458038226-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Angela Bassett: Reem Acra dress; Sutra jewelry

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555458038755-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Jennifer Lopez: Georges Chakra dress; Jimmy Choo shoes

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555458035986-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Tilda Swinton: Schiaparelli Haute Couture jacket and pants

Shop Hot Pink 

Butter Yellow

If butter yellow doesn't scream spring, we don't know what does. Emulate these celebrities and try out the cheery color for yourself. 

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555460583315-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Carolyn Murphy: Max Mara dress

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555460760219-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Michelle Yeoh: Reem Acra dress

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555460581846-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Lucy Liu: Zuhair Murad dress

Shop Butter Yellow

Head-to-Toe White

Is there anything more classic than an all-white look? Cate Blanchett, Sandra Oh, and Glenn Close certainly don't think so.

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555458759292-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Sandra Oh: Giorgio Armani suit

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555459311967-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Glenn Close: Max Mara coat and pants

celebrities-over-40-red-carpet-colors-279335-1555458891882-image

(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Cate Blanchett: Stella McCartney coat, top, and pants

Shop White

Next, the four dress trends every princess, queen, and duchess owns

Explore More:
Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.