6 Times Blake Lively Nailed Trends On The Red Carpet While Staying True To Her Style

If anyone knows how to nail a trend, it's Met Gala fashion queen Blake Lively. This style beacon is a fan of color and feminine silhouettes, having stunned in shiny, embellished outfits on numerous occasions. As she put it in a now deleted Instagram caption in 2018 (via Elle), "Good thing I'm not asked to design school uniforms... they would be very EXTRA." She made that joke alongside photos of her wearing a gorgeous purple Bottega Veneta blazer and shorts set, which she paired with a collared green top and barely there heels. This outfit proved Lively knows exactly how to adapt what's popular. Matching two-pieces were a big trend, but Lively added her own girly and fashion-forward edge via the eye-catching print, large broach, and lilac shoulder bag.

Lively's fashion flair is even more impressive when you remember that she doesn't work with a professional stylist. "It's a lot of work," the former "Gossip Girl" star admitted to Women's Wear Daily in 2018. "The hard part is going through all the fashion shows and screenshotting all the looks you like and calling them in." But, clearly, Lively doesn't need a stylist to work a trend into her wardrobe. Even on the red carpet, she's trendy, but always true to her style.

2023 was all about the mermaidcore summer, but the world's fashion obsession with the mythical creatures didn't stop there. The aesthetic stayed on-trend well into May 2024, when Blake Lively embraced it in a glamourous teal scoop neck midi dress for a Tiffany and Co. event. The dress featured sequins (very Lively!) arranged to appear like mermaid scales. The embellishments shimmered in the paparazzi flashes, showing her love for sparkle. She even adapted the aesthetic into her footwear with iridescent heels, and her staple beachy waves totally suited the dress. Lively gave a nod to the trend on Instagram, writing, "When you dress up as just the tail."

The silhouette helped blend the trend with Lively's style. The "Green Lantern" star opted for a classic bodycon shape we've seen her in multiple times. It showed off her figure in an elegant and classy way — two words we'd definitely use for her style. It's easy to take the mermaidcore too far and have it come across like a costume, but Lively balanced things with minimal silver jewelry and no bag.

Blake Lively proved she was the queen of the pantsuit trend that dominated 2018. When she attended the U.K. premiere of "A Simple Favor," she wore a blazer, pants, and waistcoat set from Ralph Lauren. Almost every piece was light pink to reflect her feminine style, and she added a silky pastel green tie for shine (another common feature in Lively's outfits). The star is rarely seen without heels, so she dressed things up with a pointed pair for added sophistication. The ensemble gave us very cosmopolitan New York City vibes, which makes sense as she and her husband, Ryan Reynold have a place there.

But Lively's dedication to fiercely defending her look — and the trend -– is the most admirable thing here. After a fashion critic pointed out on Instagram she'd worn too many suits for the movie's campaign trail, she hit back. "Would you note a man wearing lots of suits during a promo tour? So why can't a woman?" she asked in the comments of the post. "Just sayinnnn. No double standards ladies." You go, girl!

Compared to stars like Jennifer Lopez, who consistently wear super sexy looks on the red carpet (think daring cut-outs and super low necklines), Blake Lively's style is more demure. She proved that in 2011 at the premiere of "Green Lantern" when she sported the sheer clothing trend in a way that made her feel comfortable and confident. Instead of going for something totally see-through, Lively wore a white Chanel Haute Couture dress that covered her torso and hips, but had sheer mesh to the floor. Her twist on the trend also demonstrated her love for luxury fashion houses, because we know Lively loves a brand.

Steering clear of something completely exposing was in keeping with Lively's classy style. The floral appliques also ensured it fit with her penchant for feminine fashion. Lively added personality via a stack of chunky gold bracelets, because we know she loves her accessories, and wore an undone fishtail braid that demonstrated her beachy style at the time.

When Blake Lively hit the red carpet to show her support for Michael Kors during New York Fashion Week in September 2023, she fully embraced the 1970s fashion trend. The decades iconic clothing stated to creep back into wardrobes that spring, but it really reached its peak for autumn/winter. Lively was all-in on the aesthetic in a glitzy and feminine sparkly gold jumpsuit, complete with head-to-toe sequins and extra-long flared bottoms. The actor wore her blonde hair down in '70s-esque curls and let her Studio 54 inspired outfit have its moment with minimal accessories.

But Lively really made this one-piece her own via her thin waist belt. The chic, nude addition elevated the outfit in a sophisticated and modern way. It also cinched the gorgeous star in at her smallest part, something Lively often does by opting for pieces that highlight her stunning figure. Posting a photo of the outfit to Instagram, the fashionista joked, "Only @michaelkors could get me to squeeze into gold sequins way too soon after having a baby."

As a bold fashion lover, Blake Lively couldn't resist taking on the neon trend of 2017. She wore a bright yellow Grecian-style dress to the American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala, which was totally in-keeping with her style. Via minimal accessories, she helped kept the loud dress the focal point, only wearing a few statement rings. She also something a little different but sophisticated via turquoise earrings. Of course, she had to bring some sparkle, too. The Betty Buzz founder wore nude glitter stilettos. They were super glam, like her usual dresses, but in a neutral way to avoid clashing with the bright gown.

We love how Lively opted for a dress with plenty of movement. The dress featured a glamorous thigh-high slit and flowy skirt, adding Lively's typical femininity and softness to a trend that needs a lot of confidence to pull off. Had the star opted for something more structured, it would have lost the delicate edge we see in a lot of Lively's ensembles.

Blake Lively walked the red carpet for the premiere of "The Adam Project" in 2022, and got in on the pastel fashion hype her own way. Light shades were all the rage, and knowing how much Lively loves being extra, we expected nothing less than for her to go all out with the trend. Her Atelier Versace couture dress featured a number of colors, including light blue, lilac, cream, light turquoise, and salmon. But, to make it appropriate for her style, the gown also featured a sheer glitter bodice. That added an extra touch of glamour and sparkle, which she incorporates into many of her ensembles.

Understated, somewhat muted colors aren't always Lively's style aesthetic, so she made sure to amp up the accessories to make things bolder. The beauty stacked several mismatched bracelets on her wrist and wore large, circular earrings.