I Bet These 16 Over-the-Top Runway Dresses Will Be on the Red Carpet This Year

We had very few red carpet fashion moments to indulge in last year, but they will no doubt resume at some point in 2021—and we'll be there to cover them. Red carpet events are always a huge team effort, as they require hardworking stylists, tailors, makeup artists, and more, and the final product is always a glorious look for the fashion history books.

Looking ahead to the return of red carpet events—whenever that may be—I mined runway images to come up with some predictions about what celebrities will wear. For instance, I thought the sultry Versace S/S 21 collection was rife with dresses that Blake Lively would love, and Molly Goddard's show had Gemma Chan's name written all over it. Scroll down to see my predictions for award season 2021. 

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Prediction: Katy Perry in Halpern
(Image credit: Halpern)

This inventive Halpern S/S 21 dress might be too forward-thinking for the Oscars, but here's hoping it pops up on the Met Gala red carpet. Katy Perry, are you listening? 

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Prediction: Natalie Portman in Chanel
(Image credit: Chanel)

This intricate gown from the Chanel Métiers d'Art 2021 show is giving me Natalie Portman vibes. 

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Prediction: Zendaya in Christopher John Rogers
(Image credit: Christopher John Rogers)

Christopher John Rogers is a master of both color and shapes, and this S/S 21 dress proves it. I can picture Zendaya in this cheery number. 

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Prediction: Gemma Chan in Molly Goddard
(Image credit: Molly Goddard)

British designer Molly Goddard is known for her poufy dresses, but this one from S/S 21 just might be my favorite. Fashion chameleon Gemma Chan would pull this off with aplomb. 

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Prediction: Tracee Ellis Ross in Alexandre Vauthier
(Image credit: Getty Images)

We all know Tracee Ellis Ross loves metallic dresses, so I think she'd fancy this Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture S/S 21 look. 

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Prediction: Blake Lively in Versace
(Image credit: Getty Images)

I'll be very disappointed if Blake Lively doesn't don this Versace S/S 21 dress at some point next year. 

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Prediction: Sarah Paulson in Givenchy
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sarah Paulson loves a statement red carpet moment, so I'm envisioning her in this Givenchy F/W 20 caped look. 

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Prediction: Lizzo in Roksanda
(Image credit: Roksanda)

This bold Roksanda S/S 21 dress would suit Lizzo's penchant for extraordinary red carpet outfits. 

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Prediction: Gisele Bündchen in Schiaparelli
(Image credit: Schiaparelli)

If I had to predict who would choose this Schiaparelli S/S 21 minidress, I'd go with supermodel Gisele Bündchen. 

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Prediction: Olivia Palermo in Cecilie Bahnsen
(Image credit: Cecilie Bahnsen)

The jewel of Copenhagen, Cecilie Bahnsen, is known for her confectionary designs. I can picture Olivia Palermo looking radiant in this S/S 21 number. 

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Prediction: Kate Bosworth in Giambattista Valli
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kate Bosworth came to my mind immediately after seeing this frothy pink Giambattista Valli F/W 20 dress. 

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Prediction: Katie Holmes in Emilia Wickstead
(Image credit: Emilia Wickstead)

Emilia Wickstead took the statement-collar trend to the next level for S/S 21 and it's giving me Katie Holmes vibes. 

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Prediction: Jennifer Lopez in LaQuan Smith
(Image credit: LaQuan Smith )

This LaQuan Smith S/S 21 dress is giving me major Jennifer Lopez vibes. 

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Prediction: Cara Delevingne in Versace
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Versace S/S 21

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Prediction: Elle Fanning in Erdem S/S 21
(Image credit: Erdem)

Elle Fanning gravitates towards princess gowns and this stunning one from Erdem S/S 21 is more than worthy of her consideration. 

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Prediction: Solange Knowles in Paco Rabanne
(Image credit: Getty Images)

This Paco Rabanne S/S 22 suit of armor is destined to be worn by Solange Knowles on the no-rules red carpet of the Met Gala. 

Next, nine ways to wear Ugg boots like Jennifer Lopez, Katie Holmes, and 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.