If, like me, you're clearing your schedule to binge-watch the latest season of Nobody Wants This, Adam Brody and Kristen Bell are probably occupying 90% of your brain space right now. Whilst The O.C.'s Seth Cohen will always hold a holy, unshakable place in my heart, this week, it's Kristen's autumn wardrobe that has my full, undivided attention. Currently on a press tour to promote the hit series, the actress has been hitting the streets of New York, swapping from one impossibly chic outfit for another.

Whether she's stepping out in a preppy striped polo jumper and jeans or creating a casually cool look in washed puddle jeans and a white T-shirt, every outfit has hit the seasonal style mark. Relaxed yet refined, each is charming, full of personality and easy to re-create. Naturally, we're obsessed, and it would be almost selfish not to let you in on the fun too. Scroll down to see and shop the three looks from Kristen Bell's autumn wardrobe that you simply can't miss out on.

Kristen Bell's Autumn Wardrobe Is a Must-See

1. Funnel-Neck Leather Jacket + Wrap Trousers + Satin Heels

Style Notes: When I saw this look, I knew it needed to make this roundup. Pairing a rich burgundy funnel-neck jacket with a dressy pair of high-waisted wrap trousers, this 'fit serves as pure high-low styling inspiration. And the satin heels? An extra touch of elegance, especially when finished with that iconic croc Janessa Leoné bag. Now that's off-duty styling at its very best.

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2. Fringe Jacket + Bermuda Shorts + Slouch Boots

Style Notes: Running to an appearance on Jimmy Fallon, Kristen went minimal in a stylish black and navy look. Her midnight suede fringe leather jacket and slouched boots felt less boho and more It-girl, thanks in part to her Bermuda shorts and The Row '90s bag. Breaking up the heaviness of a monochrome look with something tonal and low-contrast is a smart move, especially when in a stylish slouchy shape. This is how you play with colour and texture in a sophisticated way.

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3. Striped Polo Jumper + Jeans + Leather Trainers

Style Notes: Keeping things casual, Kristen still maintained her trademark polish, even in a dressed-down look. Reaching for a fun and playful striped polo knit, her choice of wide-leg indigo jeans and minimal black leather trainers kept her outfit softly tailored but still carefree. And the cherry on top? Well, that would be her red beanie and burgundy Chanel bag. Not only do they help tie in the polo with the rest of the look, but they also happen to be super functional for a chilly, busy day on the go.

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It's almost November, and that means goodbye for now, bare legs. Pants are waiting in the wings, and it's becoming increasingly clear that the style Kristen Bell just wore while doing press for Nobody Wants This season 3 in NYC is *the* pant trend of winter 2026. (Disclaimer: Bell was technically wearing a chocolate brown jumpsuit, but as you'll see, it was styled as though she were wearing pants for her arrival at the Empire State Building for an appearance.)

The pant trend in question is a bit dramatic (in a good way), and it's best paired with heels, for maximum effectiveness. The style is sash pants, which are basically trousers with a long scarf belt attached. You'll want to wear it with something that ensures the belt is visible, such as Bell's leather bomber jacket. The heels Bell went with were a perfectly chosen pair of chocolate brown satin pumps. And I have no notes.

Keep scrolling to shop Bell's look and a handful of sash pants to wear with heels this winter.

The Trend on Kristen Bell

On Kristen Bell: Miu Miu MU B09S Sunglasses ($524); Elie Saab jumpsuit;  Janessa Leone Mini Leoné Croc-Effect Leather Mini Bag ($897); FoundRae jewelry

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You can pretty much guarantee that wherever there's a good jeans trend, I'll be right behind it. Whether it's Kate Moss-coded skinnies or a timeless pair of straight-leg jeans, I've long been a believer that the right shape can completely transform your personal style. Now puddle jeans are trending again, I've been looking for the best way to style the relaxed silhouette that fits loosely through the leg but gathers around the ankle, and then along came Kristen Bell, answering my prayers in a white T-shirt-and-black-heel combo worth its weight in gold.

Pictured just hours before the release of Nobody Wants This Season 3, the actress was spotted on the streets of New York in a washed pair of straight, puddle-leg jeans. With no gimmicks, clashing colours or vibrant prints, she used this classic pairing to show how an easy outfit that feels unfussy and inherently relaxed can still look polished and considered. Finished with a personalised canvas tote from BaubleBar and cat-eye sunglasses, her sleek black heels were the perfect finishing touch. A pointed toe for daytime? I'm convinced: the architectural sharpness immediately elevates distressed denim.

Sure, this look would have been just as good with trainers and ballet flats, a blouse or a chunky-knit jumper, but this exact combo is perfection. Elegant but not too contrived; if you want to replicate it, keep scrolling to see and shop the T-shirts and heels that make puddle jeans look their best.

Shop the Best T-Shirts and Heels for Styling Puddle Jeans

A jumper, jeans and trainers outfit is an autumn styling formula that will never, ever date. However, within each category, silhouettes and shades ebb and flow with the seasons. For autumn 2026, Kristen Bell already has the season's most relevant iterations down.

Swapping a classic crew-neck knit for a polo-collared style, the actor paired her trending jumper with jeans in an inky indigo wash, before finishing her outfit with a sleek pair of black leather trainers.

Notably more directional than your everyday jeans-and-knitwear pairing, whilst nobody is suggesting that crew-neck knits are by any means "out", it's hard to deny the appeal of the preppier polo knit this season. Championed by the likes of Miu Miu, this collegiate style brings a sporty, slightly undone energy to an outfit that works oh-so-well with one of the season's favourite denim trends.

Speaking of which, if you've been paying attention to the style set this season, you'll no doubt have noticed that indigo denim is having a moment. With its rich, deep tone, this darker wash feels in step with the cooler months ahead, as its subtle depth adds a considered finish that makes it easy to feel much more elevated.

Whilst Kristen could have completed her look with a predictable pair of white trainers, she instead opted for a black leather pair, choosing a sleek, slim-soled style that feels far more relevant for autumn 2026. Sitting somewhere between a trainer and a Derby shoe, these polished black pairs offer a smarter, more refined take on everyday sneakers.

So, if you're planning to rely on the tried-and-tested jumper, jeans and trainers formula this season, consider working a polo knit, deep indigo denim and streamlined black trainers into your edit. Read on to shop my picks of the best pieces to get the look below.

Shop Polo Jumpers, Indigo Jeans and Leather Trainers

Kristen Bell is no stranger to commanding a room. After all, it's been three years since she began hosting the iconic show. With the Screen Actors Guild being rebranded to The Actor Awards, there are even bigger shoes to fill than her normal years on this year's red carpet. Bell will be honoring the history of Hollywood. And what she plans on wearing? From tailored tuxedos to gowns that shimmer like liquid on stage, each look has been carefully designed to evolve with the night, blending Old Hollywood glamour with a distinctly modern edge. And before we get our first glimpse on the big screen, we are getting the chance to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes before they even come out.

We sat down with her stylist, Nicole Chavez, to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how these looks came together—from the first spark of inspiration to the final, statuesque moment that’s sure to leave the audience breathless. Tune in tonight to see these looks come to life, but in the meantime, we have all the sneak-peek material you’ll want to know.

In the earliest stages of Kristen’s looks this season, what sparked the excitement?

For me, I was really excited by the idea of building a fashion arc instead of just selecting three to five beautiful looks. Once we knew the theme was reimagined Old Hollywood glamour, it felt like such a great opportunity to explore different expressions of that throughout the night.

I kept going back to something we’ve done before—she comes out hosting and just commands this presence. So the thought of a tuxedo was really the first spark.

I loved the idea of opening the show in something tailored and strong. There’s something very Old Hollywood about sharp suiting, but it also feels modern and right for her as a host. She loves menswear—we even had a nod to it in the promo where she’s wearing a vest and tie. It just feels very authentic to her.

From there, I was really drawn to pieces that play with light and movement—intricate beading, elongating silhouettes. She’s quite petite, so that’s always a consideration. I kept thinking about the glamour that feels really cinematic on stage.

It became less about any one dress and more about how the looks evolve over the course of the show—starting strong with authority, then moving into luminous glamour, and ending in something bold and dramatic

The word “reimagining” stands out in the theme. What does that mean to you versus re-creating?

For me, reimagining is very different from re-creating. Re-creating feels more like a replica (almost like a costume), whereas reimagining is about honoring Old Hollywood glamour without copying one specific moment.

It’s about taking the essence—the drama, the silhouettes, the light, the black-and-white imagery—and translating that into something that feels modern but still authentic to her.

I kept coming back to bias-cut gowns because they look so good on her, and beading that feels almost liquid—something that catches the light beautifully. She’s going to be on stage, so I wanted that movement and luminosity you used to see in films from the ’30s.

I also thought about women like Marlene Dietrich—that balance of femininity and authority, especially in tailoring. That felt very aligned with Kristen as a host.

For mood boards, I didn’t do a ton, but I pulled from classic film stills, elongating silhouettes, and those really dramatic staircase moments. I also layered in more modern couture references from designers like Elie Saab and Giorgio Armani—pieces that feel sculptural and architectural.

I didn’t want anything to feel nostalgic or like we were copying something. It was about capturing cinematic glamour, but giving it a modern edge.

The Mood Board

Are there elements of Kristen’s personal style you wanted to highlight throughout?

Kristen has an incredible balance of strength and approachability, and I really wanted that to come through.

She gravitates toward clean lines and minimal silhouettes that feel strong but not overworked or fussy. Even within this Old Hollywood framework, it was important that nothing felt overly precious or costumey—especially because of her petite size. I never want it to feel like the clothes are wearing her.

Comfort is also really important to her. I always want her to feel like she can move and be at ease, especially as a host. So, even with something intricate or beaded, there has to be fluidity built in.

The tuxedo really highlights her confidence and sense of humor. When she put it on, she immediately said she loved how quirky and unexpected it felt, while still being refined and elegant. It will be Armani Privé couture, so it’s incredibly special.

The metallic gown she wears in the middle of the show really leans into that luminosity and Old Hollywood glamour—it’s all about how it catches the light.

And then the final look is a halter dress, which she loves as a silhouette. It’s fully beaded, so it ties back to that Old Hollywood feeling, but it also brings out a bold, statuesque side to her. That’s something I’m always trying to create, especially because we’re both petite—those really elongating, statuesque silhouettes.

Was there a moment in the process where everything clicked?

In all honesty, everything really clicked once I had a clear run of show, which was just this Tuesday. I had been exploring beautiful options for weeks (maybe even a month), but once I understood the pacing, the energy, the rhythm of the middle, and the tone of the ending, it all became much clearer.

That’s when it shifted from just great dresses to a cohesive fashion story. I come from costume design, working in film and television, so I naturally think in that way. That’s why I love press tours and especially doing these hosting moments with her: I get to tell a story.

The tuxedo makes sense for the opening—it establishes authority. The metallic beaded gown carries the glamour through the heart of the show. And then the black halter feels like the final punctuation mark.

I really needed that structural framework for everything to fall into place, and once I had it, the rest became very clear.

That said, I’m still keeping options waiting in the wings. It’s Thursday evening; things can still change. We still have a jewelry fitting and rehearsal tomorrow, so I always like to be overprepared.

What’s one way you intentionally made the looks feel modern rather than costumey?

This might be more off-the-record, but honestly, it comes down to restraint.

Because Kristen is petite and we tend to stay within more minimal silhouettes, I have to be really mindful of keeping things modern rather than letting them feel like a costume.

I see so many beautiful gowns and suiting that are incredibly ornate and over-the-top, and personally, I’m very drawn to that, so I actually have to edit myself when I’m styling her, but in the best way.

Instead of layering on overly vintage details, I focus on what we always aim for: clean lines, strong tailoring, and silhouettes that feel architectural rather than nostalgic.

It’s really about pulling back instead of adding more.

Without giving too much away, what can viewers expect from Kristen’s looks throughout the show?

They can expect range and intention. I put a lot of thought into making sure it doesn’t feel one-note—especially with a theme like this. As the energy of the show shifts, I want the fashion to shift with it.

We start in something strong and tailored to establish presence, then move into a more fluid, glamorous moment, and close on something bold and decisive. Everything lives in the same world, but there’s a clear progression.

At the end of the day, it’s about making sure the clothes enhance her role as a host. I never want the fashion to overpower her presence. She’s such a phenomenal host and so approachable—I want that to come through. The goal is for everything to feel polished and cinematic, but also effortless, so she feels comfortable enough to go out there and really carry the show.

What do you hope people feel when they see Kristen step onto the carpet?

I hope they feel that immediate sense of presence. The gown we selected is so beautiful—it has this liquid quality to it, and it’s very different from anything she’s worn before. It catches the light in such a cinematic way. The beading is incredibly detailed and placed in all the right areas, and there’s real strength in the silhouette.

It’s sleek and modern, but it also has this sculpted train that gives it a dramatic finish. What’s also interesting is how the logistics actually worked in our favor. We’re getting ready entirely backstage—it’s a very long day with rehearsals, glam, and everything happening at the venue. Normally, a dress like this would be really difficult to travel in—she’d probably have to ride in a sprinter, which isn’t really our style—but in this case, she can just walk straight from backstage to the carpet, which makes it ideal. I want it to do more than shimmer—I want it to command.