7 times celebrities embraced affordable looks, from Selena Gomez at the Golden Globes and Kate Middleton, to Lana Del Rey and even Louis Vuitton menswear creative director Pharrell Williams

Jan 22 , 2024

From Selena Gomez to Kate Middleton and Lana Del Rey, here are seven times celebrities have embraced low-cost styles. Photo: Getty, Reuters, AFP

Only Murders in the Building star Selena Gomez surprised us all when she arrived at the 81st Golden Globe Awards in a gorgeous red Giorgio Armani gown – paired with a US$130 handbag from Los Angeles-based accessories brand JW Pei.

Selena Gomez attends the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, in January. Photo: Reuters

This juxtaposition of an affordable accessory with a high-end gown grabbed everyone’s attention, but this isn’t the first time a celebrity has opted out of wearing head-to-toe designer on the red carpet.

Here are seven times celebrities proved that you can still serve looks without breaking the bank.

1. Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder in January 2014, in Los Angeles – the Stranger Things actress admitted she is not always a fan of designer dresses. Photo: Getty Images

Back in 2014, before second-hand shopping was trendy, Ryder unabashedly admitted to the UK’s Red magazine that she not only preferred vintage dresses to designer ones, but that she had worn US$10 pieces on the red carpet numerous times – even to the Oscars.

2. Kate Middleton

Prince William and Kate Middleton arriving for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, at the Odeon Leicester Square, London. Photo: Getty Images

It’s well known that Kate Middleton is a long-time fan of Zara. When she attended the UK premiere of the 2013 movie Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, the princess was seen wearing a US$25 necklace from the brand to complement her cream couture gown.

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3. Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore attends the Nylon + Express August Denim Issue Party at The London Hotel in 2010, in West Hollywood, California. Photo: Getty Images

Actress Drew Barrymore once wore a US$25 dress to walk the red carpet for the Nylon magazine and Express Denim party in 2010, according to Racked.

4. Natalie Portman

Actress Natalie Portman arrives at the 89th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel, in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

In 2017, actress Natalie Portman had an LBD moment when she wore a US$65 maternity dress from Topshop at the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, per Marie Claire.

5. Pharrell Williams

Now creative director for LV, Pharrell Williams (right) was decked in Adidas at the 57th Grammys in 2015. Photo: WireImage

As the men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton, Pharrell knows a thing or two about fashion. He certainly made a statement when he attended the 2015 Grammys dressed head to toe in Adidas athleisure, per Huffington Post.

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6. Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo opted for a more budget-friendly outfit for the 2015 Mawazine music festival in Rabat, Morocco. The singer paired her sheer top with a pair of US$25 pants from Forever 21, per Elle.

7. Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey attends the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in January 2020, in Los Angeles. Photo: AFP

In 2020, Lana Del Rey attended the 62nd annual Grammy Awards ceremony in a dress she got at the mall while shopping with her boyfriend, per Harper’s Bazaar.

Celebrity style

Stranger Things actress Winona Ryder does not always favour designer dresses, and Only Murders in the Building star Selena Gomez just carried an inexpensive JW Pei handbag at the Golden Globes
Even royals like Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton can be fans of Zara, and Louis Vuitton fashionista Pharrell does not shy away from Adidas athleisure