This week’s best celebrity looks were not on red carpets

Celebrity style and the Hollywood promotional circuit seem inextricably linked. Many of history’s most iconic celebrity outfits had their big moment on red carpets leading into events that either promote or celebrate film and TV projects.

When unified strike action hits Tinseltown, these glitzy events stop too because the work stoppage rules advise union members not to attend premieres, do interviews for completed projects, go to awards shows, attend film festivals or promote projects on social media.

As a result, we’ve cast our sartorial net wider this week when searching for our best A-list looks. Some were spotted on the picket line itself, some were at events promoting things not associated with the big and small screens and others were shown off during paid fashion campaigns dressed up as holidays.

See them all below, as we recap our picks of the best celebrity outfits from the past seven days.

Best frothy dress

Everyone on my Instagram feed seems to be on glamorous holidays in Europe, including this dream friend group including beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton, her sister, designer and DJ Harley, and Alexa Chung. I think it might actually be an influencer trip paid for by online store Farfetch – but look, it worked, because I am influenced.

This pink voluminous gown by Simone Rocha is like a delectable frothy cake, made even better with the whimsical heart-adorned red mules that I can’t ID, but need immediately. Alexa Chung’s comment on Rio’s Instagram post – “My outfit envy for your dress is still burning through my heart.” – is the highest of praise. – Zoe Walker Ahwa

Best in buttercup

The rest of the world might be painted pink all over but Emma Corrin’s having a summer coloured buttercup yellow. Last week we got that preppy short suit at Wimbledon and this week they showed off this dreamy Conner Ives A-line skirt and jacket combo. Maybe it’s time for yellow to have its moment in the sun?– Tyson Beckett

Best haughty-couture

Haughty Hamptons Gwyneth is my favourite Gwyneth. I love it when she goes ‘makeup-free’ and ‘casual’ to sell her expensive skincare. This time it’s the GOOP Serum Peptide (NZD$240), which she’s peddling the heck out of while wearing a covetable 70s inspired Gucci two piece. This is giving beach disco Barbie of the Upper East Side, and I am here for it. – Rebecca Wadey

Best shirt

Over the years I’ve gone through several style phases where I’ve decided that I will start to dress like this: classic, no-fuss, smart, preppy, with a wardrobe of crisp Ralph Lauren shirts and high-waisted pleated trousers.

A major stumbling block is that I rarely wear pants, as well as my love of girly prints (and frothy pink dresses that look like cakes; see above…) but this ensemble worn by actor Adria Arjona to Wimbledon is doing its best to convince me to pull out my ‘vintage’ Ralph Lauren once more. So simple, so effective. – ZWA

Best couple holding the line

At a Cannes Film Festival junket in May, shortly after the Writers Guild of America strike began, actor Paul Dano said, “My wife is currently picketing with my six-month-old, strapped to her chest, I will be there on the picket line when I get home.” His words hold weight because here he is with Zoe Kazan, each holding SAG-AFTRA and WGA signs on the picket line in New York.

Similar to the way I love seeing how people use their signs to convey their personality, I enjoy noting the subtle tweaks people make to the outfits they pair with the union branded t-shirts.

Here, both are wearing nondescript hats (they’re there to support the cause, not distract from it), Dano has a political badge pinned to his chest, while Kazan’s plaid skirt obviously has indie and school uniform connotations (themselves ripe ground for tweaks of individuality.) Then there’s the accessory that is a siren call to literary fans: the forest-green Daunt Books tote bag. – TB