Sydney Sweeney brought classic glamour to the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. She stepped onto the red carpet for the Virtuosos Award ceremony. Her look leaned heavily into Old Hollywood style. The actor, who has been earning acting credits with her roles in “Euphoria,” “The White Lotus,” “Anyone But You,” and more recently “The Housemaid,” attended the event as a 2026 Virtuosos Award honoree, celebrating her recent work in film and television.
Sydney Sweeney models cream-colored Ceil Chapman gown with ruched detail for SBIFF
For the occasion, Sydney Sweeney wore a cream coloured, off-the-shoulder gown by Ceil Chapman. According to Hello! Magazine, the dress featured a softly draped neckline that sat just below the shoulders, drawing attention to her collarbones and creating a timeless silhouette. A small brooch detail gathered the fabric at the centre.
Ruching played a central role in the dress’ design. The bodice featured gentle, horizontal ruching that created texture and shape, while the skirt continued the technique vertically, allowing the fabric to fall smoothly to the floor. The sleeves, which were also ruched along the arms, added dimension and sophisticated detail. As such, this consistent use of ruching gave the outfit much depth while keeping the overall silhouette clean.
The look nodded clearly to classic screen sirens, pairing clean lines with fluid movement rather than dramatic embellishment. Sweeney completed the outfit with pointed-toe heels in a matching neutral tone. Her styling stayed true to the Old Hollywood inspiration. This included her signature blonde hair worn in glossy cascading waves with volume, while her makeup was kept soft and luminous. Additionally, a nude lip added warmth without overpowering the look.
The Virtuosos Award ceremony is a key moment during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, giving a spotlight to performers whose work has made a strong impact over the past year. Sweeney’s appearance placed her firmly among that group, while her fashion choice reflected a polished, classic approach to red carpet dressing. The evening showed that awards season style remains focused on refined silhouettes and timeless details, with Sweeney’s Ceil Chapman gown standing out as one of the night’s most elegant looks.
Originally reported by Viha Shah on theFashionSpot.
