Sydney Sweeney Red Carpet Outfits That Had People Talking For All The Wrong Reasons

Sydney Sweeney has had a few outfits that totally missed the mark when it comes to trends, but she's also had a handful that sparked serious backlash. "The White Lotus" star certainly hasn't shied away from making fashion statements, and much of Sweeney's style transformation has seen her opt for risqué, fashion-forward numbers she likely knows will get tongues wagging. Though many stars rely solely on the advice of their stylist, Sweeney's stylist Molly Dickinson told Vogue the actor has a big say in what she steps out in. "Sydney's very, very involved," Dickinson said, revealing the star often sends her outfit ideas before events.

But while two heads may be better than one when creating a stylish ensemble, that doesn't mean every outfit Sweeney has slipped into before walking the red carpet has escaped criticism. From her ill-fitting 2023 Cannes Film Festival dress to her doomed take on butter yellow – the most on-color trend of spring/summer 2025 – these Sweeney outfits definitely got people talking. But for all the wrong reasons.

Sydney Sweeney tried trendy butter yellow, just like Kate Middleton, in 2025, but didn't see the same praise as the Princess of Wales. The "Euphoria" star was slammed for her ballerina-style gown at the "Americana" premiere, where she sported a matching headband and shoes. One X user wrote, "The yellow washes her out and doesn't match her genes tbh[.] Also the headband is atrocious." Another agreed about the thick accessory, which felt unnecessary and dominated the outfit, claiming, "...She has a really, really bad headwear."

Sydney Sweeney had everyone talking for the wrong reasons at SXSW in 2024 when she wore a vintage, bridal-style, off-the-shoulder dress with a high-slit, which she held open to reveal her full-lace, thigh-high boots. But not everyone was feeling the textured ensemble. Many felt the garment was outdated and weren't fans of her statement footwear. "Sydney is lovely. Ghastly dress. No saving this one and adding the leggings just adds to the trainwreck," one Instagram user quipped. Arguably though, a more modern shoe may have helped upgrade the ensemble.

While walking the red (or blue) carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, fans had a lot to say about the fit of Sydney Sweeney's light blue, strappy, slip dress that exposed her satin bra. Though the move appeared deliberate, the too small cups on the dress and obvious lingerie caused a big stir, with one TikToker commenting, "She's so beautiful but send that stylist to jail for doing that to her chest with that dress."

Sydney Sweeney paid homage to Angelina Jolie on the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party red carpet by wearing the same Marc Bouwer dress Jolie wore to the Oscars 20 years earlier. But not everyone was happy to see her in such an iconic gown, and an avalanche of comparisons flooded social media. "Sorry. She ain't got s**t on Angelina in her prime. The audacity," one X user hit back. Another wrote on Instagram, "Nobody can wear what Angelina Jolie wears better. Ever. You'll set yourself up for failure."

Few Sydney Sweeney outfits caused as much of a stir as her light pink crop top and low-rise, pink glitter skirt at the 2022 MTV Movie and TV Awards. After Who What Wear's Instagram shared a video of the star on the red carpet, a serious debate about the return of the low-rise clothing ramped up in the comments. One fan wrote, "Ugh, the dreaded low rise. The most unflattering style women have ever had to get thru, shortening the legs, boxing the butt, squaring the torso, yuk!"

At the 2025 Met Gala, Sydney Sweeney faced backlash again for her take on the theme. The tagline for the event was "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," so not everyone was happy the star's large keyhole chest, black dress paid homage to white actress Kim Novak. "Sydney Sweeney needs to explain how paying homage to a white woman is black dandyism," one person wrote on X. A second pointed out, "Sydney Sweeney is not on the theme for the night at all. Nice gown, beautiful gowns, though."

At the 2023 "Anyone But You" NYC premiere, Sydney Sweeney stunned in an embellished, semi-sheer, silver dress. The gown was stunning, but it got people talking because it was one of 10 (yes, 10) outfits she wore over two days — which was far a statement about sustainable fashion. "Sydney Sweeney's outfits were nice, but imagine the impact on the environment with that amount of clothes for just 48 hours," an X user wrote. "The fashion industry needs to think more sustainably!"

Sydney Sweeney's name was on everyone's lips again in 2023 when she appeared on the red carpet at the Australian premiere of "Anything But You." That time, it was the dress itself that had social media riled up, as the sheer, cream number exposed her bra top with obvious seams in the skirt. It inspired a debate on Reddit, where one user commented, "Awkward, goes for sexy but looks frumpy and unflattering ... The stitching on the skirt looks like it was thought of at the last minute."