Before & After Pics Show Of Kristen Stewart's Major Style Glow-Up

Kristen Stewart has had fans in a chokehold ever since her enduring performances in "The Twilight Saga" film series. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for her sartorial sensibilities on the red carpet. The actor, who has a penchant for black, white, and muted tones – or a combination thereof – and a tendency to dress drab at some of Hollywood's most prestigious events, has landed on several fashion faux pas lists, with outfits that completely missed the mark. This is why it was as much a surprise as it was a pleasure to see Stewart's major style glow-up at the "Full Phil" screening during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival in France. 

For the official red carpet premiere that evening, "The Runaways" star wore a custom Chanel gown from the Fall 2026 collection. The design was a bold red-and-black illusion-style sleeveless gown with a sweeping hemline, resulting in a risqué skin-baring look on the 5-foot-5 actor. Staying true to her signature grunge-style aesthetics, she paired the haute couture gown with black high-top Chanel sneakers. Overall, Stewart pulled off a pretty flattering look, complete with a wispy pixie-cut hairstyle featuring face-framing bangs and bright red lipstick to match her outfit.

Stewart's 2026 Cannes Film Festival outfit is indeed a far cry from her usual edgy, tomboy, or boho-inspired style she typically wears on the red carpet. Looking back at one of her classic eccentric looks (below) at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival and comparing it to the red-and-black Chanel gown, the elevated style transformation is evident, as is her undeniable glow-up.

Jb Lacroix & Ernesto Ruscio/Getty & undefined

Since becoming a Chanel ambassador in 2013, Kristen Stewart has had an iconic style evolution, frequenting high-profile events donning the fashion house's haute couture creations. Naturally, many of these runway looks don't always translate well in the real world. She has often found herself on the receiving end of criticism when some of those bold fashion moments failed to resonate with the public.

Over the years, it appears her partnership with Chanel has influenced her personal style, as she's often seen embracing the same kind of unconventional designs, which are synonymous with their collection. According to Stewart, however, she is a genuine admirer of Chanel, noting she feels "ignited" when she wears the clothing. "I genuinely would wear everything that I have put on to shoot the campaign in, I could like run around the block in," Stewart said of the Chanel Spring-Summer 2020 collection, spearheaded by Virginie Viard, the former artistic director at Chanel. "Virginie is a punk rocker, I genuinely feel kind of ignited by the clothes that she makes."

This explains why Stewart's style choices often align with Chanel's high-fashion designs. The actor previously said she feels her most authentic self when wearing the brand. "With Chanel, I've never been made to feel like I was telling a story that wasn't being pulled out of me in a really honest way," she told Vanity Fair. It's safe to say, Stewart's partnership with Chanel has allowed her to embrace a style that feels true to her personality — too bad it hasn't always earned her a spot on the best-dressed lists.