Pamela Anderson Proved Fall 2026's Polarizing Color Trend Is Perfect For Women Over 50

After years of quiet minimalism, the trendiest colors of fall 2026 feel like a return to bright and bold. Think jewel tones of teal, purple, and red. But of all the dramatic shades appearing on runways and popping up on Pinterest mood boards, vivid orange might be the most polarizing. After all, it's a notoriously difficult color to style. But Pamela Anderson, whose style transformation since the '90s has been a sight to see, embraced adventurous dressing when she stepped out in a head-to-toe citrus-colored look for the 2026 amfAR gala in Venice. And it's a subtle message to women over 50 to be fearless with wearing bold looks.

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At the gala, the daring shade was unexpectedly stunning on the star. Despite her blond hair, Anderson has golden undertones, so the warmth of an all-orange look complements her palette. As a result, she seemed to glow. The Calvin Klein gown was simple yet elegant, allowing the color to be the star of the show.

The citrus color was a bold choice for the star, and so was Anderson baring her arms in the sleeveless gown. Many women stop wearing sleeveless looks as they age because of insecurities, as skin can begin to droop around the arms as women age. However, this looks like the latest aging stigma that Anderson is eager to smash. After all, she's among the older celebrities who aren't playing by society's beauty rules.

When Pamela Anderson returned to acting in 2022 — she starred as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" on Broadway that year — it had been a few decades since her heyday as a "Playboy" model and the face of "Baywatch." But it was immediately clear that Anderson had no intentions of letting a few fine lines hold her back. She grabbed headlines for treading red carpets without makeup, smashing the unwritten rule that women of a certain age should use makeup to try and turn back the clock. These days, it turns out, former '90s glam queen Anderson lives by one beauty rule: less is more.

Anderson's choice to make "no makeup" into her signature beauty look feels quite radical, especially in an industry so preoccupied with youth. But it's a bold statement that other women over 50 can learn from. "She's very pretty," wrote one Reddit user. "She has been inspiring other women to go makeup-free for events, too. It's really cute." She's proving that women don't need to rock a "full beat" to be beauty icons.

For her part, Anderson admitted she was tired of the conventions that pushed everyone to strive for the same beauty standard. "I think people are starting to look more alike these days," she told People in 2025. "I just never want to get caught up in that trap... I still have fun, but I don't want to look like anybody else. I want to look like me."