Stylists Tell Us How 3 Simple Tweaks Could Have Elevated Hailey Bieber's CFDA Awards Look

Normally, Hailey Bieber hits the nail on the head with her award show style, but her look for the 2026 CFDA Awards left some fans scratching their heads. The starattended the November 2 New York event wearing a gold brocade Saint Laurent skirt suit with fur cuff sleeves designed by Anthony Vaccarello. The outfit marks a critical moment in Bieber's ongoing style transformation because it presented a notable departure from the softer, neutral looks she usually wears. Unfortunately, many thought it didn't suit her. "It looks a bit too mature for [Bieber]. And the proportions of where the top ends and skirt begins (or dress?) is not flattering at all," someone tweeted on X. "For once not a boring outfit but it doesn't flatter her," another chimed in, while a third asked if Bieber had been "forced" to wear the look. 

Of course, there's a valid argument that the fashion risk was a smart move for Bieber. "With Hailey being just weeks away from celebrating her 30th birthday, I think the rich gold brocade with the faux-fur cuffs gives a nod to a more mature and maximal Hailey that we don't typically see," Rachel Jimenez Penca, Personal Stylist and Founder of Rachel J Styling exclusively tells Women. Other stylists praised the look's unique French elegance. "To me, this was '80s glamour done almost perfectly,"Charline Zeroual, personal stylist and founder of the Sustainable Wardrobe Stylist, tells us. However, both stylists agree that the look would have improved with some minor tweaks.

If there's one thing that was noticeably off about Hailey Bieber's look at the CFDA Awards, it was the low-rise waist on the skirt. This gave the outfit a slightly dated appearance. Tailoring the garment would have been the easiest fix. "I'd raise the waistband so it sits closer to her natural waist," Charline Zeroual exclusively tells Women, noting it would create a more elegant proportion. "That small adjustment would define her waist and create a longer line from waist to hem, giving the whole silhouette a more elegant proportion."

Rachel Jimenez Penca, meanwhile, points out that one big issue with Bieber's outfit was the proportions. "The long sleeve fitted top and the gorgeous midi-skirt with the high slit are both standalone statement pieces," she exclusively tells Women. "Paired together, they compete for attention rather than creating a cohesive look. If I was styling Hailey, I would have shown a peek of skin at her midriff to break up the blockiness of the brocade." This would create a clearer point of definition. Jimenez Penca also notes that Bieber's chain belt would have stunned had it sat higher on her waist rather than slung across her hips. 

Finally, opting for another hair would have made a world of difference. While Bieber has a history of rocking short hair trends, for this occasion, she wore her collarbone length, dark brunette hair down. While the color was gorgeous, the styling was off. "Given the elaborate embellishments of this look, Hailey's long hair covering her face was a missed opportunity," Jimenez Penca says. "A sleek, tight ponytail would have lifted the eye and allowed the intricate details of the top to shine more." With those small touches, Bieber's look would have been pure gold.