How to Dress For A Movie Premiere (So That You Stand Out!)
Stressing out over your red carpet look? No worries! Here’s a simple guide on what to wear to a movie premiere for both male and female guests.
The red carpet is your runway, and the movie premiere is your big moment. You have been waiting for this night since you were a kid, when Hollywood stars would visit your house on the TV and tell you all about their glamorous lives. Your dream has finally come true! What should you wear?
The answer is simple: bring it on! This is your time to shine, so take risks with color or texture that might not be safe for day-to-day life. Dress like you’re going to the Venice Film Festival. And whether you’re wearing an elegant gown or sexy cocktail dress, make sure it’s formal enough for the occasion.

There are many ways you can dress for a film premiere. What you choose depends on who will be attending, what type of clothing they wear, and where the event is being held. You should always try to make sure that your clothes complement both your style and the occasion.
Usually, a red carpet movie premiere for a film with global reach is a formal or a black-tie event. If it’s an elegant evening affair at one of Hollywood’s more prestigious theaters or one of those red carpet premieres in New York City, then head straight for the designer section! However, if it’s just a small gathering with friends in your hometown movie theaters, then don’t worry about dressing up too much. Just go for a cute dress.
We have prepared a style guide below so you have an idea of what to wear for your perfect movie premiere outfit.
What To Wear To A Movie Premiere
1. Formal Dress
Get this dress on Rent The Runway
If the dress code calls for a black-tie event, go for a long evening gown. Sequined dresses and even cocktail dresses are perfectly fine too, especially if the dress code for the movie screening doesn’t really call for a black tie. To be really safe, you can also go for a nice black dress, which is the ultimate movie premiere look.
As this event is so one of a kind, you may want to use a service like Rent The Runway to source your dress. This service allows you to either rent multiple designer items for 1 month for a fraction of the retail price (starting at $69 per month for 4 items), or simply rent a designer item for less than a week.
For example, the dress that we featured can be rented for $60 for 4 days (the price of the rental depends on the retail value of the item!). This is not only the most sustainable way to shop for occasionwear but also the most practical way. I mean, when will you ever wear that $1,000+ dress again, anyway?
Alternatively, Net A Porter is a great second to source your evening gown, as they are filled to the brim with gorgeous designer dresses.
2. Comfortable Heels
Get these shoes on ASOS
You’ll be posing for cameras and rubbing elbows with fellow prominent people during the special screening, so wearing comfortable yet stylish footwear is a must. We don’t want you limping around with blisters on your feet! A pair of heels can make or break your fashion sense, so go for a sleek pair that you feel comfortable posing around with. In that way, you’ll get tons of pictures for your new posts on social media the next day!
3. Clutch
Get this YSL clutch on Nordstrom
You’ll also need a reliable purse or clutch to hold all of your essentials – your phone, lipstick, perfume, breath mints, and other things you need. You don’t need a clutch if you’re only bringing around your phone – also keep in mind that in most movie premiere screenings, mobile phones will be confiscated so that there won’t be any leaks to the public.
Fun designer purses are best for these types of events, but if you don’t feel like buying a new one (or wearing an old one), check out Rent The Runway‘s selection of bags. As mentioned, the rental prices start from $69 for 4 items per month.
4. Jewelry
This is a social event, so expect to dress up from head to toe – and that includes wearing jewelry! If you have an extravagant dress on you, a simple pair of earrings and a necklace will do just fine. But if you’re wearing a simple outfit, then it’s a good choice to go all out with statement jewelry so you can shine, especially during an evening viewing!
And there you have it! At the end of the day, going to a movie premiere is all about having fun, dressing up, and enjoying the exclusive movie screening. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous with your movie premiere outfit! Just don’t show up in shorts, jeans, tank tops, t-shirts, and flip flops.