How to dress like you belong on the red carpet

The red carpets are rolled out, the stars have arrived, and Toronto is on fire for the 50th anniversary of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). And you’ve scored yourself an invite to a hot-ticket affair. While finding an outfit worthy of the red carpet can be a daunting plot twist, The Fitzroy is jam-packed with countless (literally) options of all colours and styles – all available to rent. It’s all about shining in the spotlight. 

The Fitzroy’s rental dresses have been a red carpet staple since the company’s 2016 launch. After literally bursting at the seams with eveningwear, the brand moved into a stunning new showroom (213 Sterling Rd Unit 111) in 2024. When it comes to dressing for the TIFF red carpet, we turned to the style experts at The Fitzroy for the inside scoop. After all, when it comes to a memorable red carpet moment, the right dress is the best kind of drama.

The golden rules of fit and length

The two most important things to keep in mind are fit and length, says The Fitzroy co-founder Julie Kalinowski, who launched the brand with Angela Pastor. “You don’t want to look or feel uncomfortable when walking the red carpet and having photos taken,” says Kalinowski. “So, if the strapless dress keeps falling down or there is puckering at the waist, etc. it may be getting in your way and, even if it’s not that noticeable, you may be self-conscious about it when you want to be just focusing on having a great time.” 

In terms of length Kalinowski says to keep in mind that a red carpet event is likely more of a standing event, so you want to make sure you’re not tripping or having others stepping on your hem. “I always recommend just grazing the ground or wearing tea length if it’s a formal event,” she says. “You can also really play around with proportions and hemlines on the red carpet so pieces like suits and minis, or long dresses with leg slits for better movement (and a little leg moment) are all great styles that make for a great red carpet look.”

Typically, you can’t be too glamorous. “It’s a time to really bring all the glam, so don’t be afraid to really go for it with sparkles or a dramatic outfit and hair and makeup,” says Pastor. 

Style slip-ups to avoid

One of the biggest red carpet mistakes is playing it too safe. “I find it’s either trying not to stand out too much, so they gravitate to their comfort zone, or something that falls into the category of what they would typically wear to a formal event,” says Kalinowski. “With a red carpet event you can really play with fashion and your personal style and use the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. I’m all for main character energy no matter if you’re A-list or any other list.” 

The other common mistake is going for something that is not a good length or proportion for your body type, according to the Fitzroy team. “A good rule of thumb is to do a few quick tests: a walking test, sitting test, dancing test, and taking a video of yourself,” says Pastor. “These can all really show you if it’s a good overall look for you and if you feel comfortable. Comfort doesn’t mean compromising style, it’s more in the sense of what you feel good in, what you feel you shine in, so that you’re not focusing on your dress or fidgeting with it but shining out your own radiant self.”

Posing: Tricks of the trade

The trick is to stand with confidence and focus on your favourite features. “If it’s your legs, use a slit or shorter hemline to show those off (a la Angelina Jolie) and have that one leg out a bit to the side,” says Kalinowski. “If it’s your decolletage, then a strapless or off-the-shoulder look is a great choice and posing with one hand on the waist for a more interesting silhouette. Crossing your legs and slightly twisting at the waist is a great pose and if you have pockets (bonus!) you can use those for a relaxed stance or use your clutch in one hand if you don’t know where to put your hands.” 

It’s also important to keep in mind what types of dresses photograph best. “Solid colours from head-to-toe are always elongated and bright colours are always a great pop and stand out on the red carpet – think reds, oranges, cobalt blues, emerald greens, white, etc,” says Pastor. “Black is a classic and you can’t go wrong, but I personally love a pop of colour to stand out in a photo. A great suit can also be perfect.”

Red carpet trends to watch

“We’re seeing a lot of corsets and dropped waists being in demand among our clients and recent red carpets (it gives that popular “snatched” fit of an hourglass figure), as well as draping and bodycon styles,” says Pastor. “Sparkle (as always), embellishments, and sheer fabrics have also been trends.”

“In terms of trending colours I love seeing both on the red carpet and our clients the chocolate browns, reds, olive greens,” says Kalinowski. “And we’re still seeing pastels going strong into recent red carpets in the form of sage, light blues and butter yellows. And metallics have always been strong for the red carpet and are still trending, you can’t go wrong with gold or silver to make for a glam red carpet look.”

The finishing touches

Don’t compete with your dress but complement it. Take the time to figure out if you’re more of a silver or gold person and go with one of those for the jewelry, says Kalinowski.  “I do love mixing metallics as well but a good rule of thumb is to keep the one you look better in close to your face,” says Kalinowski.  

Kalinowski says to either match the accessories with the colour of your dress (ie. emerald green dress and emerald green earrings) or do the opposite on the colour wheel (ie. green dress and purple earrings, or blue and orange, etc.). 

“A great way to take the look to that next level and really create the full effect is to use accessories to add drama Ie. sheer opera gloves, jewels in the hair or a statement bag,” says Pastor. “It’s also a good way to bring glamour to a more simple look.”

Borrow your next big look

A red carpet look can dent the wallet, but renting gives you access to a designer dress without the designer price tag, or having to buy a dress only to have it wastefully collect dust in your closet. 

“No one needs to own a formal gown, it’s truly a one-time wear, so renting allows you to achieve that red carpet look without the commitment and cost,” says Kalinowski. “Our rentals range from $110 – $160 for a 4-day rental and we have stylists on hand at our downtown Toronto showroom that can help you figure out what is best for your body type, height, and occasion.” So, there’s no need for a celebrity stylist. No appointment is needed and the studio is open seven days a week for walk-ins. Clients can either book ahead or walk out with the look. You can also rent online and all the garment details and measurements are there. 

“We also take care of the cleaning and can even ship it to you and back so it’s such an easy, convenient and fun experience, and a way to shine on a red carpet and have that polished and high-end look without spending a fortune,” says Pastor.