The best and worst looks at the Baftas: Billie Piper goes punk-rock and Claudia Winkleman wears leggings

Telegraph

12-05-2025

The Bafta TV awards are not only a reason to celebrate the best of British television, but also an excuse for some glorious red carpet fashion. As the star's descended on London's Royal Festival Hall amid soaring temperatures for this year's ceremony, there was an eclectic mix of looks – from the impeccably elegant to the curiously accessorised.
Anna Maxwell Martin may have attended due to her nomination for Leading Actress (for her turn in ITV1's Until I Kill You) but she also made a compelling bid for best-dressed. Her black dress with asymmetric ruffles, bows and peplum detailing (which resembles Roksanda's covetable designs) set the tone for one of the key trends of the night – texture.
Another fine example of this came courtesy of Nicola Coughlan, who was nominated for her comedic role in Channel 4's Big Mood. The Bridgerton star's ensemble featured a glittering black lace skirt and floral off-the-shoulder top in the perfect shade of clotted cream. Then there was Marisa Abela, whose rich plum-hued look combined a corseted hourglass top and a textured skirt with flattering drapes.
Other celebrities offered slightly more surprising looks, namely Billie Piper, who will likely divide commentators with her punk-rock princess aesthetic. The bubblegum pink off-the-shoulder gown featured a voluminous train that puffed out to reveal a pleated mini skirt beneath, paired with platform corset-lace shoes that appeared to nod to the late Vivienne Westwood.
Perhaps even more divisive than the punky fairytale dress was what was worn beneath it – semi-opaque tights, despite London's 25-degree heat. Piper was not the only star to defy the mini-heatwave sweeping the UK; Emily Atack looked fresh in a white dress with gathered detail and Rivals -worthy power shoulders, but her black leather opera gloves must have been decidedly warm.
Another unseasonable trend that cropped up on the red carpet was a festive favourite: velvet. Jessica Gunning looked glamorous in a black velvet off-the-shoulder gown with gilded gold details, while Emma King (who arrived with her husband Alex Hassell) made a strong case for wearing the material all year round in a black strapless dress with a cut-out and subtle peplum.
As well as the wisdom of wintery accessories and the surprising appeal of summer velvet, another sartorial question raised on the night was – can you wear leggings on a red carpet? The answer is an emphatic yes if you happen to be Claudia Winkleman, who ripped up the rulebook and arrived in black leggings dressed up with a sharp black blazer and white pointed stilettos.
Whether or not they were the signature Spanx style the presenter frequently dons for The Traitors, the look was pleasingly rebellious. And in any case, it was heartening to see that she didn't upstage Baftas host Alan Cumming, who also brought a touch of vampy Traitors style to the red carpet in a kilt over tailored trousers, a jacket with exaggerated lapels and what looked like white tailored wings.
Speaking of tailoring, there were plenty of brilliant men's looks on the red carpet, especially from the cast of Rivals. Hassell knocked it out of the park in kick-flare tailored trousers and a marron neck-tie that brought a touch of playful chic, while David Tennant donned a check suit with burgundy piping – plus a flamboyant silk shirt. Danny Dyer looked dapper in a tuxedo with a navy blue lapel, plus his new signature moustache.
And it wasn't just the men who showcased the power of a great suit. If there's one key trend that has cropped up time and again on the 2025 red carpets, it's women in power suits (see Nicole Kidman going full Annie Hall at the Critics Choice Awards for a notable example). The Baftas red carpet – more specifically Jessie J in a subtly oversized burgundy suit and tie – suggested that the look is here to stay. All in all, there were plenty of talking points on a glorious May day.