At the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in Los Angeles, April 2026, Chriselle Lim wore a glossy black gown with cape sleeves and bold side cutouts, then finished it with minimal jewelry and sleek sandals.
That’s a serious cutout—and she didn’t blink. Chriselle Lim stepped onto the red carpet at the 4th Annual Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in Los Angeles, California on April 07, 2026, in a black satin-finish gown with cape-like sleeves that swings the whole silhouette into modern, slightly dramatic territory.
The front is deceptively simple: a high, straight neckline and a smooth panel across the bust. Then you notice the sides. The gown is cut away from underarm down through the waist and hip, with narrow straps bridging the opening so it still looks structured instead of accidental. And the sleeves aren’t sleeves in the usual sense—they’re more like a draped cape layer that falls off the shoulder line and moves when she shifts her arms.
Now for the part I love: the restraint everywhere else. She kept jewelry minimal (a delicate necklace, small earrings, and rings), which is the only way this kind of cutout stays chic instead of busy. But I’ll admit, I keep going back and forth on the hem pooling at the floor; a cleaner break at the ankle might’ve made the whole thing feel sharper.
Footwear is simple black open-toe sandals, and that choice makes sense—anything chunky would’ve fought the drape. And if you’ve been watching celebrity style lately, you’ll spot the pattern: big skin moment, clean styling, no extra noise. It’s not subtle. It’s controlled.
One line to steal for your own closet? If the dress is doing the talking, let everything else whisper.
Would you keep the cape sleeves with this cutout gown, or would you rather see the same cutout on a sleeveless, cleaner silhouette?
Share what you think