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Is there a school where famous people learn how to pose for the red carpet? And if not a school then at least a rulebook which is passed on from celebrity to celebrity? Line up red carpet photographs next to each other and you’ll see what we mean. With awards season in full swing, we’re here to decode the nine most noticeable red carpet poses and why exactly celebrities use them. Read on.
The crossed legs
Mostly used by models, who are by definition tall and slender, the crossed legs is the standing sister of seated crossed legs. The pose can make a dress of any length look demure – even the shortest of minis – and by a trick of the eye, makes the legs look half the width. Alexa Chung and Olivia Palermo are serial crossed leg posers (although neither of them need any help in looking good).By Julia Frank -
The hands-on-hips
Whether you go for one arm or the double, the hands-on-hips pose defines the waist, straightens out the shoulders and slims the upper arms. It's a good fall-back when you don't know what to do with your hands. -
The diagonal
Named after the left thigh, which is angled diagonally across the right leg, this pose is used for floor-length gowns to outline the body, curving at the waist like a screw. The diagonal works in tandem with the singular hand-on-hip. Also excellent for showing off a train. -
The Angelina leg
Angelina Jolie single-handedly spawned this pose (and a Twitter account) when her right leg emerged through the thigh-high slit of her black velvet Atelier Versace gown at the 2012 Oscars. So often is this combination of up-to-there slit and flashed leg seen on the red carpet, it’s hard to imagine life before the Angelina leg. -
The over-the-shoulder
Stand at a 45 degree angle to the media wall, look over your slightly-raised front shoulder and make eye contact with the cameras. Best utilised to accentuate an hourglass figure (exhibit A: Beyoncé) or when the outfit has a more dramatic exit than entrance (exhibit B: Emma Stone’s big Lanvin bow). -
The Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham’s red carpet consistency deserves its own name: the Victoria Beckham. Her signature pose is basically the diagonal with an extended hip jut and wedding ring display. If her hair is out or in a ponytail, it will casually cascade over the front shoulder too. -
The blowing kiss
Reserved exclusively for Victoria’s Secret models, the blowing kiss is the only instance in which pouting is acceptable on the red carpet. Hands must be positioned correctly (remember, without them the still image will look like you’re just blowing air). The blowing kiss is a genuine display of affection (oh, and sex sells) but it’s also used strategically by models to define their cheekbones. -
The twirl
The twirl occurs when the wearer is photographed in motion waving the fabric of their gown on the red carpet. The move requires volume in the lower half of the dress and a fitted upper half, lest you look like a tent. And, co-ordination and deftness in balancing in heels. Lupita Nyong’o is a pro. -
The hands-in-pockets
A relative of the hands-on-hips, the hands-in-pockets is self-explanatory. Basically, everyone loves a dress with pockets (novelty!) and it’s an ingenious way to hide otherwise awkward extremities. Plus, there’s the cool factor: hands-in-pockets automatically relaxes (and flatters) the wearer.
Red carpet poses decoded: the nine poses celebrities use for photographs and why
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