Bryce Dallas Howard wears a $330 Topshop dress at the Critics' Choice Awards

Bryce Dallas Howard says she prefers not to collaborate with stylists on her red carpet looks. Photo / AP

Bryce Dallas Howard stunned on the red carpet at the annual Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday night, but she wasn't wearing Prada, Gucci or Chanel.

Instead, the Jurassic World star opted for a showstopping mustard maxi dress with a plunging neckline - a cheeky number she picked up from Topshop, which retails for $US240 ($330) and is currently available at US department store Nordstrom.

Actress Bryce Dallas Howard wowed in this Topshop gown at the Critics' Choice Awards. Photo / AP

The 35-year-old actress teamed the flowing frock with a pair of Miu Miu heels, colourful drop earrings, high ponytail and a bold fringe - proving you don't have to spend a fortune to look drop dead gorgeous.

"It's great. It's comfortable," she told Entertainment Tonight on arrival. "It's flowy, which is good for this time of year - the holiday season."

It's not the first time Howard has opted not to borrow an expensive designer gown for a red carpet event. At the Golden Globes in January, she made headlines when she wore a Jenny Packham dress and revealed she had bought it without a stylist's assistance. She did the same with the Balmain dress she wore to last year's Critics' Choice Awards.

When asked by E! News host Giuliana Rancic at the Globes why she tends not to collaborate with a stylist ahead of Hollywood appearances, she simply said: "Because I like having lots of options for a size 6 as opposed to one option. I always go to different department stores. You know how it is."

The Black Mirror star often speaks out about why she prefers to craft her own red carpet rules.

The actress, who presented an award at this year's Critics' Choice Awards, describes her personal style as if "Carolyn Bessette met Kim Kardashian".