Honouring the best films of 2016, last night’s 89th Academy Awards saw a sleek lineup of looks, from velvet jackets to classic black tuxedos, and the return of the three-piece dinner suit. We’ve rounded-up Hollywood’s best-dressed men – who made sartorial statements on the red carpet…
There’s no doubt that the white dinner jacket is having its red carpet moment this awards season. Refreshingly modern, and just as suave as the classic all-black dinner suit, A United Kingdom star David Oyelowo wore a dashing Dolce & Gabbana two-piece. Jamie Dornan also sported a peak-lapelled Hermès dinner suit, as did Lion (best picture nominee) star Dev Patel in Burberry.
Whilst the velvet dinner jacket is usually best offset with classic tuxedo trousers, Michael Strahan (who was accompanied by Best Supporting Actress nominee Octavia Spencer for Hidden Figures) pulled off the head-to-toe velvet effortlessly.
Josh Dallas’ chocolate brown Isaia two-piece was exceptionally refined, and made an impressive, original statement. Best Animated Feature Film nominee, Walt Disney’s Moana, featured the voice of Dwayne Johnson, who looked elegant in a sapphire blue velvet two-piece with contrast piping details.
Whether it’s sapphire or indigo, the blue dinner suit is a modern alternative for the gent who wants to set themselves apart from the timeless navy clan. Captain America: Civil War’s Chris Evans demonstrated a sophisticated contrast cobalt blue shawl-lapel Salvatore Ferragamo dinner suit. The Night Of actor and Gentleman’s Journal cover star Riz Ahmed perfected his Ermenegildo Zegna suit by matching his bow-tie and blue suede-accented shoes, too.
In the world of dinner suits, the shawl-lapel dinner suit has recently become as highly sought-after as its traditional peak-lapel cousin. Mel Gibson, who directed Best Picture nominee, Hacksaw Ridge, proved that the shawl-lapelled dinner suit is a gentlemanly nod to timeless elegance.
André Holland, who starred as Kevin in Oscar-winning Moonlight looked suave in his shawl-lapel two-piece – and, equally favourable, was 6-time Oscar winning La La Land’s Ryan Gosling, whose Gucci two-piece stole the show along with his custom-made ruffle-detailed shirt.
Perhaps the most classic of the classics, a peak lapel dinner suit will never lose its place as the dinner suit every gentleman should have. Oscar-nominated Andrew Garfield, who played Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge, filled Tom Ford’s signature peak-lapelled two piece effortlessly.
La La Land’s John Legend also showcased gentlemanly style in Gucci, wearing an oversized bow-tie to heighten a classic look. Oscar-winner Casey Affleck (who played Lee Chandler in Manchester by the Sea) remained classically sophisticated in Louis Vuitton.
The three-piece offers a suitable alternative to a cumbersome cummerbund, and is a gentlemanly nod to power-dressing. Hell or High Water’s Jeff Bridges exhibited timeless appeal by using a white handkerchief to accent the look. Viggo Mortensen, who starred as Ben Cash in Captain Fantastic, opted for a navy Dior Homme three-piece, whilst Arrival star Jeremy Renner looked equally suave in Hugo Boss’ deep navy three-piece.
The modern gentleman knows how to break the mould whilst remaining elegant, and Pharrell Williams’ Chanel take on the traditional morning coat proved that, when done well, the most unpredictable of attire can look suave on the red carpet.
Terrence Howard, who played Lucious Lyon in the TV series Empire, redefined sartorial-cool by wearing La Perla’s evening robe. Oscar-winning Moonlight star, Mahershala Ali, also made a statement in head-to-toe black Ermenegildo Zegna.
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