Against all the odds, the 2021 Oscars triumphed: in true Hollywood style. The event was delayed by two months, and eventually took place over multiple locations in keeping with the COVID restrictions: but the result was a glittering, glamorous, iconic affair that will surely cement the 93rd Academy Awards as one of the most famous in Oscar history.
And then, of course, there’s the fashion. Unique, glamorous style abounded on the red carpet, along with impeccable taste and the suavest, most sophisticated aesthetics around. We’ve rounded up our selection of the best dressed men to walk last night’s red carpet — if there were any awards going for personal style, these gentlemen would most certainly win our votes.
The picture of understated elegance
Daniel Kaluuya. Photo: Getty Images
Aldis Hodge with Regina King. Photo: Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
Riz Ahmed. Photo: Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
We’ve always been advocates of the old adage, ‘less is more’ — and these three actors certainly got the memo. Kaluuya picked up the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for his brilliant performance in Judah and the Black Messiah; and he certainly looked every bit the winner, dressed in all-black: with the highlight being his custom Bottega Veneta double-breasted black tuxedo. As aesthetics go, his aesthetic was about as elegant as they come; to say nothing of his Cartier diamond necklace, ring and watch.
And Aldis Hodge opted for the understated look with one colour, too; except that he chose a white jacket, white shirt and white trousers. Dolce & Gabbana were behind this winning combination, and it’s safe to say that Hodge embraced the understated elegance to the highest degree.
And in the final look of our understated trio: Riz Ahmed sported a black Prada suit over a black jumper, and he couldn’t have looked more elegant if he’d tried. Nominated for his excellent performance in Sound of Metal, Ahmed was every bit the style icon on the red carpet: leading the way in impeccable style and chic, understated sophistication.
Brown was the style colour of the moment
Peter Spears. Photo: Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher. Photo: Rick Rycroft-Pool/Getty Images
Charles D. King. Photo: Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
Peter Spears was the picture of effortless, relaxed nonchalance in a classic beige suit jacket, complete with brown bow tie and trousers. The Nomadland producer looked every bit the Hollywood inspiration, and exuded debonair style with every step on that red carpet — a style aided greatly by the subtle sophistication that brown does oh-so-well.
Sacha Baron Cohen and his wife, Isla Fisher, did things a little differently; they celebrated the 93rd Academy Awards all the way from Sydney. But while Baron Cohen may have been celebrating from a distance, his style was undoubtedly one of the best looks of the night: nominated for his brilliant performance in The Trial of the Chicago 7, Baron Cohen was garbed in a handmade mocha suit courtesy of Ralph Lauren Purple Label: and his brown bow tie and linen slippers were the perfect compliments to the ultimate debonair get-up.
And Charles D. King looked every bit the suave Hollywood producer in his breathtakingly stylish ensemble, courtesy of Frère. He paired the classic bow tie and white shirt with a glamorous brown jacket, and it’s safe to say that it’s certainly a look we can certainly get on board with.
A love letter to old Hollywood with the classic tux
Brad Pitt. Photo: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
Steven Yeun. Photo: Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
Harrison Ford. Photo: Todd Wawrychuk/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images
Nominated for Best Actor for his outstanding performance in Minari, Steven Yeun was the picture of classic elegance in a dapper black tux. Gucci was the mastermind behind this sublimely sophisticated aesthetic (custom Gucci, no less): an aesthetic that celebrated everything we love about the classic tuxedo.
Harrison Ford always seems to get it right, doesn’t he? And he most certainly got it right last night, while he presented the award for Best Film Editing. Looking indubitably suave in a Paul Smith tuxedo, the renowned actor exuded polished style and a refined sophistication as he read out the happy winner (Sound of Metal).
And where Brad Pitt was concerned, most of the talk surrounding his Oscar get-up has been devoted to his ponytail. We’ll forgive him anything, though, thanks to his gloriously dapper tux; while presenting the award for Best Supporting Actress, Pitt looked the picture of gentlemanly style and sophistication, in true classic Hollywood form.
Looking for more style inspiration from the stars? Here’s how to dress like Alain Delon…
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