Photo: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
Adept, often hilarious, and compelling social commentary on the Academy Awards’ lack of diversity did not detract from the universal appeal of men in classic Hollywood attire, from simple to upgraded posh tuxedos. Host Chris Rock’s remark about a sea of black tuxes wasn’t far off, but to the keen eyes of fashion followers, stylists and menswear brands, the classic, understated approach was upgraded with refined detailing, superb tailoring and pops of color to make the 88th Annual Academy Awards very worthy of watching.
Ultra fine fabrics (lots of velvet and silk) along with the additions of diamond brooches and other accessories punched up the showcase looks. Pharrell didn’t disappoint with his diamond bracelets, rolled up tux pants and sockless look. Also worth a notice was the lack of puddled material at men’s ankles. We like the new length, but Christian Bale’s ill-fitting jacket and Common’s wrinkled pants could have used some attention.
Also: Gentleman’s Guide To Style At The 58th Annual Grammy Awards
Red Carpet shoes for men have long been a fashion flatline on the Oscars red carpet, but not this year! We’ve seen ‘mankles’ before, especially Pharrell, who loves his roll-ups and comfy footwear, but the trend of elegant gentlemen’s footwear made ladies green as they suffered in heels. Add-ons of embroidery with snake motifs, emblems and more added extra fashion points to the tally. Actor Jared Leto and fashion’s man of the moment took the pageantry in hand, with the new face of Gucci’s Guilty fragrance outfitted by designer de jour Alessandro Michele, the new creative designer of Gucci. His embroidered slippers and jacket along with a tuxedo framed by unique sharp red piping stood out in the ocean of tuxes.
The expected lack of variety in styles forced brands Tom Ford, Prada, Dunhill, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, Lanvin and others to wrestle for the chance to dress the top nominated actors. It was all about the details, meant to capture the photo moment at the most delicious event of the season.
The best Oscars fashion moments from The 88th Annual Academy Awards:
Oscars Fashion | Best Looks From The 88th Academy Awards
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Chris Rock
Host Chris Rock wore a sharp Burberry shawl-collar white jacket tuxedo. The lapel has such a unique cut; we are adding it to a must-look list of the evening.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
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Chris Evans
Chris Evans was debonair in this Prada navy tuxedo with velvet trimmed satin peak lapel and black velvet bow-tie. The universal appeal of this tuxedo makes simplicity a winner.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images.
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Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe
Ryan Gosling (L) in Gucci with a black shawl lapel, one-button Signoria tuxedo stunned with the white bow-tie on white shirt. Russell Crowe (R) wore a Giorgio Armani black two-button peak lapel tuxedo with a classic white evening shirt and sharp satin tie and black studs.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
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Michael Strahan
The Live! With Kelley and Michael co-host wore a ‘preppy meets vintage’ three-piece blue tuxedo. The tux is from his new Michael Strahan line.
Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.
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Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio, the Best Actor winner won the night for The Revenant and won look of the evening in his stellar Giorgio Armani, Made to Measure tux paired with lace-up shoes by Christian Louboutin.
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.
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Eddie Redmayne
The Best Actor nominee for the Danish Girl arrived in a finely tailored laid-back Alexander McQueen black velvet tuxedo with black satin shawl lapel. The velvet slippers with black socks made the statement even more of an eye catching moment!
Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage.
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Common
Common’s Dolce and Gabbana all white tuxedo is a bold statement for the evening. Michela Erlander, the star’s longtime stylist, accented the tuxedo with studs, cuff links, and a popping diamond pin on lapel from Fred Leighton.
Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.
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Ryan Seacrest
The E! Live From the Red Carpet host went with his own line of menswear. He stepped out in a shawl collar tuxedo with a heather gray blazer, slim black pants and a sharp satin bow tie.
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.
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Jacob Tremblay
The pint-size actor stepped out in a classic Giorgio Armani tuxedo adorably rocked with a little peak lapel and teamed with shiny lace-ups.
Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.
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Henry Cavill
In velvet tux and satin pants by Dunhill, Superman could do no wrong.
Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.
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Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams mixes it up again with the red carpet’s first male bare ankle! The bleach blonde hair and black brogues made marks, as did the fashion forward music star's Lanvin tux with diamond bracelets and rolled up cuffs.
Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images.
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Jared Leto
The Suicide Squad actor wore a Gucci tuxedo piped in red with a scarlet rose floral tie embellishment that did not go unnoticed! The embellished snake loafers kept eyes on the star all evening long!
Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage.
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Abraham Attah
Beasts of No Nation actor Abraham Attah stepped out in posh slippers and this smart, three-piece Dolce and Gabbana tuxedo. The fashionable slippers by TOMS rocked sans socks made the mark. TOMS has committed to donate 10,000 pairs to the 15-year-old’s home country of Ghana.
Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.
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Sylvester Stallone
On the arm of his wife Jennifer Flavin, the best supporting actor nominee for Creed turned heads in a navy blue and black tuxedo with black lapels, plus patent lace up shoes. His wife Jennifer Flavin is stunning in Saint Laurent.
Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.
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Kevin Hart
The comedian wore an accented Dolce and Gabbana tuxedo jacket, edged all around in glittering black stones. The comic proved he’s totally on trend, fitting right in with some fully sequined gowns. Oscar’s next host?
Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.
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Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender wears a Tom Ford Green Carpet challenge tuxedo. Ford was a participant of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC) this year, and created this bespoke grain de poudre tuxedo, made of fabric known as OEKO-TEK, a European spun wool with a low environmental impact certification. Saving the planet one tuxedo at time?
Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.
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John Legend
Our favorite fashion legend stepped out in a classic Paul Smith tuxedo, Ferragamo shoes, David Yurman cufflinks, Tom Ford bow tie and Bulgari watch.
Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.
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Tom Hardy
The amazing actor, flanked by the beautiful Charlotte Riley, donned a classic Gucci tuxedo with rich dark brown insets on the lapels.
Photo by Gregg DeGuire / Getty Images.
