On the Oscars Red Carpet, the Main Statement Was Fashion

In the absence of a prescient, industry-wide movement like #OscarsSoWhite or #TimesUp, the fashion at the 2019 Academy Awards was unusually serene. Sure, the ceremony had no host, but in the grand scheme of things, attendees had little reason to protest the Oscars through their attire. As a result, stars could focus on aesthetics, comfort, and most importantly, having a good time.

Many celebrities opted for muted pastels and rich earth tones in subdued, decidedly un-voluminous silhouettes. Olivia Colman, who took home the award for Best Actress, radiated understated elegance in a forest-green Prada column dress draped with an embroidered dark-gray cape. Emma Stone, Colman’s co-star in “The Favourite,” chose an amber-hued Louis Vuitton dress whose crosshatched pattern inspired memes comparing it to waffles, loaves of bread, and even glazed ham. Oscars newcomer KiKi Layne, of “If Beale Street Could Talk,” dazzled in a minimalist, pale-pink Atelier Versace gown, which featured a striking draped bow in the back.

Another understated highlight: Spanish actress Marta Nieto, whose partner Rodrigo Sorogoyen directed the best live-action short film nominee “Madre," floated down the red carpet in an austere yet feminine off-white number by the Iberian designer Delpozo. Her dress layered a sweetheart neckline over a sheer top with a demure Peter Pan collar — an ethereal and thoroughly unconventional combination.

On the menswear front, attendees like Chris Evans, Michael B. Jordan, and Jason Momoa looked almost cozy in sumptuous velvet smoking jackets and suits. Elsie Fisher, the breakout star of “Eighth Grade,” delivered tomboy cool in a three-piece Thom Browne ensemble that demonstrated an acquired confidence as her first turn on the award show circuit drew to a close.

Other stars seized the opportunity to live out their girliest fairytale fantasies. Gemma Chan, Linda Cardellini, and Helen Mirren, and several others opted for princess-pink gowns embellished with ruffles, ribbons, or sequins. Country singer Kacey Musgraves stood out in bubblegum-colored, tulle-covered Giambattista Valli Couture. A silver, rhinestone-encrusted bow cinched her ballet-inspired look together with a perfectly feminine flourish.

Amidst it all, a few celebrities still chose deliberately flashy outfits. This, however, seemed to reflect not words of protest, but rather the pursuit of going “viral” — or, less cynically, the pursuit of having fun. “Pose” star Billy Porter took the Internet by storm in a gender-bending Christian Siriano Couture creation comprised of a tuxedo jacket attached to a dramatic black maxi-skirt. Rachel Weisz embraced a red Givenchy Couture dress that featured an unflattering yet attention-grabbing latex top, a nod to her highly erotic role in “The Favourite.” Rapper and actress Awkwafina, who sported a metallic pink Dsquared2 pantsuit, was arguably the most extravagant of all. While chatting with reporters, she raised her glittery clutch, unscrewed a cap hidden at its side, and took a swig from the flask hidden inside. “That’s tequila,” she said.