oscars outfits

choosing favourites out of a characterless closet

At 4:00am I realized that laying down trying to fall asleep wasn’t working. I ate a bowl of Raisin Bran cereal in the kitchen and spent the following two hours picking out my favourite Oscars looks from the past 7 years.

2026

Red Carpet: Jessie Buckley in custom Chanel. There is something about this colour combination that gets me so hyped. I stated my love for this dress at the first shot of it during the televised awards ceremony and my mom told me that she was expecting me to say that. I like what I like! I find that Buckley’s red carpet looks have historically been very mixed for me (honestly, mostly unexciting or actively frustrating…if you’d call that mixed) but the colors and simplicity of this were refreshing.

After Party: Odessa A’zion in Harris Reed. She styled herself! And we can tell! And we love it! I think this outfit perfectly achieves what I’m hoping for in an Oscars after party outfit: personality, fun, risk taking.

Runners up: Domee Shi and Rose Byrne on the Red Carpet and Hailey Bieber at the After Party.

2025

Red Carpet: Andrew Garfield in Gucci. I have to say, 2025 was rough. I’m not saying I don’t like this outfit! Garfield looks phenomenal in these shades of brown and the sunglasses are a fun touch. He’s really doing it for me ever since tick, tick…boom! as a public facing masculine figure. However, can you believe this is my favourite look of the 2025 red carpet? I can assure you that nothing else was more interesting than this.

After Party: Kaia Gerber in vintage Valentino. Kaia knows fashion and we love to see it! While this is simple and strays from what I’m drawn to at the after party, the uneven scalloped hem on this garment is a bit unusual. Let’s go!

Runners up: Selena Gomez on the Red Carpet and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez at the After Party.

2024

Red Carpet: Lily Gladstone in collaboration between Gucci and Ironhouse Quillwork's Joe Big Mountain. This is a fairly simple outfit on such a crushable (as in, I have a crush) actress. I think that the Bulgari jewels aren’t quite right, but the midnight blue velvet cape with floral quillwork motifs is a perfect balance of elegance, tradition, and a nod toward her historic nomination.

After Party: Anya Taylor-Joy Miss Sohee with Tiffany & Co. jewelry. This isn’t new. She did a variation of this look (short hemline, black, Tiffany & Co. jewelry, a headpiece) this year but this one particularly tickles me. It looks like she’s about to perform a little number to get the crowd goin’!

Runners up: Colman Domingo and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez at the After Party.

2023

Red Carpet: Tems in Lever couture. This sweeping, sculptural white tulle and dramatic hood is a showstopper.

After Party: Iris Apatow in Colin LoCascio. This is tacky in the best way. I kept coming back to it in 2024 and I feel the same way now.

Runners up: Jessie Buckley (maybe not a favourite, but certainly intriguing), Alton Mason, Angela Bassett on the Red Carpet and Ana de Armas at the After Party.

2022

Red Carpet: Lily James in Versace. God, I love this. It’s classic and simple and I want to wear it to Bev’s wedding.

After Party: Lori Harvey in Tony Ward couture. This fabric is really neat and I love the shape of it.

Runners up: Diane Guerrero on the Red Carpet, Precious Lee and Rita Ora at the After Party.

2021

Red Carpet: H.E.R. Wearing Custom Dundas, Chopard Jewelry and Bonnie Clyde Sunglasses. I am 100% biased (only for this one) because this is my favourite colour. Are you serious! So vibrant and detailed. I also love how the hair styling works with the draping of the fabric.

After Party: None. They are all boring and there aren’t many available to view.

Runners up: LaKeith Stanfield on the Red Carpet

2020

Red Carpet: Beanie Feldstein in custom Miu Miu and Tacori jewels. Beanie does not have the opportunity to go on enough Red Carpets. I want to see more of what Erin Walsh has in mind for her! I love this gown on her.

After Party: Rowan Blanchard in Iris Van Herpen Couture. She is someone else I’m dying to see more of in the fashion space.

Runners up: Zoe Lister-Jones at the After Party.

2019

Red Carpet: Michelle Yeoh in Elie Saab. Not much to say about this one. I was underwhelmed with the Red Carpet for this year and this was an easy choice. It’s classy, youthful, and has some visual interest.

After Party: Winnie Harlow is in a better version of my high school graduation dress.

Runners up: Billy Porter in custom Christian Siriano on the Red Carpet was a moment, so I’d be remiss if I did not mention it.

Truthfully, the past while of red carpet looks have been pretty lifeless. Whether it’s intense weight loss (which has always been a standard, but it’s a different flavor now) or something else, I am generally uninspired. What has your favourite Oscars look been?