If you’ve haven’t already seen, last night’s Oscar ceremony was…. eventful. But we won’t go into that here (just google it). Instead, we will address the excellent style from the red carpet, because there were quite a few good looks. Lucky for us, the men of Hollywood are having more fun with their black-tie style than ever before. And while there were a few very elegant tuxedos, most of our favourites were more unusual than classic. It’s the jolt of fashion we need right before wedding and event season kicks off. Take it as your annual reminder that you don’t have to play it safe just because it says “formal” on the invitation.

What we love about Mr Andrew Garfield’s SAINT LAURENT suit is that it fits. The black trousers only have a slight break (others on the carpet seemed to forget about hemming), while the sumptuous velvet jacket is cut close to his body without being too tight. A black shirt underneath is an unusual choice, but one that we think works surprisingly well, particularly because of the jaunty pussy bow instead of a classic bow tie. In certain lights, you can see that the shirt is satin as well – we love this incorporation of feminine touches. He finished it off with some shiny shoes making this party look a winner for us (even if Garfield did not, in fact, take home an award).

There is something to be said for a classic tuxedo, and Mr Rami Malek’s Prada number is certainly an excellent example of a good suit. A notch collar, a crisp white shirt, a Cartier watch – all of these ingredients make a very simple (if somewhat safe) look that is elegant in its execution. Look closely, however, and you’ll see a little lapel pin which adds a bit of personality right when it needs it. If you’re looking for formal dressing building blocks, look no further.

Euphoria star Mr Dominic Fike is also wearing SAINT LAURENT and he’s also wearing a satin shirt (do we smell a trend forming?). This look is more louche than Andrew Garfield’s buttoned-up double-breasted jacket as is appropriate for one of the cast members of the raciest teen drama on television. Fike is making quite the argument for leaving the top three buttons of your shirt undone and then pulling on a sparkly blazer. If you have the stones to dye your hair a manic shade of pale blue (and can pull it off as Fike is doing here), then we absolutely co-sign this move as well.

Can you guess the progenitor of this look on playwright and screenwriter Mr Jeremy O Harris? Yes, it’s Gucci, duh. But just because this pale blue brocade very obviously sprung from the mind of Mr Alessandro Michele, doesn’t make it any less of an unusual choice for a famously staid red carpet (for men at least). Another – rather larger – pussy bow here in baby pink is a delightfully playful alternative to a tie. And white patent boots (with a tiny heel) instead of dress shoes? Yeah, we’re in.

Mr Kodi Smit-McPhee has been on quite the fashion tour for his film The Power Of The Dog. He started last night in powder-blue Bottega Veneta and finished the night in a black suit from the same designer. The latter is what we’re focusing on here as we love the addition of a sheer knit beneath the jacket. Smit-McPhee is all about the embellishment: leather details on the blazer, a pearl necklace around his neck, and some chunky shoes covered in what appears to be chain-link. We simply can’t wait until this guy is nominated again – this is what dressing for the occasion looks like.

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