If you have been living under a rock or off the internet, TV, podcast, etc., for the last week, you may not know that the 98th Academy Awards took place last night. The Oscars celebration is one of the biggest nights of the year for film buffs across the globe as Hollywood’s biggest names come together to find out who reigned supreme on the big screen over the previous twelve months. Now, we could talk about Leo being involved in yet another Best Picture darling with One Battle After Another. Or we could talk about Jessie Buckley bringing in the first Best Actress trophy by an Irish actress. But, for this particular article, we are more focused on the men who stole the show on the red carpet. Here are the best looks from the Academy Awards in 2026.
The men who put a twist on the classic
A classic is a classic for a reason. There is never a bad time to bring out something that has been a big crowd pleaser for decades. That is why you saw many men wearing the black tie look (black tux, white shirt, black bowtie). But every year, we get a few guys who put their own twist on the look. Here are my two favorites.
Michael B Jordan
Joran was the Man of the Night, bringing home the trophy for Best Actor for his turn in Sinners. But what we are looking at is the outfit he wore on the carpet. He stayed with the black on black look for the evening black tie event, but switched it up with a closed mandarin collar and double chains at the hip. He is living proof that classic is never boring if you understand the difference between fashion and style.
Jacobi Elordi
Elordi is a guy who has been all over the news thanks to his big-screen romantic epic with Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights. A classically good-looking man with classic style and talent, he doesn’t need to be flashy. Instead, he kept it simple but added a longer-tailed jacket and a double-breasted vest to give his look a little bit of flair that others missed.
The men who added colors
Black tie events can feel stuffy. That is why it is sometimes more fun to add a little bit of color to your ensemble. However, what many men have figured out is that adding color to the vest or tie can make you feel like you’re going to prom. Instead, these leading men added color through the jacket.
Kieran Culkin
Kieran Culkin is my new favorite person to watch during awards season. And maybe just in general, as his genuinely funny demeanor and authenticity make him perhaps the most relatable guy on the carpet. But even though his personality adds color, he decided to add more with his jacket by wearing a chocolate brown dinner jacket with black pants and a black shirt. This juxtaposition is one that is hard to pull off, but fits his off-the-wall presence to perfection.
Chase Stokes
If this is the first time you are hearing about Chase Stokes, you could be forgiven. If you don’t watch Outer Banks, he may be someone outside your sightline. However, he swapped the long hair and clean-shaven face for a buzzcut and beard, growing him up right in front of our eyes. He also swapped out the black tux jacket for the burgundy double-breasted dinner jacket from Dunhill, giving us exactly what we need for our sartorial inspiration.
The men who colored outside the lines
I am no stranger to shaking things up and doing something a little differently. As a matter of fact, I think it is the best way to keep yourself excited about your style. While the MET Gala can be a bit of an off-the-wall event, the Oscars give us the best mix between classy and elevated.
Lewis Pullman
Lewis Pullman getting on stage next to his famous father to present was one of my favorite moments of the night. The two of them come across as legitimately fun and interesting people, albeit humble and reserved. However, the younger Pullman showed up to the red carpet in his Saint Laurent look with a striped shirt and tie, and an addition to his look that seemed gloriously out-of-left-field, an ascot underneath. On the surface, this seems like an idea that would be akin to wearing shoes and then boots, but he pulled that off extremely well. I was only a little disappointed that he ended up removing the ascot from underneath before taking the stage.
Damson Idris
Finally, the guy who took the limelight. The guy who stole the show. The best-dressed man of the evening, in my opinion, was Damson Idris. From his explosion into the social consciousness after his performance in F1 and landing some buzz as a possible James Bond candidate, I have had my eye on him for a long time. He didn’t disappoint when he showed up in a custom navy suit from Prada. Furred lapels and a custom brooch he designed himself topped off a look that showcased his presence and stayed in my mind even when I woke this morning.
