Oscars red carpet: Hollywood stars ditch hoodies, PJs for glamour

For the past year, Hollywood’s brightest stars have either been forced to wear ball gowns in their living rooms to accept awards — or they have worn fancy pajamas. On Sunday, they hit the Oscars red carpet with flair.

And although the women were stunning as ever, the men — perhaps inspired by Billy Porter’s show-stopping turn in a tuxedo gown at the Academy Awards two years ago — also brought their top fashion game.

Here are a few takeaways from the red carpet, the first big fashion event in Tinseltown since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in early 2020.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA –APRIL 25: Leslie Odom Jr. attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

– Men on fire –

Leslie Odom Jr, a double Oscar nominee for best supporting actor and best original song for “One Night in Miami,” looked exactly like the golden statuette he is hoping to take home, in a shimmering double-breasted Brioni suit.

Daniel Kaluuya, winner of the award for best actor in a supporting role for “Judas and the Black Messiah,” poses in the press room at the Oscars on April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello / POOL / AFP)

Daniel Kaluuya, who won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of slain Black Panthers activist Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” suited up in all-black Bottega Veneta — T-shirt and tux.

And Colman Domingo, who co-stars with nominees Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” added a pop of color to the proceedings in head-to-toe hot pink.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Colman Domingo attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Paul Raci, another best supporting actor nominee for his work in “Sound of Metal,” rocked his black suit with some killer accessories — silver jewelry and dark nail polish.

BURBANK, CA – APRIL 25: Oscar nominee Paul Raci and Liz Hanley Raci are seen in their award show looks for the 93rd Annual Academy Awards on April 25, 2021 in Burbank, California. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for ABA/AFP (Photo by Emma McIntyre / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

– Golden girls –

Odom was not the only one sporting Oscars gold.

Carey Mulligan, a nominee for best actress for her searing turn as a medical school dropout avenging her friend’s rape in “Promising Young Woman,” sparkled in a strapless golden gown with a bare midriff and a long train.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Carey Mulligan attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

And singer Andra Day, a nominee in that same category for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in “The United States vs Billie Holiday,” went for a daring gold gown with a huge cutout in the middle and a sky-high slit.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Andra Day attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

– Pretty in white –

Along with Mulligan and Day, Viola Davis was in contention for the best actress prize for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and she turned up in a low-cut white sleeveless Alexander McQueen gown with sexy cutouts throughout the bodice.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Maria Bakalova attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Bulgarian actress Maria Bakalova, a first-time nominee in the best supporting actress category, also went for pristine white, fluttering onto the red carpet in a Louis Vuitton princess gown with a plunging neckline and a cloud of tulle for a skirt.

– Blast of color –

Despite many gowns in white, basic black or muted hues, some actresses went for big-time Hollywood glamour in bright colors.

Actress Halle Berry arrives at the Oscars on April 25, 2021, at Union Station in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello / POOL / AFP)

Halle Berry, a best actress Oscar winner in 2002 and a presenter on Sunday, rocked a new short hairdo and a strapless flowing Dolce and Gabbana purple gown.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Regina King attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Actress-director Regina King, who opened the show by striding into Union Station clutching a golden Academy Award, wowed fans with a blue Louis Vuitton gown with structured butterfly sleeves and sparkly silver details.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Angela Bassett attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by POOL / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

And presenter Angela Bassett stunned in a bright red Alberta Ferretti gown with a slit up the front and puffed sleeves that came together in the back in a huge bow.

“This is Hollywood Christmas,” Bassett said at the Oscars pre-show.

 

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