The Golden Globes Put a Twist on Hollywood Glamour
The return of the Golden Globes as an in-person event following a two-year pause reunited some of film and TV's most notable faces. Michelle Yeoh accepted the award for best actress in a comedy for Everything Everywhere All At Once in a triumphant Armani Prive Gown. The Fabelman's actress Michelle Williams donned a custom ivory gown with pleated ruffles by Gucci, while Margot Robbie chose, per usual, custom Chanel. As trains flounced down the red carpet and bowties finished off tailored tuxedos, the sartorial legacy of Hollywood glamour seemed to beam on–though looking quite different than it did in the days of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.
When one thinks of Old Hollywood glamour, snapshots of actresses with glittering gowns, wavy pressed hair, and deep red lips immediately come to mind. Undeniably, the era of the '20s to '50s actresses continues to permeate into our modern definition.
"Hollywood glamour is probably the first thing we all think of when we have to reference glamorous fashion moments," fashion commentator Osama Chabbi tells Town and Country. According to him, the intersection between pop culture and celebrity culture is the reason why the aesthetic remains in the subconscious of many, specifically referencing good wavy hair and a fitted sequin dress. "There's something about it that feels like it survives through time as a strong symbol of American pop culture and fashion."
To clarify, Hollywood glamour, also known as Hollywood regency, is defined by glitz, drama, and, most importantly, timelessness. There were certainly a handful of stars that followed suit to the classic definition during last night's Golden Globes. But, many diverged. Anna Taylor-Joy arrived on the carpet in a more casual look, wearing a two-piece yellow bra and skirt ensemble by Dior. Milly Alcock wore a Givenchy dress with a headband which felt a bit safe. While Emma D'arcy put a punk twist on Hollywood glamour by wearing an oversized blazer by acne studios. Opulence persisted, but it was clear that some stars were ready to turn classic codes into their own.
While the aforementioned pushed the needle, it was the men who really pushed boundaries. During the era of Old Hollywood glamour, men were restricted to classic black tuxedos. While some—such as Danny Ramirez in Saint Laurent; Ke Huy Quan in Thom Browne; and Tarzan Davis in Berluti—kept to tradition, more than a handful of them decided on a contemporary approach.
Seth Rogan donned a classic Dior tuxedo, though in coral. Percy Hynes White ditched the tuxedo jacket and instead replaced it with a sleek and elegant Saint Laurent cape. Among them all, Tyler James Williams, who won his first Golden Globe for Abbott Elementary, opted-in for the most interesting choice: a blue tie-dye suit from Amiri's spring 2023 collection.
"The evolution of gender codes has made Hollywood glam for men a little more playful than a fitted tuxedo," Chabbi says. "There's also this spirit of dressing down for a red carpet that has kind of taken over recently. It's almost as if moving away from black tie is the most contemporary gesture a man can do on a red carpet."
With this in mind, one can't help but notice the changing tides of what's considered appropriate for a red carpet-moment. The legacy of dazzling Hollywood icons continues to beat on and it's without a doubt that many celebrities hope to uphold it. How does one continue to do so? Aside from the basics such as a beautifully fitted suit or a flattering dress that doesn't teeter on costume, a look at last night's Golden Globes reveals that there is simply no specific route.
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