Oscars

Hot or Not: The Oscars’ Red Carpet Traditions

Words by Alexa Beckstein

The date of the 94th Academy Awards approaches, and as today’s stars prepare their speeches and Oscar-worthy looks, we here at Gray Area Magazine want to ask the age-old question, this time regarding the ceremony itself— the Oscars: in or out / hot or not / hit or miss?

The Oscars have traditionally been popular not only for the little gold men distributed and Hollywood superstars in attendance, but also for the night’s extravagant and influential fashion choices. The internet becomes overrun the day after the awards show with lists of the winners, the snubs and surprises of the night, as well as article after article on red carpet fashion, frequently structured like the typical “hot or not” magazine trend, though now amended to the less overtly controversial “best and worst dressed” .

However, times have changed, and as a society we have become conscious of questionable media and cultural discourses which perpetuate harmful narratives, which the Oscars are no stranger to. Racial bias within the Academy has recently been highlighted as the general public has come to recognize the problematic systemic issues within the ceremony, its nominees and winners, and its values, with such cultural touchstones as #OscarsSoWhite sparking necessary discussion.

Sexism within the industry has additionally been brought into the limelight as the Academy Awards ceremony is now being examined with a more critical eye, including the media’s outdated red carpet behavior. Gone are the days where it was acceptable to unabashedly critique and lambast women for their fashion choices.

Credit: Los Angeles Times

The Oscars red carpet should be a celebration of gorgeous attire, sparkling accessories, and trend-setting looks, yet female stars and artists have long been subjugated to media scrutiny and shaming. For the ceremony, a whole team (such as the actress, stylists, designers, makeup artists etc.) has spent hours upon hours creating, modifying, and finalizing a look they deem Oscar-worthy, yet next-day reception could nullify this hard work and excitement with a simple word: “worst-dressed” . At this event for on-screen exceptionalism, women are judged for more than just their cinematic work on the famous Oscars red carpet.

Recently, there has also been a call for increased creativity and enthusiasm stylistically for men on the red carpet, seeing as historically most simply wear classic black suits. However, it should be noted that in the last few years men’s fashion choices at the Oscars and other awards ceremonies have become more bold and interesting, likely attributable to an influx of queer nominees and younger nominees present at these events who feel less constrained by societal gender norms, which in turn encourages other men to feel comfortable to make unique fashion statements and explore exciting fashion opporunities.

Gender roles and expectations are ultimately at the heart of the discussion surrounding women and men’s red carpet experiences. The media (as an extension of our society) is quick to criticize women, especially successful women, and pit them against each other – hence lists of best and worst dressed. Fashion has historically been viewed as a feminine genre, and therefore men have not been pressured to participate in the adventurous fashion statements on the red carpet, knowing they would be judged less for making basic fashion choices.

And, as the star of Hollywood awards ceremonies flickers and threatens to fade, the fashion of the Oscars could serve as the event’s saving grace. Due to the pandemic and rapidly declining viewership in recent years, the previous Golden Globes ceremony was neither televised nor streamed, which does not bode well for the Academy Awards. However, viewers tune in to the Oscars for more than the ceremony and celebrities — the red carpet remains an integral draw for viewership. Perhaps if media outlets move away from limiting and critical narratives regarding the looks of the evening, the fashion at the awards show (regardless of gender) will energetically flourish and reinvigorate the spectacle, and a night which is dually known for the event itself and the garments worn will become more inclusive and accepting — dually within the film industry and on the famous red carpet. As our culture shifts towards increased diversity and calls for societal self-critique, one more “miss” and the Oscars may find it difficult to ever be a “hit” again.