Yesterday’s red carpet at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards saw all of the usual Hollywood assortment of couture gowns and suits—as seen on stars like Demi Moore, Mikey Madison, Hunter Schafer, and more. But Problemista star Julio Torres, a Salvadorian-American comedian and writer for programs such as Saturday Night Live, won the night for his more unexpected outfit. Torres hit the event in a gray pinstriped suit adorned with various golden chachkies hanging off of it, including scissors and a landline telephone. “I needed to bring all my stuff, because I might need to work during the ceremony,” the star jokingly told Variety. “I might have to take a call or cut something. I came prepared.” Topping off his look, meanwhile, was a brimmed sailor’s hat made out of paper. Why not?
The quirky ensemble was equal parts fun and freaky—the true making of a stellar (and memorable) red carpet look, right down to his choice of a sculptural tiered red bag. It’s not the first time that Torres has taken a delightfully weird approach to dressing for Hollywood events, either. Over the past few years, Torres has fast been becoming one of the red carpet scene’s most refreshing risk-takers, bringing whimsical accessories and vibrant designs to the mix that reminds us that fashion should be fun. Just take Torres’s outfit change when he actually got into the Spirit Awards: The star swapped into a polka-dotted suit, complete with a headband made of multicolored hair pom-poms. The drama! The camp!
Even if you prefer a more subtle and refined wardrobe aesthetic, there is a sense of authenticity and originality to Torres’s personal style that is hard to not be charmed by. Remember when he appeared on Jimmy Fallon wearing fabulous checkered flair pants and a huge dandelion headpiece? “I’m sprouting an idea,” Torres quipped of his statement topper at the time. He has also hit red carpets in everything from sheer lace tops to staggering platforms—proving that there is no piece too bold or too theatrical for him to pull off.
In an arena where stars so often just wear what their stylists tell them to—in looks that are full and fresh off the runway, or right on the next micro-trend—it is commendable that Torres strays from the pack and consistently delivers a moment. A comedian’s job, after all, is to be provocative, and the star is smartly utilizing his fashion choices to ignite even more conversations. And to that we say: Keep them coming Julio Torres! When it comes to fashion, Hollywood could use more individuality.
