Statement Suits Had a Real Moment This Year

You might think of suits as a purely professional garment—for women especially—but stars brought it to the Hollywood red carpets this year. Forgoing the traditional glitzy gown or standard tuxedo, A-listers opted for stylish two-pieces complete with bold prints, sequins, and even mounds of tulle. In other words, these suits certainly weren’t made for a fluorescently-lit board room; They were made to command the paparazzi.  

Some of the best suiting moments of the year were those that leaned into a maximalist spirit. While promoting her film Blonde, for instance, Ana de Armas made a splash in New York when she sported a sequined Brunello Cucinelli three-piece suit, which shimmered right down to the waistcoat. At the Academy Museum Gala in L.A., Keke Palmer also opted for Act N.1’s black suit with piles of electric blue tulle on it—an unexpected design that turned heads.

If this year’s suits weren’t covered in over-the-top crystals or tulle, they were plastered with high-octane prints. At this year’s SXSW festival, Dakota Johnson opted for Gucci’s printed suit that looked like it was covered in 1970s wallpaper (in the best way). At the London Film Festival, Cate Blanchett attended the Pinocchio premiere in Alexander McQueen’s white double-breasted style, covered in an abstract eye print. All eyes were certainly on her that night. As they were on all of the rest these fashionable celebrities, who all proved that suiting up can exist outside of a 9-to-5 job. You can dress like a boss without actually having a boss.

Men, meanwhile, also embraced more unconventional suit silhouettes. Wesley Snipes went viral when he wore a Givenchy suit with bermuda shorts instead of trousers at this year s Oscars. Harry Styles also wore a green Gucci suit to the Toronto Film Festival, which was punctuated with a giant corsage. Who needs a pocket square when you can rock a flower?

Below, more of the year’s best suiting moments.