Stars Embrace a More Relaxed Style at the Oscars After-Party

EDITOR’S NOTE: The ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series highlighting the standout outfit from the past seven days, showcasing the good, the bad, and the ugly in fashion.

The Oscars red carpet is widely regarded as the pinnacle of awards season fashion. The outfits worn by celebrities at the Dolby Theater each March result from extensive negotiations among talent agencies, stylists, and fashion houses, often generating millions of views for participating brands. When a star’s attire resonates, it can solidify their relevance in an ever-evolving industry.

However, once the formalities are over—contracts signed, photos taken, and designers acknowledged—celebrities often choose to relax in something more comfortable.

Following the awards ceremony on Sunday evening, many stars flocked to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for the Vanity Fair after-party, presenting a range of daring and eye-catching outfits. In stark contrast to the traditional styles seen on the Oscars red carpet, the after-party showcased a bold mix of modern sexiness and daring fashion sense. If the Oscars featured classic ‘tradwife’ looks, the after-party marked a shift towards 21st-century allure.

It was a fashion watershed, as stars slipped into something more sexy. Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams wore mesh shirts that left their chests exposed.
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If the Oscars delivered variations of ‘tradwife’ dressing, then the after-party hinged on 21st-century sex appeal, as demonstrated by Emilie Livingston and Jeff Goldblum.
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Mikey Madison, last year’s best actress winner, arrived in a gown from Dilara Findikoglu that appeared to capture the essence of getting undressed, featuring a champagne-colored skirt cinched at the hips while the top half was artfully lowered to reveal a black mesh corset. Jeff Goldblum and his wife, Emilie Livingston, wore striking ensembles that included a thong leotard and tights by Californian label ERL Artisanal, paired with luxurious fur boas.

Renate Reinsve traded her minimalist Louis Vuitton gown for a daring mesh dress of the same brand. “Heated Rivalry” co-stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams donned sheer mesh blouses, with Storrie styling his look with a fur stole. Suki Waterhouse, opting for an even bolder statement, wore two striking peacock feathers adorned in gold crystal, leaving little to the imagination.

Mikey Madison arrived in a Dilara Findikoglu dress that seemed to capture the moment of getting undressed.
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Renate Reinsve changed out of her minimalist strapless gown into a mesh dress by Louis Vuitton.
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In recent years, the after-party has increasingly rivaled the Oscars red carpet in terms of fashion potency. Here, A-list attendees seem less constrained by traditional expectations, revealing a more expressive side to their wardrobes. The absence of broadcast scrutiny allows stars to let loose without the fear of wardrobe malfunctions or substantial public critique. The larger guest list further encourages a mix of daring and quirky styles.

Julia Fox continued her reign of artful, conversation-driving red carpet looks wearing a Viktor & Rolf dress with exaggerated shoulders.
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Cara Delevingne brought a twist on the naked dress cliché with a Thom Browne gown that depicted a male torso rendered in crystals.
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Anya Taylor-Joy made a striking choice by deviating from the expected floor-length gown, instead appearing in a black playsuit from John Galliano’s Fall-Winter 1994 collection for Dior, complemented by a ribbon-like headpiece. Julia Fox, known for her attention-grabbing outfits, donned a surreal Viktor & Rolf gown with exaggerated shoulders that evoked a whimsical, “Alice in Wonderland” vibe.

However, Cara Delevingne’s daring naked dress by Thom Browne perhaps encapsulated the vibrant energy of the after-party best, featuring a playful trompe l’oeil design of a male torso rendered in crystals. The outfit epitomized the evening’s spirit: audacious, fun, and distinctly removed from the more conservative looks of the main event.