Awards season has thrown up some truly fascinating fashion. Once a platform for the world’s most famous women to show us who they were wearing while the men followed in non-descript tuxedos like a waddle of penguins, the red carpet has been flipped on its head. Indeed, what the men show up in is now worthy of as much admiration, bemusement, and sometimes abject horror, as what the women wear. Say what you will about Mr Billy Porter showing up to the Grammys in a remote-control tasselled hat that drew back to reveal his face (which was pouting furiously, natch), it makes a change from a black bow tie and a black suit. Snore. In any case, now that menswear on the red carpet has splintered off into multiple directions, certain tribes and trends are beginning to emerge, so from the velvet brigade to the DGAFs, here’s what the red carpet looked like for men in 2020.

Though celebrities might have diversified their sartorial oeuvres in recent years, they’re united by the common fact that most of them will be wearing something brand new that will be taken away by their stylist afterwards and presumably never worn again. Not Mr Joaquin Phoenix, however. This season, the Joker actor broke this wasteful convention by wearing the same suit to every red-carpet event he attended. The suit was custom-made by Stella McCartney, a brand noted for its commitment to sustainability, and looked just as sharp at the Golden Globes as it did at the Oscars.

While there are less rules on the red carpet nowadays, a look at a few celebrities and it’s easy to forget there are any rules at all. See Mr Lewis Capaldi, a man who has made it his personal brand to throw vanity to the wind, and who wore a simple get up of a white T-shirt, black jeans and Vans to the Grammys. Also, the seasoned and venerable Mr Al Pacino, who broke in a pair of New Balance sneakers at the Baftas, and looked brilliantly shambolic in a scarf, sunglasses, coat and tuxedo while doing so.

Musicians: they’re a dark and tortured lot. The vogue for moody, draped tailoring is gaining momentum, and is a clever way to keep things smart while still leaving room to experiment. Mr James Blake did it well in a Yohji Yamamoto get-up, as did Mr John Legend in an Alexander McQueen asymmetrical suit. Perhaps the bravest proponent of the trend was Mr Steve Lacy, who, in a Comme des Garçons get-up and Rick Owens combat boots, showed that you can look dapper in a dress after all.

While it might a tried and tested classic, the sheer turnout of velvet tuxedos at awards season suggests that there’s plenty of life in them yet. Worn to great effect on the red carpet by Messrs Brad Pitt, Ansel Elgort and Tom Hanks, a velvet tux is a sensible and distinguished option that puts a sleek spin on a more traditional suit. While greens, purples and even oranges have been trending in recent years, there’s no arguing that black often looks best.

Perhaps the most enervating thing about the red carpet in 2020 is that now, more than ever, men are really having fun with what they wear, and going to town with the dress-up box. Tyler, the Creator at the Grammys dressed as a Grand Budapest Hotel bellboy, complete with a suitcase and white gloves? Brilliant. Mr Timothée Chalamet at the Oscars, hair slicked back in a futuristic Prada workwear outfit looking like he was about to start shouting commands across the deck of the USS Enterprise? Again, brilliant. Lil Nas X dressed in pink leather as a cowboy needs no introduction, much like Young Thug in a superhero-worthy cape. 2020 celebrity or Pokémon Gym Leader? You decide.

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