Best Actor nominees Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Adrien Brody, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan take a photo together after Brody's win

Notable People

Best-Dressed Oscar Rule Breakers: Colman Domingo, Timothée Chalamet, and More Dudes Who Ditched the Classic Black Tux

The Academy Awards' 'Best Dressed' list features several daring dudes willing to forego the classic black tuxedo.

by Ali Hicks

Published on March 3, 2025

3 min read

Academy Awards fans can always count on the female guests to wear daring dresses and display sexy style. The men, however, tend to don boring black tuxedos. Not so in 2025. The male nominees and attendees brought their A-game to the Academy Awards, with Timothée Chalamet and Colman Domingo leading the pack.

Timothée Chalamet in butter yellow

Wearing a butter yellow suit, Timothée Chalamet stands on the red carpet at the 97th annual Oscars — Timothée Chalamet at the 97th annual Oscars at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre | Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic

Chalamet may not have won Best Actor in a Leading Role. But the 29-year-old went viral for his monochromatic Givenchy suit designed by Sarah Burton. The custom butter-yellow look featured a leather double-breasted jacket and matching pants. The star of A Complete Unknown and Dune: Part Two — both nominated in several categories — even got a shoutout from host Conan O’Brien during his monologue, reports ABC News. The comedian called out Chalamet, saying, “Love that suit. You will not get hit on your bike tonight.”

Colman Domingo wears the color of love

Wearing a red tuxedo, Colman Domingo smiles for cameras at the 97th Academy Awards — Colman Domingo at the Academy Awards on March 2, 2025 | Allen J. Schaben/LA Times via Getty Images; Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images

The Best Actor in a Leading Role nominee wore a Maison Valentino outfit custom-designed by creative director Alessandro Michele. “I wanted to be the color of love tonight, so I wore red,” Colman Domingo, nominated for Sing Sing, told ET pre-ceremony. “I have love around me, and I wanted to be love . . . Tonight is just a win already; I’m here.” The suit had incredible flair, including a red silk double-breasted jacket with a black lapel, a gold brooch, a red shantung silk guru collar shirt, and a tasselled belt.

Oscars host Conan O’Brien in striking navy

Wearing a navy tuxedo, Conan O'Brien stands with his wife Liza Powel O'Brien on the red carpet at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Part — Conan O’Brien and Liza Powel O’Brien at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party; O’Brien hosting the 2025 Oscars | Karwai Tang/WireImage; Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

Viewers and critics are calling Conan O’Brien’s turn as host the best in years. The comedian’s silliness and wit added a lighthearted atmosphere to the heady event. Although O’Brien started his hosting duties in a black tuxedo, he transitioned to a striking navy number tailored for his 6-foot-4 frame. The slim suit featured a black lapel, light blue shirt, and black bow tie. He looked classy enough for the Academy Awards yet cool enough for a late-night gig.

Bowen Yang prioritized humor

Wearing two different tuxedos, Bowen Yang attends the 2025 Oscars — Bowen Yang at the 97th Oscars (L) and pre-ceremony | Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images; Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic

Pre-Oscars, Bowen Yang walked the red carpet fresh off a red-eye flight from NYC. The Saturday Night Live cast member had participated in the late-night sketch comedy show before jetting to the West Coast. Yang started the Oscars in a fun custom Etro suit. He added a flirty, pale pink shirt underneath before pulling off an outfit change backstage. Yang, who portrayed Pfannee in Wicked, donned his Shiz University uniform for a hilarious presentation of the Best Costume Design nominees. The cherry on top: Wicked‘s costume designer, Paul Tazewell, became the first Black man to win the prestigious award.

Dave Bautista is serious in blue

Wearing a navy tuxedo, Dave Bautista speaks onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars — Dave Bautista during the 97th Annual Oscars on March 2, 2025 | Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Bautista wasn’t nominated for an Oscar last night. But the retired pro wrestler did present the Best Cinematography award alongside Joe Alwyn, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaña, and Willem Dafoe. Bautista looked more sophisticated than ever in a custom Christian Siriano suit. The tailored navy look featured a gold lapel pin, silk bowtie, and striking buttons.

Jeremy Strong’s unique style selections

Wearing a green tuxedo, Jeremy Strong poses with his wife Emma Wall at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Emma Wall and Jeremy Strong at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party | Lionel Hahn/Getty Images

Jeremy Strong’s outfit might be the most polarizing from the 2025 Academy Awards. Known for his eccentric fashion, the Best Supporting Actor nominee wore an olive-green tuxedo by Loro Piana as he attended the awards ceremony with his wife, Emma Wall. Critics found Strong’s color choice confusing. But he’s worn several shades of green this awards season. Is it a nod to the greed of his character in The Apprentice? Regardless, Strong’s suit was beautifully tailored and certainly stood out.

Andrew Garfield embraces neutrals

Wearing a brown tuxedo at the Oscars and a gray suit at the after-party, Andrew Garfield smiles for cameras — Goldie Hawn and Andrew Garfield at the Oscars; Garfield at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party | Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images; Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Andrew Garfield started the evening in chocolate brown and ended it in slate gray. The We Live in Time star wasn’t nominated, but he did present the Best Animated Film award alongside Goldie Hawn. Garfield wore a slim Gucci suit, matching brown silk shirt, and sunglasses. For the after-party, he changed into another Gucci suit — a double-breasted gray piece with a matching shirt and pants. The 41-year-old forwent a tie, an appropriate choice for the Vanity Fair Oscar celebration where the stars let loose.