WE’D LIKE TO THANK THE ACADEMY….

As much as the Oscars represent the very best in film, the menswear industry owes the Academy Awards quite a debt as well, as it often represents some of the very best in formalwear, setting the trends for weddings, proms, bar mitzvahs, and special events for months to come. While many fashion critics like to refer to the Met Gala or the Emmys, those are usually a bit too much like dressy costume parties to me. Men attending the Oscars, for the most part, take it seriously and dress for the gravitas of the situation. Here are just a few of my personal favorites and those that I hope we’ll be seeing on men everywhere soon.

Sterling K. Brown did not take home the prize for Best Supporting Actor in American Fiction, but I thought he was certainly the Best-Dressed Actor of the night. His custom Dior tuxedo and Bruno Magli shoes personified elegance.

Leave John Krasinski to be on-trend with this white-on-white elegant look (also with the lapel brooch, which we’ll get into later).

There is something about the classics that always work, and James Marsden pulled off this simple yet elegant look with aplomb. The Dunhill evening jacket and halterneck waistcoat recalled old Hollywood, but the fit was all today.

Mstyslav Chernov, director of the documentary 20 Days in Mariupol, wore the formal equivalent of a black T-shirt and jeans. He looks elegant, appropriately somber and severe, and just plain sexy.

I’m going to admit that I thought that Riz Ahmed’s look—the coat is to the knee—bordered on being a costume, but with its daring deconstruction, this Marni look was a perfect complement to the edgy roles he often plays.

Jewelry is becoming increasingly important in the menswear world, and we saw it expressed beautifully here with formalwear. The St. Lauren tuxedo was dead on, and although some didn’t love his “bolo” tie, I thought it was an eye-catching detail, as was the diamond-studded black boutonniere. We also loved Best Actor Cillian Murphy’s (at top) classic tux and his Sauvereign brooch.

Jon Batiste was practically dripping with jewelry, but somehow it all worked with his eggplant tuxedo. His diamond bands, necklace, and bracelets were all from jeweler Jared.

Of course, one of our industry’s favorite quotes is Mark Twain’s, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” While I won’t say that John Cena has no influence, I pray that if anybody else decides to present a future award in their birthday suit, they should be as stacked as Mr. Cena. The “naked” trend continues from last season, here nicely demonstrated by Bad Bunny and Dwayne Johnson (and I am loving The Rock’s gray satin look).

Is there anything Ryan Gosling doesn’t look great in? Okay, yes, a few outfits from Barbie hurt my eyes. This elegantly trimmed shawl collar ensemble from Gucci makes a leading man statement, as does—my apologies to the neckwear industry—the open shirt and minimalist necklace.