Golden Globes Red Carpet Rundown
some fashion fun for your Monday
Happy Monday!
I thought we’d kick off the first work week of 2025 with a little Golden Globes roundup, just for funsies. While I talk about many things on The Composite (body and beauty standards, consumer culture, trends), my first true love - and the field on my college degree - is fashion. We had a lot of good material tonight, so let’s dig in to this very casual and conversational trail of my thoughts. Don’t leave me hanging, tell me who you loved and didn’t!
Monochromatic Man
Yes, men are typically vaguely monochromatic in a very boring way (let’s step outside the black suit box, guys) so I’m categorizing this as 3+ pieces in the same hue. Jeremy gets to join us because of his little hat - even though I would rather he take that little hat all the way off and commit to a seafoam turtleneck.
Concave Necklines
…and Convex Necklines
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Bisected Black and White
Of the three dresses pictured here, I’d give Margaret Qualley my stamp of approval (and I am usually not a Chanel fan). I think the tiered diaphanous fabric feels both sweet and regal, but I’d pare down the styling and give her a different earring, edgier hairstyle, and remove her tiny tiara moment. It’s teetering on the verge of prom queen with these accessories.
Black and White Appliqué
I was reading a Substack article earlier today that mentioned the rose appliqué that took over every pair of denim circa 2016. That is not remotely relevant to this conversation, but boy did I love those jeans. I actually also love love both of these women’s looks quite a lot - the longer I look at them, the more I enjoy them. I respect that Matty doesn’t lean on overly boring and safe, or looks that have the singular purpose of slimming the body.
What’s Glove Got to do with It?
Gloves are not new to formal engagements, so it’s not surprising to see them dotting the carpet. Personally I don’t love the black gloves in stark contrast with the red and pink of Ali and Kerry’s looks (or much about those looks in general, but I’m really not a Balenciaga fan) and would rank Christina + Janelle’s looks at the top. I enjoy the classic, almost Princess Diana-like feel of Janelle’s look, while I appreciate the more unique details of Christina’s.
PS: More 1960s! Ari’s dress is a 1966 archival Givenchy Haute Couture piece.
Strong Shoulders
This year was the year of the office siren / corp core, and the Wall Street-inspired clothing collection, so it’s unsurprising that we’re seeing 80s adjacent, big shouldered suiting everywhere from the runway to the red carpet. I also highly recommend reading this piece by Emily Kirkpatrick, which delves into the constructed curves we’re seeing everywhere right now. Shoulders are just a small part of it - take note of how many looks on this carpet feature some sort of exaggeration at the hip.
Not all Superheros
Another fancy flair, capes are a natural fit for the red carpet. What I want to point out here in particular are Kaley Cuoco and Keltie Knight’s capelets. If you’ve been reading anything I’ve sent lately, you know I have a certain fascination with the 60s right now. Mid length to short capes were a staple of that time period, and I do not think it’s a coincidence that we’re seeing them here in two very similar iterations both in sturdy, heavier embellished fabrics1. Even so, they’re completely unique from each other and have many individual points of interest (Keltie’s high neck, in line with the recent funnel neck trend, for example). As far as the full length styles here, Viola Davis takes the cape2 for me by a landslide.
In the Navy
Navy is one of those things that may not necessarily be a ~trend~ in the traditional sense - it’s a fairly commonplace color to see on a carpet for those who may not wish to make as much of a statement. But because I’ve been tracking the seemingly upward trajectory of navy in the upcoming season, I decided to throw these in too. Interestingly, while I’d say that navy is taking on a fresh feel lately, these dresses feel anything but. Not sure if it’s the glitzy appliqué details, the cuts of the garments, or the fabric choices (or a combo of all three) but these looks feel fairly dated across the board.
My Winners
I am thrilled and surprised to say that I have no shortage of favorites tonight! The common denominator in these 9 looks is mainly fit. These garments all fit the wearer correctly and hug the body exactly as they should. The looks feel decadent.
The Fanning sisters came out swinging tonight in two very different but equally incredible looks. I love the absolutely luscious feel of the full skirt on Elle, the drama and bright hue on Dakota. Quinta, Nava, and Zuri’s dresses could not fit possibly fit them better. The thin, delicate straps on Cynthia juxtaposed with the dramatically enhanced hip creates a beautiful balance. Zendaya never misses. I enjoy Michelle’s expressive little neck ruffle.
Of the people mentioned throughout this post but not in my winners, I also really loved Keltie Knight and Mary Steenburgen quite a lot. I have historically been a huge Emma Stone red carpet style hater, but I actually find her pixie cut and red ensemble from tonight quite darling.
Eddie Redmayne, I love you(r stylist). This shirt?? He takes top 3 for me tonight. The buttery color, the collar, the texture of the suit fabric. It’s all speaking to me. Loudly.
Beyond Sample Size
You knew it was coming - let’s review the plus size assortment. I am not afraid to say that I do find it sad to see dwindling bodies and historically plus size actors and actresses disappearing before our eyes on the carpet. I can simultaneously believe that people are entitled to do what they want with their own bodies and also recognize that representation is important. Without larger bodies visible in public spaces such as this, we only regress. That being said - plus size women are drastically limited in their red carpet options, relegated only to the designers who deign to dress above a sample size3. These tend to be derived from a small roster of the same designers over and over, and so we see much of the same perspective over time as far as dressing larger bodies in these environments. I have so much empathy and grace for these women, and am ever-hesitant to denigrate them or their styling knowing how difficult it is to dress my size 18 body on a daily basis, never mind for a black tie event.
We have a couple of the usual players here - Ashley Graham, Melissa McCarthy, Christian Siriano. On a personal level, I am extremely averse to both bright color and ruffles. Objectively, I can appreciate the beauty of Jessica Gunning’s dress in particular - the complex, rich color, the way the fabric expertly hugs the body. I also respect that she went for volume and length on a short frame, as a 5’ tall woman myself. Heather McMahan’s outfit grew on me as the night progressed. I didn’t know much about Tadashi Shoji, but upon visiting their Instagram I’m seeing that they’re firmly entering the previously mentioned small roster of designers, having dressed Chandra Wilson and Octavia Spencer for awards shows in the past. They seem to be a frequent favorite for McMahan, and I really enjoy this look in particular. Will be keeping my eye on this!
Looking Back
I looked at last year’s Golden Globes carpet to compare, and one thing that stood out to me is that there was *so much* white on last year’s carpet that is all but absent this year. The abundance of light pink from last year is also missing this year, corroborating the theory that we are moving beyond the girlier, coquettish aesthetics that dominated last year. Red was a popular color for both years, but that’s unsurprising as it’s a mainstay on the (red) carpet. Gold was the reigning metallic this year and silver seems to have ruled last year’s carpet. The capes that are abundant this year are missing from last, but there were ~4 looks featuring the opera length gloves we saw in droves tonight. While last year saw more off-the-shoulder looks with volume at the arms, this year favored strapless and thin-strapped dresses. And lastly, although some outlets are calling the sheer dress a trend from this year, I strongly disagree and see many more transparent looks from previous years than tonight’s show.
I’ll refrain from sharing my least favorite looks out of the kindness of my heart, but if that’s something you’re interested in seeing for the upcoming awards shows, I will certainly share them. Talk soon!
See what I did there 🎂
Thinking about this incredible look from last year’s GG from Danielle Brooks and Moschino
100% agree about the gloves! So obvious what is working and what is not when you put them side by side like that. Great roundup!