The Resistance Wore Sequins – SAG Fashion 2017

Posted by Maggie

It would be naive and offensive to pretend that the SAG Awards were the only or most important thing that happened this weekend. However, as depressing as it is to acknowledge, we’re in for a long four years. We need to pace ourselves when it comes to engaging and resisting so we don’t lose steam. So I was happy to end the weekend with the SAG Awards red carpet and ceremony, which turned out to be lit. I’ve always been fine with celebrities using their platform to discuss issues that matter to them, as long as it’s sincere and doesn’t feel exploitative.

So I loved that from Ashton Kutcher opening the ceremony all the way through to Taraji P. Henson’s acceptance speech for Hidden Figures at the end of the night, there were so many messages of unity and acceptance. For a couple of hours, I felt so much hope. And sure, it was terrible to wake up to the news cycle on Monday morning, but I felt a little more ready to face it.

SO LET’S JUDGE SOME DRESSES.

BEST

Sarah Paulson 

I adore this. Head to toe, she looks amazing. That cape jacket! It’s so perfectly dramatic.

And even without the jacket, this is flawless: Dress. Earrings. Clutch. Red lip. Well done, Sarah.

Viola Davis 

GORGEOUS. Fit for the queen she is. My only nitpick is apparently I now want a red lip with absolutely everything, but even still.

Michelle Williams 

YAY SPARKLE STRIPES. We got a lot of stripes this time around and I, for one, am here for it. I think this is so elegant on her. The perfect shape to carry all that metallic. And I’m not going to lie, I like the little scarf and think it’s working here. (I can’t wait to see what she wears around her neck for the Oscars.)

My first complaint about E! for the night is that I did not see Busy on the red carpet but there is photographic evidence of Michelle’s bestie supporting her.

Yara Shahidi 

What did I say about stripes? I’ve heard that Yara is a rising star but I think this is the first time I’ve really taken note. She looks sophisticated but youthful and vibrant.

She’s having fun and so are we.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan killed it again in this subtle blue custom menswear look. I love that she went for a fitted pant this time, and check out this open detail at the back:

Right?

Naomie Harris

My second complaint about E! for the night is that they didn’t show this look full length so I had no idea it was a jumpsuit at first. What the hell, man? Anyway. I’m really into this, it feels a little more runway than red carpet, but that’s an uneducated opinion. It’s unusual but very appealing, and I think it was a great choice for the SAGs.

Janelle Monae 

Make no mistake, this look doesn’t work without her. On someone else, it might seem busy but she makes it chic. You really see the simple, classic foundation of the dress before taking in all the accoutrements.

Even in closeup, she’s not getting lost in the details.

Millie Bobby Brown

Full disclosure, I don’t like the headband, but I love everything else. Was anyone else wearing red? (Who cares?) This is stunning. The details at the shoulder are so cute, and that belt. I think she looks adorable and event appropriate, a combination she’s proven to be really good at.

Taraji P. Henson 

Real talk, if you add a bow or two to your gown, you automatically double the chance that I will like it. I could do with a little more sparkle coverage on the bodice, but I really like how this is sexy and demure at the same time. She manages to be a little princessy without being twee (even with the bows!). Also, this color is beautiful on her.

Nicole Kidman

I know this was pretty universally hated and I might get a lot of heat, but I like it. Maybe Harry Styles has desensitized me to crazy fashion, maybe I just want to watch the world burn, I don’t know. But look at this! The fit: perfection. The color: GORGEOUS, and you know how picky I am about green. The sparkles: Yay! And it doesn’t look heavy, which it easily could have given the details at the sides. The neckline: to die for.

You want to talk about the parrots? Okay, let’s talk about the parrots. I don’t mind them! I feel kind of happy looking at them, and I’m not going to apologize for that.

WORST

Kate Hudson

From the lipstick to the cutouts to the corsage to the Dior Men’s boxer briefs under the sheer skirt, there are just so many elements fighting to be my most hated. I literally wrote “Why?” in my notes.

Salma Hayek 

Oh, honey.

Emma Stone 

I’m really upset.

Ariel Winter 

I’ve been sympathetic to Ariel having to grow up in the public eye with the challenge of dressing both for her age and mature figure, but this is becoming a real “You’re tacky and I hate you.” situation.

Sophie Turner 

This look really brings out my inner Karen Walker: “Honey? What’s this? What’s happening? What’s going on here?”

MEN ARE BORING: OKAY, FINE

I was going to focus solely on the women because, as is my motto, men are boring but then I saw the true MVPs of the night, the kids from Stranger Things.

l-r: Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp and Gaten Matarazzo

Look at these dapper motherfuckers. Sorry, is that in poor taste? Not sorry, look at them. They all came to play and I could not respect that more. So then I started noticing the men’s looks more and more, and here we are with a highlights section. Thanks, Stranger Things. I promise to watch you one day soon.

Mahershala Ali 

This seems like a look I wouldn’t be into, but he’s pulling it off. He was smart to choose a white pant and then contrast with the pocket square and those shoes. Those are killer, my friends.  

Rami Malek 

Can I just say he is a much better fit for Dior than Jennifer Lawrence? This is such an interesting choice and he’s definitely high on the list of ones to watch.

Riz Ahmed 

Understated but unique. I like it.

Common

I love Common. He comes across as genuine and pure and enthusiastic, all qualities I gravitate toward. And he’s so HANDSOME. And he wore a BROACH:

Ryan Gosling

THIS IS AN ATTACK.  

SUPERLATIVES

In Which We Are All Gina Rodriguez: Gina Rodriguez and Meryl Streep 

This is exactly what any one of us, including John Lithgow, would do given the chance.

She’s Thandie Newton, She Can Wear Whatever She Wants: Thandie Newton

What I love about Thandie is she can make basically anything work. This would be just the wrong side of whimsy on anyone else, but Thandie gets me on board. I think the shape really works, as well as the sparkles. I don’t know what to make of the horses? And ferris wheel? But I don’t even care.

Best Arm Candy: Claire Foy 

After Matt Smith skipped the Golden Globes, I gave up hope of seeing him on the red carpet for The Crown AND THEN THIS. This is DELIGHTFUL. Look at this: 

I MEAN.

It’s a Motherf*cking Jumpsuit: Gwendoline Christie 

SPARKLY BLACK JUMPSUIT CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS IS REAL LIFE

Boss Bitch: Chrissy Teigen 

I feel like this look is a good representation of Chrissy: It’s take charge, modern, sexy, fierce, boldly feminine. Love her, love the look.

PANTS YOU GUYS IT’S PANTS: Danielle Brooks

Look how crisp and fresh! I really love how the different elements — the top, the pants and the cape — work together. And let’s take another look at that hair style because I love: 

Year of the Stripe: Michelle Dockery 

We were blessed with so many stripes, guys. I think this pattern, in these colors, looks amazing on her. And I generally like Michelle in an understated black and white, which is a testament to how much this is working.

Best Accessory: Kerry Washington 

I love Kerry’s gesture of wearing a safety pin on her arm and I love even more that it’s not an empty gesture. I loved her I’m an Actor intro, and if you haven’t watched her speech from the Women’s March, take the 5 minutes. It’s worth it.

Worst Accessory: Amy Adams 

I like this dress very much and, from afar, was glad not to be bored. Then I saw the necklace and I thought “well, okay, I mean this is all right.” And then I saw the matching bracelet. No. Just no.

Peplum, you guys, it’s a peplum: Octavia Spencer 

I’m lowkey trying to hide my highkey excitement about the peplums we’re seeing this season. But I’m so exciting! And while I don’t love the netting at the top, Octavia looks fab here.

Spring Queen: Uzo Aduba 

I love a fresh take on the iconic Kelly/Brenda spring dance dress: 

Full-on Monet: Sophia Bush 

At first glance, I thought Sophia Bush looked amazing. I always love this kind of bold pink and I thought there was a bow detail and she looked soft and lovely. Look closer. That’s no bow, that’s some kind of flower detail and the shape just makes me think of Monica talking about giving away her “flower” on Friends. There’s no jewelry except for her earrings, which are covered by her hair, which turns out to be tied into a weird ponytail. No. And as for the makeup:

I rest my case.

Worst Styling: Bryce Dallas Howard

This dress is fire but everything happening above this gorgeous lady’s neckline is a disaster. The necklace and lip color simply don’t match, and I can’t abide by this limp twist of a hairdo.

We Need to Talk About: Natalie Portman 

Can someone explain to me why Natalie keeps getting robbed at these awards shows? I’m prone to exaggeration for dramatic effect, but I really mean it when I say her portrayal of Jackie Kennedy was everything. She was a revelation. A tour de force. Savage. (I know, but seriously.) I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.

I Can’t With This Bitch No Matter What She Wears: Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting 

Well, look who decided to show her face. That gown looks like all netting, like she’s fishing for another husband to cook dinner for.

What were your favorite looks at this year’s SAG Awards? Let us know in the comments.