Sparkle, Ladies. Sparkle. – SAG Awards Fashion 2018

 

Posted by Maggie

The Golden Globes and the Oscars tend to overshadow the SAG Awards a little bit, which can lead to an interesting red carpet – this is where stars relax and take a few risks. This year was no exception, and the red carpet and awards ceremony had everything: Pants. Prints. Capes. Eyeglasses. And, unfortunately, men. (Kidding! Mostly.) There were only a few black gowns here and there, almost everyone decided to embrace color and sparkles, but the momentum built up at the Globes earlier this month wasn’t lost.

Although they skirted the ‘all female presenters’ gesture on a technicality (the awards were presented by women, but men helped introduce the best ensemble nominees throughout the night), there were several powerful moments throughout the evening starting with Kristen Bell’s opening monologue. I particularly loved seeing Marisa Tomei and Rosanna Arquette honor sexual harassment and assault survivors who came forward last fall. Gabrielle Carteris, SAG-AFTRA president and erstwhile Andrea Zuckerman, gave a moving speech, declaring, “Truth is power and women are stepping into their power… Harassment and abuse are no longer tolerated. Make no mistake, this is not a moment in time, this is a movement and our strength comes in our unity.” And giving weight to those words, Brie Larson and Lupita Nyong’o announced that a new code of conduct for the union is forthcoming to help prevent sexual misconduct.

A housekeeping note: I decided not to cover men for this post, and my reasoning is twofold. First, men are boring. Correction: Straight white men are boring, and they made up the overwhelming majority of the male attendees as far as I could tell. I love Daniel Kaluuya and Sterling K. Brown as much as the next guy, but they can’t carry the whole red carpet. Please can we have more diverse nominees next year? And second, after seeing Alison Brie called upon during her red carpet interview to answer for allegations made against her brother-in-law James Franco in the past couple of weeks when he himself was there that night, I’ve just about had it. This one’s for the ladies.

Onward.

BEST

Nicole Kidman in Giorgio Armani

Oh, I love this. I love it. The sleeves, the metallic, the sparkles – how does this not feel heavy?

I feel so refreshed, and I didn’t even know I was tired.

BACKLESS. It’s backless, you guys.

Yara Shahidi in Ralph Lauren

I am overwhelmed, just look at her.

I’m trying not to make a grown•ish pun, but honestly she looks so grown up and sophisticated and like she’s loving every minute of this Diana Ross moment she’s having as much as I am.

AND FROM THE BACK. I am slayed, I have been slain by fashion.

Brie Larson in Gucci

I love how this gown is so rich, she pulls off this fabric so effortlessly. I adore the diamond details (a tiny bow!) and the silhouette is just so lovely on her.

I’m usually not one for this kind of makeup, but I’m so into this closeup of her. I think it’s just cool and restrained enough to work for me.

Margot Robbie in Miu Miu

Margot’s gown is clearly inspired by her nominated role and, in my totally biased opinion, to great effect. Listen, I love her, I loved the movie, I love pale pink and, yes, I love feathers. I would never pretend otherwise.

But look how glam she is here! You can’t tell me this isn’t working.

Gina Rodriguez in Rasario

I fucking love this. I love everything about it, it’s gorgeous. I’m so into the contrast between the black and the print that I don’t even mind we’re mimicking undergarments a bit here. (Real talk, how old did I just sound?)

 

And those little, like, wing details at the back! I love! And speaking of Reese’s green Zac Posen – actually let’s not, I just can’t with that bitch (Zac Posen, not Reese).

Tracee Ellis Ross in Ralph & Russo

I think this is such a good follow-up to her Globes look, guys. I love her in all white, and she gave me a red lip (and earrings!). I wish the slit was executed a little differently, but how can I stay mad at this? Not with that shoulder cape detail, I can’t.

Kristen Bell in J. Mendel

I liked the black gowns that Kristen wore throughout the show, but this dark pink stole my heart. I love this shade on her, and those details on the gown are stunning.

And what kind of designer witchcraft is responsible for how long and lean she looks when we all know how petite KBell is?

Laura Dern in Dior

At first glance, I was bored. Haven’t we seen her in this before? But looking closer, I fell in love with this look. It’s a bit softer and romantic than she usually goes for, and I love it.

Greta Gerwig in Bottega Veneta

“Interesting” sounds like a backhanded compliment, but I swear it’s not when I say this gown really is. It’s interesting to look at, it’s an interesting color, and this one keeps coming back to mind as I sort through looks.

Listen, do I have notes? Sure. Maybe I wish it weren’t full length, maybe she could have gone with less intense earrings. But I think she’s pulling it off and I just kind of want to keep taking it in, you know?

Allison Janney in Yanina Couture

Let’s get this out of the way: It’s oddly similar to Nicole’s, yes? But even though I think I prefer the other, I have to pay respect to this look. Allison is like a half mermaid, half dystopian overlord (in a hot way, if that wasn’t clear). Here for it.

WORST

Kate Hudson in Valentino

That’s it, that’s the list. Fucking look at this. Why.

SUPERLATIVES

Best Print: Kelly Marie Tran in Mary Katrantzou

This pattern is so bright and happy, just like Kelly, and I think she looks amazing. I’m so happy she’s living her best life right now, guys.

Worst Print: Maya Rudolph in Zac Posen

It’s just… too much is happening here. I can’t take it.

Best Arm Candy: Leslie Bibb in Prada

Wait, how do I make it clear that Sam Rockwell is her arm candy? Because Leslie stole the how in their E! Red Carpet interview, casually resting her arm on his shoulder and asking Giuliana who she was wearing and who Giuliana was most nervous to interview.

What a breath of fresh air, you guys. She looks like a tennis bracelet in human form, which is obviously a compliment.

Best Hair: Connie Britton in Betta Franchi

PINK SPARKLES FLOWING HAIR CAN’T LOSE.

Worst Hair: Allison Williams in Ralph & Russo

At first I thought I didn’t like this gown. Then I thought maybe Allison just doesn’t have enough personality for it. Then it finally hit me why this look was so troublesome: The retro hairstyle is totally killing the entire look. I get why she would go for it, it seems like a match for this gown, but just… honey. No. The hair is just like wet and heavy and I swear it was losing its shape on the red carpet and no, I do not like it.

Glow, but make it fashion: Alison Brie in Dundas

Credit to Jarett Wieselman on twitter, because that is all I see. I know what you’re thinking: But Maggie, you liked that Margot Robbie’s look was inspired by her role, what gives? I guess the difference for me is in the inspiration. I think a lot of figure skating outfits are elegant. Not so much for wrestling costumes from the ’80s. This gown feels a little… garish? To me. I want to like it, and yet here we are.

I love feathers: Lupita Nyong’o in Ralph & Russo

I told you. I also love the shimmery simplicity of this gown, although I would love a bolder lip.

And look at her in those glasses! I just love her.

Girl on Fire: Danielle Brooks in Marc Bouwer

Right? Danielle looks like she’s about to take over the world. And how great is it to see her in something so form-fitting and flattering to her curves? Side note, this feels like some character development for the designer who made Cassie cry on Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model.

Even Louis Vuitton Makes Mistakes: Saoirse Ronan in Louis Vuitton

What is…happening here? I love sparkles more than anyone, but these weird strips of them aren’t working at all, right? And this belt, just hanging there?

POCKETS YOU GUYS IT HAS POCKETS: Holly Hunter in Paule Ka

As I watched the red carpet, my thought progression went something like this: Well, that’s an interesting color, she’s pulling that off, oh but I don’t know about the seams on the bodice BUT OH MY GOD POCKETS IT HAS POCKETS.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes: Laura Linney in J. Mendel

But some do.

A Fitting Tribute: Beanie Feldstein in Kay Unger

Have you seen Lady Bird yet? If not, stop reading and find a showtime near you. It’s one of the truest movies I’ve seen in a long time, and Beanie Feldstein is wonderful in it. Beanie decided to wear own her prom dress in honor of her character’s arc ending at her prom in the movie, and that just gets me, you know? Bonus, she looks fantastic and I’m really into her earrings.

Full-On Monet: Millie Bobby Brown in Calvin Klein

This is a SAG Awards dress? Says who? Calvin Klein, apparently. Listen, I understand that finding age appropriate gowns for these events would be a challenge, and I’m not even mad at the converse or even the space buns really. My real issue is that when you look closer, this material just looks kind of cheap. And in a sea of sequins and sparkles, that stood out to me.

Right?

Group Chat We Most Want to Be Part of: This Is Us ladies in blue

Mandy Moore in Ralph Lauren, Susan Kelechi Watson in Rubin Singer, and Chrissy Metz in Kate Spade

All three ladies insisted on Instagram that their coordinating blues was purely coincidence and not planned. I don’t know if I buy it – it’s not like blue was a big trend this year.

Either way, these are the ladies whose group chat we’d love to join in for the planning or the delight in accidentally matching.

For Your Consideration: Natalia Dyer in Dior

Hi, it’s me. Maggie was nice enough to give me a write-in because I was SO enchanted by Natalia Dyer’s Zodiac ballgown. Does the skirt look a little bit like a print on a set of sheets from PB Teen? Maybe. But maybe that’s what I like about it. — Sage

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

Every time. Even when she’s not there. And I was relieved, honestly, after having to watch her present at the Critics Choice Awards. Critics, she is not my choice, okay?

 

In your totally biased opinion, which looks did you love? Hate? Let us know in the comments!