The Riskiest Looks Of The Oscars
While the Oscars ceremony itself remains a bastion of Hollywood elegance, the after-parties have become something of a free-for-all, where the traditional boundaries of fashion—along with much of the fabric—seem to disappear entirely. This year, celebrities embraced the so-called “naked fashion” trend with even greater enthusiasm, proving once again that when it comes to after-party dressing, the guiding principle seems to be “less is more”—sometimes, shockingly less.
Olivia Wilde, at least, took a more refined approach to the trend, opting for a sheer, embroidered lace negligee by Chloé. The delicate lingerie-inspired design had an air of bohemian charm, making it one of the more thoughtful interpretations of the look. Julia Fox, however, took a far bolder approach, arriving in what can only be described as a sheer wrap dress that appeared to be held together by little more than strategically placed hair extensions. Subtlety, it seems, was not on the agenda.
Doja Cat, never one to be outdone, first performed Diamonds Are Forever in an outfit that seemed to take that sentiment quite literally—featuring little more than actual diamonds. She later arrived at the Vanity Fair party in a custom Balmain gown, inspired by the Oscar statuette itself. The painstaking craftsmanship that went into the look—3,450 hours of hand-threaded glass beading—was undeniably impressive, though one might question how much of the artistry was actually clothing versus embellishment on bare skin.
Supermodel Kendall Jenner also leaned into the undressed aesthetic, wearing a vintage Mugler dress from 1992, made of black lace and, interestingly, rubber. White Lotus actor Leslie Bibb followed the increasingly popular “nude-sparkle” route, a choice that at least nods to old Hollywood glamour while still playing into the pervasive trend of near-nakedness.
Of course, the “naked dress” has been circling the fashion sphere for years, though its recent resurgence, fueled by viral celebrity moments—like Bianca Censori’s Grammys appearance—has pushed it even further into the mainstream. As Madeline Hirsch, features director at InStyle Fashion, noted, “stars and their stylists can’t seem to get enough.” And apparently, neither can the designers who keep finding new ways to reimagine the concept while using as little fabric as possible.
The after-parties, with their looser, more indulgent atmosphere, have long been the place where celebrities take greater fashion risks, often shedding the elegance of the main event in favor of something more provocative. As Hirsch explained, these events allow guests to “let down their hair” and embrace a less formal, lower-stakes environment. “Next-to-naked dressing matches that energy,” she added—though at this point, one might wonder if it’s really about energy or simply the industry’s unwavering commitment to one-upmanship.
While the Oscars remain a celebration of cinematic achievement, the after-parties continue to double as a runway for who can wear the least while still technically being considered dressed. As trends evolve, one can only wonder how much further this particular aesthetic can go before fashion simply ceases to exist altogether.
