The red carpet at the Golden Globes was full of stunning dresses—so why did nearly every man wear a black suit?
Women brought color and personality to the carpet while most men stayed with classic black, creating a striking contrast that stood out on camera.
The red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards always brings excitement, and this year was no different. It showcased stunning and eye-catching outfits, especially among the women, who wore a variety of striking dresses in bold colors.
Black suits are neutral, familiar, and rarely criticized, which allows men to avoid fashion headlines entirely. This created a noticeable contrast, making the men’s outfits stand out against the women’s colorful, diverse styles.
The dresses that defined the night
The outfits worn by women at the event were diverse and captivating, setting a high visual bar for the evening. Teyana Taylor made a statement in a stunning black gown designed by Schiaparelli, whose unique shape looked great in both close-up shots and from afar.
Jennifer Lopez chose a vintage Jean-Louis Scherrer gown by Stephane Rolland. The dress features a nude mesh fabric with intricate brown designs that flow down into a fancy tulle mermaid-style skirt. Selena Gomez graced the night in a beautiful black velvet gown by Chanel, featuring a delicate white feather shawl wrapped around her front neckline.
In contrast, the uniform look among the men
Men’s fashion mostly featured classic black formal wear. While many outfits looked similar, they stood out through different styles, materials, and small details.
Timothée Chalamet showcased a stylish all-black outfit by Chrome Hearts, combining tailored pieces with understated jewelry that gave his look a modern, relaxed feel.
Snoop Dogg opted for a black suit by Talia Coles, featuring a satin finish and bold red detailing that set his look apart from standard tuxedo styling.
Walton Goggins wore Saint Laurent, choosing a black suit layered over a metallic gold shirt, which added contrast while maintaining a streamlined silhouette.
Leonardo DiCaprio attended the show in a timeless black tuxedo from Dior, sticking to the classic look that’s popular at these events. He paired it with a white shirt and a black bow tie. Many other stars, including Jacob Elordi, Nick Jonas, and Derek Hough, also wore classy black suits.
Why black is the default
Black has always been a popular choice for men’s formal wear at formal events such as awards shows, and there are good reasons for that. Wearing black, like in tuxedos or black suits, fits the traditional idea of what formal dress should look like. Also, black outfits tend to look great in photos, regardless of lighting, which makes them a safe choice for the red carpet.
Another reason to choose black is its practicality for everyday wear. When actors wear black, they can stick to the dress code without drawing too much attention to their outfit. This is especially important when they are there to promote a movie or celebrate a nomination. For men, in these situations, it’s often better to blend in with the crowd than to stand out for the wrong reasons.
The contrast between men’s and women’s fashion at the Golden Globes
The contrast between men and women on the Golden Globes red carpet was hard to miss. For women, the night functioned as a full fashion moment, with bold silhouettes, dramatic colors, custom gowns, and styling choices designed to stand out and be remembered. Each look carried a sense of intention, individuality, and risk.
Men, by comparison, largely blended into the background in nearly identical black suits that prioritized safety over expression. The result was a red carpet where men largely opted out, choosing discretion and conformity over creativity.
