The 2019 Oscars red carpets got off to an exciting start early with the arrival of the actor Billy Porter in a flowing Christian Siriano design.
Billy Porter, being adjusted on the red carpet.CreditJosh Haner/The New York Times
The designer tweeted out video of the gown in action. Then Mr. Porter went off to commentate for ABC with a big sparkly cocktail ring on his finger.
Elsie Fisher, the 15-year-old star of the film “Eighth Grade,” showed up in a three-piece suit. This is a daring look — simply because vests are not generally a hot red carpet look. That’s what’s very bold here!
Because both these arrivals happened early, people started to get excited for what might be a wild night of gender-messing outfits. But then it turned out, once again, the vast majority of dressing at the Oscars was very gowns ‘n’ tuxes for women and men, in that order. So, just as the red carpet has retreated from politics after last year’s foray into Times Up, so now the red carpet has dipped only one toe into something more innately political about gender.
It was also something of a surprise that the fashion was so traditional considering Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan showed up on red carpets earlier this year in harnesses that some found gender-disruptive in a way that no one could quite put their finger on — and in a way that women in suits are not.
But Awkwafina, of “Crazy Rich Asians,” showed up in a very cool women’s suit, that was shimmery and pink and there was a bow, and maybe the whole thing underscored the fact that ideas about sorting clothing (and people!) into gender baskets are silly and at least ahistorical.
And Melissa McCarthy wore pants and a cape! As women are now apparently allowed to do outdoors. This kind of thing is not just for alternate universe Spider-Man any more.
