2026 Palm Springs International Film Awards: Menswear
The Palm Springs International Film Awards may be known for its celebration of performance, but the red carpet once again delivered a strong showing on the menswear front. This year’s line-up felt refreshingly varied, moving beyond predictable black suiting into richer textures, unexpected colour stories, and silhouettes that reflected each man’s personal style rather than a rigid awards-season formula.
Brown, Reconsidered
Colman Domingo starts the year challenging my long-held belief that brown and black simply don’t belong together. That belief isn’t going to waver — but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t look great here, because he absolutely does. His brown velvet Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2025 suit feels rich with the depth of the fabric doing much of the talking. It’s a reminder that Colman can sell almost anything through sheer presence alone, and this is a strong, assured way to open his awards-season run.
Styled by Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald.
Classic, With Character
Ethan Hawke looked as sharp as ever in a Prada suit that leaned into understated refinement. The cut is clean and familiar, but the addition of the label’s bolo tie — finished with its signature logo plaque — injects personality without pushing the look off course. It’s a subtle styling choice that feels Ethan—unconventional, but exactly where you’d expect him to land.
Styled by Michael Fisher.
Tailored, With a Twist
Jacob Elordi wore a custom Bottega Veneta single-breasted suit. The fabric choice is undeniably luxurious, and blazer cut works beautifully on him, but the trousers feel slightly too long for a custom look — a detail that disrupts the otherwise clean line. The leather tie is undeniably cool, the Bottega Veneta Astaire loafers are a smart finish, but let’s be honest: the real talking point here is the moustache he has grown over the holidays.
Styled by Wendi Ferreira and Nicole DeJulio.
A Strong Start
Mahershala Ali kicked off his awards season in impeccable style. There’s a consistency to his red carpet choices that never feels dull — instead, it reinforces his understanding of what works for him, and why restraint can be just as compelling as experimentation.
Colour Done Right
Michael B. Jordan stood out in this menswear line-up wearing Prada, embracing a mix of colours we don’t often get to enjoy during awards season. It’s a refreshing departure from the sea of monochrome during this period, and one that plays to his strength as someone unafraid to step slightly outside the expected without losing elegance.
Styled by Jason Bolden.
Oversized, On His Terms
Oscar Isaac continues his love affair with oversized suiting in a double-breasted Saint Laurent look that leans just as much into texture as it does into sharp tailoring. The combination of satin, wool, and velvet gives the suit depth and visual interest, while the relaxed proportions feel fully aligned with his evolving red carpet identity.
Styled by Matthew Henson.
Reliable as Ever
Paul Mescal was, of course, in Gucci. It’s a partnership that continues to deliver, with Paul favouring clean lines and classic tailoring. While this may not be his most headline-grabbing moment, it’s a reminder of how consistency can still be effective on a crowded red carpet.
A Return to Form?
Timothée Chalamet closed out the night on a reassuring note. I wasn’t fully convinced by some of his style choices towards the end of 2025, but this dark brown custom Givenchy by Sarah Burton suit restores confidence. The standout detail is the archival oyster-pattern silk tie. If this is the direction he’s heading into awards season—and he’s shelving those baggy leather looks—the signs are encouraging.
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