Screen Actors Guild Award fashion featured colorful romantic or dark dramatic aesthetics
The SAG Award nominated actors walked the red carpet on Feb. 26 and were very split between colorful romantic looks and dark dramatic looks. Photo collage by SIMRAH AHMAD, staff photographer
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards is a night of honor in an actor's career when they reminisce how far they’ve come since receiving their SAG card, proof that they have been initiated into SAG-AFTRA, a media union. Before these actors ever received their SAG card, they watched in awe as the most beautiful dresses and suits graced the small screen to accept “The Actor,” the trophy SAG award winners receive.
The Panther is breaking down the looks that future SAG card holders will dream of until their day comes. At the SAG Awards on Feb. 26, celebrities chose to strut a colorful romantic ensemble to mirror the face of lighthearted comedy “The Actor” holds or a dark dramatic look to mirror the face of tragedy.
Colorful Romance
Bright romantic looks
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried, who was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for her role in “The Dropout," transported us back to the ‘60s in her Prada green mini dress that was adorned with subtle bows on the back of the straps and a chic high-square neckline. All The Panther can say is: "Mamma Mia!"
Her hair was in a romantic bardot ponytail and winged eyeliner that suited the ‘60s aesthetic, as if she was making a cameo in “Elvis” as a friend of Priscilla Presley.
"The inspiration (of the makeup) was based on the dress and the '60s vibe,” Genevieve Herr, Seyfried’s makeup artist, said in a press release. “I decided to stay in the '60s theme and do a strong eyeliner paired with a subtle lip to keep it modern. And kept the blush to a minimum to offset the eye."
Elizabeth Stewart, Seyfried’s stylist, completed the look with heeled black strappy sandals that gave the look a spring edge. Bringing the gorgeous, eye-catching green of the dress full circle was the Cartier emerald and diamond earrings and bracelet that was made of white gold and sapphires, according to ELLE.
Emily Blunt
Nothing is more romantic than a pink cherry blossom floral print. Put a floral up against an eye-catching red background and it automatically becomes a memorable red carpet moment. Emily Blunt sported an Oscar de la Renta bandage dress with this print as she awaited her fate as a nominee for Best Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for her role in “The English."
Her snake-shaped, pink gold Bulgari necklace and dainty diamond hoops were a fitting addition to her garden-themed look. Blunt’s natural wavy hair flowed well with the romantic garden party tone. Her makeup was kept light with a subtle red lip to match the dress.
“My hero products are always about the skin,” Jenn Streicher, Blunt’s makeup artist, said to New Beauty. “(Chanel makeup products) really set the stage for beautiful, glowy skin.”
Angela Bassett
Although she was nominated for outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role for her role in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," Angela Bassett could not have been more of a leading lady in this standout Giambattista Valli tulle yellow gown.
The mermaid cut with a body-hugging bodice and tulle flare, mirroring a mermaid tale, made for a memorable red carpet moment. The tulle ruffle just over her bust balanced the extravagant flare at the bottom to make a cohesively over-the-top look.
Of course, her stylist, Jennifer Austin, had to pair a Judith Leiber conch shell clutch with the ensemble to take this look from mermaid inspired to full on mermaid on land. Her silver De Beers rings and earrings looked like shimmering water reflections that only a mermaid could get close to. Her natural curls finished off the beachy look.
"Angela is a sophisticated woman who has style and class," Randy Stodghill, Bassett’s hair stylist said. "She doesn't follow trends or try to be something she's not."
Pastel romantic looks
Zendaya
Zendaya seemed to be walking through a field of pink flowers, due to the epic train on her petal pink strapless satin Valentino dress. The form-fitting bodice was offset by a flare adorned with more satin roses as they got closer to the ground.
The nominee for female actor in drama series for her role in “Euphoria” sported a classic side part with her hair just sweeping her shoulders.
“We wanted something romantic but also a bit playful. An ultimate bombshell blowout,” Tai Simon, Zendaya’s hair stylist, told ELLE.
For jewelry, she wore a Bulgari diamond cuff bracelet and her neck held up a diamond choker which was set with dusty green, orange and purple gemstones.
Katheryne Newton
Katheryne Newton opted for a Caroline Herrera lilac dress with black tool along the square neck and bottom of the A-line dress. Molly Dickson, her stylist, paired the princess-esque dress with matching lilac heels suited with thin string bows and a Cartier diamond necklace, earrings, bracelet and two thick silver rings.
Against the light pastel dress, a coral lip added a pop of color, with the rest of her makeup was left natural. Her face was accentuated with a mid ponytail in which all her hair was pulled back, so her necklace and earrings were on full display.
James Marsden
It’s safe to say, viewers were “Enchanted” by James Marsden’s Dolce & Gabbana pastel blue tux. It was accompanied by a properly fanned out black bow tie, which popped against his white shirt that matched his shiny black loafers.
The ensemble was paired with a IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 watch so he could check to see when the Best Female Actor in a Comedy Series award was announced because his "Dead to Me" co-star, Christina Applegate, was nominated.
Dark Drama
Black dramatic looks
Jenna Ortega
As the actress who plays Wednesday Addams, in “Wednesday,” it’s no surprise she went for a dark look. Ortega, who was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Comedy Series, wore an archival Versace leather dress from 1994, which was strapless and had a half spiked bust, a deep V-neck and a slit that showed off staple Jimmy Choo black platforms.
Enrique Melendez, Ortega’s stylist, paired her outfit with a Tiffany & Co. yellow gold and diamond necklace. Unfortunately, E! got rid of the mani cam years ago but if they didn’t, viewers would have gotten an up close look at her almond shaped pale beige nails, done by Thuy Nguyen, which allowed her dress to do all the speaking.
Cate Blanchett
A red carpet veteran that usually ends up on the best dressed list continued to wow photographers at the SAG Awards. Blanchett dazzled audiences in her sequined and lace cuff sleeve Armani Privé gown. The piece consisted of “repurposed lace left over from a dress worn in 2014 and 2018,” Elizabeth Stewart said in an Instagram post.
Stewart accompanied the body hugging dress with Jimmy Choo closed-toe shoes and fun multi-colored cocktail rings so the nominee for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for "Tár" could party it up in style.
Ana de Armas
The most was expected from an actress who plays Marilyn Monroe and the most was received. Ana de Armas daunted a custom Louis Vuitton floral black sequined embroidered gown. The busy print was only emphasized by the velvet bows on each double strap and a velvet bow tied into her relaxed bun ponytail. This look was accompanied by a brown smokey eye.
The nominee for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for her performance in “Blonde” mosied down the carpet in Louis Vuitton pumps, which were covered by the gown that cascaded down the carpet.
Lisa Ann Walter and Elaine Hendrix
The SAG Awards are always going to be a star-studded event, but no one was expecting this iconic duo to walk the carpet together. Lisa Ann Walter and Elaine Hendrix from “The Parent Trap,” who played Chessy and Meredith Blake, walked the carpet arm and arm.
Walter, who was nominated for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series along with her other “Abbott Elementary” costars, arrived in a ‘50s inspired Fouad Sarkis ballgown with a tulle overlay featuring a floral design.
“I found (this dress) about five years ago, and when I saw it, I was entirely unemployed and I said I'm gonna wear this to the SAG Awards," Walter said to Entertainment Weekly.
Walter’s mother, who adored this dress, passed away last year, so she told Entertainment Weekly that she decided to carry one of her mothers clutches.
Hendrix stood right next to Walter in a classic black and white tux. It was accessorized by strappy heels, a red lip and a classic Hollywood blow out to match Walter’s.
“Lisa Ann Walter asked me to show up as her date, so by golly, I showed up as her date," Hendrix said.
Bold dramatic statements
Eddie Redmayne
Obviously, “The Good Nurse” actor would show up in something just as dramatic as his performance. He kept his look chic with black trousers and lace-up oxfords, but his white Saint Laurent blouse absolutely ruled the ensemble with a half bow to tie off the high neck. He needed no other accessory to make a theatrical statement.
Although he didn't win Best Actor in a Supporting Role, he absolutely won on many best dressed lists.
Paolo Camilli
Paolo Camilli, and the rest of his “White Lotus” co-stars, dressed as the winners for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series. Camilli specifically stood out on that stage in a black Roberto Cavalli tux with silver and black feathers sticking out of the shoulder along with silver sparkles.
He added some black liner with sparkles in his inner corner to complete the dramatic black swan look.
Michelle Yeoh
The winner of best female actress in a leading role for her performance in “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” sported a Schiaparelli Haute Couture black dress embellished with a plethora of gold sequin strings. To fully embrace the gold detail, she had a relaxed ponytail with a side bang swoop, which also allowed viewers to see her statement yellow diamond Moussaieff earrings and ring.
She took the time in her acceptance speech to comment on her appearance.
“This (award) is not just for me, this is for every little girl who looks like me,” Yeoh said.