The year of the tux

Androgynous fashion was a massive trend in 2019. Celebrities such as Harry Styles have been spotted on the red carpet wearing feminine pieces causing a stir in the industry. Harry's Gucci look at the Met Gala consisted of black sheer lace, a lace wrist cuff and a pair of patent heels.

Women wearing suits is not a new phenomenon. The demand has always been there, but supply has been slow to catch up. Now, that's changing.

Celebrities are changing stereotypes by wearing clothes that women may not have worn in the past such as Cara Delevingne, who turned up to Princess Eugenie’s wedding last year in a top hat and tails by Emporio Armani.

The rules of black tie are bending under the pressure of social change, from identity politics to environmental awareness. Gender is progressively understood to be fluid, no longer conforming solely to the male/female binary. Women are increasingly demanding access to the simplicity and comfort of clothes that men have enjoyed for generations.

This year, red carpet events have provided a platform for designers to give the black-tie a much-needed update. Performer and LGBTQ+ icon Billy Porter wore a custom-made tuxedo-gown-hybrid designed by Christian Siriano for the Academy Awards last year in February and again for the Golden Globes 2020 he wore Vinash and accessorized with Jimmy Choo boots and jewelry from Tiffany & Co.