In the First Red Carpet of a Difficult Year, a Story of Relentless Optimism and a Woman's Right to Choose
What pink, yellow, and unshaven armpits mean for the rest of awards season.

In times of war or depression, we can always count on the movies to give us a song and a dance to forget our troubles. With the fashion at Sunday's Golden Globes, Hollywood continued that tradition of escapism but delivered a performance that was both about maintaining an illusion of happiness and actively protesting the harsh reality we might soon face.
You might have expected a somber affair, maybe a shroud here or there, but even one of the darkest dresses of the night—Teresa Palmer in plush Armani—was midnight blue. (Whereas Amy Adams' anthracite Tom Ford actually sparkled.) And amongst lashings of Easter Sunday lilac, the colors of the night were cheery yellow and pink, which together, perhaps reflects millennials taking pale, "girly" shades and severing them from their historical associations of gender. But there was still a sense of gravity, even though the gowns were maybe only a bit more extravagant than usual—you got the feeling the attendees knew the public needed that old Hollywood razzle-dazzle to twinkle harder than ever before, like a star does before it dies. This was a crowd putting on its bravest face.
But then—then you had a suit, worn by Evan Rachel Wood to show girls they aren't limited to skirts, a decision she explicitly announced to Ryan Seacrest. You had Lola Kirke's unshaven underarms and a "F*ck Paul Ryan" pin affixed to the bodice of her floral Andrew Gn. (Truly groundbreaking.) You had Chrissy Metz, who, in a turn of events, passed on two gowns, when before, she might have had none to pick from. And you had Transparent actress Trace Lysette, who underscored the evening's theme of freedom just by being a young woman thrilled to wear emerald Charbel Zoe to her first Globes. In the fashion itself, and in the words some wearers used to explain their meanings, you can see so many half-steps of choice: femininity presented as Jill Soloway in a Gucci pajama suit or Sofia Vergara in a lacy, busty Zuhair Murad.
[pullquote align='C']"The public needed that old Hollywood razzle-dazzle to twinkle harder than ever before, like a star does before it dies."[/pullquote]
It was a night of women in pretty, soft dresses saying sharp words—women who know that the right clothes can magnify their own power. But the sharpest of them all wore a relatively plain gown to deliver a speech that would have gone down as the most elegant character assassination in history, if it weren't completely true. Donald Trump, Meryl Streep said, her grieving-hoarse voice gaining clarity, lacks humanity.
It might not be fashion, exactly, that he will take away with his indecency. But it is liberty and the pursuit of happiness—unalienable rights our clothes can sometimes symbolize—that are in danger. As Streep said, these are the things we must protect. This is why we fight.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at Marie Claire. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.
-
Buckingham Palace Releases Photo of Queen Camilla's New Puppy
The Queen is set to pay tribute to her beloved dog Beth, who died in 2024.
-
Kate Middleton "Rewrote the Rulebook" After Cancer Diagnosis
"Kate may look like a fragile wallflower, but [she] is made of tough stuff."
-
Jennifer Lawrence Takes a $4,500 Dior Bag to Cannes
Everyone from Taylor Swift to Jennifer Lopez loves the iconic handbag.
-
Bella Hadid Suits Up in an Archival Pinstripe Work Dress and Kitten Heels
The supermodel put her own spin on the work wardrobe.
-
Amal Clooney's Archival John Galliano for Christian Dior Gown Teases the Strict Cannes Film Festival Dress Code
Her surprise solo appearance on the red carpet—and sumptuous train—captured everyone's attention.
-
Every Fashion Editor I Know Is Shopping Zara's Supermodel-Backed 50th Anniversary Collection
It's a one-stop shop for elevated wardrobe basics.
-
Gigi Hadid’s Post-Met Gala Recovery Outfit Includes $485 Sweatpants and Comfy Ballet Flats
The model swapped her Miu Miu gown for comfort instead.
-
Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber Style the Same Summer Shoe Trend in Polar-Opposite Outfits
But both pairs were over $1,000, of course.
-
The Summer 2025 Shoe Trends Stylish Women Will All Wear in Two Months
Get a head start.
-
I’m Choosing These Retro Sneakers Over Every Other Shoe Trend
Footwear designers are on a vintage kick, and I'm all for it.
-
Florence Pugh Is the Lingerie Dressing Trend's Poster Girl in a See-Through Stella McCartney Mini Dress
She loves a see-through look.