Even after sitting through nearly four hours of the Oscars—barely leaving the couch for a bathroom break so I don’t miss a single moment—there’s one part of the night I’m really waiting for. And respectfully? It might be the best part of the whole thing: the Vanity Fair Oscar Party arrivals. Like clockwork, I’m fully tucked into bed, aggressively refreshing Instagram to see the first looks well into the scary hours of the night (the eternal Eastern Time struggle). And this year, the most glamorous after party delivered win after win after win. The fashion girls were fed, and the 3 a.m. bedtime was well worth it.
And it makes sense that the VF after-party is where the real fashion action is. The guest list is bigger and way more eclectic—gathering celebrities from TV, music, and basically every corner of pop culture—while the actual ceremony is largely limited to nominees and presenters. Translation: People show up ready to have fun. This year’s looks ranged from sleek minimalism to full-tilt drama, with unconventional cutouts, insane beadwork, showgirl feathers galore, sculptural silhouettes, 3D appliqués, and plenty of Gilded Age shine.
There were so many moments that made my jaw drop, but a few absolutely stopped me in my tracks. My top five: Hailey Bieber in a full-leopard gown that, in literally any other context, could read Jersey Shore boardwalk club night, but on her, it looked chic, sophisticated, and rich; some of the Heated Rivalry men, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, in coordinating sheer tops, because they knew exactly what they were doing with that; Emilie Livingston and Jeff Goldblum rolling up like the glamorous theater kids of the night; Wunmi Mosaku in a look that felt straight out of Wicked—whimsical, Ozian royalty brought to life; and Odessa A’zion giving fabulous ringmaster energy.
None of these were chasing the same trend. If anything, what they share was commitment to the bit. Which, truthfully, is exactly what makes the Vanity Fair party so much better than the much more conservative, traditional Oscars carpet. The looks aren’t just about dressing up and wearing something luxe—the VF carpet is a performance, a conversation starter. With a platform like that, why wouldn’t you go for it?
This is my ultimate wish for the Oscars. I get the urge to go the direction of old Hollywood drama, believe me. But I’ve never fully understood why it must be that way—especially in the year 2026.
Why not be a little more daring? A little more whimsical? It’s such a disservice to fashion artists to cage their imagination when the Oscars red carpet could—and should—be their ultimate showcase.
A classic ballgown is beautiful, and can even be jaw-dropping and showstopping. But when you have the chance to collaborate with the best designers and stylists in the world—and debut those creations on one of the biggest global stages—the goal should be to step on the gas and really get people talking. So, thank you, Vanity Fair After Party, for giving my fashion-starved soul what the Oscars never do.
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she’s also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.