GQ’s Men of the Year Party: The 58 Greatest MOTY Red Carpet Fits of All Time
For 28 years and counting, November in Los Angeles has been punctuated by the starriest, most show-stopping event of the season: GQ’s annual Men of the Year Party. (Actually, there have been a few exceptions—like MOTY 2002, which honored that year’s magazine cover stars Denzel Washington, Hugh Grant, and Ralph Lauren—that took place in New York City. As an event, it’s sort of spiritually bicoastal.) And when we’re talking about the biggest menswear red carpet of the year, let’s just say that “big menswear” has meant a lot of different things through the high-octane 1990s, the freaky early aughts, and the no-rules 2020s.
With the latest Men of the Year bash just around the corner—hosted by the electric quartet of Jacob Elordi, Kim Kardashian, Travis Scott, and Tom Ford—we’re taking a look back at a smattering of the biggest, boldest looks to ever strut the MOTY red carpet, from Tom Holland’s epic velvet tux in 2021 to OutKast’s galactic-level fits in ’02.
Which burgeoning style icons will earn their rightful place in this hall of fame in 2023? (The dress code listed on the invite? Modern Red Carpet.) Keep a close eye on GQ.com this month to find out.
Evan Agostini / Getty Images1/58Lenny Kravitz, 1999
🎶 I want to get away / I want to flyyy awayyyy 🎶
Mark Mainz / Getty Images2/58Adrien Brody, 2003
Would you look at that swoop of hair.
Michael Buckner / Getty Images3/58Leonardo DiCaprio, 2008
A nice velvet suit moment from Leo.
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images4/58Robert Pattinson, 2017
Remember the air tie? Those were the good days.
Ron Galella / Getty Images5/58Beyoncé, 2003
MOTY is all about pulling up in style.
Steve Eichner / Getty Images6/58Steven Spielberg and Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999
There's nothing wrong with re-wearing your Oscars tux.
Phillip Faraone / Getty Images7/58Troye Sivan, 2021
Business on top, “Rush” on bottom.
Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images8/58Tom Holland, 2021
Sheesh!
Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images9/58Snoop Dogg, 2017
Nothing can touch Snoop's elegance.
Lester Cohen / Getty Images10/58Rihanna, 2012
Has Rihanna ever not been in her bad-gal era?
Ron Galella / Getty Images11/58Jennifer Lopez, 1998
…and tweed has never looked this slinky since.
Leon Bennett / Getty Images12/58Quavo, 2021
Mixed greens.
Patrick McMullan / Getty Images13/58Omarion, 2010
With a Louis Vuitton-monogrammed fur sash under the suit jacket? There are levels to this.
Ron Galella / Getty Images14/58Iman, 1997
The one and only Iman, looking élégante as always.
Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images15/58Julia Fox, 2019
Hot on the heels of Uncut Gems, Julia Fox had arrived.
Jim Spellman / Getty Images17/58Andrew Lauren, Ralph Lauren, Ricky Lauren, Dylan Lauren and David Lauren, 2002
A true-blue American dynasty.
Michael Buckner / Getty Images18/58Zac Efron, 2008
He had his head in the game with this all-black ensemble.
Jason Merritt / Getty Images19/58Pharrell Williams, 2005
Billionaire Boys Club forever.
Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images20/58Quentin Tarantino, 2009
“Happy trails to you, until we meet again.”
Evan Agostini / Getty Images22/58Catherine Zeta-Jones, 1999
Glitz and glamour, baby!
Jason Merritt / Getty Images23/58Lindsay Lohan, 2005
Do you remember where you were when Lindsay Lohan dyed her hair dark? Same here.
Jeff Vespa / Getty Images24/58Adam Driver, 2012
Sleek suit, scruffy ’stache.
Carmen Valdes / Getty Images25/58OutKast, 2002
Gold quilted trousers, oversized prom-king tux, can't lose.
Getty Images26/58Chris Rock, 1998
Nothing says 1998 like a turtleneck under a suit jacket.
Jim Spellman / Getty Images27/58Naomi Campbell, 2002
Once a red carpet stunner, always a red carpet stunner.
Phillip Faraone / Getty Images28/58Duke Nicholson, 2021
Rock ’n’ roll returns to West Hollywood.
Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images29/58Conan Gray, 2021
The perfect fit for a renaissance man.
Steve Granitz / Getty Images30/58Diddy, 2004
One rule of party dressing: if you can pull off nighttime sunglasses, wear nighttime sunglasses.
Getty Images31/58Ashley Judd, 1997
Ashley Judd perfects winter white.
Mike Windle / Getty Images32/58Rami Malek, 2016
This is how you rock a dinner jacket.
Ron Galella / Getty Images33/58Sarah Jessica Parker, 1997
You don't have to help but wonder—SJP's velvet dress is a no-brainer.
Michael Buckner / Getty Images34/58Matthew McConaughey, 2013
In menswear's shiny era, McConaughey was king.
Sylvain Gaboury / Getty Images35/58Denzel Washington, 2002
Denzel Washington is a man of the year, every year.
Patrick McMullan / Getty Images36/58Nicki Minaj, 2009
Where's Roman at?
Steve Granitz / Getty Images37/58Paris Hilton, 2004
That's hot.
Dave M. Benett / Getty Images38/58Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat, 2006
Very nice!
Evan Agostini / Getty Images39/58Claudia Schiffer, 1999
Ladies and gentleman, a supermodel.
Ron Galella / Getty Images40/58Garth Brooks, 1999
Never deviate from the signature look.
Steve Granitz / Getty Images41/58Lupe Fiasco and Marquita, 2006
MOTY welcomes all bold prints and patterns.
Steve Granitz / Getty Images42/58Kelly Hu, 2004
A statement coat is always the right choice.
Steve Granitz / Getty Images43/58T.I., 2006
Velvet suit and rolled-neck sweater? This is how I would dress my teddy bear (compliment).
Getty Images44/58Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore, 2006
Today: big fits. Tomorrow: the world.
Lester Cohen / Getty Images45/58Michael K. Williams, 2010
An exotic-leather jacket earns an immediate “A” in the class of Fitology.
Ron Galella / Getty Images46/58Eva Herzigová, 1999
MOTY brings the stars out, Herzigová wears them.
Steve Eichner / Getty Images47/58Willem Dafoe, 1998
Dafoe: looking great for four decades straight.
Scott Gries / Getty Images48/58Third Eye Blind, 2000
Honestly, it holds up.
Gregory Pace / Getty Images49/58Hugh Grant, 2002
Always ready to lead a rom-com blockbuster.
Jim Spellman / Getty Images50/58Lenny Kravitz, 2002
All that's missing is a massive dangling scarf.
Jim Spellman / Getty Images51/58Evander Holyfield and George Clooney, 1998
Is there an ER doctor in the house? My heart just went out.
Mike Windle / Getty Images52/58Bill Nye, 2016
Why mess with an iconic uniform?
Stefanie Keenan / Getty Images53/58Jerry Lorenzo, 2019
SoCal black tie, courtesy of the Fear Of God founder.
Jim Spellman / Getty Images54/58Elijah Wood, 2002
Is that a ruffle tuxedo shirt? Hope so.
Jason Merritt / Getty Images55/58Philip Seymour Hoffman, 2005
The GOAT.
Jim Spellman / Getty Images56/58Drea de Matteo, 2002
Drea de Matteo, channeling style icon Adriana La Cerva.
Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images57/58Mo Rocca, 2003
We can't endorse…whatever's happening here, but risk-taking is always encouraged.
- Stephen Lovekin58/58
Fergie, 2003
All together now: “Fun is my life.”
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