Method dressing has breathed new life into the red carpet and how celebrities promote their films. From Margot Robbie’s pink fantasy wardrobe for “Barbie” to Zendaya’s bold, sci-fi-inspired looks for “Dune 2,” to the strict pink and green dress code that “Wicked” co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo embraced for the musical blockbuster, women have transformed movie premieres and press junkets into captivating showcases of style.
Oscar-nominee Timothée Chalamet, whose portrayal of Bob Dylan in the biopic “A Complete Unknown” has earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, is taking an alternative approach to method fashion, however. Instead of cosplaying a Greenwich Village beatnik, the 29-year-old actor has stepped out in contemporary, trend-forward men’s fashion, bringing denim and his personal style to the red carpet. In doing so, he’s not only made a statement but also elevated nostalgic brands along the way.
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“Timothée’s style is unpredictable but appealing as well as deeply personal. I love how he is blending high and low fashion effortlessly, like pairing archival designer pieces with accessible brands. His recent denim-heavy looks inspire personality-driven dressing rather than rigid tailoring. There’s also a clear resurgence of Y2K aesthetics, from statement stitching to low-slung fits, which Timothée is helping push forward,” said John Smith, VP of design at Poshele.
Chalamet’s recent denim looks include a black Wrangler denim jacket and Western shirt for the Palm Springs Film Festival and True Religion’s red velvet jacket and jeans for the “A Complete Unknown” premiere in Rome. He has also worn styles from upcoming seasons, like True Religion’s brown velvet pants, teasing what’s to come for the brand.
On Tuesday, the SAG Award winning actor attended the 97th AnnualAcademy Awards nominee dinner in the first custom men’s look made by the Zac Posen-led GapStudio: a duchess satin Icon jacket and loose jeans.
Smith said these fashion choices show that he intentionally balances nostalgia with modern styling. “He’s making denim feel intentional and luxurious rather than casual or predictable. By mixing Y2K silhouettes with high-fashion accessories, he’s proving that denim can be just as bold as traditional suiting,” he said.
Tina Blake, True Religion’s SVP design and brand image said having trendsetters like Chalamet wearing True Religion means the brand is doing something right. “As a brand, we love to stay ahead of the trends, and when someone as fashion forward as Timothée wears pieces from our collections, it’s validation that we are hitting the right marks,” she said.
Blake added that the brand’s business has been on fire, and the recent buzz with Timothée is only fueling this momentum. “There has been a lot of positive coverage, from Vogue to Hypebeast, Esquire and more, which is drawing global attention and helping the brand reach new audiences,” she said.
Peter Martinez, a stylist and designer for U.S. brand Leather Skin Shop, said Chalamet’s recent red carpet appearances are a “fascinating study in contemporary men’s wear.”
“Looking from his fearless style, we can see that he’s not just wearing clothes, he’s creating a newsworthy story. The way he is choosing denim, particularly his revival of Y2K brands like True Religion, is a prime example. It’s a bold move, considering the brand’s association with a specific era,” he said.
Martinez added that Chalamet “masterfully redefines these pieces” by pairing them with high-fashion elements and vintage finds, creating a look that feels both nostalgic and modern. The Marine Serre crescent moon denim hoodie he wore during “Saturday Night Live” promos and the Alexander McQueen skull scarf—a millennial staple in the 2000s—he wore to the show’s afterparty are examples of this experimental style.
“He’s showing that denim can be more than just casual wear. His willingness to experiment with silhouettes, washes, and pairings is refreshing and sets him apart as a trendsetter,” Martinez said.
Chalamet’s style is indicative of how Gen Z consumers aspire to dress.
“We love Timothée’s style! He is known to take fashion risks and is on the forefront of the latest trends,” Blake said. “Personally, I would describe him as a trendsetter; he’s not afraid to express himself through fashion. Lately, he has been into True Religion’s loose-fit styles, which has definitely become one of the biggest trends in the industry. Timothée turned heads when wearing our head-to-toe washed velvet look, and we are now seeing our customers gravitating towards this trend as well, both in our all denim and washed velvet designs.”
Confident, playful, and authentically him, Martinez said Chalamet has a knack for blending high and low fashion, mixing designer pieces with vintage finds or resurrected trends like True Religion. “It’s a fearless approach that the younger generation can relate with, because it feels genuine. He’s not afraid to take risks, whether it’s experimenting with bold colors, unconventional silhouettes, or unique accessories,” he said.
“Interestingly, this ties into a broader trend we’re seeing in men’s wear: a move away from rigid formality and towards more personalized and expressive styles,” Martinez added. “Men are increasingly portraying individuality and using fashion as a means of communication. Additionally, Timothée is also showcasing the growing trend of sustainable and circular fashion, as proven by his inclusion of vintage and revived pieces.”
