The best and most surprising red-carpet looks at the 2022 Oscars

Armchair fashion critics, rejoice: The entertainment industry’s most stylish night is upon us! And while we won’t know for a few hours yet who will end the 94th Academy Awards with one of Hollywood’s highest honors, the arrivals red carpet at the Dolby Theatre has already minted a handful of winners in the best-dressed department.

Below are some of the gorgeous gowns, terrific tuxedos and fantastic fits that are certain to have tongues wagging, eyeballs popping and the internet exploding long after the last piece of mantel bling has been handed out.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Sofia Carson was one of the early style standouts to hit the red carpet in a simple stunner from the fall and winter 2021 Giambattista Valli Haute Couture collection that paired a black, draped one-shoulder tulle top with a black tulle skirt.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

“King Richard” star Saniyya Sidney’s spring and summer 2021 Giorgio Armani Privé strapless gown kept the simple and elegant vibe — but took it up a couple notches with eye-catching color.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Lily James’ boudoir-meets-bombshell Atelier Versace gown was one of the many red carpet looks to key into the pale pink colorway.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Another member of the pale pink posse was “Best Original Song” nominee Sebastián Yatra (“Encanto”) who turned up on the red carpet in a custom Moschino ensemble that included a pink three-piece suit with satin lapels and matching pink smoking shirt.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Demi Singleton pulled focus in purple thanks to her crystal embroidered lilac satin strapless cocktail dress by Miu Miu.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

We don’t (yet) know the provenance of Eva Von Bahr’s cherub-festooned night-at-the-museum gown and sculpted-bust handbag but it certainly caught our attention.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

No shirt? No problem — especially if you’re Timothée Chalamet who hit the arrivals red carpet in a black embroidered lace tuxedo jacket and black fitted pants from the spring and summer 2022 Louis Vuitton womenswear collection — but sans the boring white tux shirt.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Is it just us, or does Zendaya’s Valentino Haute Couture white cropped shirt and silver, sequin-embroidered skirt kind of feel like an upscale homage to Sharon Stone’s now famous Gap-T-shirt-at-the-Oscars moment? Even if you’re not feeling it, you have to admit she’s one of the evening’s best-dressed no?

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lupita Nyong’o is a vision in gold on the arrivals red carpet at the 94th Academy Awards thanks to her fringed gold metallic Prada gown.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Another on-trend color at the 94th Academy Awards was green. Jada Pinkett Smith, pictured here with husband Will Smith, wears Jean Paul Gaultier spring and summer 2022 Couture. Others who found it easy wearing green include presenters Daniel Kaluuya (in a bright green double-breasted satin Gucci jacket with contrasting peak lapels) and Diane Warren.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Niecy Nash went with a brighter shade of pink — magenta in fact — turning out to the arrivals red carpet in a Monsoori gown with a ruffled neckline and high-cut leg slit.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Best supporting actress nominee Aunjanue Ellis was already a winner in our book even before the ceremony began thanks to the custom Atelier Versace organza, tulle and chiffon ballgown with crystal embroidery and fringe detailing.

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

The custom Schiaparelli gown Maggie Gyllenhaal (above right with Jessie Buckley in custom Erdem on the red carpet) wasn’t exactly our style of gown, but it does suit her ... to a “T,” no?

(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Actor Simu Liu brought the heat — and the color — in a custom Atelier Versace single-breasted peak-lapel tuxedo with golden Medusa buttons that instantly made him one of the night’s best-dressed men.

(Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Beyoncé didn’t hit the arrivals red carpet but we didn’t have to wait too long to see her slay in the style department; Queen Bey kicked off the Academy Awards telecast with a live performance of her Oscar-nominated song “Be Alive” from the movie “King Richard” — from a Compton tennis court. Was the David Koma ensemble actually a shade of tennis-ball green or was it just our imagination? It matters not; when it comes to awards-show looks and Beyoncé, in our book it’s always going to be game, set, match.