Hollywood is a natural fit for the theatrics of the red carpet. Big smiles! White teeth! Lovely hair! It's not remotely freezing! London is less so: we're too self-deprecating, and it'll probably rain, and our correspondents won't exclaim that they're 'dyyyyying' over the dress of a Tinseltown darling.
But things are changing. At this year's BAFTAs, our homegrown awards ceremony stood toe-to-toe with colleagues from the US office. Granted, the acceptance speeches may not bring an entire room to tears, but the clothes certainly did. Here's the best-in-class from this year's red carpet.
Barry Jenkins
If Beale Street Could Talk director Barry Jenkins isn't afraid to break the rules. If that means eschewing socks entirely for a Dior Men tux made modern (in tandem with a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, too), then so be it.
Valentino Garavani
When you're partly responsible for the current state of black tie, it makes total sense for Mr Valentino Garavani to crash the party. And needless to say, he's already dressing better than most on the red carpet in a triumvirate of tux-friendly layers.
Luke Evans
Since the littlest details make for a Very Stylish Man, it pays to sweat the small stuff. Which is exactly what Luke Evans did, making a subtle switch from silk to velvet (by way of Corneliani) for one big look.
Taron Egerton
In a sea of penguin suits, Taron Egerton took the jewel carriageway to pole position, opting for an emerald smoking jacket by Giorgio Armani.
Richard Madden
Bond material? Consider the odds officially shortened thanks to Richard Madden's undeniably classic tux. We're shaken. Very much so. And a bit stirred.
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Thought cummerbunds were a bit Pavarotti? Well, you thought wrong, didn't you. Chiwetel Ejiofor's Giorgio Armani take makes a more tuneful hit, looking to the old hymn sheet of black tie dressing.
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen isn't quite the usual red carpet fixture. And yet, on the back of Green Book's success, the 60-year-old is just as proficient as the usual suspects, pivoting from the masses with a midnight blue three-piece from Dior Men.
Mahershala Ali
Vampire black tie is a thing. So much so, that the reigning king of cool Mahershala Ali just took a bite of the trend via Tom Ford's snake print tux.
Timothée Chalamet
Oh, what's that? Timothée Chalamet is upstaging the old guard once again in a tux that refuses to toe the dress code? Consider the rulebook well and truly in the stylish graphic printed fire.
Christian Bale
Mafioso menswear is high on the agenda, or so says Christian Bale: the latest star to black out by way of Giorgio Armani, with Tod's lace-ups below.
