We say it every year, but it bears repeating: the fashion at the Oscar after-parties is the best of the season. The Academy Awards are the last major ceremony of awards season, so the after-parties are where we see the stars letting their hair down, and having real fun with their outfits.

Once the trophies have all been handed out, Los Angeles becomes a city of parties, with several annual events like the Vanity Fair Oscar Party - which turns 30 this year - the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party and the Governors Ball going late into the night. Herewith, our favourite after-party ensembles…

Jennifer Lawrence

This is so silly and fun; I am obsessed. Yes it's giving slight milk maid vibes - Tyson's reference was Sense and Sensibility - but it's nice to see something som romantic and whimsical. I much prefer this to her main Oscars polka dot look; probably because that was Dior, which always feels like it's a bit of a flop on the red carpet these days. This dress is also a piece of fashion history: it's Givenchy, fall 1996. - Zoe Walker Ahwa, Ensemble co-founder

Pamela Anderson

In this trailing floral kaftan Pamela Anderson’s transition to earth mother is complete. An earth mother in Oscar de la Renta you understand, this is still Hollywood. - Tyson Beckett, style reporter

Kelly Rowland

This Nina Ricci ensemble is the full-throttle glamour that I expect from the Oscars, and reflects the maximalist 80s influence that I'm convinced is going to define 2024. The pannier poufs are very Christian Lacroix, while the bows adorning the opera gloves are very now. - ZWA

Kathryn Hahn

Kathryn Hahn is the queen of effortless chic, and she crowns herself with this insouciantly cool ‘fit by Lebanese designer Rabih Kayrouz. Is it a dress? Is it a coat? Who cares! It’s chic AF, she looks both elegant and comfortable and like someone who is going to have a really fun night, something I suspect many don’t. Fun fact, I ate dinner next to Kathryn Hahn, Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones in LA next year; love to think of these legendary wāhine tucked away in a booth at this ridiculous do gossiping and casting shade on the industry. - Rebecca Wadey, Ensemble co-founder

Lisa Eisner 

Her sculptural designs have already graced the red carpet this season on our favourites Ayo Edebiri and Tracee Ellis Ross so it’s no surprise that editor, jewellery designer and all round creative force Lisa Eisner brought a boat load of energy to the Vanity Fair party.

Contrasted against a demure black silhouette though,  because after all, she did just release a line of accessories to tie into daughter-in-law Ashley Olsen’s The Row Spring 2024 collection. - TB

Adwoa Aboah

Every year the It crop of models turn up to the Vanity Fair after-party, fresh off the Paris runway (or, from sitting front row at it) wearing the best of the upcoming looks before anyone else gets a look in. They look incredible, because it’s their professional and genetic disposition to do so.

This year the crop includes Irina Shayk, Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski and Alessandra Ambrosio. But the stand-out for me, in something that’s both editorial and edgy, is Adwoa in this leather, sculptural Marni dress perfectly paired by her stylist Karla Welch with red heels. This look makes me extra happy as I was starting to become a little bored of Karla’s work, and was interested to note Lorde (who had previously worked with Karla) now working with Harry Lambert at the Miu Miu show in Milan last week. But yay, she's still got it and Adwoa brought it. - RW

Danai Gurira

More frothy 80s goodness, this time by Zuhair Murad. The lighting, red carpet and backdrop are not doing this dress any favours, which is actually a divine almost neon pink. The original look was worn with a matching fabric belt, but I'm glad she removed it - but kept the sheer tulle gloves and bow bustle. - ZWA

Chloë Sevigny

Chloë Sevigny heard that the Vanity Fair After-Party was celebrating its 30th anniversary with a red and gold theme and said “understood,” pulling out this incredibly fun and perfectly irreverent Simone Rocha look. 

Sevigny and Rocha-heads will know the Feud star wore the black version of this one-shoulder bow-embellished baby-doll look for an appearance on The Tonight Show in January.

Sydney Sweeney

Vintage gowns are a sure thing on Oscars night, but this is a new twist on the genre: Sydney's archival Marc Bouwer gown was originally worn by Angelina Jolie to the Academy Awards in 2004.

Donald Glover

Donald always brings some interesting menswear to the red carpet, and thank god for that. GQ has described it as “creative black tie”, which sums up this look too - the red suit by AMIRI, mesh tee, brooch, Wladimir cat necklace and Christian Louboutin shoes, there’s a lot going on. His stylist Ilaria Urbinati had a busy night: she also styled John Krasinski and Ramy Youssef.

Meg Ryan

When brocade met peplum. Obsessed.

Leslie Mann

Were this sculptural cocktail length number worn to the actual ceremony it'd probably be considered too informal, and possibly been adapted into a full-length gown. But at the more relaxed after-party, the asymmetric skirt is the perfect amount of flirty.

Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston

Jeff always looks like he’s having the most fun of all at any event – like here, in this slinky and slightly sleazy gold shirt. He – and his partner Emilie Livingston – usually wear Prada, so we’re assuming these ensembles are too.

Melanie Lynskey

Our girl Melanie looks effortless in this strapless tiger print dress at the Elton John viewing party.

Jeremy O. Harris 

The playwright is inherently cool, with this suit combining the tradition of the bow tie with slightly yee-haw adornments on the lapels.

Kerry Washington 

Sultry much? Kerry Washington never shies away from bold fashion and this Giambattista Valli Couture creation has visual interest in spades (and sequins, and bows, and ruffles). That all the detailing doesn’t overwhelm her is a feat in itself.

Sandra Oh

The Killing Eve star has eschewed subtlety with this all hands on deck approach to sequins. The top part is classic swanky elegance, gradiating out to full Studio 54 glamour. More is more!

Joan Collins

Exactly what we’d expect from the queen of sparkle.

Donatella Versace

Like Joan Collins, Donatella knows what she likes - and that’s skin-tight, minimalist gowns. She also knows how to represent her brand, holding her tiny Versace bag in central position.