Pantsuits (and shorts!) rule the Oscars 2022 red carpet: See Kristen Stewart, Ariana DeBose

The Oscars are back in full swing and stars stepped out on the red carpet with a wide breadth of creative looks. 

From big ruffles (Jada Pinkett-Smith, Billie Eilish) to capes (Ariana DeBose, Naomi Scott) to ribbons showing support for Ukrainian refugees (Jamie Lee Curtis, Yuh-Jung Youn), Sunday's Academy Awards fashion marked a return to statement red carpet looks following last year's toned-down celebration. 

One trend stood above the rest: creative takes on traditional menswear. Sure, some male stars still took to the carpet in plain black tuxedos. But many chose to branch out with playful color, shape and design changes. And women stars got in on the fun, too.

These stars put the power in "power suit" during the 2022 Oscars red carpet. 

Kristen Stewart rocks shorts

Shorts at the Oscars is a rarity – but we're not complaining. Stewart, nominated in the best actress category for her role as Princess Diana in "Spencer," gave rock star vibes while showing some major leg with Chanel shorts and a suit jacket atop a nearly completely unbuttoned white shirt and a long necklace. 

Presenter Wesley Snipes also showed up to Sunday's red carpet in shorts: The actor, 59, chose an all-maroon Givenchy ensemble. In the past, Winona Ryder and Demi Moore both have donned looks featuring bike shorts to the Oscars. Pharrell Williams also forwent his tuxedo pants in favor of shorts at the 2014 awards. 

Ariana DeBose stuns in red pants

"West Side Story" breakout and best supporting actress winner Ariana DeBose, 31, turned heads in an all-red custom Valentino look that featured pleated, wide-legged pants, a sweeping cape and a crop tank with a playful neckline reminiscent of Cindy Crawford's 1991 Oscars red Versace dress. 

In other cases of women choosing powersuits for the carpet: Wanda Sykes, who is hosting the show with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, wore a custom all-white Sergio Hudson suit. 

Timothée Chalamet ditches his shirt

What would a red carpet be without a Timothée Chalamet moment? 

The "Dune" actor, 26, channeled a "no shirt, no problem" attitude when dressing in his sequined black Louis Vuitton suit jacket, dress pants and a long silver pendant. 

Chalamet has a history of unique red carpet looks: Who could forget his 2020 Oscars mechanic-chic jumpsuit, myriad monochromatic looks or 2020 Golden Globes sequined harness moment? 

Simu Liu, Kodi Smit-McPhee pick monochromatic looks

There were more colorful suits to be seen on the red carpet.

"Shang-Chi" star Simu Liu ditched a regular black suit in favor of an all-red one by Atelier Versace. And Kodi Smit-McPhee went with a monochromatic powder blue Bottega Veneta look.