Alexander Skarsgård & The Rise of Men’s ‘Going-Out Tops’
Alexander Skarsgård’s latest red carpet appearance sparked debate, not for its boldness, but for a perceived misstep in execution. At a special screening of his new film, Pillion, in Berlin on March 20, the actor wore a lavender sequined tank top from Dior Men’s Fall 2026 collection, a piece inspired by a 1922 dress designed by Paul Poiret.
The choice, styled by Harry Lambert, continues a trend of gender-fluid and fashion-forward looks Skarsgård has embraced during the press tour for the BDSM romantic comedy. Prior to the Berlin screening, Skarsgård had already garnered attention for red-painted nails at the Governor Awards in November, a “dream girl” hoodie spotted in New York City and Valentino Rockstud sandals worn at the Sundance Film Festival.
However, the Dior tank, the first look from Jonathan Anderson’s Fall 2026 collection, didn’t quite land as intended. Critics noted the top appeared too tight across Skarsgård’s chest and underarms, compressing the silhouette and detracting from the embellishment. The pairing with standard black slim-fit trousers and square-toed boots further muted the impact of the vibrant top, creating a visual disconnect.
The tank top, presented on the Dior Men runway in January, was intended to evoke the opulence of 1920s Cafe Society, a reference point Anderson has been exploring in his recent work. The collection as a whole draws inspiration from archival Dior designs, reimagining classic silhouettes for a modern audience. Anderson’s approach recalibrates Dior’s codes, evidenced by previous designs like cargo shorts based on a 1947 couture silhouette and a fresh take on the Bar jacket.
Skarsgård is not the first male celebrity to experiment with Anderson’s more daring designs. Harry Styles, also a client of Lambert, recently wore a waist-cinching blazer with seafoam-green ballet flats to the Grammys, a look that similarly generated online discussion. Both choices represent a departure from traditional menswear, pushing boundaries and challenging gender norms on the red carpet.
The Pillion press tour has been notable for Skarsgård’s willingness to embrace unconventional fashion choices. The actor, previously named one of Vogue’s best-dressed people of 2025, has consistently used his wardrobe to subvert expectations and explore the spectrum of fetish-coded fashion, including looks from Versace and Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
As of March 23, Dior Men has not commented on the specific fit of the tank top on Skarsgård, nor has Lambert offered further insight into the styling choices. The film, Pillion, continues its international screenings.