Mahershala Ali is now two for two at the Oscars. He became the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award, for his turn as drug dealer Juan in Moonlight. This year, he was also the first black man to win Best Supporting Actor twice. He’s an overnight success, after more than a decade of work.

Even before he won his first Oscar in 2017, he was an unassuming slayer of red carpets. Killer tuxes and slick tailoring, worn with personality. But since Moonlight, his wardrobe – like his career – has stepped up a gear. He’s now a bona fide style icon, arguably the best suit-wearer in the game (for all we love the Timothée Chalamet and Ezra Miller approach, it’s a bit unattainable for those of us who don’t get invited to Hollywood parties).

Ali’s carved out a style niche that’s one-of-a-kind in the right way. He’s a red carpet don, but not the kind who only looks good when there’s a stylist to wrap him in Tom Ford. Off-duty, he balances the rugged with the delicate, adding enough quirks – like a love of Nehru collars – to make even basic looks feel like his alone. Should you fancy tapping that Mahershala magic, here’s some lessons from his most fire fits.

Start From The Top Down

Not many men can pull off a hat at the Oscars. Ali’s beanie-a-like is actually a rabbit-fur hat from milliner Gigi Burris, which adds a touch of the unexpected to an outfit which encapsulates the different-but-not-too-different approach that he brings to red carpets (and, later in the night, acceptance speeches). The tux is a glove-like DB which only reveals its brocading when you get up close, and he’s ditched the dickie bow for his signature Nehru collar. Proof you can make any dress code your own, even without wearing a glittery chest holster.

Dress For The Space

Deadline’s annual pre-awards show, the Contenders, is an in-between kind of get-together – an almost awards show, with a not-quite red carpet. A tux would be too much, but you still need to put the effort in. Ali bullseyes the look with a grey-on-grey suit and tee, worn cuffed with tonal trainers and dressed down with another hat, this time offering a flash of color. It’s the definition of smart-casual right now.