Emma Stone’s red carpet moment: When fashion meets popcorn and pocket equality

At a time when the rising cost of living often sees celebrities criticized for being disconnected from the reality of everyday people, one star has finally found a way to connect with the masses.

On Sunday evening, Emma Stone gave moviegoers a sense of recognition by wearing a red halterneck dress with two pockets filled with popcorn—helping to represent those who sneak snacks into theaters.

The moment came during the 50th anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live, where Stone was seen on the red carpet with her husband, Dave McCary. As she made her way into the event, popcorn unexpectedly spilled from her hips onto the ground.

The scarlet dress, designed by Louis Vuitton, was a custom creation, although it’s unclear if the pockets were intended for carrying movie snacks. Instead of carrying a purse, Stone carried a candy-striped popcorn box, from which she snacked throughout the evening.

Her look echoed the playful, irreverent approach one might expect from a Loewe runway, where fashion defies expectations—like JW Anderson's eccentric designs, such as slingbacks with birthday candles and nail polish bottles instead of heels.

However, this kind of playful attitude has been fading from red carpet events, where extravagant gowns have become the norm, with some attendees even wearing garments fit for a museum. Stone’s outfit, however, blended both fashion and humor, and also drew attention to an often-overlooked aspect of women’s fashion: pockets.

While menswear had long included functional, sewn-in pockets by the 17th century, women’s fashion lagged behind, with most dresses featuring only external, tie-on pockets. It wasn't until much later that women’s clothing started incorporating pockets into their designs, long after handbags were invented.

Even today, the debate over pockets in women’s clothing continues to stir conversation. For over ten years, the #WeWantPockets movement has made its presence felt online, with women demanding functional, sewn-in pockets in their clothes. "I swear the biggest gender injustice is fake pockets," one user wrote in 2020.

The hashtag has become a digital rallying cry for women seeking to address the inequities still present in the fashion world. Despite the challenges, there have been significant advancements, like Elsa Schiaparelli’s WWII-era dinner jacket with deep enough pockets to carry a gas mask. In 2019, Queen Elizabeth II was photographed casually with her hands in the pockets of her white tweed dress, a moment that caused a stir among royal observers.

Now, Emma Stone has made her mark in the history of pockets, adding her name to the list of women redefining fashion with her popcorn-filled dress.