Nikki Glaser, the sharp-witted comedian known for her candid humor and chic style, seamlessly blends fashion and comedy, often using her wardrobe and beauty routines as fodder for her stand-up acts. Her fashion choices range from glamorous custom-designed suits, as seen at the 2025 Golden Globes Red Carpet Rollout, to playful mini dresses, reflecting a versatile and confident approach to style. Beyond the red carpet, Glaser’s comedy delves into the everyday realities of beauty standards and the pressures faced by women, making her relatable to a wide audience. She doesn’t shy away from poking fun at herself, sharing anecdotes about wardrobe malfunctions and the arduous process of getting "glammed up" for events, highlighting the often-absurd expectations placed on women in the entertainment industry.
Glaser’s humor shines through in her commentary on plastic surgery. In her 2024 Max special, Someday You’ll Die, she jokes about the allure of a brow lift, admitting to the ironic feeling of looking her best while feeling stressed. This self-deprecating humor extends to her experiences with wardrobe malfunctions, like the memorable moment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where her sparkly blazer gave way mid-introduction. Instead of shrinking from embarrassment, Glaser embraced the mishap, later sharing the incident on Instagram, further cementing her image as someone who can laugh at herself.
The dichotomy between Glaser’s glamorous public persona and her relatable struggles with beauty standards forms a core element of her comedic material. She jokes about the transformative power of makeup, highlighting the difference in how she’s perceived with and without it, even expressing mock offense at being recognized in her natural state. This theme is further explored in her speech at the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment event, where she humorously addressed the time-consuming and often excessive preparations women undergo for public appearances, contrasting it with the relatively low-maintenance routines of their male counterparts. By bringing these behind-the-scenes realities to light, Glaser dismantles the illusion of effortless beauty and fosters a sense of camaraderie amongst women.
Beyond the makeup and hair, Glaser’s jokes also touch upon the societal pressures surrounding body image and fashion trends. She recounts a humorous anecdote about receiving preferential treatment at a grocery store simply because she was "hot" that day, illustrating how appearances can influence social interactions. Her comedic observations extend to hairstyles, as she laments the appropriation of the "man bun," playfully accusing men of stealing a convenient and stylish updo from women. These seemingly lighthearted jokes subtly address deeper issues of gendered expectations and the ever-shifting landscape of fashion trends.
Glaser’s ability to find humor in the mundane aspects of beauty and fashion resonates with audiences because she delivers her jokes with a refreshing dose of honesty. She doesn’t shy away from topics considered taboo or frivolous, instead embracing them as opportunities for connection and laughter. By sharing her own experiences, from the anxieties of plastic surgery considerations to the frustrations of wardrobe malfunctions, Glaser creates a sense of relatability that strengthens her bond with her audience. This authenticity allows her to tackle potentially sensitive topics with a light touch, making her comedy both entertaining and thought-provoking.
In essence, Nikki Glaser’s comedic approach utilizes fashion and beauty not just as props, but as entry points into broader conversations about societal expectations, self-perception, and the everyday experiences of women. Her willingness to be vulnerable and self-deprecating, coupled with her keen observational skills, allows her to transform seemingly superficial topics into relatable and often hilarious commentary on the human condition. Whether she’s rocking a designer suit on the red carpet or joking about a wardrobe malfunction on late-night television, Glaser consistently demonstrates her ability to connect with audiences through humor that is both insightful and genuinely funny.
