The 30 Best Oscars Red Carpet Dresses of All Time
Photos: The 30 Best Oscars Red Carpet Dresses of All Time
Grace Kelly in Edith Head, 1955
The celadon satin gown that Grace Kelly wore to collect her 1955 Oscar for The Country Girl will always be my all-time favorite. And designed by Edith Head, no less!
—Chloe Malle, Vogue Contributing Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesLupita Nyong’o in Prada, 2014
I’m not the kind who subscribes to the notion of Disney princess red carpet moments, but there was something truly magical about the Prada dress that Lupita Nyong’o wore to the Oscars in 2014. First off, the pale sky blue color was such a great match for the actress, and a shade you don’t see too often in Hollywood. The silhouette was pretty special, too; seeing Nyong’o climb the steps to receive her award with a trail of pleated silk chiffon behind her was amazing. I had been rooting for her all season long, and the fact that she seemed to be poised and at ease in the dress made the moment extra special—the tiara was a nice finishing touch as well. It was just the right look for such a historic moment.
—Chioma Nnadi, Vogue Fashion News Director
Photo: Getty ImagesJane Fonda in Yves Saint Laurent, 1972
Jane Fonda at the 1972 Academy Awards where she won Best Actress for Klute. In the spirit of those similarly dystopian days of Vietnam and Nixon, she wore a black wool Yves Saint Laurent couture tunic and pantsuit (from her Roger Vadim Paris days) with the shag haircut of her call girl character, Bree, in the movie. Perfection and enduringly modern and makes today’s prom mermaids look like, well, prom mermaids. Mum, a Fonda fanatic, had that same haircut and gave them to my sister and I.
—Hamish Bowles, Vogue International Editor at Large
Photo: Getty ImagesMichelle Williams in Vera Wang, 2006
Michelle Williams in canary yellow Vera Wang at the 2006 ceremony goes down as best dressed in my book. On paper, everything about that color and the dress’s complicated draping should be wrong, but Williams pulled it off like a champ, finding the perfect shade of deep red lipstick to complement her dress. I also have to call out Scarlett Johansson at the 2005 Oscars, who topped off her simple black Roland Mouret dress with a tiara. Both looks edge more editorial, which is why I like them over the standard fare you typically see at the Oscars. I remember growing up, watching both red carpets and thinking Williams and Johansson looked like they stepped out of the pages of Vogue (specifically, the February 2004 issue with Natalie Portman on the cover with her new ’20s bob).
—Steff Yotka, Vogue Fashion News and Emerging Platforms Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesBarbra Streisand in Arnold Scaasi, 1969
In a sea of princess gowns and Grecian flou, it’s hard to imagine anything chicer than turning up in a sheer sequined suit on the red carpet. Barbra Streisand’s winning 1969 Academy Awards look (she picked up Best Actress, for Funny Girl) may have raised eyebrows at the time, but these days, the ensemble feels like proof that having fun with fashion—and standing out in a crowd—is always the best choice in the long run.
—Alessandra Codinha, Vogue Culture Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesWinona Ryder in Chanel, 1997
Winona Ryder in Chanel in 1997—because she was and is the coolest thing in town and there is such a sartorial nonchalance about her.
—Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Vogue Style Editor at Large
Photo: Getty ImagesJennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior Couture, 2013
Jennifer Lawrence’s Dior Couture in 2013 was like a fantasy wedding dress, and the delicate necklace she wore down her back was so feminine and fresh. Yes, she fell going up the stairs to accept the big prize, but boy did she look fabulous.
—Alexandra Macon, Vogue Contributing Living Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesLauren Hutton in Halston, 1975
Lauren Hutton in Halston with a huge fur on top! Needs no explanation!
—Catherine Piercy, Vogue Beauty Director
Photo: Getty ImagesNicole Kidman in Balenciaga, 2007
Nicole Kidman’s cherry red Balenciaga gown from 2007! It still looks so modern and elegant. Someone could wear it this year and you’d never guess it was 11 years old. And I love anything with a bow!
—Emily Farra, Vogue Fashion News Writer
Photo: Getty ImagesAngelina Jolie in Marc Bouwer, 2004
Angelina Jolie can do no wrong in my book. Her leg-baring moment in Atelier Versace in 2012 was one of her most buzz-worthy red carpet looks, while her 2014 Elie Saab Couture dress was a lesson in mildly sheer elegance, but her best look of all time has to be the Marc Bouwer in 2004. In the most unforgiving combination of satin and white, it hugged her curves in all the right places with the right amount of décolletage revealed—Hollywood glam at its best.
—Christina Liao, Vogue Contributor
Photo: Getty ImagesHilary Swank in Guy Laroche, 2005
Business in the front, party in the back! That was the message behind the Guy Laroche dress Hilary Swank wore in 2005. The midnight blue hue was a cool alternative to black, and the derriere-skimming backless design made for a strong statement from every angle. Nominated for her role in Million Dollar Baby (for which she took home the Best Actress statue that night), a perfectly chiseled Swank proved that cleavage isn’t the only way to flash some skin on the Oscars red carpet. —Maria Ward, Vogue Fashion News Writer
Photo: Getty ImagesFaye Dunaway in Theadora Van Runkle, 1968
Faye Dunaway’s Oscars outfit in 1968. I don’t even know if it’s a dress or a coat, but I love anything with a feather-y trim.
—Nikola Jocic, Vogue Graphic Designer
Photo: Getty ImagesBjörk in Marjan Pejoski, 2001
When Björk wore Marjan Pejoski’s Swan dress to the 2001 Oscars, Joan Rivers said, “This girl should be put in an asylum”—but I don’t think she was the slightest bit crazy. Although, maybe leaving those ostrich eggs on the red carpet was a little eccentric.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue Contributing Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesCher in Bob Mackie, 1974
Cher has had her fair share of iconic Oscars looks. Whether it’s the golden bejeweled Bob Mackie two-piece set that she wore to the 1973 ceremony or the ornate black gown that she wore to the Academy Awards in 1986 (also a Mackie creation), which really seemed like more of an excuse for her to wear that matching, massive, spiky jewel-encrusted headpiece on her head, she’s always walked that esteemed red carpet in something truly memorable. But it’s the 1974 Mackie-designed look that I feel has retrospectively gotten less attention than is deserved—it’s a watercolor-esque print of pastel colors on a flattering tube top of sorts, with a matching, flowing skirt. Cher finished off the look with matching eyeshadow, a sparkly flower neckpiece, and, of course, a headpiece.
—Rachel Hahn, Vogue Fashion News Writer
Photo: Getty ImagesCéline Dion in Christian Dior, 1999
I love the pre-stylist, who-gives-an-eff-about-the-worst-dressed-list era of the Oscars—before everyone wore boring, perfect, off-the-shoulder mermaid dresses. In this sphere, nothing beats Björk’s swan dress, or Céline Dion’s backward tuxedo and top hat. But in more sane choices that still felt iconic and daring, Nicole Kidman’s Galliano for Dior in 1997: The color, the neckline, and the way she towered over Tom Cruise cannot be beat.
—Michelle Ruiz, Vogue Contributing Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesMartha Plimpton in vintage, 1989
When a plus-one outshines them all . . . Martha Plimpton in a vintage cream satin bias-cut dress in 1989—Old Hollywood elegance but somehow capturing a pre-grunge coolness (best accessory: River Phoenix). Uncontrived and charming.
—Emma Elwick-Bates, Vogue Contributor
Photo: Getty ImagesAnjelica Huston in Halston, 1975
Halston and the 1975 Oscars made for quite the match. Anjelica Huston—on the arm of Jack Nicholson—seemed like a modern-day mermaid in a fish scale–patterned iridescent number by the designer, while Lauren Hutton paired a pastel-hued gown with a fur chubby and bare, bronzed skin—two looks that proved glamour and ease can, in fact, go hand in hand.
—Zoe Ruffner, Vogue Associate Beauty Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesClaire Danes in Cerutti by Narciso Rodriguez, 1997
I remember watching this! The bias-cut-skirt-plus-tee silhouette was an ultramodern take on ingenue dressing that still feels fresh (and ageless) today, and the color is just perfection—especially worn with matching eye makeup.
—Eviana Hartman, Vogue Contributing Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesCameron Diaz in Emanuel Ungaro Couture, 2002
I was struggling between Uma Thurman in fresh white Christian Lacroix (2004) and Cameron Diaz in Ungaro Couture (2002), and have decided on the latter, in part because of the Fred Leighton necklace/belt, but mostly because it’s refreshing to see glamour with a boho rather than a glitzy edge—not to mention that the easy beauty of this look jives with who I understand the actress to be.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue Archive Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesGwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford, 2012
Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford at the 2012 Academy Awards: immaculate and uncluttered, and straight from Marge Sherwood’s steamer trunk.
—Jane Chun, Vogue Copy Chief
Photo: Getty ImagesUma Thurman in Prada, 1995
A true ’90s minimalist princess moment. Need I say more?
—Anny Choi, Vogue Market Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesReese Witherspoon in vintage Christian Dior, 2006
This was the year she won Best Actress for her role in Walk the Line, and she really shone all night, from the red carpet to the stage. And while it’s a far cry from anything Legally Blonde, I love that the ribbons on the dress still have a hint of pink.
—Ella Riley-Adams, Vogue Living Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesMadonna in Olivier Theyskens, 1998
Madonna’s 1998 Oscars gown by Olivier Theyskens was the perfect balance of punk and Pre-Raphaelite allure. The look was cool, and even though it came with a corseted bodice and full taffeta skirt, Madge made it seem effortless.
—Brooke Bobb, Vogue Fashion News Writer
Photo: Getty ImagesNatalie Portman in vintage Christian Dior, 2012
The only thing better than Natalie Portman in a Christian Dior ball gown is Natalie Portman in a vintage Christian Dior ball gown. My heart skipped a beat when the actress graced the 2012 Oscars red carpet in a polka-dotted couture confection from the brand’s 1954 printemps-été collection. J’adior, indeed.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue Assistant Features Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesAlicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton, 2016
Alicia Vikander accepted her first Oscar in a pale yellow Louis Vuitton gown that did suggest Belle from Beauty and the Beast, but reimagined by Nicolas Ghesquière with a few fun details: the slight bubble hem and the uneven rain of silver sequins falling diagonally down the skirt. She looked incredibly cool and thrilled to be wearing it—a killer combo.
—Monica Kim, Vogue Fashion News Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesTilda Swinton in Lanvin, 2009
I respect and appreciate nothing more than a sartorial risk-taker, especially when on a main stage like the Oscars. Tilda Swinton always seems to go against the grain on the red carpet and one of my favorite boundary-pushing looks of hers was her 2009 appearance in Lanvin. Though some dubbed this look worthy of a “worst dressed” list, I found Swinton to look regal, elegant, and statuesque.
—Kirby Marzec, Vogue Senior Market Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesMichelle Williams in Louis Vuitton, 2012
It takes a certain kind of woman to do red right on the red carpet, and Michelle Williams is that woman. This vibrant Louis Vuitton peplum gown remains one of my favorites year after year—and matching a lipstick to your dress is always a yes in my book.
—Jenna Rennert, Vogue Associate Beauty Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesWinona Ryder in vintage, 1996
Winona Ryder in vintage at the 1996 Oscars was incredible. Few people do Old Hollywood glamour as well as Ryder, and her love of vintage often means that she’s wearing pieces from the eras she references. Her delicately beaded Champagne-hued gown would have been wonderful all on its own, but worn with marcel waves and diamonds, it was a flapper moment that remains one of her best.
—Janelle Okwodu, Vogue Fashion News Writer
Photo: Getty ImagesJennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein, 2011
Before there was Jennifer Lawrence of Red Sparrow, Mother!, or even Silver Linings Playbook, there was Jennifer Lawrence of Winter’s Bone—a small indie film that got the then-20-year-old actress her first Academy Award nomination. While many may want to make their Oscars debut with a splash, Lawrence donned a minimalistic, figure-hugging red dress instead. Its slinky simplicity made the whole look red-hot and showed that Lawrence was a sartorial star in the making.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue Living Writer
Photo: Getty ImagesNicole Kidman in Christian Dior Couture, 1997
One of the most iconic moments in fashion or red carpet history has to be Nicole Kidman in John Galliano’s chartreuse Christian Dior Couture dress in 1997. The elegant Asian-inspired silhouette and motif when paired with a frosted blue satin slingback and ladylike chinoiserie-inspired purse was the ideal combination. Kidman’s dress became the new benchmark in red carpet style, prompting countless others to make their mark in fashion-forward looks for years to come.
—Edward Barsamian, Vogue Style Editor
Photo: Getty ImagesSince its inauguration 90 years ago, the Academy Awards has become one of the most-watched events for fashion to date. With Hollywood’s brightest set to appear on a global stage this Sunday night, a chic red carpet look is essential, given that millions of viewers are sure to tune in to see the contenders for best dressed. The strongest candidates have traditionally underlined the importance of style with timeless appeal—one that will continue to resonate beyond each passing Oscars season. Because whether you win or lose, or were even nominated, everyone will remember what you wore.
When we polled the Vogue staff for their all-time favorite turns, Nicole Kidman received the most nods for the Balenciaga halter with dramatic bow detail she wore in 2007. The Nicolas Ghesquière design, as one editor pointed out, would feel just as right at this year’s ceremony as it did a decade ago. Michelle Williams was another who stood out among the rest, recognized for a game-changing display of color. A quick rewind shows that Williams’s gowns have run the gamut from canary yellow Vera Wang to lipstick-red Louis Vuitton, and each pitch-perfect hue was more striking than the last. Many unforgettable moments were also the most unexpected: Céline Dion enveloped in a backward Christian Dior tuxedo, Björk wrapped in an avant-garde Marjan Pejoski swan confection. Neither woman was nominated for acting, but their attire certainly left an everlasting mark. As for the leading ladies whose names did turn up on the ballot, one need only look to the seafoam green Edith Head sheath Grace Kelly chose in 1955 (the year she won Best Actress for The Country Girl) for definitive proof that nothing goes with an Oscar quite like a truly beautiful dress.
See these and more of Vogue’s votes for the best Oscars fashion moments in the slideshow, above.
