Brie Larson
Brie Larson wore the first red-carpet dress made by new Oscar de la Renta designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim to the 2017 Oscars. The classic design, with a flamenco ruffled train, was sculptural and classy, paired with strappy Aquazzura sandals.
Cate Blanchett
The 2016 Carol nominee wowed in Armani Privé— a seafoam green cap-sleeve mermaid gown with hand-sewn clusters of Swarovski crystals and feathers. Blanchett added extra sparkle with Tiffany & Co. marquise and round-cut diamonds from the Blue Book collection.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Case in point: The otherworldly column gown (also byCalvin Klein) she sported at the 2011 awards, where she accessorized with colorful pieces ofLouisVuittonjewels and performed a country song.The screensiren-esquelook was so good, we won't even hold the aforementioned croonageagainst her.
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theronsnagged Oscar gold in 2004 for her uncanny portrayal of serial killerAileenWuornosinMonster.But on Oscar night, the South African bombshell showed nary a trace of her character's extra poundage, greasy hair or gnarly yellow teeth, instead using a perfectly toned form and sun-kissed glow as canvas for a gorgeous slinky, beaded backless number byGucci.
Lauren Hutton
Like Farrah Fawcett after her, model Lauren Hutton had the naturally gorgeous look down at the 1975 Oscars, opting to pair her pastel-flecked chiffon Grecian gown with a simple metallic belt, clutch and goddess-like glow in lieu of jewelry.
Charlize Theron
With the perfect amount of old-school screen siren and a fresh rusty tangerine hue to modern things up,Charlize Theronagain wowed at the Oscars in 2000, this time inVera Wang.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson let her red-hot in a one-shoulder Saint Laurent gown steal the show on the 2015 red carpet, opting for minimal makeup and a simple updo.
Courtney Love
You never quite know what you're going to get withCourtney Love, and the 1997 Oscars were no exception. Only instead of the itchy hangover grunge motif that still comprises the Holefrontwoman'susual look, Love shocked and awed — in a good way! — by sporting a classically polished, white satin Versace gown to that year's Academy Awards. Perhaps someone should make a sequel toThe People vs. LarryFlynt, if only to give Love a reason to look like a functioning member of society once again.
Kate Winslet
Back in the early aughts, some of Kate Winslet's red-carpet looks definitely were better than others. But the red Ben de Lisicolumn gown she wore to the 2002 ceremony melded the simplicity she's now known for with a visually interestingfloral neckline that made the dress worthy of such an important event.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Long before she was teaching chic mommies how to brown their Passover-friendly schnitzel just so,GwynethPaltrowwas a 23-year-old star in the making, with some pretty heavy arm candy in the form of Brad Pitt. And in 1996, she hit up the Oscars in a stunningly simpleCalvin Kleinsheath that began her trajectory of the classic yet head-turning Oscar outfits to come.
Hilary Swank
In 2005,Hilary Swankaccepted her best actress statue forMillion Dollar Babywearing a dramatic midnight blueGuyLarochegown, which, with long sleeves, a high neck and sweeping open back, managed to be refreshingly sophisticated in the sexiest of ways.
Jennifer Lopez
In 2003, whenBenniferwas in full swing,Jennifer Lopezturned a corner from her usual breed of jaw-dropping, sex-oozing garment and opted for a uniquely classic, mint green Valentino number on the Oscars carpet. The asymetrically draped gown was exotic and grown-up and didn't appear to require the use of double-sided tape. Score.
Cate Blanchett
Red-carpet veteran Cate Blanchett was stunning as always in her Swarovski crystal-embellished Armani Prive gown from 2014.
Julia Roberts
The vintage velvet-and-satin Valentino stunner Julia Robertswore to win her best actress award for Erin Brockovich might have originated in 1982, but it looked perfectly in place and modern at the 2001 ceremony, too.
Julianne Moore
It's a fact: Redheads in green are good. And as Julianne Moore proved at the 2003 ceremony, specific redheads in green Tom Ford for Yves Saint Lauren Rive Gauche gowns are as good as they come.
Sienna Miller
Sienna Miller was gorgeous in her dark Saint Laurent gown and Forevermark diamonds at the 2015 red carpet.
Julianne Moore
In 2010, Moore did it again in anopalescentCalvin Klein column gown that oozed frost and glamour.
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett (then going by Farrah Fawcett-Majors) took her role of effortless California girl quite seriously at the 1978 Oscars, preferring to accessorize herliquidygoldStephen Burrowsdress with only a clutch and a smile. The juxtaposition between the downplayed styling and high-wattage frock worked wonders and proved why Fawcett still deserves to be remembered for her breezy, confident fashion sense today.
Reese Witherspoon
The Wild nominee wore a custom ice-blue Tom Ford gown with black velvet detailing and Jimmy Choos at the 2015 show.
Madonna
Michael Jackson on her arm, $20 million in Harry Winston diamonds and a blinding Bob Mackie sequined gown — no, Madonna didn't opt for low-key at the 1991 Academy Awards. But she looked like an old-school movie star anyway and still retained her signature pluck. And in the end, that's the true mark of successful style.
Marion Cotillard
Marion Cotillard channeled a modern mermaid in the elaborately beaded Jean Paul Gaultierfishtail gown she wore while accepting best actress honors at the 2008 ceremony for La Vie en Rose. Both EdithPiafand Princess Arielwould be proud.
Saoirse Ronan
The 2016 Brooklyn nominee dazzled in plunging, custom emerald Calvin Klein Collection — with an even more daring back — and mismatched swingy Chopard drop earrings featuring emeralds, pearls, jadeites and diamonds (totaling 27.27 carats) from the High Jewelry Collection. Ronan said she chose to wear green for the red carpet "in honor of Ireland" and her heritage.
Rosamund Pike
The Gone Girl actress showed off her curves in a hip-hugging Givenchy haute couture gown at the 2015 show.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams was a burst of chic, sophisticated sunshine in the pleated, mustard-hued Vera Wang number she wore to the 2006 awards. Her loose, romantic bun and bold red lips only added to the simply powerful look.
Nicole Kidman
Say what you will about John Gallianoand his missteps, but there's no disputing that the embroidered chartreuse Dior creation he designed for Nicole Kidman in 1997 ushered in a new era of daring, fantasy-filled red carpet dressing that remains to this day.
Lupita Nyong’o
At her first Oscars in 2014, Lupita Nyong'o was a show-stopper in a pale blue pleated dress by Prada.
Sandra Bullock
The red straplessMarchesaball gown that Sandra Bullock wore to the 2011 Oscars is as elegant and movie star-ready as Oscar dresses come.
Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone made sartorial history in 1998, when she snagged a crisp white button-down from then-husband Phil Bronstein's closet, paired it with a satin Vera Wang full-length skirt and headed out to the most important fashion show in the world. Today, it's cool-girl de riguerto steal from the boys and sport looks that have an edge of androgyny, and we have Stone to thank.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence first stole our hearts in 2013, when she hit the red carpet in a gorgeous Dior couture gown. The look was so stunning we almost forgot about her onstage spill as she accepted her best actress award. Almost.
Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppolaand Marc Jacobs have long had a love affair, starting in 2002 when the designer chose the filmmaker to be the face of his fragrance. So it was only natural that Coppola chose his graceful, black satin V-neck gown for the 2004 Oscars, where she won the best original screenplay award for Lost in Translation.
Amy Adams
Judging by the sequined L'Wren Scott stunner Amy Adams wore to the 2011 Oscars, redheads look good in deep blue, too.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry showed off her toned bod in a fitted black and gold gown by Versace at the 2013 awards.
Lupita Nyong’o
No one could stop talking about LupitaNyong'o'spearl-embellished halter gown by Calvin Klein from 2015 — especially after it was stolen from her hotel room after the show.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway looked like beacon of light in Armani Prive at the 2009 Oscars. Which is great, considering a mere two years later she, uh, bombed as the show's host. At least her dresses were good then, too.
Beyonce
Beyonce's enviable, strong style has been creating girl crushes since long before her recent Super Bowl performance. And this glamour-filledAtelier Versace look, which she sported to the Oscars in 2005, is sophisticated while keeping the performer's signature edginess intact. We dig.
Marion Cotillard
The French actress' daring Dior Haute Couture dress was a fashion risk that certainly paid off on the red carpet in 2015.
Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst's strapless black silk faille Dior Haute Couture gown at the 2017 Oscars had a corseted bodice to accentuate her hourglass figure. She paired the dress with her favorite Christian Lacroix ankle-strap pumps.
Cate Blanchett
If fairy dust and a moon beam had a baby, we're convinced it would look like the magical graphite-hued Armani Prive gown thatCateBlanchett wore to the 2007 Oscars.
Amy Adams
Amy Adams' tiered strapless gown by Oscar de la Renta was a knockout at the 2013 Oscars.
Naomi Watts
The Birdman actress knocked it out of the park in a patterned Armani Prive gown and Bulgari sapphire earrings at the 2015 show.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
The scarlet red Versace gown worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones in 1999 perfectly played up the Welsh beauty's dark raven-hued hair and fair skin, creating an almost modern Snow White situation that worked very well.
Cindy Crawford
At the height of the '90s supermodel era in 1991, Cindy Crawford wore a red plunging Versace to the Oscars and solidified her role as leader of the supermodels, even more.
Diane Kruger
Diane Kruger always pushes a boundary or two when getting dressed, and her choice of this black and white Chanel gown to the 2010 Oscars is no exception. Grown-up yet frilly at the same time, the dress further established Kruger's rep as a bold style risk taker, albeit one with usually successful results.
Elizabeth Taylor
The violet, plunging Edith Head gown that Elizabeth Taylor donned at the 1970 Academy Awards brought out the legend's violet eyes and, uh, showed off her assets. She looked fantastic, as usual.
Freida Pinto
John Galliano strikes again with this stunning electric blue, Indian-inspired number worn by Freida Pinto in 2009.
Grace Kelly
At the 1955 ceremony, Grace Kelly looked every bit a would-be princess in a frothy green satin gown by legendary costumer Edith Head. As the cover of Time magazine said about the iconic actress in January of that year, "Gentlemen prefer ladies." And this dress proves why.
Jennifer Lawrence
A peplum Dior gown and chic diamond collar made for a perfectly polished ensemble as Jennifer Lawrence hit the red carpet in 2014.
Gwyneth Paltrow
GOOP did it again last year in a chic, simple, asymmetrical Tom Ford dress and matching cape.
Halle Berry
in 2002, Halle Berry became the first black woman to take home a best actress statue, which she did for her work in Monster's Ball. And the scarlet-tinged, strategically embroidered Elie Saab gown she sported while doing so was the cherry on top of the historic evening's sundae.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Usually clad in body-hugging styles, the interesting, circa-1950sAntonio Canovas del Castillo forLanvin gown looked lovely on Jada Pinkett-Smith at the 2002 Oscars.
Katherine Heigl
Clad in a dramatic red Escadagown at the 2008 Oscars, Katherine Heigl looked like a bona fide movie star. End of story.
Gwyneth Paltrow
The actress was angelic in a caped Tom Ford gown and a blindingly bright cuff back in 2012.
Helen Mirren
In 2007, Helen Mirren won best actress for her work in The Queen, wearing a bodice-skimming Christian Lacroix gown that many half her age would have trouble pulling off with anything close to the same amount of sexiness and grace.
Milla Jovovich
At last year's Oscars, Milla Jovovich busted out the classic glitz in a vibrant white, sequined Elie Saab one-shoulder gown. Paired with her frosty nails, modern chopped haircut and Edie Parker clutch, the results were stellar.
Natalie Portman
Both strong and soft at the same time, Natalie Portman looked every bit the modern Audrey Hepburn in her Grecian Lanvin gown at the 2005 Academy Awards.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis' red-carpet red Armani gown in 2017 had a wonderful twist: an off-shoulder, halter neck top. She accessorized her look with a metallic clutch and a new pixie 'do.
Nicole Kidman
The red backlessBalenciagahalter gown worn by Nicole Kidman in 2007 would have been beautiful without the dramatic back bow, mini train and hint of metallic piping at the bodice. But with those touches, it was nothing short of spectacular.
Nicole Richie
In 2010, Nicole Richie's beaded Reem Acra set the bar for all fellow free spirits who wish to go glam.
Penelope Cruz
The epic, sculptural Atelier Versace gown chosen by Penelope Cruz in 2007 truly erases any blurred lines between fashion and art.
Julianne Moore
The Still Alice actress, who took home the gold statue for her performance in 2015, was radiant in a custom white Chanel gown.
Reese Witherspoon
The metallic-tinged circa 1955 Dior gown that Reese Witherspoon wore to the 2006 Oscars was a prim and pretty nod to June Carter Cash, the portrayal of whom scored Witherspoon a best actress prize that year forWalk the Line.
Renee Zellweger
The simple silhouette and canary coloring of Renee Zellweger'sstrapless, vintage Jean Desses gown gave a proper lesson in how to dress like a movie star at the 2001 Oscars.
Angelina Jolie
It doesn't take much for Angelina Jolie to look gorgeous, and her embellished Elie Saab long-sleeve gown from 2014 only made her shine (literally) even more.
Sienna Miller
Sienna Miller makes no apologies for her boho, free-spirited ways. And the tribal-tinged, turquoise and gold Matthew Williamson frock she wore while accompanying Jude Law to the 2004 Academy Awards perfectly captured that essence in a chic, worldly way.
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton's decidedly unique style may not appease every fashion fan. But the beautifully draped nude-and-black Lanvin number she wore to the 2009 Oscars deserves to be celebrated for its interesting blend of avant-gardeallure.
Uma Thurman
Prada was merely a purveyor of nylon knapsacks when Uma Thurman wore Miuccia Prada's lovely layered lavender gown to the Oscars in 1995 — the year she was nominated for best supporting actress for Pulp Fiction. The rest, as they say, is history. And as we all now know, Prada does a lot more than backpacks.
Anjelica Huston
It's easy to forget that Smash star Anjelica Huston was once a model and It Girl who long held Jack Nicholson'sheart. Seeing her in the long-sleeve, sequined scoop-neck dress she wore to the 1976 Oscars, however, offers a fantastic memory jog.
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock was elegant in sideswept curls and a draped midnight blue Alexander McQueen gown with classic white Lorraine Schwartz diamonds in 2014.
Vanessa Paradis
Johnny Depp's onetime better half has a free-spirited, gothic style that makes her a cult figure in cool-girl circles. And the shimmery, black V-neck gown she sported at the 2005 Oscars lived up to her signature aestheticby being sexy in an unsaccharine way.
Vivien Leigh
At the 12th Annual Academy Awards in 1939, Vivien Leigh won best actress for playing Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. And the dress she wore while doing it earned a spot on our list for having an abstract floral print and geometric side cutouts that make it way ahead of its time.
Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldana has compared the trippyGivenchy Couture gown she wore to the 2010 Oscars to an "Avatar dream." We'll just call it wildly creative and contemporarily elegant and leave it at that.
Audrey Hepburn
No Oscar dress list is complete without Audrey Hepburn. The iconic actress looked every bit the modern movie star in a sweet, ivory lace gown designed for her by longtime sartorial collaborator Hubert de Givenchy in 1953, the year she won best actress for her work in Roman Holiday.
Emma Stone
The bold chartreuse color of Emma Stone's beaded Elie Saab gown was a perfect complementary shade for her vibrant red hair as she hit the red carpet in 2015.
Amy Adams
The red head, who was a best actress nominee at the 2014 show for her performance in American Hustle, wowed in a strapless navy silk crepe gown by Gucci Premiere.
Margot Robbie
The Wolf of Wallstreet actress' deep-v neck Saint Laurent gown was the perfect back drop for her incredible vintage Van Cleef & Arpelsnecklace.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway's black silk Gucci column gown was the perfect complement to her pretty pixie cut back in 2014.
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron was beautiful in a black Dior Haute Couture dress, but it was her Harry Winston pendant necklace that had everyone doing double-takes at the 2014 show.
Naomi Watts
The actress, who was a presenter at the 2014 show, turned heads in a cap-sleeve Calvin Klein Collection gown which she paired with a a glittering Bulgari choker and a red lip.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson's white caped Versace gown from 2014 continues to inspire daring red-carpet looks.
Meryl Streep
Gold was the color of the evening for Meryl Streep in 2012. She not only wowed in her Lanvin gown, but she also took home the gold statue for her performance in The Iron Lady.
