Disney/Scott Kirkland

FASHION

Oscars: Some of the Most Sensational Red Carpet Looks

by Zoya Church posted on March 3, 2025
As the final television and film award ceremony of the season, the Oscars have brought some of most memorable looks to the red carpet.
Disney/Scott Kirkland

As the final television and film award ceremony of the season, the Oscars have brought some of the most memorable looks to the red carpet.

Disney/Scott Kirkland

For almost a century, the Oscars brought some of the most iconic, jaw-dropping looks in red carpet history. With the 97 Academy Awards on the horizon, expectations are high for the industry’s biggest names to dress their best. Here are the most iconic best dressed celebrities throughout the years.

Recent Looks

In honor of the upcoming award ceremony, here are some of the best looks in Oscars history.

Ariana Grande, 2025

Ariana Grande honored Glinda’s style with her 2025 Oscars look. The Wicked actress wore a Schiaparelli dress from their Spring 2025 Couture collection. The gown had a satin bodice, peplum, and tulle skirt that dazzled with delicate sparkles.

The look was accessorized with Jimmy Choo pumps and jewelry that featured diamonds from De Beers.

Selena Gomez, 2025

Selena Gomez channeled the glitz and glamor of old Hollywood with her custom Ralph Lauren Dress. The gown featured 16,000 droplets of glass and crystals that were airbrushed to manufacture the illusion of pink ombré.

Colman Domingo, 2025

Colman Domingo walked the red carpet in a custom look by Maison Valentino. It featured a double-breasted red jacket with a contrasting black lapel, a matching red silk shirt, and black pants.

The jacket was tied off with a belt featuring two tassels down the side. The ensemble was complete with accessories from Maison Boucheron.

Carey Mulligan, 2024

Carey Mulligan channeled the vintage Hollywood aesthetic in her 2024 Oscars look. The Saltburn actress wore a recreation of one of Balenciaga’s most iconic designs from the 1950s.

The strapless mermaid gown included a scalloped hem with white fabric finishing out the skirt. The outfit was accessorized with black gloves that sat above the elbow, and Fred Leighton earrings.

Zendaya, 2024

Zendaya has had countless show-stopping moments on the Oscars red carpet, and she continued that trend with last year’s outfit. The Dune actress wore a metallic pink embellished with gunmetal sequins, creating beautiful palm trees across the fabric.

Lily Gladstone, 2024

Lily Gladstone wore a custom piece with deep meaning. Her red carpet gown was created by Gucci in collaboration with Native American artist Joe Big Mountain. He is the owner of Ironhorse Quillwork, where he specializes in porcupine quillwork.

The one-of-a-kind dress blends traditional artistry and craftsmanship with contemporary fashion, making the look one of the most special moments of the Oscars red carpet.

Rihanna, 2023

Rihanna was turning heads in her look from Alaïa. The long leather skirt, which featured sleek cutouts along the sides of the thighs, was paired with a matching bra that sat overtop a sheer shirt. The look was paired with a bold red lip, messy bun, and Moussaieff High Jewellery.

Cara Delevingne, 2023

Cara Delevingne wowed fans with a show-stopping red gown from Elie Saab. The one-shoulder dress also featured a thigh-high slit, showing off her matching red heels from Stuart Weitzman. The look was accessorized with Bulgari jewelry and a slick-back hairstyle.

Jessica Chastain, 2023

Jessica Chastain brought vintage style back with a timeless crystal gown from Gucci. Encrusted with silver crystals, the strapless dress featured black trim around the bustier, a black train, and a v-neckline.

Zendaya, 2022

The actress left fans in awe as she walked the carpet, wearing a contemporary Old Hollywood outfit. She wore a white, cropped button-up shirt with a high-rise sequined skirt accessorized with statement bangles on both arms.

Zendaya, 2021

All attention was on Zendaya at the 2021 Academy Awards red carpet when she arrived wearing a neon yellow dress from Valentino. The strapless gown featured a stomach cutout paired with Jimmy Choo heels and Bulgari accessories.

Regina King, 2021

Regina King arrived at the 2021 Academy Awards in a gown straight out of a fairytale. The custom blue piece from Louis Vuitton was embellished with crystals and sequins. With a plunging V-neck and statement sleeves, it brought both boldness and elegance to the scene.

Janelle Monáe, 2020

Janelle Monáe brought a luxurious take on Little Red Riding Hood to the Oscars. The custom Ralph Lauren gown was completely covered in Swarovski crystals, creating a look that dazzled fans as she walked the red carpet.

Natalie Portman, 2020

Natalie Portman sent a strong message with her 2020 Oscars look. Portman wore a black gown with a sheer overlay embroidered with gold detailing. The dress and accompanying cape were both designed by Dior Couture.

However, there’s one detail on the cape that brought power to the carpet. The names of female directors who were snubbed from nominations were embroidered on the edge of the cape, bringing awareness to their work and contribution to the industry.

Tessa Thompson, 2019

Tessa Thompson wore a black dress from Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection. The dress featured gold sequins stripes, and was paired with Jimmy Choo shoes and Chanel accessories. It paid tribute to the late creative director of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld.

Billy Porter, 2019

Billy Porter showed up to the 2019 Oscars in arguably one of the most jaw-dropping, memorable looks in Oscars history.

The Our Son actor captivated the carpet with a tuxedo dress designed by Christian Siriano. It featured a voluminous skirt, delicate white sleeves, and a large bow tie around the neck.

Emma Stone, 2017

Emma Stone dazzled on the red carpet in a gold dress created by Givenchy. It was embellished with delicate crystals, as well as crystal tassels. The gown was complemented by bronze sandals and statement earrings that perfectly tied the look together.

Priyanka Chopra, 2016

Priyanka Chopra wore a strapless, semi-sheer gown from Zuhair Murad to the 2016 Academy Awards. The dress was adorned in white, floral detailing, and a belt accentuating her waist.

Lupita Nyong’o, 2015

Lupita Nyong’o wore a pearl-encrusted halter gown with a plunging V-neck, designed by Calvin Klein. It also featured a scoop back and a small cutout below the chest.

Gwyneth Paltrow, 2012

Gwyneth Paltrow’s white dress from Tom Ford exhibited classic sophistication on the carpet. The gown had cap sleeves and a white cape, creating a look that was minimal yet elegant.

Hilary Swank, 2005

Hilary Swank left people stunned with her beautiful midnight blue gown from Guy Laroche. It had open back that ended just above the rear.

Charlize Theron, 2004

Charlize Theron stepped onto the carpet wearing a beautiful beige piece from Gucci. It was embellished with crystals and accompanied by a wavy hairstyle that captured the old Hollywood aesthetic.

Angelina Jolie, 2004

Angelina Jolie radiated sophistication in an ivory-colored satin gown from Marc Bouwer. The stunning train, flowing skirt, and plunging neckline combined to create a look that is timeless.

Sydney Sweeney wore the famous dress to the 2024 Oscars after-party.

Halle Berry, 2002

Halle Berry blew fans away with a stunning dress from Elie Saab. The dress featured large maroon skirt and mesh top embroidered with intricate flowers. It blended both the top and bottom seamlessly.

Sharon Stone, 1998

Sharon Stone brought something unconventional to the carpet in 1998, as she mixed a satin evening skirt from Vera Wang with a white button-up from Gap. However, the way she styled the top brought another layer of elegance to the outfit.

With the collar flared upward, sleeves rolled up just below the elbow, and a plunged neckline tucked into the waist of the skirt, the simple outfit radiated sophistication.

Uma Thurman, 1995

Uma Thurman arrived onto the scene wearing a lilac-colored Prada and chiffon wrap. The combination was both sophisticated and minimal.

Madonna, 1991

Madonna walked the red carpet wearing an intricate white gown from Bob Mackie, accessorized with a white fur stole and gloves. The look was topped off with statement jewelry that highlighted the embellishments on the dress.

Last year, pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter wore this famous dress to the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards.

Cher, 1974

Cher wore a beautiful pastel-colored dress by Bob Mackie. The watercolor-like gown featured a tube top with a matching maxi shirt. The look was complemented by a sparkling neck piece and headband.

Diahann Carroll, 1969

Diahann Carroll wore a delicate blush-colored gown to the 1969 Oscars. The dress was complete with a sheer overlay that was embroidered with silver crystals.

Grace Kelly, 1955

Grace Kelly wore an Edith Head satin gown to the 1955 Academy Awards. The greenish-blue dress was paired with gloves that sat at the elbow, a purse, and flowers pinned in her delicate updo.

The gown became the most expensive dress in Oscars history at the time, costing around $4,000 to create.

Audrey Hepburn, 1954

Audrey Hepburn radiated elegance as she walked the red carpet wearing a white, floral pattern dress from Givenchy.

If you missed the Oscars, you can stream it on Hulu.

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