We see the most famous celebrities in their best outfits in the Oscars. And it’s been like that for decades. So trying to find out the best Oscar dresses of all time is certainly going to be a difficult job. But let’s try to do so anyway. Here are some of the brightest moments from the world’s most famous red carpet.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s White Caped Tom Ford, 2013
The actress and Goop founder smashed red carpet standards in this Tom Ford column gown. It was an instant head turner. Patrow wore a Calvin Klein two years back in 2011, and created quite a stir in it. This was a minimalist take on formal evening wear, and it complemented Gwyneth’s lithe frame and sun-kissed blond hair very well.
Angelina Jolie’s Atelier Versace gown with thigh-high slit, 2012
Thanks to this gown, Angelina Jolie was able to do that pose, which earned her right leg its own Twitter account, inspired millions of memes, and left everyone buzzing for days.
Jennifer Lawrence’s red Calvin Klein gown, 2011
Before she became the Girl on Fire and face of Miss Dior, Jennifer Lawrence donned a beautifully figure-hugging crimson Calvin Klein number. She looked really gorgeous in this outfit.
Reese Witherspoon’s black-and-white Armani Privé, 2011
Reese Witherspoon is a favorite American red carpet royalty. In 2011, she wore this Armani Privé black-and-white gown. It showed off her silhouette perfectly. She was looking stunning in her vintage Barbie-inspired ponytail.
Marisa Tomei’s white Versace dress, 2009
Marisa Tomei arrived at the Academy Awards in a formfitting one-shouldered origami-inspired gown with a small train and still managed to look elegant and effortless.
Marion Cotillard’s ivory Gaultier dress, 2008
The scallop details on the ivory gown Marion Cotillard wore to accept her best-actress award in 2008 left fashion lovers in two camps. Some of them swooned, while others wrinkled their noses. To many, she was looking very sweet, particularly the way it accentuated her body with a little wink. Besides, any woman who can successfully pull off the mermaid thing certainly deserves the title of best dressed.
Halle Berry’s red Elie Saab dress, 2002
By the time Halle Berry made Academy Award history in 2002 as the first African-American woman to win the best-actress award, she had already won everyone’s hearts on the red carpet hours earlier. Turning up in a claret-color Elie Saab gown, complete with strategically placed floral appliqués, Berry announced to the viewing world that she was about to steal the show.
Julia Roberts’ black-and-white Valentino dress, 2001
We can’t say the word Oscars without automatically thinking of the striking black-and-white Valentino that Julia Roberts wore to accept her best-actress award for her role in Erin Brockovich. Her high-glamour look reminds us that sometimes simplicity is best.
Madonna’s floor-length sparkling white gown, 1991
Madonna got her glamour in a major way in this head-to-toe Marilyn Monroe-inspired look. The sparkling white dress and matching fox stole are definitely over-the-top—but that’s how the Material Girl rolls!