Almost 20 years ago, Gwyneth Paltrow [1] rocketed to Hollywood stardom with lead roles in Emma and an Oscar-winning turn in Shakespeare In Love; simultaneously, Gwyneth's upward trajectory to style icon status was solidified by her red carpet looks that wowed with every appearance. Who can forget the young actress in a soft pink Ralph Lauren princess gown at the 1999 Oscars, or the way she could transform a simple Calvin Klein slip dress into something infinitely more memorable, or her gothic turn in Alexander McQueen? Since making her mark as an actress, Gwyneth has gone on to add mom, singer, cookbook author, and yes, style icon to her resume, and her classic, less-is-more style has become a source of inspiration for many. Today marks Gwyneth's 45th birthday, so we thought it only fitting to pay the all-around wonder woman a proper tribute with a look back at her most memorable looks. Here are 44 of her best looks so far — Gwyneth, may you give us at least 44 more.
A sleek, sexy look for the Costume Institute Gala in 1995.
Gwyneth dazzled in this bubblegum Ralph Lauren confection as the Oscars darling the year she won for Shakespeare in Love.
A femme sheath at the 2000 Oscars.
Glittering in Oscar de la Renta with dad Bruce Paltrow at the Fashion Group International's Night of Stars in 2001.
Going sultry with a dramatic pout and a curve-hugging Dolce & Gabbana bustier gown at the A Perfect Murder premiere in 1998.
Sexy peek-a-boo and embellishments at the Shakespeare In Love premiere in 1998.
A fur-trimmed coat and super-short cut at a premiere in 1997.
Showing off her sharp bob and a minimalist gown at the Great Expectations premiere in 1998.
Mixing up an iridescent maxi skirt and a sweater set at the 1999 Golden Globes.
One of her most memorable, going gothic in Alexander McQueen at the 2002 Oscars.
Rocking a velvet red Tom Ford for Gucci suit at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards.
Taking a more relaxed approach to Golden Globes dressing in 2000.
Mixing up a blazer and a a femme maxi at the Vogue Fashion Awards in 2001.
Gorgeous and glowing in Stella McCartney in 2004.
A bow-tied beauty at a film premiere in 2004.
Gwyneth flaunted her curves in this Zac Posen gown at the Oscars in 2007.
A slinky black strapless for the Venice Film Festival in 2002.
Appropriately pink at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Hottest Pink Party Ever in 2008.
A gorgeous, embellished McQueen mini on the red carpet in 2008.
A standout, cutout Stella McCartney mini at a 2008 Iron Man screening.
A Stella McCartney jumpsuit for the Iron Man premiere in 2008.
Rocking a cutout, metallic Preen mini at a benefit gala in 2009.
A chic, metallic short suit by Armani for the Iron Man 2 world premiere in 2010.
Shimmering in a body-con Michael Kors for the 2010 CFDA Awards.
Sweet, ruffled Chanel in 2008 at Cannes.
Channeling a Grecian goddess vibe in asymmetrical Lanvin at Cannes in 2008.
Showing off her curves in a lace-paneled Antonio Berardi dress at the Two Lovers premiere in Paris in 2008.
Showing off her sophisticated side in white satin at a charity event in 2009.
Sleek in an asymmetrical gown at an event in Morocco in 2009.
Opting for a curve-hugging Victoria Beckham [2] sheath at the Iron Man 2 premiere in LA in 2010.
Long and lacy in Antonio Berardi celebrating with Chopard in 2010.
Perfectly poised in Louis Vuitton in London in 2010.
Perfect in pink Prada at the 2010 National Movie Awards.
Bright, short, and sweet in Calvin Klein for Elle's annual Women in Hollywood Tribute in 2010.
A cutout Chado Ralph Rucci dress for the Country Strong premiere in Nashville in 2010.
Gwyneth showed off her stems in this ombre Atelier Versace at the 2010 CMAs.
Gwyneth wowed in an all-white Pucci at the Country Strong premiere.
Rocking flirty pink feathered earrings at the 2011 Grammys.
Shimmering in a Calvin Klein gown on 2011 Oscars red carpet.
Gwyneth stunned in an embellished two piece Pucci at the 2011 Emmys.
Looking impeccably polished in Tom Ford at the 2014 amfAR LA Inspiration Gala.
Radiating in a sequined Prada gown at the Golden Camera Awards in 2014.
Effortlessly elegant in Valentino at Valentino's Mirabilia Romae Couture Collection in July 2015.
Gwyneth was the picture of glamour and elegance in a velvet Schiaparelli gown at the InStyle Awards in 2015.