70 Famous Oscars Dresses That Will Be Referenced Forever

As the culmination to award season, the Oscars mark the final opportunity for celebrities and their stylists to deliver an impact on the red carpet. What's more, the nominated actors may use their outfits to bring the character they played full circle, as an ode to their recognized role. Throughout history, these specific Oscars looks have become iconic, whether it's because they defined a culturally relevant moment, were marked by a win and accessorized with a golden statue, or were reinterpreted later on by a younger Hollywood star.

Jennifer Lawrence tripped up the stage in her strapless Dior Couture ballgown to accept best actress for "Silver Linings Playbook" in 2013, with her delicate Chopard necklace draped down her back. The "backward" jewelry kick-started a trend all on its own as she was photographed bent over, with her train sweeping gracefully across the stairs. Angelina Jolie made the most of a leg slit one year prior, playing up the detail on her black velvet Versace gown from several different angles. The thigh-high split is now essentially named after the star, with many fashion reporters referring to the style move as "pulling an Angelina Jolie." And in 2022, Zendaya's cropped Valentino Haute Couture shirt and floor-grazing sequined skirt were a playful take on the memorable ensemble Sharon Stone wore in 1988, when she tucked her husband's Gap button-down into a satin Vera Wang design.

Of course, the world-renowned Academy Awards fashion doesn't stop there. From Gwyneth Paltrow's pink Ralph Lauren confection in 1999 to her ivory Tom Ford cape in 2012; from Lupita Nyong'o's plunging, powder-blue Prada number in 2014 to her Calvin Klein Collection pearl column sheath in 2015; and from Janelle Monáe's entirely sheer Elie Saab design in 2017 to her Ralph Lauren glitter hood in 2020, look back on the Oscars statements that deserve awards all on their own.

Best Oscars Dresses: Elizabeth Taylor at the 1953 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Elizabeth Taylor at the 1953 Oscars

Taylor beamed in this cinched strapless gown.

Best Oscars Dresses: Audrey Hepburn at the 1954 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Audrey Hepburn at the 1954 Oscars

Hepburn's timeless Givenchy dress and belt will forever go down in history.

Best Oscars Dresses: Grace Kelly at the 1954 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Grace Kelly at the 1954 Oscars

Kelly celebrated her award for best actress for the movie "The Country Girl" in a stunning cinched dress.

Best Oscars Dresses: Sophia Loren at the 1958 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Sophia Loren at the 1958 Oscars

Loren wore a skintight satin floral dress to the Oscars in 1958.

Best Oscars Dresses: Rita Moreno at the 1962 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Rita Moreno at the 1962 Oscars

Moreno wore this shimmery gown in 1962 when she won the award for best supporting actress for her role as Anita in "West Side Story," then she wore it again at the Oscars in 2018!

Best Oscars Dresses: Faye Dunaway at the 1968 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Faye Dunaway at the 1968 Oscars

Dunaway dominated this feathered Theadora Van Runkle gown.

Best Oscars Dresses: Barbra Streisand at the 1969 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Barbra Streisand at the 1969 Oscars

Streisand took a daring leap with this sheer Arnold Scaasi dress, and we're sure happy she did.

Best Oscars Dresses: Audrey Hepburn at the 1975 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Audrey Hepburn at the 1975 Oscars

Sticking with Givenchy, Hepburn caught everyone's attention in this beaded number.

Best Oscars Dresses: Diana Ross at the 1985 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Diana Ross at the 1985 Oscars

Ross's sparkly gown made her look like a real-life princess as she performed at the 57th annual Academy Awards.

Best Oscars Dresses: Cher at the 1988 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Cher at the 1988 Oscars

Cher looked as stunning as ever while holding her award for best actress for the movie "Moonstruck."

Best Oscars Dresses: Daryl Hannah at the 1988 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Daryl Hannah at the 1988 Oscars

Hannah paired her gorgeous gold dress with a pair of elbow-length gloves, and we love what they added to her look.

Best Oscars Dresses: Cindy Crawford at the 1993 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Cindy Crawford at the 1993 Oscars

The supermodel graced the 65th annual Academy Awards show in a skintight Hervé Léger bandage dress.

Best Oscars Dresses: Whitney Houston at the 1994 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Whitney Houston at the 1994 Oscars

Houston looked like a true boss at the 66th annual Academy Awards wearing an all-white pantsuit.

Best Oscars Dresses: Mira Sorvino at the 1996 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Mira Sorvino at the 1996 Oscars

Sorvino stunned in this strapless Armani gown at the Oscars in 1996.

Best Oscars Dresses: Nicole Kidman at the 1997 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Nicole Kidman at the 1997 Oscars

Celebs wearing couture on the red carpet wasn't a new concept in 1997, but this dress looked so good on Kidman that it will go down in history as one of the best looks at the Oscars.

Best Oscars Dresses: Sharon Stone at the 1998 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Sharon Stone at the 1998 Oscars

Stone stunned fashion observers everywhere when she tucked one of her husband's white Gap shirts into a ball skirt by Vera Wang, setting the stage for the very look Zendaya impressed in when she arrived at the ceremony in 2022.

Best Oscars Dresses: Gwyneth Paltrow at the 1999 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Gwyneth Paltrow at the 1999 Oscars

This pink Ralph Lauren dress will go down in history as an Oscars classic.

Best Oscars Dresses: Winona Ryder at the 2000 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Winona Ryder at the 2000 Oscars

This strapless number caught everyone's attention at the Oscars in 2000.

Best Oscars Dresses: Uma Thurman at the 2000 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Uma Thurman at the 2000 Oscars

Though it was nearly the same color as the red carpet, this Alberta Ferretti gown stood out at the 2000 Oscars.

Best Oscars Dresses: Julia Roberts at the 2001 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Julia Roberts at the 2001 Oscars

Roberts's simple yet stunning Valentino gown carried her from the red carpet to the winners' room.

Best Oscars Dresses: Renée Zellweger at the 2001 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Renée Zellweger at the 2001 Oscars

Zellweger chose a very happy vintage dress by French designer Jean Dessès.

Best Oscars Dresses: Halle Berry at the 2002 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Halle Berry at the 2002 Oscars

Berry wore an Elie Saab gown with a sheer bodice and a full skirt to the awards in 2002, where she became the first Black woman to win an Oscar for best actress in a leading role.

Best Oscars Dresses: Kate Hudson at the 2003 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Kate Hudson at the 2003 Oscars

Wearing a champagne-colored Versace gown, Hudson looked like a classic Hollywood star.

Best Oscars Dresses: Sofia Coppola at the 2004 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Sofia Coppola at the 2004 Oscars

The filmmaker supported her longtime friend Marc Jacobs when she chose one of his dresses for the red carpet.

Best Oscars Dresses: Vanessa Paradis at the 2004 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Vanessa Paradis at the 2004 Oscars

The actress, with then-boyfriend Johnny Depp, wore a vintage Chanel gown on the red carpet.

Best Oscars Dresses: Beyoncé at the 2005 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Beyoncé at the 2005 Oscars

A vintage Versace dress accentuated Beyoncé's curves.

Best Oscars Dresses: Cate Blanchett at the 2005 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Cate Blanchett at the 2005 Oscars

The Valentino gown Blanchett wore in 2005 channeled old-school Hollywood glamour.

Best Oscars Dresses: Natalie Portman at the 2005 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Natalie Portman at the 2005 Oscars

This Lanvin gown made Portman look like a goddess.

Best Oscars Dresses: Hilary Swank at the 2005 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Hilary Swank at the 2005 Oscars

This backless navy-blue Guy Laroche dress gave Swank an element of polish and elegance.

Best Oscars Dresses: Michelle Williams at the 2006 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Michelle Williams at the 2006 Oscars

Vera Wang designed the sunny yellow dress Williams chose for the red carpet in 2006.

Best Oscars Dresses: Nicole Kidman at the 2007 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Nicole Kidman at the 2007 Oscars

The actor wore a red gown by Balenciaga's former designer Nicolas Ghesquière on the red carpet.

Best Oscars Dresses: Reese Witherspoon at the 2007 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Reese Witherspoon at the 2007 Oscars

The actor wore a tiered Nina Ricci gown dyed varying degrees of purple to the award show in 2007.

Best Oscars Dresses: Zoe Saldana at the 2010 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Zoe Saldana at the 2010 Oscars

Saldana wore a purple confectionary creation by then-Givenchy couturier Riccardo Tisci.

Best Oscars Dresses: Sandra Bullock at the 2010 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Sandra Bullock at the 2010 Oscars

Bullock looked like a winner — and become one later that evening — in this silver gown by Marchesa.

Best Oscars Dresses: Diane Kruger at the 2010 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Diane Kruger at the 2010 Oscars

Kruger chose a cream and black dress by Chanel for the big show in 2010.

Best Oscars Dresses: Cate Blanchett at the 2011 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Cate Blanchett at the 2011 Oscars

Blanchett's lavender gown, created by Givenchy, looked like couture armor on the red carpet.

Best Oscars Dresses: Angelina Jolie at the 2012 Oscars
Getty | Ethan Miller

Best Oscars Dresses: Angelina Jolie at the 2012 Oscars

Jolie showed off plenty of leg in this strapless black velvet Versace gown in 2012.

Best Oscars Dresses: Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2012 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Gwyneth Paltrow at the 2012 Oscars

This caped Tom Ford gown helped Paltrow look like a superhero.

Best Oscars Dresses: Natalie Portman at the 2012 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Natalie Portman at the 2012 Oscars

The actor wore a strapless vintage gown by Christian Dior.

Best Oscars Dresses: Michelle Williams at the 2012 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Michelle Williams at the 2012 Oscars

The actor chose a strapless red lace gown by Louis Vuitton.

Best Oscars Dresses: Rooney Mara at the 2012 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Rooney Mara at the 2012 Oscars

Mara's elegant white Givenchy gown still had plenty of bite — just like her character in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

Best Oscars Dresses: Jennifer Lawrence at the 2013 Oscars
Getty | FREDERIC J. BROWN

Best Oscars Dresses: Jennifer Lawrence at the 2013 Oscars

Lawrence's pale, textured Dior Couture gown made her look regal. Despite her memorable fall before accepting her award, the dress will go down in history.

Best Oscars Dresses: Kerry Washington at the 2013 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Kerry Washington at the 2013 Oscars

Washington's sparkly Miu Miu dress added a jolt of energy at the 2013 Oscars.

Best Oscars Dresses: Charlize Theron at the 2013 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Charlize Theron at the 2013 Oscars

The simplicity of this Dior gown didn't stop it from being one of the most stunning dresses on the red carpet in 2013.

Best Oscars Dresses: Lupita Nyong'o at the 2014 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Lupita Nyong'o at the 2014 Oscars

Nyong'o was the belle of the ball in this ethereal blue Prada gown.

Best Oscars Dresses: Zendaya at the 2015 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Zendaya at the 2015 Oscars

Zendaya looked like a goddess on the 2015 Oscars red carpet in this silky white Vivienne Westwood gown.

Best Oscars Dresses: Jennifer Lopez at the 2015 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Jennifer Lopez at the 2015 Oscars

The singer and actor turned heads in a blush-colored tulle dress from Elie Saab.

Best Oscars Dresses: Lupita Nyong'o at the 2015 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Lupita Nyong'o at the 2015 Oscars

Nyong'o showed up on the red carpet wearing a custom Calvin Klein Collection gown adorned with 6,000 pearls.

Best Oscars Dresses: Emma Stone at the 2015 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Emma Stone at the 2015 Oscars

In an unexpected move, Stone opted for a custom chartreuse Elie Saab gown in 2015.

Best Oscars Dresses: Charlize Theron at the 2016 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Charlize Theron at the 2016 Oscars

Theron wore a red-hot Dior Haute Couture dress in 2016.

Best Oscars Dresses: Alicia Vikander at the 2016 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Alicia Vikander at the 2016 Oscars

Vikander wore a pastel-yellow custom Louis Vuitton dress with sparkly details at the Oscars in 2016.

Best Oscars Dresses: Janelle Monáe at the 2017 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Janelle Monáe at the 2017 Oscars

Monáe wore an Elie Saab Haute Couture dress, Jennifer Behr crown, Forevermark jewels, and Brian Atwood shoes.

Best Oscars Dresses: Taraji P. Henson at the 2018 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Taraji P. Henson at the 2018 Oscars

Henson kept it simple and let the cutouts be the center of attention on this Vera Wang dress.

Best Oscars Dresses: Gina Rodriguez at the 2018 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Gina Rodriguez at the 2018 Oscars

Rodriguez looked like an actual princess in this Zuhair Murad Couture dress.

Best Oscars Dresses: Jennifer Garner at the 2018 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Jennifer Garner at the 2018 Oscars

Garner made a statement in this electric-blue draped Atelier Versace gown.

Best Oscars Dresses: Margot Robbie at the 2018 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Margot Robbie at the 2018 Oscars

Robbie looked angelic in this custom Chanel Haute Couture dress.

Best Oscars Dresses: Billy Porter at the 2019 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Billy Porter at the 2019 Oscars

Porter made a dramatic entrance in a custom Christian Siriano velvet tuxedo gown in 2019.

Best Oscars Dresses: Gemma Chan at the 2019 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Gemma Chan at the 2019 Oscars

"Crazy Rich Asians" star Chan turned heads at the Oscars in 2019 when she graced the red carpet in a ruffled pink Valentino gown.

Best Oscars Dresses: Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars

The "A Star Is Born" actor attended the 2019 Oscars wearing a black strapless Alexander McQueen gown, complete with glam gloves.

Best Oscars Dresses: Charlize Theron at the 2019 Oscars
Getty | Frazer Harrison

Best Oscars Dresses: Charlize Theron at the 2019 Oscars

The actor showed off a sexy back cutout in a Dior Haute Couture gown that hugged each and every single one of her curves.

Best Oscars Dresses: Janelle Monáe at the 2020 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Janelle Monáe at the 2020 Oscars

Monáe wore this incredible hooded Ralph Lauren gown to the ceremony, complemented by diamond rings and a matching choker.

Best Oscars Dresses: Beanie Feldstein at the 2020 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Beanie Feldstein at the 2020 Oscars

The shimmer on Feldstein's Miu Miu dress is undeniable when you zoom in close on those sequins.

Best Oscars Dresses: Billie Eilish at the 2020 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Billie Eilish at the 2020 Oscars

Eilish showed up in head-to-toe Chanel to perform "Yesterday" by The Beatles at the award show.

Best Oscars Dresses: Zendaya at the 2021 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Zendaya at the 2021 Oscars

Zendaya wore a custom Maison Valentino dress that was glow-in-the-dark to the 2021 ceremony. The look was finished with more than 183 carats of Bulgari diamonds, valued at more than $6 million, along with Jimmy Choo heels.

Best Oscars Dresses: H.E.R. at the 2021 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: H.E.R. at the 2021 Oscars

H.E.R. arrived wearing a purple Dundas gown and Chopard jewels with Bonnie Clyde sunglasses and Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

Best Oscars Dresses: Carey Mulligan at the 2021 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Carey Mulligan at the 2021 Oscars

This custom Valentino Couture two-piece consisted of a bandeau and voluminous ballroom skirt swathed in sequins and played up by Sophia Webster shoes and Cartier jewels.

Best Oscars Dresses: Zendaya at the 2022 Oscars
Getty | Kevin Mazur

Best Oscars Dresses: Zendaya at the 2022 Oscars

Zendaya flipped red carpet fashion on its head in this Valentino Haute Couture custom crop top and sequin-embroidered skirt. She accessorized with Bulgari Serpenti viper bangles and a white-gold necklace covered in pavé diamonds.

Best Oscars Dresses: Jessica Chastain at the 2022 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Jessica Chastain at the 2022 Oscars

Chastain arrived dressed in Gucci's Love Parade collection. Her ombré-effect sequin gown came finished with a ruffle-trimmed train.

Best Oscars Dresses: Ariana DeBose at the 2022 Oscars
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Best Oscars Dresses: Ariana DeBose at the 2022 Oscars

DeBose opted for a Valentino Haute Couture pantsuit and matching floor-sweeping cape.