How Jennifer Aniston Went From Friend to Fashion Fatale

Jennifer Aniston has been setting trends since her early days on Friends, but just as her career has flourished so have her red carpet capabilities. Jennifer has a soft spot for monochrome minimalism and streamlined silhouettes sprinkled with the occasional party mini. Though we appreciate her "black is anything but boring" motto, we prefer to take our Jen with a side of spice. And recently, it seems Jen has taken our opinion into consideration — at least that's what we're telling ourselves — stepping out of the dark and embracing electrifying hues and flirty florals. If the voluminous crimson Valentino Haute Couture strapless Jen worked at 2013 Oscars is any indication of what's to come, we bow down.

In honor of Jennifer's 45th birthday — we can't believe it either! — we're looking back at some of her most ravishing red carpet moments to date.

— Additional reporting by Hannah Weil

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Fresh-faced in a printed maxi at an NBC event in 1990.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Crochet and a bare midriff — plus the famous Rachel cut — at a VH1 event in '95.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
WireImage

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

While posing with Friends cast mates Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow at the 1996 Golden Globes, Aniston nailed chic minimalist in a cream gown.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jen went for minimalist separates and chunky heels at the 1997 premiere of Picture Perfect.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jennifer worked a Cosmo-appropriate black minidress for her August cover party in 1997.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jen chose a femme floral print for an NYC film premiere in '97.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

For the 1998 LA premiere of The Object of My Affection, Aniston chose a red curve-hugging sheath and black handbag.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Proving she has the minimalist game on lock, Jennifer Aniston styled a sophisticated and sleek turtleneck with a slim maxi skirt in 1998.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Her leopard bag popped against her stark white dress at the GLAAD Media Awards in '98.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

With faux dreads, a sequined top, and Brad at her side at the 1999 Emmy Awards.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A classic black A-line dress and pointed-toe pumps for the 2000 People's Choice Awards.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jen had a boho red carpet moment in a halter-style maxi and extralong locks at the SAG Awards in 2000.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

His and hers leather jackets at the Erin Brockovich premiere.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Coordinating with the 2000 Emmy Awards red carpet.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A bared midriff and a ladylike skirt for the Rock Star premiere in 2001.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A pantsuit and another peek at Jen's toned midriff for the 2002 Golden Globes.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Soft and embellished for the 2002 Emmy Awards — the year Jen took home the prize for best actress in a comedy series.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

One of our favorites: a black halter-style gown for Jen's Golden Globes win in 2003.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

It was all about cutouts at the 2003 SAG Awards.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Sparkly and sheer for the Along Came Polly premiere in Paris.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

For the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards, Jennifer went cool and chic in crisp white pants and sunnies.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

An ethereal style moment at Cannes in '04.

Jennifer Aniston Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Style

The definition of red carpet chic in 2006.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Sheer ruffles for the Friends With Money premiere in 2006.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A creamy palette for the Break-Up LA premiere.

Jennifer Aniston Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Style

Perfectly chic cocktail attire for the 2007 GLAAD Media Awards.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
WireImage

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

One of the sexiest takes on menswear we've ever seen at the He's Just Not That Into You premiere.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A departure from the usual, Jen chose florals for a Marley & Me photocall in Paris.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

With John Mayer at her side in an embellished strapless Valentino at the '09 Oscars.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A metallic, body-con sheath for a special screening of The Break-Up in '06.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Icy blue and impeccably chic in Burberry for the London premiere of Marley & Me in March 2009.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Classic chic in a pencil skirt and knit top while promoting The Bounty Hunter.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A short gray sheath and tights made for monochromatic perfection at a film screening in '09.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Posed to perfection in a sequin and satin Valentino LBD at the Madrid premiere of The Bounty Hunter.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jen tempered her glittering ultramini Valentino with a tuxedo blazer for The Bounty Hunter's London premiere in March 2010.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A sparkly Valentino sheath for the LA premiere of Love Happens in '09.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jen turned to a sexy, menswear-inspired outfit again for the People's Choice Awards.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

In a style departure, Jen opted to go long in a creamy, Grecian-inspired Donna Karan gown in March 2010.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A nude-hued mini for her fragrance launch in July 2010.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Brightly hued in a hot pink iridescent Christian Lacroix at the March 2010 Paris premiere of The Bounty Hunter.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

For the Hollywood premiere of The Switch, Jennifer was true to form in a leg-revealing, strapless Lanvin.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Aniston worked a sparkling one-shoulder Valentino for an appearance in Mexico in 2010.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A femme, lacy Nina Ricci dress while promoting Horrible Bosses.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Rocking a Balenciaga mini for the Horrible Bosses LA premiere.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
WireImage

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Opting for a bright, citrus-hued Vivienne Westwood while promoting her fragrance.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

For Elle's 2011 Women in Hollywood tribute, Jennifer opted for a supersexy, sparkly minidress by KaufmanFranco accessorized with strappy Balenciaga heels.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

With a fit-and-flare silhouette, a tiered skirt, and all-over floral print, this little Dior number is a definite departure from her typically classic, often black, and usually sexier red carpet routine.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | Jeff Vespa

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Va-va-Valentino was Aniston's designer of choice for a 2012 cocktail party in Beverly Hills, CA.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | Luca Teuchmann

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jennifer reprised her signature style in a classic black fit-and-flare dress cinched with a corset leather belt, both by Alexander McQueen, at the We're the Millers premiere in Germany.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | Christopher Polk

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Aniston proved the power of the LWG — long white gown — wowing in Burberry and a studded Valentino clutch in June 2012.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | Jon Kopaloff

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Sticking with her traditional monochrome palette by topping a Christian Dior bustier with black shorts and pointed pumps in April 2013.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | Jason Merritt

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

The star veered from her usually tonal looks with this herringbone Tom Ford peplum-detailed dress in February 2013.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | Jeffrey Mayer

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

When Jennifer stepped out for the 2013 Oscars in this crimson strapless Valentino Haute Couture gown with matching red lizard minaudière by Salvatore Ferragamo, everyone's jaws dropped.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | George Pimentel

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

A powder blue Vivienne Westwood asymmetrical frock enhanced Aniston's baby blues during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. Nude pumps and silver drop earrings rounded out her pastel palette.

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style
Getty | Kevin Mazur

Jennifer Aniston Red Carpet Style

Jennifer took a walk on the wild side in this elegantly edgy leather Christian Dior fit-and-flare tempered with dainty sandals at the 2013 People's Choice Awards.