By
Lauren Adhav,
Cosmopolitan
Of all the stunning dresses that have graced the red carpet at the Academy Awards, these 45 are the most-most gorgeous, most iconic, most timeless. Just the most.
Taraji P. Henson, 2018
Taraji was an absolute vision when she showed up in this Vera Wang gown featuring a major slit and keyhole cutout.
Margot Robbie, 2018
Dressed in a custom Chanel off-the-shoulder gown, Margot accessorized with a sparkly clutch to match the metallic details on her neckline.
Tiffany Haddish, 2018
Tiffany paid tribute to her father's heritage in a gorgeous Eritrean dress that had stunning gold accents and a bold pattern. She also wore a gold headpiece and jewelry to complement the ensemble.
Viola Davis, 2017
Davis wore a stunning cold-shoulder gown by Armani, which she paired with a metallic bag and a pixie haircut. She won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Fences.
Emma Stone, 2017
Stone wore this '20s-inspired flapper dress with gold fringe by Valentino. She completed the Old Hollywood glamour look with retro waves in her lob-length hair.
Saoirse Ronan, 2016
Ronan wore a sequined emerald green Calvin Klein gown, accessorizing with matching emerald jewelry. The dress featured a plunging neckline and a super sexy back cutout.
Brie Larson, 2016
Larson took home the Best Actress Oscar wearing this bright blue Gucci number for her performance in Room. The gown had pleated ruffles and a statement floral belt around the waist.
Jennifer Lopez, 2015
Jennifer Lopez wore a blush-colored dress with a huge tulle skirt by Elie Saab. She kept her hair pulled up so as not to distract from the gorgeous couture ballgown.
Reese Witherspoon, 2015
Witherspoon wore a black and white figure-hugging dress by Tom Ford and accessorized with diamond jewelry. The off-the-shoulder gown with its black accents was classic and *so* chic.
Rosamund Pike, 2015
Pike wore a bright red Givenchy gown with lace details, a thigh-high leg slit, and a cinched waist.
Lupita Nyong'o, 2014
Nyong'o truly had a Cinderella moment in this pale blue Prada dress and her beaded pearl headband. She took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress this year for her role in 12 Years a Slave.
Kate Hudson, 2014
Kate Hudson was incredibly sleek in a silver ruched Atelier Versace gown with a matching cape and silver clutch.
Jessica Chastain, 2013
Chastain chose a coppery sequin mesh strapless column by Armani Prive. The gold color totally complemented her red curls.
Kerry Washington, 2013
Washington wore a pink Miu Miu dress with a floral bodice and bright red accessories.
Gwyneth Paltrow, 2012
Paltrow opted for a simple white Tom Ford dress with a matching floor-length cape. She kept her hair sleek and tucked behind her ears with an exaggerated side part.
Angelina Jolie, 2012
Jolie wore a black strapless Atelier Versace dress with black peep-toe shoes – but she really made an effort to show off the thigh-high slit by popping her right leg out in every pose. Get it, Angie.
Mila Kunis, 2011
Kunis wore a stunning lilac Elie Saab dress with a scoop neckline and delicate lace. She styled her romantic ensemble with her hair pulled into a chic chignon.
Jennifer Lawrence, 2011
Lawrence stunned in her Calvin Klein bright red-orange dress at her first time attending the Oscars. She kept her dress simple and let the bold color make the statement.
Zoe Saldana, 2010
Saldana wore this purple ombre Givenchy dress with an embellished bodice and a thigh-high leg slit. She wore purple peep-toe heels to match the fabric of her dress.
Natalie Portman, 2009
Portman wore a pink strapless Rodarte dress with a flowing skirt and embellished bodice, accessorizing with a metallic clutch and a huge diamond bracelet. She kept her neck bare and her hair in an updo to emphasize the sweetheart neckline.
Marion Cotillard, 2008
Cotillard was an absolute vision in this Great Gatsby-looking Jean-Paul Gaultier mermaid gown. It featured white scales and a plunging neckline, which she accentuated with long, delicate necklaces. The French actress won an Oscar for her role in La Vie En Rose.
Penelope Cruz, 2007
Cruz chose a stunning blush-colored Atelier Versace ballgown with a pleated bodice and feathered skirt. She dressed up her ensemble with diamond jewelry, but perhaps her best accessory was the Oscar she won for her performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Michelle Williams, 2006
Willams lit up the red carpet in a canary-yellow Vera Wang dress and a bold lip. The dress featured a pleated neckline and a flowing train.
Charlize Theron, 2005
Theron made a statement in a baby blue Christian Dior dress with pleated tiers of tulle. She matched the color with her clutch to pull off a gorgeous monochromatic look.
Beyoncé, 2005
Queen Bey wore a body-hugging mermaid gown by Atelier Versace with chandelier earrings and a black clutch.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, 2004
Jones looked radiant in a red Atelier Versace number with Swarovski crystals, which complemented her dark brown hair.
Julianne Moore, 2003
Moore stunned in this emerald Tom Ford ruffled dress and matching accessories. She was nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for two different movies.
Kate Winslet, 2002
Winslet wore a one-shoulder red gown with a floral strap by designer Ben de Lisi. She was nominated this year for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Iris.
Julia Roberts, 2001
Roberts wore this iconic black and white Valentino column with a train when she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Erin Brokovich. It was classic, elegant, and became one of the most memorable Oscar dresses in history.
Lucy Liu, 2000
Liu matched the red carpet in the best way with this one-shoulder sequin dress featuring various shades of red. She kept her hair sleek and straight, accessorizing with a diamond bracelet and matching heels.
Cate Blanchett, 2000
The back of Blanchett's Jean-Paul Gaultier dress was a real show-stopper. It was completely backless, save for some delicate gold chains, which she coordinated with striking gold jewelry.
Celine Dion, 1999
In what was possibly the most iconic tuxedo moment in red-carpet history, Dion wore her white blazer backward, proceeding to pose in every photo with her head looking over one shoulder to show it off. She completed the untraditional but infamous look with a hat and sunglasses.
Sharon Stone, 1998
Stone's two-piece ensemble included a lilac Vera Wang skirt and a simple white button-down from The Gap. The unexpected fashion choice paid off, and she completed the bold look with a pixie cut and a red lip.
Tyra Banks, 1998
Banks wore a neutral beaded column dress with a matching shawl, keeping her accessories to a minimum to let the outfit do the talking.
Winona Ryder, 1994
Ryder reportedly bought this flapper-inspired vintage dress for $10 and still looked incredible. The cream-colored dress featured spaghetti straps, fringe, and a leg slit.
Cindy Crawford, 1991
Crawford's Versace number was *the* dress of the Oscars, making quite the statement with its bright color and plunging neckline. The dress was so popular, that apparently it spawned copies and fakes of the design.
Farrah Fawcett, 1986
Fawcett was actually glowing in this slinky gold Stephen Burrows gown featuring delicate straps and an empire waist.
Cher, 1986
Cher wore this one-of-a-kind Bob Mackie black sequined gown ensemble consisting of a crop top, skirt, and feathered head piece, but it was so dazzling you couldn't look away. She made this showgirl outfit look chic, and it is an infamous Oscars fashion moment to this day. She presented the award for Best Supporting Actor.
Jane Fonda, 1979
Jane picked up an Oscar for her performance in Coming Home wearing a lilac dress with bell sleeves designed by James Reva.
Lauren Hutton, 1979
The model and actress made an iconic fashion moment when she wore a multicolor Halston dress with an oversize coat on the red carpet.
Elizabeth Taylor, 1970
Taylor wore a periwinkle scoopneck dress by Edith Head and paired it with a metallic clutch, but the real showstopper was the massive 69-carat diamond necklace by Cartier, purchased by her husband, Richard Burton.
Barbra Streisand, 1969
Streisand wore a sheer top and bell-bottom pants with metallic fabric when she won the Best Actress Oscar for Funny Girl. The look was designed by Arnold Scaasi.
Grace Kelly, 1955
Kelly picked up the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in The Country Girl wearing a pale green satin Edith Head gown.
Audrey Hepburn, 1954
Hepburn's lace Givenchy number with an A-line silhouette and belted waist was the epitome of elegance. She won the Best Actress Oscar this year for Roman Holiday.
Vivien Leigh, 1940
Vivien wore a floral-printed gown with a sweetheart neckline and posed with the Best Actress award she won for her role in Gone With the Wind.
