Sequins, Capes, Beading and a Bow: Revisiting the Best Oscars Looks of All Time

From Hilary Swank's backless dress to Lupita Nyong'o's pearl gown, these are the Oscars looks that continue to be the best of the best. Take a glamorous walk down memory lane with E! News.

By Samantha Schnurr Apr 26, 2021 4:00 PMTags
Watch: 2021 Oscars: By The Numbers

If there's anything that can steal the spotlight from an Academy Award—it's a stunning Oscars outfit

As anyone who looks forward to Hollywood's biggest night well knows, there have been plenty of standout ensembles in the course of the award ceremony's nine-decade history. As the event where dressing to impress is more of an expectation than an option, the Oscars red carpet has become the place to unveil breathtaking fashion. Whether an exquisite ballgown or an inventive jumpsuit, the boundaries for what makes a stellar Oscars look continue to expand—but style is always at its core. 

So, in the nearly 100 years that Hollywood's brightest stars have gotten dressed up for the special night, which looks continue to stick out as the crème de la crème? Lupita Nyong'o's custom Calvin Klein gown from 2015, for one? The showstopping creation featured more than 6,000 pearls, one of the reasons it remains unforgettable to this day. 

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There's the Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit-ballgown hybrid Lady Gaga donned in 2016 or the Alexander McQueen sculptural gown—with matching gloves and an estimated $30 million Tiffany diamond necklace—she wore on the red carpet in 2019 before winning her first Oscar. 

Of course, that's just skimming the surface of the Oscars' ultra glamorous sartorial history. With the 2021 ceremony officially in the history books, a few more one-of-a-kind looks have been added to the annals of Oscar fashion. Revisit the best Oscars ensembles of all time below. 

Halle Berry

The actress' Oscar win was unforgettable for many reasons. She was the first Black woman to win the Best Actress Award, which she won in 2002 for Monster's Ball. In addition to her historical win, her dress became iconic and put designer Elie Saab on the map.

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita always turns heads on the red carpet, but this custom baby blue Prada gown took the grand prize. This marked the first time she won the Best Supporting Actress award for her debut film 12 Years a Slave.

Gwyneth Paltrow

The Goop founder shut down the red carpet in 2012, wearing a swoon-worthy cape dress. And it's safe to say Tom Ford outdid himself with this look.

Ava Gardner

The silver screen siren of the Golden Age of Hollywood dazzled in an ostentatious sequins gown. As if that weren't glamorous enough, she accessorized with a large and lustrous tiara, white fur and gloves.

Timothée Chalamet

The Dune star skipped the basic black-and-white tuxedo for this glitzy Louis Vuitton two-piece. He added extra sex appeal by accessorizing his bare chest with a silver pendant.

Glenn Close

Glimmering in gold. The legendary actress rivaled the golden statue with this gilded caped dress.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett did the thing when she stepped out in this royal purple confection at the 2023 ceremony.

Gemma Chan

Perfectly pink! The Crazy Rich Asians star made a grand entrance with her bright and bold Valentino design.

Zendaya

The Euphoria star always turns heads on the red carpet but she pulled out all of the stops for the 2022 ceremony.

Hilary Swank

The actress, who took home the Best Actress award for Million Dollar Baby, stunned in a simple, yet striking Guy Laroche design that featured a plunging open-back. 

Elizabeth Taylor

One word: Glamourous. The legendary actress always knew how to drop jaws, and this design was no different.

Regina King

The Watchmen actress knows how to make a statement with a simple but sophisticated look. Her 2019 gown is all the proof you need.

Janelle Monáe

Never one to stick to the basics, the Moonlight actress dropped jaws in an Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, which was adorned with intricate beading, lace set with feathers and an over-the-top tulle train.

Cara Delevingne

Lady in red. The supermodel made sure all eyes were on her, as she stunned in a one-shouldered ballgown by Elie Saab.

Kate Hudson

Of her many appearances at the Oscars, Kate Hudson's 2014 look stands out from the rest, thanks in part to this caped and beaded Atelier Versace gown. 

Diana Ross

Diana Ross sizzled at the 54th Annual Academy Awards in a glittering red gown and lush white fur shawl.

Kacey Musgraves

The country singer turned heads in her bubblegum pink Giambattista Valli number at the 2019 event.

Becky G

The "Mamiii" singer brought old-Hollywood glamour to the 2022 event with a shimmery rose gold gown.

Billy Porter

The Pose alum proved why he reigns supreme on the red carpet, wearing a larger-than-life Christian Siriano design.

Viola Davis

The Oscar-winning actress stunned in this electrifying hot pink gown by Michael Kors. In addition to her bright dress, she accessorized with a matching flamingo pink clutch and statement jewelry pieces.

Nicole Kidman

The actress always shuts down the red carpet, and this powerful red gown by Balenciaga was no different. The high-neck and sleeveless design made it an instant classic, but the dramatic bow and striking color took it to the next level.

Yalitza Aparicio

The Roma actress brought a fashion fantasy to the red carpet with her dreamy and whimsical Rodarte design.

Eva Longoria

The Flamin' Hot director proved all that glitters is gold, erm, silver. She dazzled in a sparly Zuhair Murad couture gown at the 2023 ceremony.

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen channeled old-Hollywood glamour in this periwinkle Zuhair Murad gown. 

Jennifer Lopez

For the 2015 affair, JLo made sure all eyes were on her as she stunned in this glitzy Elie Saab dress.

Julia Roberts

The Oscar-winning actress may have taken home the award in 2001 for Erin Brockovich but her satin vintage Valentino gown stole the show. The black and white number was from the brand's 1982 collection.

Lady Gaga

The A Star is Born actress looked effortlessly elegant in a white pantsuit dress by Brandon Maxwell.

Zoe Saldana

Wearing a custom Atelier Versace design, the Guardians of the Galaxy actress stunned in a blush-colored, body-hugging gown.

Emilia Jones

To celebrate CODA's success, the actress wore a stunning gold dress from Dolce and Gabbana.

Salma Hayek

The Frida alum stunned on the Oscars red carpet in a vibrant ocean-blue Atelier Versace gown.

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Head to E! Online's Oscars page for a full recap of the 2024 Academy Awards.