It’s true that celebrities save their most glamorous dresses for the grand finale of awards season, the Oscars. But over the years, this prestigious red carpet has also seen plenty of plunging necklines, hip-high slits, and scandalous see-through looks.
Here are some of the most glamorous Academy Awards dresses of all time.
Halle Berry (2025)
Berry’s Christian Siriano dress, with its broken mirror inspiration and sheer mesh side panels, was a total knockout, just like the star herself.
Issa Rae (2024)
The “Insecure” creator was seen in nothing but this green velvet Ami Paris dress with a plunging neckline and dangerously high slit.
Rihanna (2023)
The Bad Gals are known for their bold midriff-baring maternity styles, and this semi-sheer Alaia look, with a bump-framing leather band dress layered over a bodysuit, was no exception.
Halle and Chloe Bailey (2022)
Thighs are the limit! The singing sisters coordinated in high-slit gowns on the 2022 carpet, with Halle wearing a turquoise Roberto Cavalli cutout and Chloe wearing a purple LVDF.
Andorra Day (2021)
The “United States vs. Billie Holiday” candidate looked glamorous and radiant in this gold cut-out chainmail dress by Vera Wang.
Scarlett Johansson (2020)
The ‘Black Widow’ beauty painted a glamorous figure in this silver Oscar de la Renta dress with a revealing corset and sexy satin skirt.
Black Chyna (2020)
Blac Chyna? At the Oscars? ! Please believe me. The reality star and Rob Kardashian’s ex-fiancée made her Academy Awards debut in a plunging slit Donna Matosi dress with dripping blue beaded fringe.
Taraji P. Henson (2018)
The “Empire” actress practically shut down the Oscars red carpet in this slit-up Vera Wang design.
Eiza González (2018)
The Mexican multi-hyphenate looked gorgeous in sunny yellow Ralph Lauren.
Viola Davis (2018)
The EGOT winner was a perfect beauty wearing Barbie pink Michael Kors Collection.
Salma Hayek (2017)
No one commands the red carpet like Hayek, smoldering in semi-sheer black lace from Alexander McQueen.
Charlize Theron (2016)
Theron wore bright red Dior Haute Couture and a strategically placed Harry Winston necklace.
Priyanka Chopra (2016)
To paraphrase her husband Nick Jonas’ hit song, who didn’t fall in love with Chopra in this pristine Zuhair Murad number?
Rachel McAdams (2016)
McAdams brought back the sexiness in this deep green dress by August Getty Atelier.
Margot Robbie (2016)
The Australian actress looked totally golden in this Tom Ford look.
Jennifer Aniston (2015)
The Friends favorite shined in this nude Atelier Versace look. This is a rare departure from her signature black.
Chrissy Teigen (2015)
We love how Teigen paired her pale blue Zuhair Murad Couture dress with vampy dark lips.
Angelina Jolie (2012)
Who can forget #AngiesRightLeg? In 2012, Jolie wore a skimpy black velvet Atelier Versace dress to the Oscars that was so glamorous that it inspired her own hashtag and Twitter account.
Jennifer Lopez (2012)
This beaded Zuhair Murad made the most of J.Lo’s famous curves.
Jennifer Lawrence (2011)
A girl on fire! The year before The Hunger Games was released in theaters, Lawrence made her Oscar debut wearing this bold red Calvin Klein dress.
Mila Kunis (2011)
The “Black Swan” star looked fabulous in Elie Saab Couture inspired by lilac lingerie.
Penelope Cruz (2011)
Cruise was dazzled by Lauren Scott’s ruby sequins on her husband Javier Bardem’s arm.
Marion Cotillard (2008)
Cotillard won Best Actress for “La Vie En Rose,” wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier haute couture showstopper covered in embellished scales.
Hilary Swank (2005)
The Best Actress winner looked every bit the “Million Dollar Baby” in this backless navy Guy Laroche dress.
Beyoncé (2005)
The “Dreamgirls” star strutted in black velvet Atelier Versace.
Halle Berry (2002)
Berry won Best Actress for “Monster’s Ball” wearing this iconic Elie Saab creation, which features a fully sheer bodice embroidered with flowers.
Cate Blanchett (1999)
For her first Oscar, Blanchett chose a semi-sheer John Galliano dress with a sheer back and beautiful floral embroidery.
Gwyneth Paltrow (1996)
Paltrow dazzled alongside then-beau Brad Pitt in a Calvin Klein slip dress with ivory embellishments.
Elizabeth Hurley (1995)
In the arms of her then-husband Hugh Grant, Hurley proved she didn’t need safety pins to make a statement with Versace.
Ellen Barkin (1994)
The “Switch” star bared (almost) all in translucent gold mesh.
Cindy Crawford (1991)
Crawford stole the spotlight from Richard Gere in the popular Versace in 1991, showing everyone why she is one of the world’s reigning supermodels.
Cher (1988)
The pop goddess wore perhaps her most revealing Oscar look to date when she won Best Actress for Moonstruck, wowing the crowd in this iconic Bob Mackie ensemble.
Raquel Welch (1974)
The “One Million Years B.C.” bombshell looked Studio 54-ready in a plunging pink jumpsuit and a lariat-style necklace.
Elizabeth Taylor (1970)
To present the Best Picture Oscar, Taylor wore a low-cut periwinkle Edith head dress set with 68 carats of Taylor-Burton diamonds. casual!
