Everyone enjoys watching the Oscars, but we all know that the best part is the red carpet, where we can see all of the beautiful gowns. Despite the fact that it was exceedingly difficult, we have narrowed down ten of the best Oscar dresses we have ever seen!
First up on our list of the all-time best Oscar dresses we have ever seen, Cindy Crawford’s in 1993. We aren’t sure if it is the simplicity of the dress matched with gorgeous diamonds or the fit of the dress; Cindy pulls it off so shockingly beautiful that it’s difficult to pinpoint what the exact best part about it is. Her beauty is highlighted by her natural makeup and delicate accessories; it’s the ideal combo and is so effortlessly gorgeous. A body-hugging gown is rare on the red carpet, but what else does a supermodel wear to the Oscars?
Would this even be a rundown of the best Oscar dresses if we did not include Gwenyth Paltrow’s gown from 1999? The answer is no; this beautiful light pink Ralph Lauren gown even has its own Wikipedia page which just goes to show how important it is to include it on our list. Jaws dropped to the floor when people saw Gwenyth strutting the red carpet looking fabulous in a soft pink, simple dress paired with a scarf of the same color. She finished off the look by draping herself in diamonds to add the glitz and glam every Oscar dress needs. After everyone saw the beauty of this dress, Gwenyth is said to be credited with bringing pink back to fashion.
Third up on the best Oscar dresses: Halle Berry’s in 2002. Halle not only became the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, but she also created history on the red carpet hours before. Audiences should have known she was ready to steal the show the moment she appeared in a deep red gown with tastefully placed flower embroidery. Although the gown has been criticized for being more on the scandalous side, we believe it has a concealed elegance that can be seen through the colors, design of the mesh pattern, and minimal accessories. Halle’s performance at the 2002 Oscars is one to remember, as she made history with her prize and her stunning partially sheer gown.
Charlize Theron’s gown from 2004 absolutely deserves a spot on the best Oscar dresses of all time. The slip dress is so elegant yet mysteriously flirtatious; people’s eyes were blinded not only by the dozens of shimmery sparkles but also by how gorgeous the gown was. The strappy back added to the beauty of the dress, as well as the matching sparkly jewelry. Complimenting her gown with a pair of strappy shiny heels was the ideal way to go to complete this ensemble. What we love best about this look is the elegant simplicity mixing with the show-stopping glamour to create the perfect balance for a red carpet look.
Clearly 2004 was a good year for Oscar dresses, up next we have Nicole Kidman’s. This strapless satin Chanel gown sparked the interest of the audience with its unique design that made her a standout on the red carpet. The texture that flares off the bottom of the dress as well as embroidering the top is what made Nicole’s gown one of the most memorable she has ever worn. Her curls add to the look as well as her matching clutch; overall this ensemble was show-stopping in its design, color, and the model wearing it!
Jennifer Lawrence may be more popularly known for tripping up the stairs while she went up to accept her award, but at least we know she looked stunning when doing so! Jennifer’s Christian Dior Haute Couture strapless gown made her look utterly sophisticated and drop-dead gorgeous. One of the many things that makes this dress so beautiful is the subtle design that blends into it; the texture and pattern are subtle in a way that adds a level of stylish classiness. By opting for no necklace and just a pair of delicate earrings and a small clutch, Jennifer completes her show-stopping look.
This next up on our all-time favorite Oscar dresses is one that made Lupita Nyong’o look just like a princess. Her Prada dress in the color “Nairobi Blue” was inspired by where she grew up in Kenya; although the style of dress is more simple, the color makes up for it. The gorgeous sky blue color complements so perfectly with Lupita that one may even be convinced that the color was created for her. If you look closely at the skirt of the dress you may notice the subtle streaks of glimmer that were thrown in there; this adds to the magic of the gown in a just barely there way that is jaw-dropping. To complete the ensemble, Lupita added a gorgeous silver headband and delicate gold jewelry.
This next one is one of the more extravagant Oscar dresses that we absolutely love; Kate Blanchett in 2016. While we all know that Kate is known for taking risks on the red carpet, this 3-D Armani floral gown is definitely one nobody can forget. Besides the fact that there are literally gorgeous flowers popping out of her dress, the color scheme is absolutely stunning. The mix of greens and blues with a hint of shimmer pulls the ensemble together in such a way that it doesn’t even seem bizarre for her dress to be 3-D. The subtle addition of accessories was the perfect way for Kate to finish off her ensemble.
Saoirse Ronan’s 2018 gown is next up on our favorite Oscar dresses. Showing once again that baby pink is an absolutely gorgeous color, Saoirse rocks a strapless gown with a big bow at the top of the train that adds a fun twist to an otherwise more sophisticated ensemble. Her matching suede Christian Louboutin heels and Cartier jewelry make us wish that we were famous actors attending the Oscars too! What we love most about this look is the fact that it is so simple and delicate but has the addition of a dramatic bow in the back that creates a more interesting ensemble. With her short blonde hair and dainty features, this look was perfect for Lady Bird actress Saoirse.
Last up on our all-time favorite Oscar dresses in Zendaya’s from 2021! Her brilliant yellow Valentino Haute Couture gown not only demonstrates the beauty of the color yellow but also that you can stay on-trend even when attending the Oscars. The dress’s midriff cutout, along with striking silver jewelry and a long skirt, gave Zendaya a modern spin on Oscar attire, and we love it. We are also obsessed with the scrunch that brings all the material together at the cutout; it adds shape to the dress that Zendaya looks amazing in! Zendaya pulled off this dress like it was nobody’s business with her long locks falling down in waves and her layered necklaces doing all the talking in terms of accessories.
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