A comprehensive list of the very best Oscar dresses of all time

The Academy Awards are just around the corner, and while we wait to see who swoops the best actor and actress gongs, all eyes will be on the red carpet to see the best Oscar dresses of all time...

Most expensive Oscar dresses

Go big or go home as they say, and when we say big, we mean several million dollars big, which is the estimated cost of the Dior gown Jennifer Lawrence wore to pick up her Best Actress gong in 2013. The dress was rumoured to be worth $4m, and that’s likely to be the cost of the dress itself (depending on the level of embroidery and detail, they can come with a six-figure price tag), as well as the contract J-Law signed with Dior.

Meanwhile, Nicole Kidman was paid $2m to wear a Dior dress back in 1997. Also up there is Lupita Nyong'o's $150k pearl-encrusted Calvin Klein dress which was famously stolen from her hotel room in 2015, and Cate Blanchett's 2007 Swarovski crystal Armani Privé gown, which was worth $200k - see our full round-up of the most expensive Oscar dresses of all time here.

What is the Oscars dress code?

Technically, the dress code for the Oscars is 'black tie' formal which would involve a black tux for men and ballgowns for women, though it has become less strict over the years, with men opting for colours like blue and pink (we're looking at you Jared Leto and Timothee Chalamet), and women going for shorter lengths, and sometimes even suits.

The best Oscar dresses ever

At the first ever Oscars, it was an iconic moment when waif-like Audrey Hepburn won the Best Actress trophy for her role in the 1953 film Roman Holiday. Her dress was designed by Hubert de Givenchy and the actress went on to become his muse. The delicate flowers adorning the fabric seemed to chime with her elfin features. The look was innocent, yet striking and sexy and won her hearts all over the fashion industry.

In 1995, a year after wearing that safety-pinned Versace dress to the premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral, Liz stepped out once again on the arm of Hugh Grant. This time she was wearing a slightly less out-there affair, a beautiful embellished gown (with the requisite plunging neckline still in place of course).

Nicole Kidman has turned heads in iconic dresses at a number of Oscar ceremonies, from shimmering gold gowns to red bow-embellished dresses. The likes of Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Lopez all wore some incredible pieces that have landed them in our round-up of the best Oscar dresses of all time.

Fast-forward to 2013 and Amy Adams gpt it very right in a feathered Oscar de la Renta design and 2014 was Jennifer Lawrence's time to shine. She picked a Dior floor-sweeper that was incredibly flattering to her trim hourglass curves.

In 2015 and 2016, there were sequins, ruffles and feathers galore, with Emma Stone and Emily Blunt shimmering in Elie Saab and Prada respectively.

Then after a stay-at-home break, 2022 marked the first proper return to the red carpet and the looks were some of the greatest we've seen yet. 

Around four weeks before the 2013 Oscars ceremony, producers purged any mention that the awards (formerly known as The Academy Awards) would be in there 85th year to avoid alienating a younger generation. Now in its 86th year, the awards ceremony is only ever referred to as The Oscars.

How to watch the Oscars in the UK

The Oscars 2023 will air in the UK in the early hours of Monday 13th March from midnight. 

You can watch the ceremony on the Sky Cinema Oscars channel via Sky or with a NOW TV subscription. Here at Marie Claire, we'll be bringing you the must see red carpet outfits plus live reporting all the winners of the night. 

Follow our Instagram for the latest updates. 

Audrey Hepburn

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, Oscars 1997

Nicole Kidman turned heads on the red carpet in 1997. No, it wasn't because she was stood next to diminutive Tom Cruise, it was due to her utterly gorgeous gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior. The Asian-inspired shift dress was part of Galliano's debut couture collection for the label.

Renee Zellweger, Oscars 2001

It may have seemed an odd and rather risky choice to wear yellow on the red carpet, but when it came down to it, Renee's wonderful dress by Lily et Cie practically oozed vintage Hollywood glamour. In the glare of flash light bulbs going off, she was every inch the movie starlet with her 1940s hairstyle and a slash of killer red lippy. Sensational darling!

Julia Roberts, Oscars 2001

Julia Roberts made waves when she stepped on stage to receive her Oscar in 2001, and not simply because her dress was so beautiful. The actress eschewed the standard award ceremony practice for custom-made, never-seen-before gowns, in favour of this vintage Valentino masterpiece from 1982. By breaking Hollywood conventions, the actress instantly made vintage wear more covetable, desirable and ultimately fashionable. Valentino later described this moment as one of the highlights of his career.

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe, Oscars 2002

Super sexy Reese Witherspoon graced the red carpet wearing a gorgeous black Valentino gown. With lace trim and intricate beading detail on the front, it was a truly stunning look. She was there to present an award with her husband at the time Ryan Phillipe. It wasn't till 2007 that she won an award of her own for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in Walk The Line. 

Halle Berry, Oscars 2002

Halle wore a completely unique dress by Elie Saab for the 2002 Oscars. With a satin train and some strategically placed embroidery, she wowed the red carpet onlookers. Later in the evening she was awarded the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Monsters Ball. An emotional Berry, who was the first African-American actress to win the award, gave a rambling, tear-filled speech covering racism in the industry, her mother and Oprah Winfrey. 

Jennifer Lopez, Oscars 2003

At the height of Bennifer fever, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck arrived hand in hand at the 2003 Oscars and while the relationship might not have lasted, the fashion moment endured, with J-Lo racing to the top of the best dressed lists in this uncharacteristically demure Valentino gown. The stunning asymmetric dress was inspired by a design Mr Valentino had created for Jackie Onassis back in 1967. La Lopez was reportedly obsessed by the former First Lady, and her passion paid off in the style stakes, leading to one of the chicest looks in her style history.

Julianne Moore, Oscars 2003

One of the most Halle Berry, Oscars 2003beautiful redheads of all time, Julianne Moore dressed for the part of a silver screen siren at the 2003 Oscars. Her dress was by Tom Ford for YSL and the ivy green colour perfectly complemented her pale skin and fine features. 

Halle Berry, Oscars 2003

Styled by PhCharlize Theron, Oscars 2004illip Bloch, Halle once again looked fabulous in her gold Elie Saab dress. Berry had asked Elie Saab to add more tulle to her $20,000 gown because, 'she thought it was too transparent,' let slip a Saab spokesperson. The glittering dress needed nothing else apart from a simple gold clutch. 

Charlize Theron, Oscars 2004

Charlize Theron proved that the simplest dresses can also be the most stylish when she picked up her Best Actress Oscar in 2004. Her glimmering Gucci gown took a classic floor-skimming silhouette, and added impact with a plunging backless cut and draping train. The look was topped off perfectly with slick 40s-style curls. 

Angelina Jolie, Oscars 2004

The ethereally beautiful Angelina Jolie wore a plunging white satin gown with matching wrap from Marc Bouwer at the 76th Academy Awards. She matched it with stunning jewellery. We're just pleased that she moved on from her gothic Morticia Adams look back in 2000. 

Cate Blanchett, Oscars 2005

Cate Blanchett picked up her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for The Aviator in 2005, and won in the style stakes too, thanks to a vibrant Valentino Couture gown. The dress was designed specifically for the actress by Mr Valentino himself, who revealed at the time that he rarely offered custom-made gowns to actresses, but made an exception, admitting: 'This time I decided to have one special dress, conceived for this one special actress.' The buttercup yellow design proved a welcome shot of colour amongst a sea of black frocks. 

Nicole Richie, Oscars 2005

Nicole Richie was one of the surprise style icons of the Noughties. Initially shooting to fame as Paris Hilton’s wild-child sidekick, fast forward 10 years and Miss Richie has undergone arguably one of the most dramatic transformation of the decade. Once a brash reality TV queen, the yummy mummy is now renowned for her hippie-luxe style, seen through her love of long, elegant maxi dresses, tousled locks and clever use of layered accessories. Today she’s even managed to garner huge respect for her own fashion and jewellery ranges, Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960. Her appearance at the 2005 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, looking nothing short of stunning, was a real turning point in this master of makeovers. 

Beyoncé, Oscars 2005

Charlize Theron, Oscars 2005

She won an Oscar the year before for her role in the film Monster, and in 2005 Charlize was to present the Best Actor award. To do so she wore this utterly beautiful duck-egg blue haute couture gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior. It was big, it was frothy and it had a four foot train. We loved it. (2005)

Drew Barrymore, Oscars 2005

Black was where it was at for Drew Barrymore. She wore a fitted corset dress which flared at the knee. The Atelier Versace gown was strapless showing off Drew's porcelain white neck and shoulders. The effect was simple and elegant.

Drew Barrymore, Oscars 2005

Reese Witherspoon chose a vintage Chanel gown for the 2006 Golden Globes, only to discover that Kirsten Dunst had worn the very same dress to the very same awards just a couple of years before. She didn't risk such style snaps for the Oscars that year, sourcing a 1955 vintage Christian Dior gown for her big Best Actress moment. The dress might have been restored to its former glory by a team of stylists but the actress was thrilled to rave, 'It's mine, which is nice!'

Michelle Williams, Oscars 2006

Michelle Williams' Vera Wang 2006 Oscars dress was a real love/hate case. Making almost an equal number of worst-dressed lists as it did best-dressed ones, many considered the canary yellow too garish for her pale skin tone. We thought she looked lovely, and the dress has rightfully gone down in Academy Award style history.

Keira Knightley, Oscars 2006

Not only did this breathtaking taffeta asymmetrical Vera Wang gown create an iconic fashion moment on the red carpet at the 2006 Oscars, the kind-hearted Keira Knightley later donated the sensational dress to Oxfam and raised £4,301 for charity. 

Jessica Alba, Oscars 2006

Jessica Alba showed off her enviable figure in this glittering gold Versace dress at the 2006 Academy Awards. The flash of bare back and slinky halterneck shape made it a sophisticated, yet sexy choice. 

Diane Kruger, Oscars 2006

Like some sort of sexy milkmaid, the sunkissed, hourglass-shaped, Diane Kruger really made an impact when she walked down the red carpet in this frothy, frilly lace creation by Elie Saab. 

Salma Hayek, Oscars 2006 

Salma Hayek, Oscars 2006

Salma Hayek looked absolutely flawless in this one-shoulder, aquamarine satin gown from Versace. Despite presumably being shouted at non-stop by the throng of photographers and TV crews, she seemed very relaxed with her long black hair worn loose, curly and flowing around her shoulders. The diamond drop earrings set off the look perfectly. 

Penelope Cruz, Oscars 2007

Penelope may have missed out on the Best Actress accolade at the 2007 Oscars, but she won in the style stakes. Her blush feathered Versace gown ensured she made an entrance to remember, while its sheer extravagance makes it deservedly one of the most iconic dresses of the decade. 

Nicole Kidman, Oscars 2007

Nicole Kidman absolutely personifies elegance, and had millions of jaws hitting the floor when she swept down the red carpet at  the 2007 Academy Awards. Ms Kidman was the ultimate scarlet woman in this breathtaking Balenciaga gown, which added a modern twist to the traditional column silhouette with a fabulous trailing bow, which tied at the back of the neck. Divine. 

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Oscars 2007

Maggie is one of our fashion icons. She rarely gets it wrong on the red carpet and this is no exception to that rule. In a midnight blue Proenza Schouler dress with a black feather train, she looked like a catwalk queen despite being a new mum.

Cate Blanchett, Oscars 2007

In 2007, Cate Blanchett was up for the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Sheba in Notes on a Scandal. For the ceremony Cate wore a wonderful gun-metal grey gown by Armani Prive. The slinky number accentuated the actress's curves and was embellished on the one shoulder with jewels and pearls. Cate wore a beautiful pair of vintage earrings that curved their way up her earlobe to finish off the outfit.

Rachel Weisz, Oscars 2007

Simply beautiful. The year after winning a Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in The Constant Gardener, Rachel Weisz was back at the Oscars, this time to present an award. She dressed for the occasion in a champagne coloured Vera Wang dress with stunning diamanate detailing on the bust and a short train embellished with plaited satin and tulle. The new mum looked a world away from feeding babies and changing nappies with her loosely-waved updo and berry-stained lips.

Marion Cotillard, Oscars 2008

Marion Cotillard topped the best dressed lists when she collected her 2008 Best Actress Oscar thanks to this stunning white and silver mermaid dress by John Paul Gaultier. We can't think of anything more fitting for an Academy Award winner than this curve-skimming fishtail frock, which was covered in hundreds of shimmering scales. Nothing short of perfection. 

Jessica Alba, Oscars 2008

Jessica Alba added to the abundance of baby bumps on show at this year's ceremony, and dressed hers in a flowing Marchesa gown and Cartier diamonds.

Sandra Bullock, Oscars 2010

Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock didn't just score a little gold statue, she triumphed on the red carpet, too. Oozing elegance, the star wowed in a floor-skimming metallic Marchesa gown, that was perfectly set off with a hot pink pout and slick, side-swept locks. All-in-all, Sandra won on every count! 

Zoe Saldana, Oscars 2010

Zoe Saldana, we salute you! Never one to play it safe on the red carpet, the Avatar leading lady took a fashion risk with a dramatic Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci ruffled purple gown that definitely paid off.

Cameron Diaz, Oscars 2010

Mila Kunis, Oscars 2011

Gwyneth Paltrow, Oscars 2012

Michelle Williams, Oscars 2012

Jessica Chastain, Oscars 2012

Jennifer Lawrence, Oscars 2013

Jennifer Lawrence's Christian Dior gown certainly won't be one she'll forget in a hurry. The Oscar-winning actress tripped over the front of her full-skirted dress on collecting her award in front the live audience and everyone watching at home. We blame fashion, it looked great though.

Jennifer Aniston, Oscars 2013

With her beau Justin Theroux faithfully by her side, Jennifer Aniston wore romantic red for the Oscars 2013 in a Valentino gown. With a strapless shape and classic a-line shape, Jen kept it traditional, and did it well as only Jennifer can.

Charlize Theron, Oscars 2013

Cherlize Theron chose Oscars night to debut her new cropped hairstyle to great effect. She chose a peplum waisted Christian Dior gown in stunning bright white.

Amy Adams, Oscars 2013

Amy Adams' Oscar De La Renta dress was certainly a memorable one in 2013. The American Hustle actress wore a feathered skirt that followed her dutifully down the red carpet with grace.

Amanda Seyfried, Oscars 2013

Amanda Seyfried looked demure on Oscars night, keeping to a muted palette against her blonde hair in an Alexander McQueen gown. She wore her hair pinned back for a timeless look.

Cate Blanchett, Oscars 2014

Cate Blanchett won the award for most embellished gown on the Oscar red carpet, stepping out in this unbelievably beautiful Armani Prive creation. Top marks for that Hollywood-style, ultra-glam hairdo.

Lupita Nyong'o, Oscars 2014

Lupita Nyong'o quite literally stole the show in this powder blue Prada gown. The colour, the plunging neckline, the beautiful floaty fabric - there really is nothing here we don't love.

Keira Knightley, Oscars 2015

Keira Knightley wrapped her baby bump in style at the 2015 Academy Awards in a dreamy Valentino dress.

Emma Stone, Oscars 2015

The La La Land actress never gets it wrong on the red carpet. Case in point: this beaded Elie Saab gown in the palest shades of green that complements her porcelain skin like a dream.

Jennifer Lopez, Oscars 2015

JLo slayed it in this Elie Saab ballgown.

Julianne Moore, Oscars 2015

Julianne Moore kept it classic in Chanel to pick up her Best Actress Award for the incredible Alice.

Amy Adams, Oscars 2015

What. A. Dress. While the actress had gone for ballgowns for past Oscars ceremonies, she really nailed it in this Versace dress of dreams. 

Lady Gaga, Oscars 2016

We kind of fell in love with Lady Gaga’s bold jumpsuit by Brandon Maxwell. Who says you have to wear a dress to the Oscars, eh? 

Charlize Theron, Oscars 2016

Wearing red on the red carpet shouldn’t work, but Charlize made sure she well and truly stood out in this oh-so-sexy Dior number. 

Rachel McAdams, Oscars 2016

This silk August Getty dress might not have looked that exciting from the front, but from the back, it was a whole other story.

Brie Larson, Oscars 2016

Brie Larson’s electric blue Gucci gown may have divided fashion critics, but we were won over by those pretty ruffles. Brie went on to pick up the Best Actress statue for her role in Room. 

Margot Robbie, Oscars 2018

Margot Robbie channels her inner Princess in Chanel.

Jennifer Lawrence, Oscars 2018

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior is simply iconic. 

Saoirse Ronan, Oscars 2018

Saoirse Ronan in Calvin Klein, wearing Christian Louboutin shoes. The matching Barbie pink? Yes, please.

Viola Davis, Oscars 2018

Viola Davis was also ahead of the Barbiecore trend back in 2018, wearing a gorgeous Michael Kors gown. 

Nicole Kidman, Oscars 2018

Nicole Kidman in Armani Privé, wearing Christian Louboutin shoes and Harry Winston Diamonds. Everything about this look is perfect IMO.

Lady Gaga, Oscars 2019

Remember when Lady Gaga used to go all out to town with her outfits? This all black custom  Alexander McQueen gown looks so incredible on the A Star Is Born actress we're surprised she hasn't rocked it before.

Brie Larson, Oscars 2019

Janelle Monae, Oscars 2020

Sandra Oh, Oscars 2020

Cynthia Erivo, Oscars 2020

Brie Larson, Oscars 2020

Margot Robbie, Oscars 2020

Charlize Theron, Oscars 2020

Scarlett Johansson, Oscars 2020

Gal Gadot, Oscars 2020

Zendaya, Oscars 2021

Wearing Valentino

Carey Mulligan, Oscars 2021

Wearing Valentino

Regina King, Oscars 2021

In Louis Vuitton

Amanda Seyfried, Oscars 2021

In Armani Privé

Zendaya, Oscars 2022

Every Zendaya look is a winner in my eyes. This Valentino silk button up and silver maxi skirt is my personal favourite outfit of the 2022 Oscars.

Zoë Kravitz, Oscars 2022

Very different from her Batman looks, Kravtiz opted for a pink Saint Laurent strapless dress for the 2022 Oscars and Barbiecor (opens in new tab)e was born.