A Comprehensive List of the Most Stylish Oscar Dress the Year You Were Born

The Crazy Rich Asians star wore a voluminous Valentino dress with a high collar to the red carpet and landed on the best-dressed list. As a bonus, the frock even had pockets!!!

Viola donned a bright pink sequin Michael Kors gown and accessorized with a matching clutch and sparkly hoop earrings in 2018. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar the previous year for her emotional performance in Fences, and presented the award for Best Supporting Actor to Sam Rockwell this year.

The Moonlight star was nominated for Best Supporting Actress this year, and she didn’t play any games on the red carpet. This white sequin Calvin Klein mini was jaw-dropping—especially when paired with her bold yellow heels.

Sure, Cate Banchett’s Armani Prive gown might’ve been a little divisive, but we totally stan this gorge aqua hue, feathery details, and Swarovski crystals. It was clearly a winning look since she picked up the Best Actress Award for her work in Carol.

She absolutely glowed in this neutral off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood dress. She wore her hair in locs, which stirred up some controversial remarks from Giuliana Rancic. Zendaya then posted a powerful statement about the hairstyle on her Instagram, and Rancic later apologized for her insensitive comments.

Lupita blew everyone away with her performance in 12 Years a Slave—she picked up the Best Supporting Actress award this evening. Her Prada gown was definitely the most stylish on the red carpet, thanks to its simple silhouette, subtle shimmer, and dramatic train.

This couture Alexis Mabille gown seemed like it had a lot going on—The floral appliques! The belted waist! The ombre train!—but because of the neutral colors and sleek design, it was the most stylish of the night. This same year she appeared in Star Trek Into Darkness.

This fuchsia Giambattista Valli gown featuring a cinched waist and dramatic pussybow was such a stunner in 2012. She presented the award for Best Visual Effects with Ben Stiller later on stage.

Fresh off her breakout role in Winter’s Bone, JLaw looked so chic on the red carpet in this simple Calvin Klein gown and tousled hair. She received her first Best Actress nomination this year.

The actress shined in this mermaid gown paired with sleek, straight hair and a bright red lip. She won her long-awaited Oscar for Best Actress in The Blind Side that night.

Taraji made an unforgettable Oscar debut in a strapless Roberto Cavalli number, short bob and dazzling necklace. She received her first Best Supporting Actress nomination for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Marion wore a mermaid dress to the red carpet in the most literal sense. She looked radiant in this Jean Paul Gaultier gown that featured a golden scale-like pattern. She grew to international fame that year after her breakout role as Édith Piaf in La Vie en Rose, which earned her the Best Actress award.

The actress brought major volume to the red carpet in a blush pink Versace gown with a ruffled train and tight-fitting bodice. She finished off the look with a sleek bun, statement stud earrings, and a small clutch.

Reese won the fashion game (and an Oscar for Best Actress!) when she showed up in this lovely Dior dumber with beaded embellishments and a low-cut neckline. She won the award later that night for her performance in Walk the Line.

Who could ever forget this daring Guy Laroche dress? The actress nailed her over-the-shoulder poses on the red carpet that night to emphasize the backless number. She also picked up the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Million Dollar Baby.

Angie stunned in this silky cream-colored halter dress, and let’s be real: Only she could make a coordinating shawl THIS glam. She definitely channeled old Hollywood style in this classic look.

J. Lo killed the red carpet in this mint green one-shoulder Valentino dress with beading at the hem. She attended the awards with her then boyfriend Ben Affleck. (#TBT to Gigli.)

You can’t think of the 2002 Academy Awards without also envisioning this Elie Saab dress on Halle Berry. It remains one of the actress’s most iconic looks of all time thanks to the completely see-through bodice and the strategically-placed floral embroidery.

The actress was all elegance in this vintage black-and-white Valentino dress and pinned-up ‘do. Her stellar performance in Erin Brockovich earned her the Best Actress award for the night.

Salma brought early-aughts glam to the ceremony in a plunging lilac halter dress and matching shawl. She presented the Academy Award for Technical Achievement later that night.

One word: UNFORGETTABLE. Celine knew how to be the talk of the red carpet that year when she wore the blazer on her all-white Dior suit backwards, and accessorized with a pointed hat and sunglasses (note: the ceremony was held in the evening). She performed along side Andrea Bocelli at the ceremony.

Sharon is not here to follow standard red-carpet rules. The actress wore a satin Vera Wang skirt combined with a white button-down shirt from the Gap. This isn’t the first time she sported a high-low look on the red carpet though. Her 1996 Oscar outfit literally included a black Gap turtleneck.

Leave it to Nicole Kidman to upstage then husband Tom Cruise in a silky chartreuse John Galliano Dior dress paired with an adorable mini bag. So on trend!

This Best Actress nominee dazzled in a sultry white column and accessorized with a diamond necklace on the red carpet.

Oprah sported this monochrome ensemble and ogle-worthy diamonds the same year she was named the richest woman in entertainment. Honestly, goals.

The dramatic veil and whimsical brooch only made this sheer number more memorable. Sharon went to present the award for Best Costume Design later that night.

The model’s skin-tight bandage dress accentuated her figure as she graced the red carpet with then-husband Richard Gere, who was a presenter that evening.

Demi left the red carpet ablaze in this low-cut lilac dress with matching shawl and gloves. She co-starred in A Few Good Men, which was nominated for Best Picture that year.

The singer channeled Marilyn Monroe in this Bob Mackie gown and a cluster of Harry Winston accessories. She also sung a sultry performance of her song “Sooner or Later” at the ceremony.

Michelle’s navy blue gown, pearls and (inexplicable) flowers in hand were a vision of grace. She rocked the Oscar’s that year with a nomination for Best Actress in The Fabulous Baker Boys.