Top 10 Oscar Dresses Of All Time

Our ranking is not based on chronology — we've chosen the best dresses from all Oscar ceremonies based on our preferences. Enjoy!

GWYNETH PALTROW IN TOM FORD

Yes, this outfit tops our list of favorites in Oscar history. It consistently ranks among the most beautiful celebrity appearances globally. We adore Gwyneth's white ensemble by Tom Ford for its incredible elegance, clean lines, and minimalist perfection. Lupita Nyong'o's triumph in a similar red ensemble was simply seen as blatant plagiarism.

HILARY SWANK IN GUY LAROCHE

Our second favorite could have easily claimed the top spot. Hilary Swank won her second Oscar in 2005 for Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," but her choice of a red carpet dress was equally triumphant. The understated navy blue Guy Laroche gown with an open back remains one of the most iconic fashion moments in Oscar history.

JULIA ROBERTS IN VALENTINO

America's sweetheart Julia Roberts not only won an Oscar for "Erin Brockovich" but also chose an outfit that US fashion critics hailed as the most elegant ever. The vintage black-and-white Valentino gown appeared remarkably simple yet luxurious with its trailing elegance. Julia showcased a masterclass in fashion that still stands as the pinnacle of style.

SANDRA BULLOCK IN MARCHESA

In 2014, Sandra Bullock won Best Actress, and if there were an award for the best dress at the Oscars, Sandra would have taken it. She herself was as elegant as a golden statue in her Marchesa gown, complemented by a simple hairstyle and bold red lipstick. Undoubtedly, her retro Hollywood glamour style showed that timeless classics are always in fashion.

AUDREY HEPBURN IN GIVENCHY

The epitome of grace and elegance, Audrey Hepburn in an elegant gown from her favorite brand. Her love for Givenchy enriched the world with incomparable fashion moments that have become part of the gallery of the greatest outfits worn by the 20th century style icon.

GRACE KELLY IN EDITH HEAD

This dress, both sexy and elegant, inspired Gwyneth Paltrow's famous appearance in pink Ralph Lauren at the 1999 Oscars. Grace's luxurious dress in a delicate pale green with drapery became a part of global fashion history, symbolizing proper Hollywood glamour.

HALLE BERRY IN ELIE SAAB

The star of the 2002 Oscars was Halle Berry. She not only received the coveted statuette that year but also caused a sensation in one of the sexiest dresses in the history of red carpets. The burgundy gown with a semi-transparent bodice adorned with floral embroidery instantly made Lebanese designer Elie Saab a couturier for wedding and evening fashion.

NICOLE KIDMAN IN CHRISTIAN DIOR

We miss that Nicole — a redhead who was unlike anyone else and hadn't yet turned into a commercially flawless blonde. Back in 1997, she made such bold and unconventional moves that she earned the applause of all fashion critics. She wore a John Galliano dress in a complex green color with oriental motifs, a choice no other Hollywood star dared to make (opting instead for safe black sheaths or classic feminine powder chiffon dresses), causing a real furor.

SHARON STONE IN VERA WANG AND GAP

Fashion critics were surprised by Sharon Stone, who appeared at the 1998 Oscars in a casual style — pairing a lilac skirt by Vera Wang with a simple white Gap shirt borrowed, by her own admission, from her then-husband Phil Bronstein. This bold move was a rare occasion when a star who did not adhere to the dress code became an example of good taste.

REESE WITHERSPOON IN NINA RICCI

Reese phenomenally managed to make the simple complex and the complex simple. Girl-next-door charm, hair down, a wide smile — and this dress with silk ruffles by Nina Ricci could have elevated her into a role and lost her in it! Reese's fresh take on classics earns her a well-deserved place in the ranking of the best dresses in Oscar history.