The 32 best dressed celebrities in Oscars red carpet history

From 1929 to present day, the award show was always known as a night of style.
 By  Noelle Sciacca and David Yi  on 
The 32 best dressed celebrities in Oscars red carpet history
Credit: Getty Images

From its inception in 1929, when it was held at a private dinner at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, The Academy Awards has become the most prestigious of them all, honoring the year's best in film. 

Though the format has changed, now televised to millions around the globe, one thing has remained the same: The importance of style and red carpet glamour. 


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Whether it was Marlon Brandon in a tailored tux or Sharon Stone's infamous Gap button-up, the wardrobes are as memorable as the films. 

Now in its 88th year, the Oscars on Sunday is sure to be a stunner. Hopefully we'll be talking about the fashion for years to come. 

Below, we highlight the best dressed actresses and actors who graced the Oscars red carpet over the years. 

1939, Bette Davis

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American film stars Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis accept their statuettes at the 1939 Academy Awards. Credit: John Kobal Foundation / Getty Images

Iconic actress Bette Davis made a bold statement when she wore this gown to accept the award for Best Actress in her role in the movie Jezebel.

1947, Loretta Young

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Loretta Young wore an emerald green dress with ruffled tiers and coral flower details to accept the Best Actress award for her role in Farmer's Daughter.

1954, Audrey Hepburn

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Audrey Hepburn wore a demure, white floral Givenchy dress to accept the Best Actress Oscar in 1954 for her portrayal in Roman Holiday.

1955, Grace Kelly

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American actors Edmond O'Brien and Grace Kelly  celebrate their wins at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 30, 1955. Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Always the epitome of elegance, Grace Kelly paired a mint green Edith Head dress with long gloves when she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film, The Country Girl.

1957, Elizabeth Taylor

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Actress Elizabeth Taylor poses with her third husband, producer Mike Todd at the 29th Academy Awards ceremony. Credit: Michael Ochs Archives /Getty Images

As one of America's original screen queens, naturally Elizabeth Taylor accessorized her spaghetti strap gown with a jeweled tiara and elbow-length gloves for the Academy Awards in 1957. 

1963, Sophia Loren

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Gregory Peck poses with Italian actress Sophia Loren. Credit: Keystone-France/Getty Images

In 1963 Italian actress and bombshell Sophia Loren rocked a white dress with a statement chiffon rosette collar. 

1970, Barbara Streisand

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Actor John Wayne and singer Barbara Streisand attend the 42nd Annual Academy Awards on April 7, 1970. Credit: Ron Galella /Getty Images

American singer Barbara Streisand wore a baby pink embellished gown and matching hat by designer Arnold Scassi to the Academy Awards in 1970.

1972, Dionne Warwick

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Dionne Warwick walks with her husband, American actor William Elliott  and sister, Dee Dee, (right) at the 44th Annual Academy Awards. Credit: Fotos International/Getty Images

Singer Dionne Warwick slayed in an embroidered satin tuxedo jacket and matching skirt at the 1972 award show.

1987, Molly Ringwald

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In a decade filled with neon colors, ruffles and puffed sleeves, actress Molly Ringwald stood out among the crowd in a sleek black column dress. 

1991, Cindy Crawford

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Supermodel Cindy Crawford accompanied then boyfriend Richard Gere to the awards show in 1991, rocking a fitted Versace dress with plunging neckline.

 1998, Sharon Stone

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Embracing the minimal '90s aesthetic, Sharon Stone paired a Vera Wang evening skirt with a crisp, white Gap button-down. 

2002, Kate Winslet

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Kate Winslet at the 74th Annual Academy Awards. Credit: David LEFRANC /Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Kate Winslet looked stunning in a one-shouldered Ben Delisi gown at the Kodak Theatre in 2002. 

2005, Hilary Swank

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Hilary Swank at the 77th Annual Academy Awards. Credit: Chris Polk/Getty Images

Million Dollar Baby star Hilary Swank wore a backless, navy blue Guy Laroche dress when she won Best Actress in 2005.


2007, Penelope Cruz

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Penelope Crus embraced volume and glamour with this blush-colored Atelier Versace gown in 2007. 

2010, Zoe Saldana

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Zoe Saldana owned the 2010 red carpet in a Givenchy Couture purple ombre ruffle gown.

2013, Jennifer Lawrence

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Actress Jennifer Lawrence looked glamorous in a strapless Christian Dior Couture gown.

2014, Lupita Nyong'o

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Stepping onto the red carpet in a light blue Prada gown, 12 Years a Slave actress Actress Lupita Nyong'o forced the world to take notice. 

2015, Rosamund Pike

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Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike looked stunning at the 2015 Academy Awards in a vibrant red Givenchy dress.


1955, Marlon Brando

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Marlon Brando had a huge year already with his role in Guys and Dolls. He eventually won an Oscar for Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront, a pivotal role that made him into a household name. To match the part of newly minted international star — his dinner jacket with a large silk lapel — along with his well-groomed hair, made this look indelible to the eyes of the American public. 

1955, Humphrey Bogart

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Credit: Getty Images

Humphrey Bogart already won an Oscar in 1951 for The African Queen, and showed what a seasoned actor was supposed to look like in 1955. Here, his dinner jacket is polished with a white pocket square. 

1962, Warren Beatty

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Credit: Getty Images

Nominated for a whopping 14 Academy Awards, Beatty was also a heartthrob in the '60s. Seen here, he proves he's every bit the swoon-worthy style star, as well. 

1964, Paul Newman

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Credit: Getty Images

The shrunken blazer with wide lapels. On a dinner jacket, this look was very daring for the '60s. Still, Newman made it look masculine and completely on point. The iconic actor eventually won his first Academy Award for the 1986 flick, The Color of Money

1964, Sidney Poitier

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Actor Sidney Poitier attends The 36th Academy Awards in Santa Monica,CA. Credit: Getty Images

It was Sidney Poitier who made waves on the red carpet for his white bow tie ensemble, dapper yet very daring. Poitier, of course, became known as a true trailblazer, the first African American man to win the Best Actor category that year, with Lillies of the Field

1967, Steve McQueen

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Steve McQueen, men's style god, in a waistcoat, black shirt studs and statement bowtie. Notice how the actor hung his jacket open. It's effortlessly cool. 


1976, Jack Nicholson

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Nicholson took home the award for Best Actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Next, and also for best dressed that year. With his chiseled jaw and coiffure, he looked suave, sexy and svelte. 

1983, Tom Selleck

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Actor Tom Selleck poses backstage during the 55th Academy Awards at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Getty Images

Laidback sexiness. That's exactly what Tom Selleck exuded at the 55th Academy Awards in 1983. With his wavy locks and 'stache game on lock, the look brought facial hair into the national limelight. 

1994, Johnny Depp

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If there ever was a reference to rebels in tuxedos, this photo would be it. Depp, with his sharp cheekbones, showed off his tux flair. His wide lapel and double-breasted jacket was sleek and badass. 

2006, Heath Ledger

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The late Heath Ledger put subtle details into his suit, which made it original. Notice the lapel pin and the imperfectly tied bowtie. Along with his small ear piercing, he made dressing up an absolute art form.  

2012, Brad Pitt

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With his long, flowy locks and goatee to match, Pitt put some flair into his step when he walked the red carpet in Tom Ford. With his wife by his side in Versace, they both personified what it meant to age like fine wine

2014, Will Smith

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Smith hit the red carpet putting a twist on the classic silhouette. Pairing an ascot with the ensemble made the throwback look refreshingly new again. 

2014, Jared Leto

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When Jared Leto walked the red carpet for his nomination for Dallas Buyers Club, he didn't know he'd make Oscars history with his look. His classically tailored tux, from Yves Saint Laurent, contrasted perfectly with his lush mane. 

Idris Elba, 2015

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Actor Idris Elba poses inside the press room of the 87th Annual Academy Awards. Credit: Getty Images

The British actor proved that looks could kill in this sharp suit from Zegna. Together with polished patent leather soles, it was a home run. 

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Noelle Sciacca

Noelle Sciacca is a Fashion Reporter at Mashable. Noelle writes on the intersection of fashion and the media. A graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Business Marketing, Noelle previously worked for SELF Magazine and Lucky Magazine. At Mashable, her aim is to make the most innovative, entertaining, and empowering fashion content on the web.

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