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Top 10 Oscar Dresses Of All Time

Christine Weitbrecht |
February 26, 2011 | 9:39 a.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Just like every year, one of the key decisions surrounding the Academy Awards this Sunday will be entirely unrelated to the art of filmmaking. Two hours before the world turns its attention to the best directors, actresses, actors, composers, cameramen and what not, the crucial question of “Who’s this year’s best dressed?” is answered, without an award but much of a heated debate in living rooms all over the world.

So get comfy in your critic seat on the sofa, get your 1 to 10 signs out, and start judging with the help of our Top 10 of All Time list for Oscar dresses!

10. Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002

Donning this sophisticated Elie Saab gown, Halle Berry effortlessly walked the fine line between sexy and trashy whilst creating one of the most memorable Oscar looks of all time. 

Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002 (A.M.P.A.S.)
Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002 (A.M.P.A.S.)

9. Heidi Klum in Roland Mouret, 2009

She may not be an actress but she’s definitely got the looks in this opulent bright red dress by Christian Dior. Heidi dressed to impress – and demonstrated to all of us that Oscar dresses do not need to be “flowy” to be elegant. 

Heidi Klum in Roland Mouret at the Oscars in 2009. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Heidi Klum in Roland Mouret at the Oscars in 2009. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

8. Julia Roberts in Valentino, 2001

Another one of the Oscars’ most memorable dresses. Whilst opinions around the world were split on this one, this dress’s unique design got stuck in the minds of all of us. 

Julia Roberts wearing Valentino at the Oscars in 2001. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Julia Roberts wearing Valentino at the Oscars in 2001. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

7. Nicole Kidman in John Galliano for Christian Dior, 1997

Granted, the lipstick might have been a little much, but that hardly mattered when Nicole Kidman made her appearance in this stunning yet simple gold-green dress at the Oscars in 1997. 

Nicole Kidman wearing John Galliano at the 1997 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Nicole Kidman wearing John Galliano at the 1997 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

6. Cate Blanchett in Valentino, 2005

We all know that if it’s Valentino, it’s GOOD. When Cate Blanchett thus made her entrance in this timeless yellow robe with its burgundy belt, it was hardly a surprise to hear whom it was from.

Cate Blanchett wearing Valentino at the 2005 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Cate Blanchett wearing Valentino at the 2005 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

5. Michelle Williams in Vera Wang, 2006

Love it or hate it – but you have to admit that this Vera Wang dress is the epitome of 1920s Hollywood glamour with its yellow color, its frills, its tucks, and of course its train.

Michelle Williams donning Vera Wang at the 2006 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Michelle Williams donning Vera Wang at the 2006 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

4. Beyoncé in House of Dereon, 2009

Who needs pompous skirts when you can wear this beautiful black and gold mermaid gown from Beyoncé’s own creations? With this dress Beyoncé became a living proof that being a curvaceous woman is not only sexy; it is fabulous!

Beyoncé wearing her own creation House of Dereon at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Beyoncé wearing her own creation House of Dereon at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

3. Anne Hathaway in Giorgio Armani Prive, 2009

It’s glittery. It’s simple. It’s timeless. And it will forever be one of the most dazzling looks ever seen at the Oscars. 

Anne Hathaway wearing Giorgio Armani Prive at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Anne Hathaway wearing Giorgio Armani Prive at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

2. Penelope Cruz in Chanel Haute Couture, 2008

Another more than memorable dress, this time donned by our Spanish beauty Penelope. The sophisticated drape creates a timeless elegance that makes the actress the runner-up in the Top 10 Oscar Dresses of All Time.

Penelope Cruz donning Chanel Haute Couture at the 2008 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Penelope Cruz donning Chanel Haute Couture at the 2008 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

1. Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta, 2010

Neither too much nor too simple, this gown by Oscar de la Renta is the perfect embodiment of all that is Hollywood: The glitz, the glamour, the beauty, and the timeless classiness. A true “Best Oscar Dress of All Time”.

Cameron Diaz wearing Oscar de la Renta at the 2010 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Cameron Diaz wearing Oscar de la Renta at the 2010 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

SLIDESHOW: Scan through our selection of the Top 10 Oscar Dresses over the years.

 

Reach Christine Weitbrecht here.

Subscribe to our weekly e-mail newsletter here

Just like every year, one of the key decisions surrounding the Academy Awards this Sunday will be entirely unrelated to the art of filmmaking. Two hours before the world turns its attention to the best directors, actresses, actors, composers, cameramen and what not, the crucial question of “Who’s this year’s best dressed?” is answered, without an award but much of a heated debate in living rooms all over the world.

So get comfy in your critic seat on the sofa, get your 1 to 10 signs out, and start judging with the help of our Top 10 of All Time list for Oscar dresses!

10. Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002

Donning this sophisticated Elie Saab gown, Halle Berry effortlessly walked the fine line between sexy and trashy whilst creating one of the most memorable Oscar looks of all time. 

Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002 (A.M.P.A.S.)
Halle Berry in Elie Saab, 2002 (A.M.P.A.S.)

9. Heidi Klum in Roland Mouret, 2009

She may not be an actress but she’s definitely got the looks in this opulent bright red dress by Christian Dior. Heidi dressed to impress – and demonstrated to all of us that Oscar dresses do not need to be “flowy” to be elegant. 

Heidi Klum in Roland Mouret at the Oscars in 2009. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Heidi Klum in Roland Mouret at the Oscars in 2009. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

8. Julia Roberts in Valentino, 2001

Another one of the Oscars’ most memorable dresses. Whilst opinions around the world were split on this one, this dress’s unique design got stuck in the minds of all of us. 

Julia Roberts wearing Valentino at the Oscars in 2001. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Julia Roberts wearing Valentino at the Oscars in 2001. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

7. Nicole Kidman in John Galliano for Christian Dior, 1997

Granted, the lipstick might have been a little much, but that hardly mattered when Nicole Kidman made her appearance in this stunning yet simple gold-green dress at the Oscars in 1997. 

Nicole Kidman wearing John Galliano at the 1997 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Nicole Kidman wearing John Galliano at the 1997 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

6. Cate Blanchett in Valentino, 2005

We all know that if it’s Valentino, it’s GOOD. When Cate Blanchett thus made her entrance in this timeless yellow robe with its burgundy belt, it was hardly a surprise to hear whom it was from.

Cate Blanchett wearing Valentino at the 2005 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Cate Blanchett wearing Valentino at the 2005 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

5. Michelle Williams in Vera Wang, 2006

Love it or hate it – but you have to admit that this Vera Wang dress is the epitome of 1920s Hollywood glamour with its yellow color, its frills, its tucks, and of course its train.

Michelle Williams donning Vera Wang at the 2006 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Michelle Williams donning Vera Wang at the 2006 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

4. Beyoncé in House of Dereon, 2009

Who needs pompous skirts when you can wear this beautiful black and gold mermaid gown from Beyoncé’s own creations? With this dress Beyoncé became a living proof that being a curvaceous woman is not only sexy; it is fabulous!

Beyoncé wearing her own creation House of Dereon at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Beyoncé wearing her own creation House of Dereon at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

3. Anne Hathaway in Giorgio Armani Prive, 2009

It’s glittery. It’s simple. It’s timeless. And it will forever be one of the most dazzling looks ever seen at the Oscars. 

Anne Hathaway wearing Giorgio Armani Prive at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Anne Hathaway wearing Giorgio Armani Prive at the 2009 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

2. Penelope Cruz in Chanel Haute Couture, 2008

Another more than memorable dress, this time donned by our Spanish beauty Penelope. The sophisticated drape creates a timeless elegance that makes the actress the runner-up in the Top 10 Oscar Dresses of All Time.

Penelope Cruz donning Chanel Haute Couture at the 2008 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Penelope Cruz donning Chanel Haute Couture at the 2008 Oscars. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

1. Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta, 2010

Neither too much nor too simple, this gown by Oscar de la Renta is the perfect embodiment of all that is Hollywood: The glitz, the glamour, the beauty, and the timeless classiness. A true “Best Oscar Dress of All Time”.

Cameron Diaz wearing Oscar de la Renta at the 2010 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.
Cameron Diaz wearing Oscar de la Renta at the 2010 Academy Awards. Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

SLIDESHOW: Scan through our selection of the Top 10 Oscar Dresses over the years.

 

Reach Christine Weitbrecht here.

Subscribe to our weekly e-mail newsletter here



 

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