40 of the best and worst Oscars red carpet looks

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Zendaya attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Zendaya attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Call it the Academy Awards (which it is). Call it the Oscars (which it also is). Whatever you call it, we are here for the beauty, glitz, glamour, and celebration of the arts.

And if ever there was a night of beauty and glamour, it would have to be the Oscars, thanks to their red carpet. Often, our favorite celebrities make an impression that is hard to ignore.

Ahead of the 2022 Oscars, we are taking a look back at some of the very best and some of the very worst looks to ever walk that vaunted red carpet.

Best and worst Oscars red carpet looks

This story originally appeared on Culturess and is written by Kimberley Spinney.

Zendaya (Best)

Over the years, Zendaya has proved to be a goddess of the red carpet, with flowing gowns and beautiful pops of colors, and in 2021 she once again proved that she knows how to make a statement. Her flowy yellow gown with midriff-baring cutout was a glamorous confection that was hard to look away from.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Zendaya attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images) /

From the flowing train to the loose hair, Zendaya was pure sunshine in this Oscars look. And while there have been other looks that she has rocked that made her look stunning, there is something about this yellow dress that can’t be beaten. Of course, it certainly helps that she kept the look relatively minimal with understated jewelry.

Scarlett Johansson (Best)

We can all admit that 2020 was a difficult year. But at the very beginning of February, we were gifted with some Oscars magic that would sustain us for a while – the magic of Scarlett Johansson looking like she could be her very own Oscar statuette. Her stunning silver look was pure Hollywood glam, dripping with sparkle.

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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Scarlett Johansson attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) /

This dress offered perfect draping, and the strands of shimmer that hung off this gown added to the look without being too much. The fact that Johansson let the dress do the work and avoided a necklace or even an over-the-top hairstyle makes this a win all around. Honestly, this dress might be hard to top all because it is simple elegance done right.

Billy Porter (Best)

In 2019, Billy Porter was a red carpet scene-stealer. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that Porter made a statement at the Oscars. I was living for this look and the way he was able to combine the look of a Tux with a ball gown (and it certainly helps that this dress appears to be a velvet material for adding lux) to make it look like the most natural creation to ever walk a red carpet.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Billy Porter attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images) /

This was not the first or last time that Billy Porter would wear a ball gown (particularly on a red carpet for an awards show), but this particular look will forever be the standard when it comes to him walking a red carpet. After all, who else can pull off a velvet ball gown meets tuxedo look with such class and panache.

Rachel Weisz (Worst)

I love Rachel Weisz, but I did not love her Oscars red carpet look from 2019. It was like taking a stunning red dress (on the bottom) and pairing it with a vinyl cape at the top. This was just not a winner, especially as it looked like the vinyl started melting down her dress (which was an intentional thing) like wax dripping off of a candle.

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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Rachel Weisz attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

This dress just does not work. But I will say, Weisz does look good in this shade of red. I just wish the top of the dress better matched the bottom with its elegant tulle to make this look a winner for the actress.

Regina King (Best)

Honestly, when it comes to the red carpet, Regina King can do no wrong. And in 2020, her pale pink stunner of a ballgown was a home-run. The actress embodies Hollywood glitz and glam every single time she walks a red carpet, and this dress was the epitome of that idea, especially with the shimmer at the bodice and the exaggerated bustle/train.

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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Regina King attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) /

This is not the first time she has been a red carpet goddess (she has worn some dresses that make her look like an angel), and it won’t be the last. But this light pink gown truly made King stand out from the glamorous crowd.

Betty Gabriel (Best)

I might be biased because I love the color of this Tony Ward Couture dress, but Betty Gabriel made magic happen on the 2018 Oscars red carpet. This floral confection was extra but tasteful, showing the way a dress can make a statement by going over the top without falling off a cliff (even if there is a lot of sheer material here). Bring on the glitter and beadwork.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Betty Gabriel attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

And maybe it is just me, but I truly love the fact that she didn’t add any necklaces or large pieces of jewelry to take away from the dress because it means that she knew that too much would ruin the aesthetic of this look. After all, the floral details made this look pop without needing anything else to bring the look together.

Tom Holland (Best)

Sometimes all you need to make a statement is to remember that certain looks are considered a classic for a reason. And this is especially true when we are looking at the men on the red carpet. Luckily for us, Tom Holland reminded us all that a black tux can make a red carpet statement without any additional flair. It may seem basic, but when a tux or suit is well-crafted and fits well, it is truly a work of art.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Tom Holland attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) /

Plus, it certainly helps that his shoes are so shiny that they reflect the light, making them the perfect finish to an already classic look.

Taraji P. Henson (Best)

Taraji P. Henson wore Vera Wang to the 2018 Oscars and made us all sit up and take notice. This dress was daring and elegant in equal measure with high cut slits and plenty of skin showing that could have been dangerous but ended up being just the right amount of haute couture.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Taraji P. Henson attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

Henson makes high fashion look amazing, but she also knows when to draw the line. And this dress does that – it looks stunning without pushing the envelope too far. (It helps that she didn’t over-accessorize, and she even kept the shoes basic so that it was all about the dress and her.)

Chadwick Boseman (Best)

In many ways, Chadwick Boseman was not only a superhero. He was also a style icon. And at the 2018 Oscars, his Givenchy tux was next-level elegance. It took a classic look for men and elevated it to a whole new level of brilliance.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Chadwick Boseman attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

The long coat with silver beadwork was already a work of art, but the fact that he paired this look with zip-front shoes/booties made us stop and stare at a man who knows how to make his red carpet statement.

Boseman was a star in every way, and this look sealed the deal at the Oscars.

Kacey Musgraves (Worst)

It feels wrong to say this is one of the worst red carpet looks, but honestly, this pink creation just does not work for one of entertainment’s biggest nights. This layered look of baby pink tulle looks like it belongs at a high school gym for prom instead of at the Oscars.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Kacey Musgraves (L) and Glenn Close attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images) /

Kacey Musgrave looks good in pink and she pulled back her hair look tried to make this dress work. But honestly, this is not it. (And honestly, when I look at this dress, all I can think is that this is one of those feather dusters which is not what anyone is going for on a red carpet.)

Whoopi Goldberg (Best)

When Whoopi Goldberg walked the red carpet in 2018, she was a scene-stealer in her own right with this stunning floral print, teal ball gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves. But perhaps the thing I loved the most was the fact that she kept the accessories simple (which this look needed) but still managed to add the AIDS ribbon at the collar of her dress.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Whoopi Goldberg attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) /

Simplicity works, but so does rocking a dress that is a statement all on its own (and yes, this is a statement) whether because of the colors or the way it fit and moved on the actress.

Jason Momoa (Best)

Jason Momoa was pretty in pink walking the red carpet with his wife Lisa Bonet at his side in 2019. And while his look certainly had people talking (with some people not appreciating the pink), you have to admit that he not only pulled off the baby pink suit look (he CAN sit with us), but he somehow made it work even with Bonet’s clutch in his hand.

Jason Momoa
HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Jason Momoa attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images) /

The contrast of the velvet to the black stripes on his pants and at his lapel just makes this whole thing look high fashion. And in the end, that’s why this just works as one of the best men’s red carpet looks.

Ava DuVernay (Best)

Ava DuVernay did not need to show off any skin to make a glamorous statement at the 2017 Oscars. Her high neck and long sleeves add to the overall aesthetic of this dress. And considering it was a beautiful steel grey/blue color and featured so much embroidery work, that speaks to just how stunning this dress was.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Director Ava DuVernay attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The thing that worked with this look is the fact that DuVernay kept the rest of her look toned down by not going heavy with her jewelry. And even her clutch was the perfect accompaniment to the dress. The director looked like a princess or even a queen in this dress!

Pharrell Williams (Worst)

Pharrell Williams is an icon. But in 2019, his Oscars red carpet look was less than ideal. Maybe it is the fact that he went with shorts instead of long pants, but this is one award show look we would have skipped.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 24: Pharrell Williams and Helen Lasichanh attend the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images) /

The camouflage look worked for Williams and even the shoes were a win, but the fact that the shorts also showed off the long white socks just did not feel like this was a red carpet look. Now if he had been at the Kids Choice Awards or even in a music video, we would have been all over this fashion statement. But at the Oscars, this was a miss.

Busy Philipps (Best)

Certain dresses walk a red carpet that stand out thanks to the color. And in 2017, Busy Philipps made a deep emerald green dress pop on the Oscars red carpet. The velvet shimmered, the sheer inlay strip with glittery circles popped, and the overall drape of the dress made Philipps look like a goddess.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Actor Busy Philipps attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) /

On top of the stunning dress itself, it certainly helps that she kept the rest of the look very neutral with only a pair of drop earrings and a glittery black clutch. By keeping the rest of her look simple, the actress was able to be a scene-stealer.

Lady Gaga (Best)

While I loved Lady Gaga’s black dress at the 2019 Oscars, in 2016, her white pantsuit was the real winner when it comes to her red carpet appearances. Her red carpet look was the very best of both a regal ball gown and a flowing pantsuit. This was draping done right.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Singer and actress Lady Gaga attends the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images) /

Her hair was perfect and her more understated jewelry (no necklace, a diamond ring, and earrings) just made the look pop. This was sophistication and elegance to a whole new level. And it certainly helped to make this one of the best non-dress looks of the 2016 red carpet.

Kate Winslet (Best)

Going back (clearly not that far, but still) to 2009, Kate Winslet walked the red carpet in a one-shoulder number that offered us a tone-on-tone look. One half of the dress is a deep steel grey satin that shimmers. The other half of the dress features a lacy black overlay over that satiny material.

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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Actress Kate Winslet arrives at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) /

This dress is stunning and takes a simple look and elevates it. It certainly helps that she went very understated with her jewelry by avoiding a necklace and letting her earrings and chunky bracelet bring the sparkle. And yes, her hair is also the perfect way to complete the look of our Titanic queen.

Reese Witherspoon (Best)

Walking a red carpet in a red gown can sometimes be a bold move. But when Reese Witherspoon does it, she makes magic happen.

With her 2021 red carpet look courtesy of Christian Dior, Witherspoon keeps things elegant and low-key, by letting the flowy red dress do all the work. While she is certainly pulled together when it comes to the hair and jewelry, it is all about letting the dress be the star. And with the two tones of red, this dress pops in all the best ways, especially thanks to perfect pleating and draping that allows this dress to be a gauzy confection on the actress.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Reese Witherspoon attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Sayles/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) /

The fact that we can also get little peeks at her red-painted toenails just makes this look that much more perfect because it is clear that Reese Witherspoon thought of everything when it came to walking the Oscars red carpet.

Faith Hill (Worst)

I’m not going to lie. It hurts to write this. But there is no denying that in 2002 when Faith Hill walked the Oscars red carpet, she was not in her best look. And while she has certainly been a stunner on multiple occasions since, it is hard to deny that this pastel, the rainbow dress was just not a winner.

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Faith Hill arrives for the 74th Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Ca., March 24, 2002. 2002ImageDirect CR:Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect /

The sheer panels, the weird train, and even the odd feathery style of pleating just made this dress not work. It’s not so much that it is an ugly dress as it screams high school prom in the gym. This isn’t red carpet-worthy, and a lot of it has to do with the bottom half of the dress. The top of the dress is elegant if a bit more reminiscent of cotton candy pink. But the bottom just takes what could have been a gorgeous dress and makes it odd.

I want to like this look, but the setting doesn’t work for this creation.

Emma Stone (Best)

In 2015, Emma Stone wore what might have been one of my favorite looks of the entire night. She was a golden goddess in a dress that sparkled under the bright lights. From her golden peep-toe heels, her hair swept to the side, and the perfect golden bands at her wrists, the dress was the true star of the show.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Emma Stone attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) /

The wide neckline, the high front slit, and the long sleeves made this dress something special. And the fact that it looked like she was dripping in gold made it seem like Emma Stone could have been an Academy Awards statuette come to life. It may have been glitter, but the gold shine was hard to deny.

Plus, the fact that the gold looked good with her red hair makes this a winner all around, because we love when the dress and the hair look this good together.

Cate Blanchett (Best)

When it comes to making the red carpet look good, we turn to Cate Blanchett. But the thing that makes Blanchett stand out when it comes to these red carpet looks is the fact that she can make a statement in dresses that you would never think would stand out in a crowd.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Actress Cate Blanchett attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

In 2015, Cate Blanchett made a statement in a simple black dress that looked like velvet, had no sleeves, and featured a high neckline. It was all the makings for a look that you would forget. But then she paired it with the ultimate piece. Her blue necklace, which looks a lot like layers of turquoise, adds so much to this simple look that it ends up elevating to a classic red carpet stunner.

And yes, sometimes even the most simple dresses can make a statement. But when it is the jewelry that helps to make the statement, you know you have an interesting look that is hard to ignore.

Jamie Chung (Best)

Another winner from the 2015 red carpet is Jamie Chung. She walked that red carpet in a gauzy number that featured its fireworks! Like can we just stop and admire the magic of being a Disney Princess (please tell me I’m not the only one who watched the Disney Princess Protection Program movie on repeat!) on the red carpet in this gown.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 22: Actress Jamie Chung attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2015, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) /

Not only did Jamie Chung let the dress do all the work by keeping her jewelry to a minimum and her hair relatively simple, but the dress itself is stunning. The glitter shines and the tulle makes this not just red carpet-worthy, but also belle of the ball worthy.

The black over tan look adds depth to the whole picture and it makes this a dress that is hard to look away from. So yes, this is definitely on our best list when it comes to the Oscars red carpet.

Heidi Klum (Worst)

When it comes to high fashion, we already know that Heidi Klum is as much a trendsetter as she is someone who helps make fashion more accessible to all. But in 2016, her Oscars red carpet look just was not the winner we would have hoped for.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Heidi Klum attends the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images) /

At the time, the New York Daily News called it “the Easter Bunny’s prom dress.” They had the dress on their worst of the nice list, and honestly, I can’t help but agree. It does look like Easter threw up a little. But that isn’t what makes this look fall on our worst list – it’s the top half of the dress where there are weird cutouts that don’t belong and huge floral adornments that draw the eye to that same cutout. It looks like this dress just doesn’t fit her right, and with that bottom half, it looks like there is just too much material all around.

This dress is too much tulle and not enough direction. It could have been pretty, but it’s more like the Easter bunny got bored, and tried to make his prom dress.

Angela Bassett (Best)

Angela Bassett is always a queen. And when she walks a red carpet, she is also a scene-stealer. But at the 2019 Academy Awards, her hot pink gown was everything we could have hoped for and more.

For the most part, this is a relatively simple gown, but then we have the exaggerated poof on one shoulder as the other should sit bare. The addition of a slit up to the thigh just adds to the overall elegance of the look. And yes, the train of the dress brings it to the next level.

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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Angela Bassett attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

The fact that this dress could have been a lot is obvious. But the fact that they kept this a solid color meant that it was allowed to shine without any additional details. Plus, the simple, pulled-back ponytail, simple jewelry, and the fun little clutch tie everything together for an elegant look that works in all the best ways.

Amanda Seyfried (Best)

At the 2021 Academy Awards, there were many gorgeous dresses, but when it comes to vibrant red, it was all about Amanda Seyfried. Her stunning gown is sleeveless, shoulder-baring, and featured a deep v-neck perfectly accentuated the Armani creation.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: Amanda Seyfried attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images) /

There is an entire Vogue piece on the backstory of Seyfried’s dress, with the discussion revolving around the inspiration for the stunner, including a love of flowers and in particular the hibiscus. But perhaps the thing that makes this dress work beyond the fact that it is stunning all on its own is the fact that the actress kept things simple by not adding a necklace to the look, keeping her hair upswept, and sticking to earrings, a ring, and what looks to be a delicate bracelet.

The dress is the star of the show and Amanda Seyfried makes it that much better because she is the one bringing the dress to life on the red carpet. And yes, I love the fact that this dress does seem to be a true red, which pops.

Margot Robbie (Best)

Once again we have an actress who looks like she could be one of the awards handed out at the ceremony. This time, we are looking to Margot Robbie in her stunning silver floral gown that made a statement without being a big ball gown. Instead, this dress is sleek and shimmery, with delicate straps at the shoulder and a lacy detail at the neckline.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Margot Robbie attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) /

The fact that Robbie did not add a necklace to the look meant that she also kept things simple, while still adding a little more flare (not that she needs it in this dress) with the help of a glittery black clutch and the rings on her fingers.

I loved the silver look of this dress, but it is also all about the floral print of it all, which adds a layer of pizzazz to the whole look. This was a stunner all around and it made Margot Robbie sparkle on the Oscars red carpet.

Marlee Matlin (Best)

There are many reasons to love Marlee Matlin, but her dress at the 2021 Academy Awards is the reason we are loving her right now. Just looking at the dress, you knew she was making a statement because the look is so fierce and dazzling. But that also meant looking deeper to learn more about this piece.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Marlee Matlin attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) /

It turns out that Matlin wore a “custom Vivienne Westwood gown made with sustainable fabric and decorated with an intricate botanical design in sequins.” And we love that! The fact that her stunning dress is made with sustainable fabric just feels so fitting for the actress.

But the thing that truly cements this dress in our hearts has to be the cape effect of the dress. It makes her look even more like a superhero, which in so many ways she is thanks to the fact that she continues to bring a spotlight to the deaf community, giving so many even the smallest glimmer of representation on film and TV.

Renee Zellweger (Best)

It can be hard to wear an elegant white dress and not look like you are off to your wedding. But at the 2020 Academy Awards, Renee Zellweger made it happen with the help of her stunning Armani dress. Of course, it helps that this dress sparkles thanks to the sequins that cover the entirety of the dress.

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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Renée Zellweger attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) /

The fact that this is a one-shoulder dress with a long sleeve adds to the elegance of the look. And of course, we can’t help but point out that Zellweger lets the dress itself do all the work with an extremely minimal look (as in the only piece of jewelry on display is an oversized ring on one hand and a pulled back hairstyle).

White is a hard look to pull off on a red carpet like this and yet Renee Zellweger did it and we loved every second of it. Because not only did she sparkle and shine, but she did in a dress that was truly elevated simplicity.

Halle Berry (Worst)

Halle Berry is iconic in so many ways, but in 2021 her red carpet dress for the Academy Awards was not. This dress reminded me a lot of the Heidi Klum dress that was compared to an “Easter basket throwing up.” And while that may have something to do with the material and color, it also has to do with the fact that there seems to be so much unnecessary fabric.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this handout photo provided by A.M.P.A.S., Halle Berry attends the 93rd Annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images) /

The dress could have been stunning (and when Berry does this with the dress where she pulls some of the excess fabric up, it does look a bit better than when it is all down and lifeless), but that bow-like protrusion at the front detracts from the overall look. The color itself is quite pretty and looks good on the actress. But the dress itself is just not flattering and the fact that there is no jewelry to take some of the attention away from the excess fabric does this look no favors.

Usually, the minimal jewelry look is a plus, but in this case, it means that all of our attention is on that bow thing. This was just not the look we would ever hope to see on Halle Berry and that makes me sad.

Florence Pugh (Best)

We love Florence Pugh here at Culturess. And we especially love her 2020 red carpet look from the Academy Awards. For me, it is all about the color, as this dress is stunning. That teal green shade is hands down my favorite thing ever. And the fact that her shoes perfectly match the dress is everything!

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British actress Florence Pugh arrives for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Of course, the fact that this dress is from Louis Vuitton means that we expect some serious quality and style and that is exactly what we see on the red carpet. The train of this dress is perfect without being too over the top and the layered look makes this look more like a gown than a dress one would wear to a prom.

The belt detail helps tie this whole look together and yes, the jewelry that was paired with this dress just makes everything feel complete. This dress is everything we want to see on the red carpet and more.

Sandra Bullock (Best)

Year after year, Sandra Bullock walks the red carpet of award shows and looks elegant and classy. She rarely misses when it comes to her red carpet looks and in 2018, her dress was next-level elegance.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Sandra Bullock attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

She shimmered and shined in a Louis Vuitton dress that looked like gold melting into black. The high neckline adds to the overall beauty of the dress and light draping at the side makes this dress even more special because it takes a dress that could have been a bit on the plain side and makes it even more fun and even sexy.

There is something to be said for a look that is all about clean straight lines with a little bit of fun and flirty. Bullock never disappoints and this is just another case of picking the perfect look and making it her own.

Jennifer Garner (Best)

It feels like blue doesn’t get enough love when it comes to red carpet looks, at least at the Oscars, but in 2018 Jennifer Garner proved that blue can be stunning. In her Atelier Versace blue gown with a flowing train and expert draping, the actress was next-level perfection.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Jennifer Garner attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

The sleeveless look offers a fascinating and unique neckline that is impossible to explain but adds to the elegance of this dress because it adds something more to a dress that could have been basic but is anything but.

The flow of this dress, the pop of color, and the fact that Garner kept her accessories simple make this a look that stands out from the crowd. And honestly, I just think this look works on the actress in so many ways thanks to the simple elegance of the dress.

Kristen Wiig (Worst)

Some red dresses work and some that just don’t. And in the case of Kristen Wiig’s 2020 Oscars dress, this is firmly in the don’t category.

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US actress Kristen Wiig arrives for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /

The weird ruffle trim along a skirt that seems like it is wrapped around an odd tube with a flat train makes this dress look like it is more of a game board piece than an actual red carpet outfit. My first thought when I saw this dress was that this was a character from an Alice in Wonderland retelling. And the addition of the long black gloves doesn’t do anything to make this look better.

I am a big fan of Kristen Wiig, but this dress doesn’t work at all. It may be a Valentino dress, but that doesn’t save it from being a no in terms of red carpet dresses. If only the dress ditched the ruffles and stiff skirt look and allowed the top of the dress to be its guide.

Helen Mirren (Best)

Helen Mirren rarely makes a misstep when it comes to her red carpet fashion. And while she has certainly had some statement-making looks (including her pink confection of a dress from 2019), there is something to be said for a simple but stunning look.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Helen Mirren attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

In 2018, it was less about the dress and more about the jewelry. But at the same time, the simplicity of the dress also added to the overall aesthetic. We are talking about a steel blue dress with a high neckline and long sleeves that don’t rely on any sparkle, shine, cutouts, or slits to make an impact.

But by adding what could easily be considered an over-the-top necklace and matching earrings, Mirren takes this dress to a whole new level. This is an elegant look that relies on simplicity to make a statement with bling.

Sandra Oh (Best)

If anyone else, I think this Elie Saab dress might have been a miss and landed them on the worst list. But in the case of Sandra Oh, this dress is everything. While the sleeves are definitely over the top and certainly take ruffles to the next level, it somehow works.

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Canadian actress Sandra Oh arrives for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /

The fact that the dress sticks to a more monotone look, even with the glittery effect, means that the addition of ruffles at the hem and train of the dress doesn’t seem like a miss. This dress is so extra, but Oh makes it work by letting it be all about the dress.

By now adding anything extra to this look, the dress does all the work, and Sandra Oh just looks like a princess of the red carpet, and that works for us. Sometimes an over-the-top look just works. And in this case, this is a look that works.

Tiffany Haddish (Best)

In 2018, Tiffany Haddish made a statement on the Oscars red carpet. And she did it by wearing an Eritrean traditional dress. This is not something that many other people can say.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Tiffany Haddish attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

And the fact that Haddish owned this look means that there is no way we can ignore the beauty of this white dress with its intricate embroidery. Of course, the fact that the dress is topped by a stunning velvet capelet makes this entire look something hard to forget. Haddish’s up-do with circlet completes the overall aesthetic of royalty walking the red carpet.

The fact that she had at least one outfit change at the awards ceremony just added to the overall mystique of this dress and the way she pulled it off because it almost made the appearance on the red carpet more mysterious. (Or maybe that’s just me.)

Mindy Kaling (Best)

Mindy Kaling may be a funny lady, but at the 2020 Academy Awards, she was a less funny and more elegant goddess of the red carpet. There is something about a stunning yellow gown that transforms many of the ladies on the red carpet into next-level fashionistas. And in her Dolce & Gabbana yellow dress, Kaling delivers on stunning elegance.

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HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: Mindy Kaling attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 09, 2020, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) /

The simplicity of the dress works for the actress and the one-shoulder, ruched detail at the bodice makes this look more elevated than just a simple neckline would have. But the entire look is completed with the help of the gorgeous Chopard jewelry Mindy Kaling added to her ensemble.

Overall, this look is sunny and bright, adding a touch of class to the red carpet that makes the actress shine all around. (Yellow may not be my favorite color, but sometimes it just works.)

Lindsey Vonn (Best)

Even the most simple black dress can scream elegance. But there was nothing simple about the black dress that Lindsey Vonn wore to the 2018 Academy Awards. Her black dress screamed lux life in all the best ways from the layers of ruffled organza to the peek-a-boo cutout-like details.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 04: Lindsey Vonn attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) /

This dress is all about mixed mediums like glitter and lace to make a dress that is as much Hollywood glam as it is night on the town chic. The train of this dress adds something special to this look and the Bulgari jewelry ties everything together in a way that cuts through the gothic tensions this dress elicits.

Whether it is black on black or because it is a statement piece all on its own, this might be one of my favorite red carpet looks in so many ways. Bring on the organza and glitter.

Dakota Johnson (Worst)

As much as I like Dakota Johnson, I will admit that I did not like her 2017 red carpet dress for the Oscars. While gold can be a stunning color for a dress, the pale gold shade of this dress did not work for Johnson.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Actress Dakota Johnson arrives at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images) /

And even though this is a Gucci dress, that doesn’t save it from also being a bit like the Little House on the Prairie had a baby with a cocktail dress. This dress is way too much with the weird bow feature at the front that comes at the bottom of weird pleated detail. The high neckline doesn’t work with the bold jewelry piece and the long sleeves with a puff at the shoulders just cement the idea that this dress is a prairie dress that tried to become a ball gown.

The bottom of the dress had a lot of potentials but the top is all wrong and the pale golden shade doesn’t seem to work for Dakota Johnson at all.

Charlize Theron (Best)

Charlize Theron has made many a statement on the red carpet and in 2017 her Dior dress was next level. This elegant dress offered unique pleating details in the skirt, a two-tone look that took what could have been a simple dress and kicked it up a notch, and a v-neckline that reminded us that Theron knows when to add a statement piece and when not to. And in this case, it was all about not adding too much to the look.

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HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 26: Actress Charlize Theron arrives at the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017, in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Dan MacMedan/Getty Images) /

The gold and black work for the red carpet, but it also just works for Theron, who takes this dress and brings it to life. Of course, the over-the-top earrings complete the look in a way that adds to the statement and makes us even more convinced that Charlize Theron can do no wrong when it comes to stunning red carpet looks.

(And yes, I love the fact that this is a Dior dress considering she has been the face of Dior over the years.)

There have been many looks that have walked the red carpet at the Oscars and we expect many more. And as we look to the future, we can’t help but look back to both the good and the bad from the last few years.

Next. Ariana Grande stuns in daring cut-out minidress and tall boots. dark