20 Times the Back of the Star's Dress Was Better Than the Front

We always look forward to seeing what our favorite stars wear on the red carpet. Being the fashion-obsessed girls that we are, we can't help but analyze every little detail, from the earrings down to the shoes. But sometimes, just when we think we've got a handle on a star's entire ensemble, she turns around, and our jaws drop.

In an instant, we tend to lose track of everything we already saw and zoom in on the trains, pleats, bows, or capes that make up the back of the dress in question. Because, as the photos ahead prove, it's this particular angle that captures a star's true princess moment. Keep scrolling to find all the times in 2014 that our favorite stars turned around and looked back at it, showing off superdramatic details we just couldn't stop dreaming about.

01
Jennifer Lopez
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Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez's stunning, crystal-embellished Charbel Zoe dress might not have the most whimsical back, but it shows off her best assets, and that's what she's known for. We always say, "When you've got it, flaunt it," and J Lo definitely does her best to show off sexy.

02
Amy Adams
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Amy Adams

Amy Adams's colorblock Valentino dress was just the right shade for the star. It made her light-blue eyes pop, and when she turned around, we were floored by the simple, strappy detail that delicately held her gown together.

03
Elizabeth Banks
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Elizabeth Banks

Sorry Katniss, but Elizabeth Banks was the girl on fire at the world premiere of Mockingjay — Part 1. Her ethereal Elie Saab design made her look like a true goddess, and it paid homage to the star's colorful character, Effie Trinket, too. From the front, her gown was stunning, but when she spun around and let her cape fly, our jaws dropped.

04
Beyoncé
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Beyoncé

Beyoncé played with sheer details at the 56th annual Grammy Awards this year. Her open-back Michael Costello number was elegant, but the star's curves and her short bob made it playful.

05
Kate Hudson
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Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson's Atelier Versace gown may have had a plunging neckline, but from the back, her look was absolutely regal. The embellished cape detail of her satin dress swooped from shoulder to shoulder, complementing her natural curves, and shimmered in the spotlight.

06
Chrissy Teigen
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Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen sported a floral Monique Lhuillier dress to the Oscars and accessorized with a pair of drop earrings by Lorraine Schwartz. While we think she looked totally cute in baby pink, we were especially obsessed with the back of her structured gown, where the graphic print comes to a dramatic halt.

07
Jennifer Lawrence
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Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence wore many a Dior gown this year, but in fact, it was her metallic Tom Ford mini that really caught our eye. From its sheer back panel to its embellishments that remind us of shards of broken glass, the design helped J.Law release her inner edge at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

08
Lupita Nyong'o
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Lupita Nyong'o

No one will forget Lupita Nyong'o's Cinderella moment at the Oscars. Her powder-blue Prada dress left us breathless, and its plunging back detail gave way to the most perfectly pleated train.

09
Blake Lively
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Blake Lively

Blake Lively's rose-gold Gucci number was complete with a stunning cape that rippled like a waterfall into the train of her dress. When she walked the stairs at this year's Met Gala, Ryan Reynolds followed closely behind her, which made for a very princess-y moment.

10
Kate Bosworth
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Kate Bosworth

Since we're so used to seeing Kate Bosworth in bohemian-inspired looks, this Katie Ermilio dress made us do a double take. We love how the satin silhouette, which fits her like a glove, bubbles out in the back, making an even stronger statement. Altogether, her look at the Tiffany & Co. Blue Book celebration was elegant and simply classic.

11
Emma Watson
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Emma Watson

Always the standout style star, Emma Watson didn't fail to impress us in her fiery-red Dior Couture number at the Golden Globes. While most stars would've played up the demure dress with a full skirt, Emma totally wore the pants and played up her sex appeal by showing off her back.

12
Taylor Swift
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Taylor Swift

After Oscar de la Renta passed away this year, Taylor Swift posted this photo to Instagram with the caption, "My all-time favorite designer has passed away. Oscar, it was an honor to wear your creations and to know you. In loving memory." For that reason, we'll never forget the bow-embellished dress Oscar dressed her in for the Met Gala. It was beautiful, inspired, and girlie — just like Taylor herself.

13
Lily Collins
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Lily Collins

Lily Collins's ombré Elie Saab design proved the star's status as a true style icon — one who surprises us with a stunning look for every red carpet she walks on. We love the ripple effect of this gorgeous number, and Lily must have, too, as she spun and twirled in the design at the Rome Film Festival.

14
Sarah Jessica Parker
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Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker was another star who had the pleasure of wearing Oscar de la Renta to the Met Gala. The designer's name was embroidered in scarlet on the back of her dress — an unforgettable detail that stole the show. After Oscar passed away, the star penned a heartfelt statement, remembering all of the times she got to wear his dresses throughout her life.

15
Rihanna
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Rihanna

While Rihanna's worn numerous dresses that have given us a nice view of her backside, our favorite was this crisp white Stella McCartney design. We love how her crop top jutted up and formed a triangle on her back, and the ruched detail on her skirt made up for all the blank space in between.

16
Nicole Richie
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Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie's custom-dyed Donna Karan Atelier gown complemented her bohemian style and played up her purple locks. She was smart to sweep her hair up into a bun and let the strappy back detail of her dress take center stage. She even played up the focal point of her look with a long-beaded back necklace.

17
Jessica Chastain
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Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain's eye-catching Elie Saab gown totally took over the red carpet at Cannes, catching the wind and making her look like a colorful Greek goddess. We were especially attracted to the diagonal strap on her back, which crossed over into her chiffon cape.

18
Cara Delevingne
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Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne's got killer back action going on, and she knows it, too. We love how she looked back at the photographer as he captured her boho-esque Roberto Cavalli dress. From the design's embroidery to the necklace Cara hung off the back of her neck, we were totally feeling this playful yet elegant look on the model.

19
Kate Beckinsale
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Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale's Gucci gown at the LACMA Art+Film gala exuded glamour from every angle, but we were especially excited over the back of her dress. The swooping silk gives way to a cutout detail that highlights her curves in all the right places.

20
Sofia Vergara
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Sofia Vergara

Anyone who's seen Sofia Vergara take a red carpet knows she's a fan of the mermaid gown. But this beaded Zuhair Murad dress, which the star wore to the Golden Globes afterparty, had a few extra straps that we couldn't stop thinking about, despite the fact that, yes, her booty looked flawless, too.