As the culmination to award season, the Oscars mark the final opportunity for celebrities and their stylists to deliver an impact on the red carpet. What's more, the nominated actors may use their outfits to bring the character they played full circle, as an ode to their recognized role. Throughout history, these specific Oscars looks have become iconic, whether it's because they defined a culturally relevant moment, were marked by a win and accessorized with a golden statue, or were reinterpreted later on by a younger Hollywood star.
Jennifer Lawrence tripped up the stage in her strapless Dior Couture ballgown to accept best actress for "Silver Linings Playbook" in 2013, with her delicate Chopard necklace draped down her back. The "backward" jewelry kick-started a trend all on its own as she was photographed bent over, with her train sweeping gracefully across the stairs. Angelina Jolie made the most of a leg slit one year prior, playing up the detail on her black velvet Versace gown from several different angles. The thigh-high split is now essentially named after the star, with many fashion reporters referring to the style move as "pulling an Angelina Jolie." And in 2022, Zendaya's cropped Valentino Haute Couture shirt and floor-grazing sequined skirt were a playful take on the memorable ensemble Sharon Stone wore in 1988, when she tucked her husband's Gap button-down into a satin Vera Wang design.
Of course, the world-renowned Academy Awards fashion doesn't stop there. From Gwyneth Paltrow's pink Ralph Lauren confection in 1999 to her ivory Tom Ford cape in 2012; from Lupita Nyong'o's plunging, powder-blue Prada number in 2014 to her Calvin Klein Collection pearl column sheath in 2015; and from Janelle Monáe's entirely sheer Elie Saab design in 2017 to her Ralph Lauren glitter hood in 2020, look back on the Oscars statements that deserve awards all on their own.
Taylor beamed in this cinched strapless gown.
Hepburn's timeless Givenchy dress and belt will forever go down in history.
Kelly celebrated her award for best actress for the movie "The Country Girl" in a stunning cinched dress.
Loren wore a skintight satin floral dress to the Oscars in 1958.
Moreno wore this shimmery gown in 1962 when she won the award for best supporting actress for her role as Anita in "West Side Story," then she wore it again at the Oscars in 2018!
Dunaway dominated this feathered Theadora Van Runkle gown.
Streisand took a daring leap with this sheer Arnold Scaasi dress, and we're sure happy she did.
Sticking with Givenchy, Hepburn caught everyone's attention in this beaded number.
Ross's sparkly gown made her look like a real-life princess as she performed at the 57th annual Academy Awards.
Cher looked as stunning as ever while holding her award for best actress for the movie "Moonstruck."
Hannah paired her gorgeous gold dress with a pair of elbow-length gloves, and we love what they added to her look.
The supermodel graced the 65th annual Academy Awards show in a skintight Hervé Léger bandage dress.
Houston looked like a true boss at the 66th annual Academy Awards wearing an all-white pantsuit.
The model and actor dazzled at the Oscars in 1995 wearing a sparkly Versace gown.
Sorvino stunned in this strapless Armani gown at the Oscars in 1996.
Celebs wearing couture on the red carpet wasn't a new concept in 1997, but this dress looked so good on Kidman that it will go down in history as one of the best looks at the Oscars.
Stone stunned fashion observers everywhere when she tucked one of her husband's white Gap shirts into a ball skirt by Vera Wang, setting the stage for the very look Zendaya impressed in when she arrived at the ceremony in 2022.
This pink Ralph Lauren dress will go down in history as an Oscars classic.
This strapless number caught everyone's attention at the Oscars in 2000.
Though it was nearly the same color as the red carpet, this Alberta Ferretti gown stood out at the 2000 Oscars.
Roberts's simple yet stunning Valentino gown carried her from the red carpet to the winners' room.
Zellweger chose a very happy vintage dress by French designer Jean Dessès.
Berry wore an Elie Saab gown with a sheer bodice and a full skirt to the awards in 2002, where she became the first Black woman to win an Oscar for best actress in a leading role.
Wearing a champagne-colored Versace gown, Hudson looked like a classic Hollywood star.
The filmmaker supported her longtime friend Marc Jacobs when she chose one of his dresses for the red carpet.
The actress, with then-boyfriend Johnny Depp, wore a vintage Chanel gown on the red carpet.
A vintage Versace dress accentuated Beyoncé's curves.
The Valentino gown Blanchett wore in 2005 channeled old-school Hollywood glamour.
This Lanvin gown made Portman look like a goddess.
This backless navy-blue Guy Laroche dress gave Swank an element of polish and elegance.
Vera Wang designed the sunny yellow dress Williams chose for the red carpet in 2006.
The actor wore a red gown by Balenciaga's former designer Nicolas Ghesquière on the red carpet.
The actor wore a tiered Nina Ricci gown dyed varying degrees of purple to the award show in 2007.
Saldana wore a purple confectionary creation by then-Givenchy couturier Riccardo Tisci.
Bullock looked like a winner — and become one later that evening — in this silver gown by Marchesa.
Kruger chose a cream and black dress by Chanel for the big show in 2010.
Blanchett's lavender gown, created by Givenchy, looked like couture armor on the red carpet.
Jolie showed off plenty of leg in this strapless black velvet Versace gown in 2012.
This caped Tom Ford gown helped Paltrow look like a superhero.
The actor wore a strapless vintage gown by Christian Dior.
The actor chose a strapless red lace gown by Louis Vuitton.
Mara's elegant white Givenchy gown still had plenty of bite — just like her character in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."
Lawrence's pale, textured Dior Couture gown made her look regal. Despite her memorable fall before accepting her award, the dress will go down in history.
Washington's sparkly Miu Miu dress added a jolt of energy at the 2013 Oscars.
The simplicity of this Dior gown didn't stop it from being one of the most stunning dresses on the red carpet in 2013.
Nyong'o was the belle of the ball in this ethereal blue Prada gown.
Zendaya looked like a goddess on the 2015 Oscars red carpet in this silky white Vivienne Westwood gown.
The singer and actor turned heads in a blush-colored tulle dress from Elie Saab.
Nyong'o showed up on the red carpet wearing a custom Calvin Klein Collection gown adorned with 6,000 pearls.
In an unexpected move, Stone opted for a custom chartreuse Elie Saab gown in 2015.
Theron wore a red-hot Dior Haute Couture dress in 2016.
Vikander wore a pastel-yellow custom Louis Vuitton dress with sparkly details at the Oscars in 2016.
Monáe wore an Elie Saab Haute Couture dress, Jennifer Behr crown, Forevermark jewels, and Brian Atwood shoes.
Henson kept it simple and let the cutouts be the center of attention on this Vera Wang dress.
Rodriguez looked like an actual princess in this Zuhair Murad Couture dress.
Garner made a statement in this electric-blue draped Atelier Versace gown.
Robbie looked angelic in this custom Chanel Haute Couture dress.
Porter made a dramatic entrance in a custom Christian Siriano velvet tuxedo gown in 2019.
"Crazy Rich Asians" star Chan turned heads at the Oscars in 2019 when she graced the red carpet in a ruffled pink Valentino gown.
The "A Star Is Born" actor attended the 2019 Oscars wearing a black strapless Alexander McQueen gown, complete with glam gloves.
The actor showed off a sexy back cutout in a Dior Haute Couture gown that hugged each and every single one of her curves.
Monáe wore this incredible hooded Ralph Lauren gown to the ceremony, complemented by diamond rings and a matching choker.
The shimmer on Feldstein's Miu Miu dress is undeniable when you zoom in close on those sequins.
Eilish showed up in head-to-toe Chanel to perform "Yesterday" by The Beatles at the award show.
Zendaya wore a custom Maison Valentino dress that was glow-in-the-dark to the 2021 ceremony. The look was finished with more than 183 carats of Bulgari diamonds, valued at more than $6 million, along with Jimmy Choo heels.
H.E.R. arrived wearing a purple Dundas gown and Chopard jewels with Bonnie Clyde sunglasses and Giuseppe Zanotti heels.
This custom Valentino Couture two-piece consisted of a bandeau and voluminous ballroom skirt swathed in sequins and played up by Sophia Webster shoes and Cartier jewels.
Zendaya flipped red carpet fashion on its head in this Valentino Haute Couture custom crop top and sequin-embroidered skirt. She accessorized with Bulgari Serpenti viper bangles and a white-gold necklace covered in pavé diamonds.
Chastain arrived dressed in Gucci's Love Parade collection. Her ombré-effect sequin gown came finished with a ruffle-trimmed train.
DeBose opted for a Valentino Haute Couture pantsuit and matching floor-sweeping cape.