Oscars 2025: Most iconic red carpet looks that live in our heads rent-free

The Oscars red carpet isn¡¯t just a fashion moment, it¡¯s the fashion moment. Year after year, celebrities walk the carpet knowing their outfit will either be immortalized in the fashion hall of fame or forever questioned in internet think pieces. With the 97th Academy Awards approaching, let¡¯s revisit the jaw-dropping, rule-breaking, and era-defining Oscar red carpet looks that still live in our heads rent-free.

Cher¡¯s sheer rebellion,1988

Cher doesn¡¯t just attend award shows; she makes history. Back in 1988, she took one look at the conventional ballgowns and said, ¡°Not on my watch.¡± Enter: a sheer, black Bob Mackie masterpiece that defied every rule of Oscar dressing. She didn¡¯t just serve looks, she took home Best Actress for Moonstruck that night. Talk about main character energy.

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Billy Porter¡¯s tuxedo gown, 2019

Billy Porter didn¡¯t just step onto the red carpet in 2019; he floated in wearing a custom Christian Siriano tuxedo gown that shattered traditional gender norms. A sharp tux on top, a billowing ballgown below, this look cemented his status as a true fashion revolutionary.

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Angelina Jolie¡¯s legendary slit, 2012

Who knew a single leg could have its own fan base? Angelina Jolie strutted onto the Oscars red carpet in 2012 wearing a black Versace gown with a thigh-high slit that had the internet losing its collective mind. One dramatic pose later, and she had officially broken fashion Twitter.

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Zendaya¡¯s golden glow, 2021

Zendaya doesn¡¯t just wear a dress, she embodies it. In 2021, she stepped onto the Oscars red carpet in a custom Valentino gown so radiant, she basically outshone the actual award. Ethereal, effortless, and just the right amount of drama, it was a modern-day red carpet fairytale.

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Dakota Johnson¡¯s red hot Saint Laurent, 2015

The power of a red dress? Unmatched. Dakota Johnson proved that in 2015 when she arrived in a Saint Laurent one-shoulder stunner, complete with an intricate shoulder embellishment. Simple, sleek, and seriously striking.

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Jennifer Lawrence¡¯s princess moment (and Meme), 2013

Jennifer Lawrence had her Cinderella moment in a billowing Dior Couture ballgown at the 2013 Oscars, but her true iconic moment came when she tripped while accepting her award. A literal fall from grace, but make it fashion.

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Beyonc¨¦¡¯s understated elegance, 2005

Sometimes, the simplest looks make the loudest statements. In 2005, Beyonc¨¦ arrived at the Oscars in a sleek Atelier Versace gown that didn¡¯t need embellishments or dramatic silhouettes¡ªit was pure, effortless glam.

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Uma Thurman¡¯s Prada perfection, 1995

When a dress has its own Wikipedia page, you know it¡¯s legendary. Uma Thurman¡¯s lilac Prada gown from 1995 remains a masterclass in minimalist elegance that still influences red carpet fashion today.

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Cara Delevingne¡¯s red siren moment, 2023

Even when the Oscars carpet decided to go beige, Cara Delevingne made sure to keep things fiery. In 2023, she arrived in a dramatic red Elie Saab gown featuring a thigh-high slit and an oversized bow, proving that red carpet fashion is never neutral.

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As we gear up for another night of high-stakes fashion, one thing is certain, Oscars red carpet moments aren¡¯t just about clothes. They¡¯re cultural reset moments, style revolutions, and the reason we still talk about a single leg pose years later. Bring on the next round of jaw-dropping looks.