A Century of Oscar Style: Best Actress Winning Dresses Through the Decades
Image: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The road to the Best Actress Oscar has always been paved with unforgettable performances—but just as memorable are the gowns that walk the red carpet before the winner ever reaches the stage. From Old Hollywood glamour to modern couture moments, the fashion worn by each year’s Best Actress winner tells its own story about the evolution of Hollywood, celebrity, and style.
Image: A.M.P.A.S.
When the first Academy Awards were held in 1929, the ceremony looked nothing like the glittering global spectacle we know today. The inaugural event—honoring films from 1927 and 1928—was a private luncheon at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where around 270 guests gathered for an intimate celebration, and tickets cost just $5. There were no red carpets, no televised arrivals, and certainly no fashion commentary dissecting every hemline.
Fast-forward nearly a century, and the annual ceremony has become one of the most watched entertainment events in the world, with billions tuning in across global broadcasts. That growth has also brought come transformation of Oscar-night fashion. What began as actresses wearing off-the-rack gowns or dresses they made themselves eventually evolved into a showcase of studio costume designers, bespoke collaborations, and haute couture looks straight from the runway. Today, the Oscars are just as much a fashion event as they are a celebration of film.
And nowhere is that intersection of cinema and style more iconic than in the Best Actress category. From timeless satin silhouettes and Old Hollywood sparkle to daring modern couture, these winners’ gowns capture the trends—and the cultural moments—of their time.
We’re taking a stylish walk through history and rounding up almost every dress worn by Best Actress winners over the years (with a few exceptions for actresses who skipped the ceremony). From inaugural Best Actress winner Janet Gaynor to this year’s here’s our fashion timeline of Hollywood’s leading ladies—one Oscar at a time.
1929: Janet Gaynor For 7th Heaven (1927), Street Angel (1928), and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Janet Gaynor wore a simple off-the-rack design complemented by classic ’20s pin curls to the inaugural Academy Awards in 1929. Gaynor remains the only actress in Oscars history to win an award for multiple roles.
Image: A.M.P.A.S.
1930: Mary Pickford For Coquette
Mary Pickford accepted her Best Actress Oscar wearing a glamorous, beaded silk chiffon gown described as "Fragonard blue". The elegant dress featured a ruched bodice and a trumpet skirt. Her look is often credited as the first major instance of high-fashion, "red carpet" glamour at the Academy Awards.
Image: Mary Pickford Foundation
1931: Norma Shearer for The Divorcee
The glamorous art-deco, gold lamé fur-trimmed gown Norma Shearer wore to the 1930 Academy Awards was designed by MGM’s legendary wardrobe supervisor Gilbert Adrian, and originally appeared in the award-winning film itself.
Image: A.M.P.A.S.
1932: Marie Dressler For Min & Bill
Marie Dressler wore a dark, conservative shift dress paired from an unknown designer with a long necklace and a dramatic coat to accept her Best Actress Oscar.
Image: A.M.P.A.S.
1933: Helen Hayes for Sin Of Madelon Claudet
To accept her Best Actress award at the 5th Academy Awards , Helen Hayes wore a sophisticated, dark or black from an unknown designer. The dress featured a V-neckline, a peplum waist, and was described as having dramatic floral embellishments. Hayes later went on to also add Emmy, Tony and Grammy awards to her suite of accolades making her a rare, EGOT winner.
Image: A.M.P.A.S.
1934: Katharine Hepburn, Morning Glory
Katharine Hepburn, who still holds the record for most Best Actress wins, started her winning streak when she received the award for her performance in Morning Glory. She did not attend this or any other Oscars ceremony when she was nominated or won.
1935: Claudette Colbert for it happened one night
Claudette Colbert wore a simple, tailored two-piece traveling suit with a matching hat to accept her Best Actress Oscar in 1935. Designed by Travis Banton, the brown suit was worn because she didn’t
expect to win and was on her way to a train station, making it one of the most unconventional and memorable outfits in Oscar history
Image: A.M.P.A.S.
1936: bette davis for dangerous
Bette Davis famously wore a simple, casual black and white dress designed by Orry-Kelly to accept her 1936 Best Actress award. She reportedly chose this unassuming outfit to resemble a "maid's uniform" or "hired help" as a direct, defiant protest against the Warner Bros. studio system — making this the first example of “protest dressing” at an Oscars ceremony.
Image: Snap/Rex/Shutterstock
1937: Luise Rainer for The Great ziegfeld
Luise Rainer chose a long-sleeve white gown under a floor-length white coat with an understated up-do for the first of her two Oscar wins. She stands in-between with fellow winners, actor Paul Muni and director Frank Capra.
Image: Bettmann/Corbis
1938: Louise Rainer for The Good Earth
To accept her Best Actress Oscar in 1938 for The Good Earth, Luise Rainer wore a simple, light-colored dress described by many sources as a nightgown for her second win. Rushed to the ceremony by MGM staff, she reportedly chose this garment because it was the nicest and most convenient item in her wardrobe at the time.
1939: Bette Davis For Jezebel
Bette Davis accepted her second Best Actress Oscar wearing a striking black gown, often described as velvet or tulle, featuring a dramatic Elizabethan-style collar made of white, wispy feathers designed by Orry-Kelly.
Image: JOHN KOBAL FOUNDATION/GETTY IMAGES
1940: Vivian Leigh for Gone With The Wind
To accept her Best Actress Oscar for Gone with the Wind, Vivian Leigh wore a floor-length, romantic silk chiffon gown featuring a vibrant red poppy print against green, blue, and gray, designed by Irene Gibbons. The dress featured spaghetti straps, a low-cut bodice, and trendy side cut-outs.
Image: BETTMANN/CORBIS
1941: Ginger Rogers For Kitty Foyle
To accept her Best Actress Oscar at the 13th Academy Awards, Ginger Rogers wore a sophisticated brown dress featuring lace details by Irene Gibbons. Adhering to wartime guidelines for a "sombre palette", she accessorized with a single pendant, dark lipstick, and curled hair.
Image: AP
1942: Joan Fontaine for Suspicion
At the 14th Academy Awards, Joan Fontaine wore designed by I. Magnin & Co. to accept her Best Actress Oscar for Suspicion. Adhering to wartime, “low-key” fashion requests, she complemented the look with a black-and-white hairpiece, or mantilla, and a simple triple strand of pearls.
Image: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES
1943: Greer Garson for Mrs. Miniver
Greer Garson accepted her Academy Award wearing
a war-time, stylish outfit designed by an unknown designer featuring a cinched waist and long sleeves gown with lace detail.
Image: AP
1944: Jennifer Jones for The Song of Bernadette
Jennifer Jones wore a relatively simple, scalloped black suit to accept her Best Actress Oscar that reflected the “dress-down” wartime style of the era. Despite the muted suit, she was famously lent diamonds by Harry Winston, marking a significant early instance of high-end diamonds being worn on the Academy Awards.
Image: ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
1945: Ingrid Bergman for Gaslight
Ingrid Bergman wore an elegant black dress designed by Howard Greer when she won Best Actress for her role in Gaslight.
Image: SNAP/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
1946: Joan Crawford for Mildred Pierce
When Joan Crawford won the Best Actress Oscar for Mildred Pierce in 1946, she famously accepted the award while in bed at home, wearing a nightgown, claiming to be ill with pneumonia. Rumour has it that Crawford feigned an illness to avoid attending the Oscars in anticipation of losing to rival Ingrid Bergman.
Image: Silver Screen Collection/Getty
1947: Olivia de Havilland for To Each His Own
Olivia de Havilland wore a pale blue, strapless, hand-painted floral gown designed by Ann Lowe for Sonia Gowns, which featured a sweetheart neckline with ruffle trim. The gown, featuring a cinched waist and full skirt, was paired with pearls. Lowe was a pioneering African-American fashion designer.
Image: Getty Images
1948: Loretta Young for The Farmer’s Daughter
When Loretta Young won the Best Actress Oscar in 1948, she wore a striking, voluminous emerald-green silk-taffeta gown designed by Adrian. The iconic, highly tailored dress featured a corset bodice, a large capelet, and a full skirt with dramatic ruffles, paired with matching emerald-green gloves.
Image: Bettmann Archive
1949: Jane Wyman for Johnny Belinda
Jane Wyman chose a modest white gown with a embellished high neckline for her acceptance of Best Actress for her role in Johnny Belinda in 1949.
Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty
1950: Olivia De Havilland For the Heiress
Olivia de Havilland wore a white chiffon gown designed by Orry-Kelly when she won her second Oscar. The dress was notable for having delicate, fabric daisies stitched onto the skirt to create a fresh, innocent look.
Image: Bettmann Archive
1951: Judy Holiday for Born Yesterday
When Judy Holliday won the Academy Award for Best Actress on March 29, 1951, she was not present at the ceremony in Hollywood and instead watched the proceedings from New York City. Pictures from the event show the actress wore a dark, elegant strapless evening gown by an unknown designer with a black choker.
Image: Getty Images
1952: Vivian leigh for A streetcar named desire
Vivian Leigh did not attend the ceremony in Hollywood to receive her second Best Actress Oscar. She was filming in London.
1953: Shirley Booth for Come Back LIttle Sheba
Shirley Booth picked up her Best Actress Oscar wearing a formal long-sleeved evening gown by an unknown designer. She attended the New York City ceremony held simultaneously with Hollywood.
Image: Bettmann/Getty
1954: Audrey Hepburn for roman holiday
For her only Best Actress Oscar, Hepburn wore a gown originally created for her character in the film Sabrina by costume designer Edith Head. Hubert de Givenchy modified the gown for the Oscars and she became his muse for much of the 1950s, insisting all costumes for her films were created by Givenchy. Hepburn was the first to wear his designs to an Oscar’s ceremony.
Image: AP
1955: Grace Kelly for The country girl
Grace Kelly wore
an iconic, pale mint green (sometimes described as ice blue) silk satin gown when she picked up her Best Actress Oscar. Designed by legendary costume designer Edith Head, the sheath-style dress featured a modest bustle, spaghetti straps, and was paired with a matching floor-length coat, white opera gloves, and pearl earringsAt the time, the dress was the most expensive in Oscar history, the material alone costing $4000.
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1956: Anna Magnani for the rose tatoo
Anna Magnani did not attend the 28th Academy Awards ceremony in 1956 where she won Best Actress for The Rose Tattoo, so she did not wear an Oscar-night gown there. She was in Rome and, upon hearing the news, celebrated at home.
1957: ingrid bergman for anastasia
Ingrid Bergman was not present at the 29th Academy Awards in March 1957 to accept her Best Actress Oscar for Anastasia. Following her voluntary exile from Hollywood due to a scandal, she was in Europe at the time, and the award was accepted on her behalf by Cary Grant.
1958: Joanne woodward for The Three Faces of Eve
When Joanne Woodward won Best Actress in 1958 for
The Three Faces of Eve, she famously wore a strapless, emerald green taffeta gown that she designed and sewed herself for approximately $100. The dress featured embroidery on the bodice, a full skirt, and was paired with a matching evening coat.
Image: Getty Images
Susan hayward: I want to live!
When Susan Hayward won Best Actress at the 31st Academy Awards in 1959 for I Want to Live!, she wore a sophisticated black dress. The gown featured delicate straps, a classic 1950s silhouette with a full skirt, and subtle beaded detailing with white gloves.
Image: Getty
1960: simone signoret for room at the top
When Simone Signoret won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1960, she wore an elegant black gown designed by Jean Desses. The dress featured a draped skirt and delicate draped shoulders, crafted from a Swiss-dot textured fabric, which she accessorized with a long diamond brooch at the waist.
Image: Getty
1961: Elizabeth Taylor for butterfield 8
Setting the precedent for couture on the red carpet, Elizabeth Taylor sported an early Christian Dior gown in shades of lemon and green. Paired back with extravagant diamonds and finished with a red rose at the waist, Taylor cemented her icon status.
Image: Archive Photos/Getty
1962: Sophia Loren for Two Women
When Sophia Loren won the Best Actress Oscar in 1962 she was not present at the ceremony in Los Angeles, but she was famously photographed with her award at home. Loren was the first actress to win an Academy Award for a non-English-speaking role.
Image: Getty Archive
1963: Anne Bancroft for the miracle worker
Anne Bancroft didn’t attend the 35th Academy Awards ceremony in 1963 because she was performing in a Broadway play in New York City at the time. the Oscar on her behalf.
1964: Patricial neal for hud
Patricia Neal did not attend the 36th Academy Awards ceremony in April 1964, where she won Best Actress for her role in Hud.
1965: julie andrews for mary poppins
When Julie Andrews won the Best Actress Oscar for Mary Poppins at the 37th Academy Awards she wore a sleeveless, ice-blue chiffon evening gown with a simple, elegant silhouette and a beaded bodice. The dress was designed by Colin J. P.
Image: Bettmann/Getty
1966: julie christie for darling
When Julie Christie won Best Actress at the 1966 Oscars, she wore a striking, homemade gold lamé jumpsuit. Designed with a friend from a commercial pattern, this iconic, shimmering look made her the first woman to wear pants to accept an Academy Award.
Image: A.M.P.A.S.
1967: elizabeth taylor for who’s afraid of virginia woolf?
Elizabeth Taylor did not attend the 39th Academy Awards where she won
Best Actress for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. In solidarity with her husband, Richard Burton, who was also nominated for the same film, she skipped the ceremony, and was photographed with her Oscar later in London.
Image: A.P.
1968: katharine hepburn for guess who’s coming to dinner?
Katharine Hepburn did not attend the 1968 Academy Awards (to accept her Best Actress award for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? She notoriously avoided the ceremony throughout her career
1969 (TIE): katharine Hepburn for The lion in winter
The actress famously skipped the event where she tied with Barbra Streisand.
Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl
In another history-making sartorial moment for the Oscars, Barbra Streisand wore a bejewelled Arnold Scassi sheer shirt and flares with a sailor neckline and cuffs. The look was finished with her signature 60s bob and a slick of winged liner.
Image: Getty Images
1970: Maggie Smith For The Prime of miss jean brody
At the 42nd Academy Awards where she won Best Actress Award Maggie Smith did not attend the ceremony. She won for Best Supporting Actress in 1979 for California Suite.
1971: Glenda jackson for woman in love
Glenda Jackson did not attend the 43rd Academy Awards where she won Best Actress due to work commitments. She was in London at the time and accepted her award later at a press reception.
Image: Getty images
1972: Jane fonda for klute
With a shaggy 70s lob and understated make-up, Jane Fonda wore a black off-the-rack Yves Saint Laurent pantsuit to accept her Best Actress Oscar. The androgynous look featured a button up jacket and pants over a lilac turtleneck.
Image: Getty Images
1973: liza minelli for cabaret
Liza Minnelli accepted her Best Actress award in a butter-yellow Halston gown with a matching jacket. In a nod to the 70s patchwork trend, Minnelli paired the gown with a colored choker and long necklace.
Image: Getty Images
1974: glenda jackson for a touch of class
For her role as divorced London-based mother Vickie Allessio, Glenda Jackson won her second Best Actress Oscar. Known for skipping award shows, she did not attend either of her Oscar wins in the 1970s, as she felt she did not "earn" the awards.
1975: ellen burstyn for alice doesn’t live here anymore
Ellen Burstyn won Best Actress for her performance as Alice Hyatt, a widow who is looking for a fresh start with her son in California. Burstyn didn’t attend the ceremony because she was performing in a play on Broadway at the time. Her director, Martin Scorsese, accepted the statuette on her behalf.
1976: louise Fletcher for One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Louise Fletcher wore a flowy, peach-pink silk gown designed by Alfred Fiandaca to accept her award during the 48th Academy Awards Ceremony.
Image: Getty Images
1977: faye dunaway for network
Faye Dunaway chose a simple black Geoffrey Beene gown belted with a fringed rope to accept her Best Actress Award.. The polished look was finished with glossy waves and understated make-up.
Image: Getty Images
1978: diane keaton for annie hall
When Diane Keaton won Best Actress at the 1978 Academy Awards for Annie Hall, she famously wore a tailored, menswear-inspired outfit by Giorgio Armani. The look consisted of a slouchy blazer, a midi-length skirt, a white button-up shirt, a vest, a tie, and a pale pink peony in her lapel.
Image: Getty Images
1979: jane fonda for coming home
For her second Oscar win, Jane Fonda wore a lilac-colored, paisley-patterned gown designed by James Reva. The dress featured long fluted/bell sleeves, a column silhouette, and was embroidered with sequins throughout.
Image: Getty Images
1980: sally field for norma rae
Sally Field wore a white, two-piece outfit designed by Bob Mackie when she won her first Best Actress Oscar, featuring a strapless knee-length dress under a sheer floral-patterned bolero or cover-up.
Image: Getty images
1981: Sissy Spacek for coal miner’s daughter
Sissy Spacek had a relaxed attitude to red carpet when she picked up her Best Actress Oscar. "We just went out and bought off the rack," she told Oprah. "It was actually less pressure."
Image: Getty Images
1982: katharine hepburn for on golden pond
Katharine Hepburn did not attend the 54th Academy Awards where she won her fourth and final Oscar for Best Actress for her role in On Golden Pond.
1983: meryl streep for sophie’s choice
Meryl Streep wore a soft gold floor-length Christian Leigh gown for her first foray into Oscars territory. The loose-fitting dress was dotted with sequins and beading.
Image: Getty Images
1984: shirley maclaine for terms of endearment
Shirley Maclaine wore a blush paisley print beaded cocktail dress and matching coat by Fabrice when she picked up her Best Actress Oscar for Terms of Endearment.
Image: Getty Images
1985: sally field for places in the heart
When Sally Field won her second Best Actress Oscar in 1985 for Places in the Heart she wore a strapless black gown designed by Holly Harp. The elegant dress was accessorized with a distinctive diamond bow-shaped necklace and oversized earrings.
Image: ABC/PHOTOFEST
1986: geraldine page for a trip to bountiful
When Geraldine Page won the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 58th Oscars she wore a red and black dress designed by Gail Cooper-Hecht, featuring a dramatic, cape-like shawl.
Image: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty
1987: marlee matlin for children of a lesser god
When Marlee Matlin made history at the 59th Academy Awards as the youngest Best Actress winner (at the age of 21) she wore a lacy, lavender-colored long-sleeved gown designed by Theoni V. Aldredge. The dress featured 1980s-style puff sleeves and satin details.
Image: Getty
1988: cher for moonstruck
Cher won Best Actress in a iconic, sheer black Bob Mackie gown. The daring dress featured intricate black netting, sparkling sequins, a fringed bra-top design, and a matching shawl.
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Image: Getty
1989: jodie foster for the accused
Jodie Foster won her first Best Actress Oscar for The Accused in a blue strapless ruched taffeta sheath dress. The outfit featured a high-low skirt with a notable bustle-like rear flounce and was described as an "off-the-rack" purchase from Rome.
Image: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
1990: jessica tandy for Driving miss daisy
When Jessica Tandy won the Academy Award for Best Actress at 62nd Academy Awards in 1990, she wore a two-piece ensemble designed by Giorgio Armani. Armani dressed five actresses at the 1990 Academy Awards, and Tandy's embellished suit is often cited as a memorable example of his red carpet style, providing her with a sophisticated look at the age of 80.
Image: Getty Images
1991: Kathy bates for misery
Kathy Bates won the Oscar for Best Actress for Misery in a long-sleeved, black velvet Donna Karan gown. The mock turtleneck dress featured prominent shoulder pads and intricate beading throughout.
Image: Getty Images
1992: Jodie Foster for silence of the lambs
Jodie Foster won her second Best Actress award for The Silence of the Lambs in an iconic pale blush silk faille pantsuit designed by Giorgio Armani. The outfit featured loose pants and a patterned top underneath, representing a 1990s shift toward chic, relaxed tailoring.
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1993: emma thompson for howards end
Emma Thompson wore a vibrant teal (or turquoise) beaded bodice with matching wide-leg trousers by Caroline Charles. It’s remembered for it’s bold color and distinctive, classic 90s silhouette
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1994: holly hunter for the piano
Holly Hunter wore a streamlined Vera Wang floor-sweeping two-piece look for her 1994 win. The straight cut skirt featured just a hint of sparkle, while the boat-neck crop made the most of Hunter’s petite frame.
Image: Getty Images
1995: jessica lange for blue sky
Jessica Lange’s simple black Calvin Klein dress was a perfect choice for the 67th Annual Academy Awards. This unique gown featured a pattern of leaves across her chest and arms, which created a contrast against the otherwise all black dress.
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1996: susan sarandon for dead man walking
Susan Sarandon won her Best Actress award wearing a striking copper/bronze ball gown by Dolce & Gabbana. The silk, low-cut halter-style gown featured a billowing skirt and was paired with a matching shawl. It was later donated to the Costume Institute at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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1997: frances mcdormand for fargo
Frances McDormand won her very first Oscar as pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson in the 1996 crime film, Fargo in a navy satin Richard Tyler backless gown, with criss-cross strap detailing.
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1998: helen hunt for as good as it gets
Helen Hunt wore a custom-made, ice-blue gown designed by Tom Ford for Gucci to the 1998 Oscars. The minimalist strapless column gown was made out of matte silk-satin and included a matching stole. At the time it was compared to Grace Kelly for its elegance.
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1999: gwyneth paltrow for shakespeare in love
Gwyneth Paltrow famously wore a custom blush-pink ballgown by Ralph Lauren to the 1999 Academy Awards. While it received mixed reviews at the time, it’s become one of the iconic Oscar looks of the 1990’s. The gown featured a silk taffeta skirt, a low-cut neckline, thin spaghetti straps, and a delicate matching shawl.
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2000: Hillary Swank for boys don’t cry
For her first Oscar win in 2000, Hilary Swank wore an olive-bronze silk ball gown designed by Randolph Duke, which was paired with a historic 17th-century diamond necklace from Asprey & Garrard. The gown featured a classic silhouette, chosen for a "princess" feel.
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2001: julia roberts for erin brockovich
Julia Roberts chose a vintage dress from Valentino's 1982 couture collection dedicated to movie stars for her first and only Oscar to date. The velvet dress featured a distinctive white satin piped trim that formed a Y-shape at the bust and a dramatic tulle train. It has been suggested she sparked the trend of wearing vintage on the red carpet.
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2002: halle berry for monster’s ball
When Halle Berry won Best Actress at the 2002 Oscars, she wore an iconic, daring Elie Saab couture gown. It featured a sheer, mesh bodice with burgundy-red floral embroidery and appliqué, paired with a matching wine-red taffeta skirt. The dress was widely praised as one of the best Oscar fashion moments.
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2003: nicole kidman for the hours
When Nicole Kidman won Best Actress for The Hours at the 2003 Oscars, she wore a custom, draped black Jean Paul Gaultier Couture gown. The gown featured an asymmetrical design with delicate straps and was noted for being the designer's first haute couture client creation.
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2004: charlize theron for monster
When Charlize Theron won Best Actress for Monster at the 2004 Oscars, she wore a dazzling gold, embellished gown designed by Tom Ford for Gucci. The gown featured a beaded design, which she paired with an elegant, finger-wave hairstyle, a bronzed tan, and Chopard earrings
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2005: hilary swank for million dollar baby
Hilary Swank wore a navy blue, long-sleeved, backless Guy Laroche gown to the 2005 Oscars, where she won Best Actress for Million Dollar Baby. The stunning, form-fitting dress was notable for its modest high-neck front paired with a dramatic, completely open back. The dress was designed by Hervé Leroux (Hervé Leger). Swank found the dress during a German Vogue photo shoot, scrapping her original plan to wear a Calvin Klein dress.
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2006: reese witherspoon for walk the line
When Reese Witherspoon won Best Actress in 2006 for Walk the Line, she wore a rare, vintage 1955 Christian Dior gown she found in a Paris boutique. The classic V-neck design with stunning metallic embellishments fit so perfectly, not one alteration was needed! Witherspoon recalls the difficulty she had convincing the shop owner to part with the gown, as it had apparently once belonged to a princess.
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2007: helen mirren for the queen
Helen Mirren stunned in the body hugging, champagne and gold coloured gown by Christian Lacroix when she picked up her Oscar in 2007. The elegant dress featured a heavily embellished bodice with long sleeves and a flowing chiffon skirt, which was highly praised by fashion critics.
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2008: marion cotillard for la vie en rose
When Marion Cotillard won the Best Actress Oscar in 2008 for La Vie en Rose, she wore a custom ivory and silver mermaid-inspired gown designed by Jean Paul Gaultier. The gown, from the Spring/Summer 2008 Haute Couture collection, featured detailed, scaly, or scalloped fabric textures
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2009: kate winslet for the reader
When Kate Winslet won Best Actress for The Reader at the 2009 Oscars, she wore a custom slate-gray and black one-shouldered gown designed by Atelier Yves Saint Laurent by Stefano Pilati. The elegant dress featured a satin-and-mesh combination with intricate detailing paired with Chopard jewels.
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2010: sandra bullock for the blind side
At the 2010 Academy Awards, Sandra Bullock wore a stunning gold, form-fitting custom Marchesa column gown. The dress featured intricate metallic floral embroidery, vintage beading, and a short train, perfectly matching the Best Actress Oscar statue she won for her role in The Blind Side.
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2011: Natalie Portman for the black swan
When Natalie Portman won Best Actress for Black Swan at the 2011 Oscars, she wore a custom-made, off-the-shoulder, plum-colored gown designed by Rodarte. The silk chiffon gown was tailored for her pregnancy and was paired with Jimmy Choo heels, a Roger Vivier clutch, and dramatic burgundy tassel earrings.
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2012: meryl streep for the iron lady
This custom made gold lamé draped Lanvin gown was a jaw-dropping choice for Meryl Streep as she accepted her third Academy Award, and her second one for Best Actress in a Leading Role.The eco-friendly, long-sleeved dress featured a gathered wrap design and a matching gold belt, which Streep mentioned broke during the evening.
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2013: jennifer lawrence for silver linings playbook
When Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress at the 2013 Oscars, she wore a, voluminous blush-pink and white strapless Christian Dior Haute Couture gown designed by Raf Simmons. The dress featured a structured bustier and a full, dramatic train, which infamously caught her feet, causing her to trip on the stairs while ascending to accept her award. The stunning dress is considered one of the most iconic and expensive in Oscar history, often valued at roughly $4 million.
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2014: cate blanchette for blue jasmine
Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for Blue Jasmine at the 2014 Oscars, wearing a, beige, cap-sleeve Giorgio Armani Privé gown. The dress was heavily embellished with raised dégradé sequins and Swarovski crystal baguettes, creating a romantic floral effect. She paired the $100,000+ dress with Chopard opal earrings.
Image: Shutterstock
2015: julianne moore for still alice
When winning Best Actress for Still Alice at the 2015 Oscars, Julianne Moore wore a custom-made, white strapless Chanel Haute Couture gown designed by Karl Lagerfeld. The gown featured 80,000 hand-painted resin sequins and flowers, requiring 987 hours to complete, complemented by Chopard diamonds and a sleek hairstyle.
Image: Getty Images
2016: brie larson for room
Brie Larson wore a custom royal-blue Gucci gown when she won Best Actress for Room at the 2016 Oscars. Designed by Alessandro Michele, the embellished silk gown featured delicate spaghetti straps, a V-cut neckline, a ruffled skirt, and a belted waist with a crystal-and-pearl buckle.
Image: Getty Images
2017: emma stone for la la land
At the 2017 Oscars, where she won Best Actress for La La Land, Emma Stone wore a custom-made, gold-fringed Givenchy Haute Couture gown designed by Riccardo Tisci. The gown was inspired by 1920s flapper style, embroidered with Swarovski crystals, and took roughly 600 hours to create, perfectly matching the color of her award.
Image: Shutterstock
2018: frances mcdormand for three billboards outside ebbing, missouri
In 1997, Frances McDormand won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Fargo. To celebrate her fifth Academy Award nomination and second win, McDormand took to the stage in a black and gold couture Valentino gown designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli. The dress, which has long sleeves and floral-like details, features a beautiful gold pattern that concentrates on the neck and disintegrates at the bottom, fading into a black pleated skirt.
Image: Getty Images
2019: olivia colman for the favourite
Olivia Colman wore a bespoke, custom-made emerald green Prada gown to win Best Actress at the 2019 Oscars. The high-necked silk dress took 120 hours to make, and featured a long, sleeveless A-line silhouette, a giant bow at the back, a train, and a contrasting smokey-gray silk organza cape, paired with Chopard jewelry.
Image: Getty Images
2020: renee zellweger for judy
At the 2020 Academy Awards, Renée Zellweger wore a custom, one-shoulder white silk column gown by Giorgio Armani Privé to accept her Best Actress Oscar for Judy. The minimalist gown featured an asymmetrical neckline with crystal-embroidered details and was covered in white beads
Image: Getty Images
2021: frances mcdormand for nomadland
For her third Best Actress win at the 2021 Oscars, Frances McDormand wore a simple, long-sleeve black Valentino gown, which featured a subtle feathered hem and sleeve detail. Maintaining her typically low-key style, she paired the gown with minimal makeup, a natural hairstyle, and minimal jewelry.
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2022: jessica chastain for the eyes of tammy faye
At the 2022 Oscars, Jessica Chastain wore a custom bronze-to-lilac ombre sequined Gucci gown featuring a dramatic ruffled tulle hem and a halter top, perfectly styled with high-jewelry rings and chandelier earrings from the brand. She accepted her Best Actress award for The Eyes of Tammy Faye in this "Old Hollywood" inspired look, paired with a high ponytail.
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2023: michelle yeoh for everything everywhere all at once
In 2023, Michelle Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman to ever win Best Actress at the Academy Awards. To accept the accolade, Yeoh look beyond elegant in ethereal Dior haute couture, which featured a white sheer chest panel before moving into an incredible white feathered gown and train. She paired the custom look with Moussaieff High Jewellery—including diamond chandelier earrings and a headband.
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2024: emma stone for poor things
When winning her second Best Actress award at the 2024 Oscars, Emma Stone wore a custom mint green, strapless Louis Vuitton column gown made of silk cloqué jacquard by Nicolas Ghesquière. The dress featured a dramatic, wide peplum waist, a seashell-inspired motif, and was accessorized with a 30.47-carat golden Sri Lankan sapphire and diamond necklace.
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2025: mikey madison for anora
At the 2025 Oscars, Mikey Madison wore a custom black and pink Dior Haute Couture gown to accept her Best Actress award, inspired by Christian Dior's 1956 "Bal à Paris" look. She paired the bow-embellished gown with a vintage diamond necklace from Tiffany & Co. and wore her hair in a, up-do with dramatic eyeliner.
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2026: jessie buckley for hamnet
The newest member of the Best Actress club is Jessie Buckley, who won for her heartbreaking role in Hamnet. Buckley wore a custom, two-tone Chanel gown to the ceremony. The look featured a scarlet-red ruched leather bodice with an off-the-shoulder wrap neckline and a contrasting bubblegum pink chiffon full skirt, inspired by Grace Kelly at the 1956 Oscars.
