The Oscars is Hollywood's biggest night. So, the Academy Awards are when celebrities put on their very best looks. They might have dazzled during the rest of awards season with their fashion, but the Oscars are the grand finale and often when A-listers make their most extravagant style statements. That has left us with many fond memories of exquisite fashion from stars including Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong'o.
Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see all of the best Oscars gowns of all time.
Photos: © Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Gregg DeGuire/WireImage, SGranitz/WireImage
1956
Grace Kelly defined timeless elegance at the 28th Annual Academy Awards in a full skirt and short evening gloves. It was her last Oscars appearance before leaving Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco.
Photo: © Bettmann
1965
My Fair Lady's Audrey Hepburn was the picture of elegance in a white gown and long gloves at the Oscars that year.
Photo: © Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
1969
Barbra Streisand's glittering sheer look at that year's Academy Awards remains a standout thanks to the unconventional style. She won the Best Actress award for Funny Girl in a tie with Katharine Hepburn.
Photo: © Bettmann
1973
No one does the red carpet like Cher! The singer-actress wore a decorative yellow crop top and skirt to the 45th Annual Academy Awards. She attended with Sonny Bono.
Photo: © Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
1986
Cher always knows how to make a style statement! And the singer-actress definitely did at the Academy Awards. She wore a Bob Mackie ensemble complete with an oversized feathered headpiece and harness bra top.Photo: © Bettmann
1988
When Cher won her Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar for Moonstruck, she donned a racy head-turning gown with fringed beading and a billowing stole.
Photo: © John Barr/Liaison
1992
A Few Good Men's Demi Moore embraced the glamour of the Oscars ceremony in a fitted purple dress with lace bodice and long gloves.
Photo: © Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
1992
At the 64th Annual Academy Awards, Audrey Hepburn solidified her status as a style icon in a hot pink gown with draped shoulder.
Photo: © Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
1997
What a star! Canadian icon Céline Dion shone at the 69th Annual Academy Awards with her sparkly ombré dress and shooting star necklace.
Photo: © Ke.Mazur/WireImage
1997
Nicole Kidman, who was joined by then-partner Tom Cruise, brightened up the red carpet at the 69th Annual Academy Awards in a John Galliano for Christian Dior yellow-green gown with floral embroidery.
Photo: © Ke.Mazur/WireImage
1999
Gwyneth Paltrow had an iconic moment in a romantic cotton candy pink gown by Ralph Lauren at the 71st Annual Academy Awards. She took home the Best Actress award for Shakespeare in Love.
Photo: © Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
1999
Who says there's one way to wear something? Céline Dion put her own twist on a white suit by wearing the jacket backwards to the 71st Annual Academy Awards. She accessorized the fashion-forward look with a coordinating fedora and sunglasses.
Photo: © Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
2001
Best Actress winner Julia Roberts proved gorgeous gowns don't date when she wore a vintage Valentino dress from 1982 to the 73rd Annual Academy Awards.Photo: © Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
2001
Renée Zellweger brought plenty of sunshine to the Oscars red carpet in Lily et Cie.Photo: © SGranitz/WireImage
2002
Halle Berry made a memorable impression at the 74th Annual Academy Awards in a dramatic Elie Saab look with floral embroidered bodice and a full draped skirt. She would win Best Actress for Monster's Ball.Photo: © SGranitz/WireImage
2003
What romance! Jennifer Lopez wowed in a one-shouldered mint green Valentino gown with ivory clutch and dangling earrings.Photo: © SGranitz/WireImage
2003
Kate Hudson had a fashion moment in a champagne gold gown by Versace.Photo: © Kevin Winter/Getty Images
2004
Angelina Jolie looked effortlessly chic in a silky Marc Bouwer gown and matching wrap at the 76th Annual Academy Awards.Photo: © Bob Riha Jr/WireImage
2004
What a stunner! At the 76th Annual Academy Awards, Best Actress winner Charlize Theron glimmered in a Gucci gown with strappy open back.
Photo: © Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
2005
Hilary Swank, who won Best Actress for her role in Million Dollar Baby, surprised on the Academy Awards red carpet when she turned around to reveal the plunging open back on what appeared to be a modest Guy Laroche gown from the front.Photo: © Gerard BURKHART/AFP via Getty Images
2005
What an entrance! A brunette Charlize Theron looked ethereal in the palest blue frilled John Galliano for Christian Dior gown at the 2005 Oscars.Photo: © Dan MacMedan/WireImage
2006
Jennifer Aniston demonstrated her mastery of minimalism at the 78th Annual Academy Awards in a black Rochas gown. But she did accessorize with a statement vintage necklace from Bulgari!Photo: © Chris Polk/FilmMagic
2006
Reese Witherspoon looked every inch the Best Actress nominee at the 2006 Academy Awards in a 1955 vintage Christian Dior dress with magnificent embellishment. She did end up taking home the prize thanks to her role in Walk the Line.Photo: © SGranitz/WireImage
2006
Salma Hayek was sensational in a silky blue dress by Versace at the 78th Annual Academy Awards.Photo: © Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
2006
Best Actress nominee Keira Knightley was so regal at the 78th Annual Academy Awards in a maroon taffeta gown by Vera Wang and Bulgari necklace.Photo: © Chris Polk/FilmMagic
2006
Michelle Williams, Best Supporting Actress nominee for Brokeback Mountain, had an iconic fashion moment in a canary yellow Vera Wang dress punctuated with red lipstick.
Photo: © Chris Polk/FilmMagic
2007
Nicole Kidman was all wrapped up in a red gown with trailing neck bow by Balenciaga.
Photo: © Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
2007
Penelope Cruz, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Volver, graced the Oscars red carpet in a blush feathered Versace dress.
Photo: © Jeff Vespa/WireImage
2008
Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard made a splash at the 80th Academy Awards in a mermaid-inspired white gown by Jean Paul Gaultier.
Photo: © Ian West - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
2011
Belle of the ball! Best Supporting Actress nominee Mila Kunis charmed at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards in a lacy lavender dress by Elie Saab Haute Couture.
Photo: © Kevin Mazur/WireImage
2011
Jennifer Lawrence showed how simplicity can make a statement in a minimalist Calvin Klein dress. It was her first Oscars!
Photo: © Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images
2012
Fresh from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Rooney Mara captivated at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in a white Givenchy Couture dress with unique detailing and a striking beauty look.
Photo: © Michael Buckner/Getty Images
2012
Penelope Cruz looked like a princess at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in an elegant muted blue gown by Armani Privé.Photo: © Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
2012
Gwyneth Paltrow oozed elegance in a pristine white column dress and cape by Tom Ford.
Photo: © Dan MacMedan/WireImage
2013
She might have had a slight slip in it when she went to collect her Best Actress award for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook, but Jennifer Lawrence's full-skirted Christian Dior dress was oh-so-dreamy.Photo: © Jason Merritt/Getty Images
2014
Best Actress winner Lupita Nyong'o took everyone's breath away in a flowing Prada dress crafted in "Nairobi blue" fabric.
Photo: © Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
2014
Cate Blanchett looked like a goddess the year she won Best Actress for Blue Jasmine in an illusion Armani Privé gown detailed with embellishment.Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage
2014
Viola Davis was gorgeous in green at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.
Photo: © Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
2014
All that glitters! Angelina Jolie stepped out to the 2014 Oscars in a shimmering Elie Saab Couture dress with illusion details.
Photo: © Kevin Mazur/WireImage
2014
Charlize Theron struck a fierce pose in a statement-making black gown with illusion neckline from Dior with a Harry Winston 31-karat diamond pendant.
Photo: © Kevin Mazur/WireImage
2015
Jennifer Lopez had a romantic turn at the 87th Annual Academy Awards in a neutral Elie Saab ballgown with cascade of sparkle.
Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage
2015
An expectant Keira Knightley made a joyful statement in a full tulle Valentino Couture gown decorated with floral embroidery and phrases written in cursive.
Photo: © Kevin Mazur/WireImage
2016
At the 88th Annual Academy Awards, Best Actress nominee Cate Blanchett was equal parts whimsy and elegant in a mint green Armani Privé gown with floral appliqués.
Photo: © Dan MacMedan/WireImage
2016
Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander made everyone smile with her custom yellow Louis Vuitton dress with balloon hem and swipes of embellishment.
Photo: © Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
2016
Best Original Song nominee Lady Gaga merged trousers and a dress in a pleated Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit.
Photo: © Dan MacMedan/WireImage
2017
Singer-actress Janelle Monáe arrived in style at the 89th Annual Academy Awards in a dramatic Elie Saab Haute Couture gown that looked straight out a fairy tale.
Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage
2019
Supermodel Ashley Graham slayed at the 2019 Oscars in a black Zac Posen gown that was cut to highlight her every curve.
Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage
2019
Crazy Rich Asians actress Michelle Yeoh turned heads in a full embroidered dress by Elie Saab at the 91st Annual Academy Awards.Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage
2019
At the 91st Annual Academy Awards, Octavia Spencer shimmered in a full gown with off-the-shoulder neckline by Christian Siriano.
Photo: © Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
2019
There was no missing Gemma Chan in her voluminous electric pink dress by Valentino. The gown even had pockets!
Photo: © Steve Granitz/WireImage
