Oscars Red Carpet Fashion Trends, Year by Year

The then-Grey’s Anatomy star joined Anne Hathaway in representing the red gown trend at the Oscars. The draped one-shoulder stunner was designed by Escada, and gives off an Old Hollywood vixen vibe with Heigl’s curled hair and crimson lipstick.

Heidi Klum went for full-blown couture in a fire engine red Dior gown with a partial train and voluminous collar. We don’t know many people who could work a statement gown like this, but Klum completely pulled it off.

2009 must have been a fairytale year, because the celebrities showing up on the Oscars red carpet channeled their inner royalty and brought out their best pastel princess gowns. Penelope Cruz stunned in ivory Vintage Balmain when she won Best Supporting Actress.

Looking typically radiant and on-trend, Sarah Jessica Parker attended the Oscars in a wispy Dior couture gown. The dreamy gown’s embellished, belted corset top flowed into a voluminous ball gown skirt.

Ethereal is one way to describe Taraji P. Henson’s gown for the 2009 Oscars, as the gown appeared to be fit for a fairtyale. The actress’s delicately layered Roberto Cavalli gown was pastel perfection with a substantial train.

Cameron Diaz loves to take fashion risks on the red carpet, and it certainly paid off at the 2010 Oscars when she wore this gorgeous gilver (read: gold and silver) Oscar de la Renta. Metallics ruled the Oscars red carpet in 2010, and Cameron’s dress was one of the best.

Sandra Bullock’s showstopping Marchesa gown almost made as many headlines as her win for Best Actress. The gown’s sheer bodice with floral embroidery cascaded into a dazzling silver train.

The star wore an on-trend metallic Yves Saint Laurent gown to the 2010 Oscar, with a fitted bodice and slim draped skirt.

If there’s one trend that always comes back the the red carpet after a hiatus, it’s the red dress. 2011’s red oscar gowns were especially vibrant with close attention to cut and fit. Sandra Bullock’s sweetheart neckline Vera Wang was an architectural masterpiece of a gown.

Jennifer Lawrence had only just broken into mainstream Hollywood, and her sleek red Calvin Klein gown looked fresh and unfussy at the 2011 Oscars.

Anne Hathaway’s close relationship with Valentino — as well as with then-stylist Rachel Zoe — lead to the use of this beautiful red gown for the 2011 Oscars, plucked straight from the designer’s archives.

When you’re hoping to win a little gold statuette at the Oscars, incorporating the shade into your ensemble may just add a bit of extra luck. Golden gowns like Jessica Chastain’s embroidered Alexander McQueen number took over the red carpet in 2012, making for an especially glitzy awards night.

Meryl Streep could have been easily confused for the Oscar statue behind her in her draped gold Lanvin gown. Her gown wasn’t the only thing glowing that night; the actress’s win for Best Actress kept a smile on her face throughout the night.

No one was looking at George Clooney when date Stacy Keibler showed up to the 2012 Oscars in an on-trend draped golden Marchesa gown.

Hollywood’s celebrities went to sleek white gowns at the 2013 Oscars, nary a fluffy train in sight. With the color kept in neutral, the focus was placed on the subtle details of each gown. Queen Latifah’s white Badgley Mischka was accented with a single white ruffle at the side of her skirt.

Zoe Saldana went for a design by newcomer Alexis Mabille at the 2013 Academy Awards. The white gown was accented by floral embellishment at the neckline and cascaded into a rippling skirt with grey and black layers.

Charlize Theron’s white Dior was streamlined perfection, from the sharp sweetheart neckline to the beaded peplum and slight train.