An Official List Of The Nippliest Moments In Oscars History

In Hollywood, no awards show is more prestigious than the Oscars. The red carpet features the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry and, as a result, the dress code veers more conservative. Even attendees who typically embrace more daring looks will tone it down for the Academy Awards, prioritising elegant ensembles that translate well to primetime live TV.

All that said, there are some outliers. Since the ’90s, a select few daring dressers have pushed the boundaries of Oscars fashion. Unlike the Grammys, for example, where celebs free the nipple with abandon, at the Oscars, they definitely tone it down.

Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow, for example, both wore see-through garments in the early aughts. However, they went the high-fashion route, with voluminous skirts and subtly sheer tops. Zoë Kravitz, is another stylish example; In 2019, she wore nothing but a chainmail bra to the Oscars after-party.

This year’s award show, however, proved to be the nippliest leg of them all. Florence Pugh, queen of freeing the nipple, leaned into the sheer style at the Vanity Fair after-party and was joined by a host of other celebs (photos here). Let’s take a trip down memory to see how the brightest style heroes throughout history made freeing the nipple utterly Oscar-worthy.

Claire Danes’ Minimalist Co-Ords

Back in the ’90s, too few stars were taking risks on the Oscars red carpet. Danes, however, paved the way. To attend the 1997 Academy Awards, the actor discarded her bra and wore a fitted baby tee with a silken maxi skirt. It was minimalism at its finest.

Jennifer Lopez’s Two-Tone Glam

At the 2001 Academy Awards, Lopez donned this two-toned concoction from Chanel Haute Couture. The decadent number featured a gray chiffon bodice with an asymmetrical shoulder detail, while the billowing skirt was champagne-tinted. It was undeniably elegant.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s Romantic Rocker Vibes

The dress Paltrow wore to the 2002 Oscars would become infamous for its bare qualities. Regardless of critics’ negative reactions (and Paltrow saying she “should’ve worn a bra” in hindsight), I can confidently say: the actor utterly slayed.

The punky look featured a mesh tank and a billowing skirt — and it was decidedly ahead of its time. Kendall Jenner all but recreated the look at the 2022 Met Gala two decades later.

Cameron Diaz’s Exposed Thong LBD

Two decades before the exposed thong look would become ubiquitous, Cameron Diaz was ahead of the trend. She took the undies-forward look for a spin at the 2000 Vanity Fair after-party in a lacy LBD with a deep, deep neckline. It also happened to be completely sheer.

Zoë Kravitz’s Gilded Bra

At the 2019 Oscars after-party, Zoë Kravitz wore a black maxi skirt from Saint Laurent with a ’90s minimalist aesthetic. She paired it with something less low-key and a whole lot more daring: an itty-bitty halter bra.

The item in question was made out of 18-karat gold from the Tiffany & Co.’s Elsa Peretti collection — and is worth $24k.

Emily Ratajkowski’s Silver Number

Queen of see-through ensembles Emily Ratajkowski wore yet another diaphanous design at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar party. Save for two strategic seam placements that covered her nipples only, the metallic silver gown was utterly translucent, baring her taupe undies, too. I’ve included it on this list as an honorary mention, for obvious reasons.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Nipple Gems

At the 2023 Vanity Fair party, Sabrina Carpenter wore a sheer dress that featured embellished nipple covers in the shape of flowers. Instead of freeing her own, she covered them in glimmering crystals. The effect was surprisingly elegant and reminiscent of an ancient Greek goddess.

Florence Pugh’s Delicate Peplum

Florence Pugh is the reigning queen of freeing the nipple. From fashion week to the Golden Globes red carpet, the Oppenheimer star is practically the face of the movement. Most recently, she took her nip-forward aesthetic to the 2024 Oscars after-party in a sheer peplum ensemble that was utterly decadent.

Anitta’s Glistening Gown

Like Pugh, Anitta also bared breasts in a shimmery gunmetal gown that was practically transparent. She rocked the ubiquitous exposed undies trend with her strappy thong completely visible. Her dress is the glamorous combination of all 2024’s biggest trends.

Victoria Monét’s Florals

Also at the 2024 after-party, singer Victoria Monét joined the night’s nip-forward ranks. Her choice of black gown came equipped with a bustier that was sheer and sculptural. The translucent texture was balanced out by an opaque skirt, which featured a gilded floral print — a luxe touch.