We’re patiently awaiting the impending glitz and glamour of Sunday’s Golden Globes broadcast. Although it’s definitely going to look different than previous years thanks to the pandemic. We decided there’s no better time to look back at the best looks to ever grace the show’s red carpet. From Marilyn Monroe’s sparkly gown in the early…
40 best golden globes gowns of all time
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Marilyn Monroe, 1962
The blond bombshell turned heads back then (and probably would today) in a flashy Norman Norell sequin gown.
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Joan Collins, 1983
Jumping ahead a couple decades, Joan made an impression in an emerald gown and matching jewels. Everything in the 80s was over-the-top, so it’s a bit surprising how timeless this look is.
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Kate Moss, 1997
Kate kept it rather conservative when she accompanied her then beau Johnny Depp to the ceremony in the late 90s. Her high collar black dress still delivered a wow factor thanks to all those sequins.
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Minnie Driver, 1998
Minnie dazzled in a figure-flattering Givenchy strapless gown the following year. The train really makes the dress.
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Halle Berry, 2000
Halle accepted her Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV award decked out in a gorgeous red and white embroidered Valentino gown.
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Hilary Swank, 2000
What do you wear to an awards show when you’re nominated for playing a transgender youth? A siren-worthy embellished Versace semi-sheer gown, of course.
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Sarah Jessica Parker, 2000
Sarah stepped out in a Carrie-worthy nude Richard Tyler creation.
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Kate Hudson, 2002
Kate made her presence felt in this revealing Atelier Versace embellished gown.
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Salma Hayek, 2003
Salma cut a pretty seductive silhouette in a maroon Narciso Rodriguez gown.
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Charlize Theron, 2004
Even back in 2004, Charlize was working Christian Dior like no other. This yellow gown with strategic ruffles looked great onstage as she collected her Best Actress honor.
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Jennifer Aniston, 2004
Sure, she’s wearing her trademark shade, but the vintage nature of this Valentino gown (and its risqué neckline) ensured its red carpet legacy.
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Cate Blanchett, 2005
While Jean Paul Gaultier can do avant-garde, he can also craft a truly ethereal piece like the pastel draped gown Cate wore this year. Those floral accents were just icing on the cake.
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Hilary Swank, 2005
It was the unique copper color of Hilary’s Calvin Klein creation that made an impact here.
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Scarlett Johansson, 2006
Scarlett was a true femme fatale in this red hot Valentino gown.
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Sandra Oh, 2006
Sandra’s neutral Collette Dinnigan gown showcased subtle embellishments up front and a fantastic billowy back.
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Sienna Miller, 2007
Embracing her boho tendencies, Sienna charmed outfitted in a cream Marchesa enriched with beading on the bodice. A braided hairstyle wrapped up the look.
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Reese Witherspoon, 2007
A nominee in 2015, Reese made waves back in 2007 when she shortened things up on the red carpet. The actress showcased the hemline on her bright yellow Nina Ricci strapless dress by selecting a pair of snazzy red sandals.
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Jennifer Lopez, 2009
While she’ll forever be associated with that epic Versace gown at the Grammys earlier in the decade, Jennifer did her best to outshine herself in this marvelously metallic Marchesa gown. She upped the ante even further with ornate Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
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Olivia Wilde, 2009
The very definition of a princess moment, Olivia stole the spotlight in a lavender Reem Acra strapless gown with belted ruffled skirt.
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Eva Mendes, 2009
Eva’s crisp white Christian Dior strapless gown featured a dynamic waist accent, but it was the star’s Van Cleef & Arpels turquoise necklace that really elevated this look.
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Beyoncé, 2009
Since Beyoncé’s embroidered Elie Saab strapless gown wasn’t sparkly enough, the singer opted to increase the bling factor with a show-stopping Lorraine Schwartz diamond necklace.
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Drew Barrymore, 2010
Drew went nude on the red carpet in the most elegant way possible. Her Atelier Versace gown offered a 3-D effect thanks to the embellished sculpted details on the shoulder and at the hip.
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Emma Stone, 2011
Keeping it sleek and simple, Emma rocked a peachy Calvin Klein Collection gown in a lesson in minimalism.
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Anne Hathaway, 2011
Golden goddess or throwback 70s disco queen? We think Anne falls in the former category with this Armani Privé gown.
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Angelina Jolie, 2011
Angelina and Atelier Versace are a winning combination. Case in point, this green embellished gown.
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Olivia Wilde, 2011
Olivia’s embellished strapless Marchesa ballgown was noteworthy due to its unconventional chocolate brown hue.
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Natalie Portman, 2012
Pink and red may seem like a bad match on paper, but Natalie’s strapless Lanvin gown proved otherwise.
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Octavia Spencer, 2012
Octavia’s lush lavender chiffon creation came courtesy of her favorite designer, Tadashi Shoji.
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Evan Rachel Wood, 2012
Evan was hard to miss in this elaborate peacock-inspired halter gown by Gucci Première.
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Charlize Theron, 2012
Despite relying on Dior once again, Charlize still impressed in a soft pink couture creation with a statement bow and thigh-high slit. Cartier gems and Givenchy sandals polished off the look.
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Freida Pinto, 2012
Prada’s peacock blue silk cloqué strapless dress with satin belt was Freida’s pick for 2012. Her Chopard yellow diamond bib necklace was a stellar addition to the look.
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Emma Stone, 2012
Emma’s rich Lanvin gown was amped up by that eagle belt and perhaps the most dramatic smoky eye we’ve ever seen.
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Angelina Jolie, 2012
Remember what we said about Angelina and Atelier Versace? That red fold-over accent placed this one in a league all its own.
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Tilda Swinton, 2012
More proof that Tilda can hang with the best of them on the red carpet, the actress sported a blue Haider Ackermann ensemble to much acclaim in 2012. Fred Leighton jewels added even more pizazz.
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Jessica Alba, 2013
Jessica was all about structure in this colorful Oscar de la Renta strapless gown. That furry Roger Vivier clutch works surprisingly well here.
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Michelle Dockery, 2013
Michelle garnered headlines in 2013 with an Alexandre Vauthier gown topped off by a golden embroidered bodice.
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Claire Danes, 2013
Showing off her svelte post-baby body, the Homeland actress turned up the heat in a red Atelier Versace halter gown.
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Amy Adams, 2013
Amy resurrected Old Hollywood glamour in a mermaid Marchesa gown.
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Lucy Liu, 2013
Lucy brought a fresh vibe to the 2013 ceremony with this floral Carolina Herrera gown.
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Taylor Swift, 2013
Taylor took a sophisticated turn in this plum Donna Karan Atelier work of art. The fishtail hem and train practically glided down the red carpet.
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Kerry Washington, 2013
Kerry’s semi-sheer nude Miu Miu dress was emblazoned with rhinestones in all the right places.
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Kate Hudson, 2013
It was the embellished collar and waistline on Kate’s black Alexander McQueen long sleeve gown that really popped. Oh, and that front-and-center keyhole detail probably drew some stares, too.
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Emily Blunt, 2013
Emily put cut-outs back on the map in this golden embroidered Michael Kors gown. Those colorful earrings lifted this look into another dimension.
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Lupita Nyong'o, 2014
Lupita’s caped Ralph Lauren off-the-shoulder gown was eye-catching without a hint of try-hard.
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Cate Blanchett, 2014
There was an almost goth feeling to Cate’s lacy black Armani Privé Fall 2013 Couture gown with open back. She increased the glam factor with Chopard diamond earrings.
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Emma Stone, 2015
Emma ruled the red carpet in this dazzling Lanvin jumpsuit featuring a flashy strapless bodice and a train. Smartly keeping the focus on the amazing one-piece, the actress simply added in black pumps.
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Felicity Jones, 2015
Felicity delivered one of the top looks of the night decked out in Christian Dior Couture. Its teal shade really made an impression and was expertly teamed with Van Cleef & Arpels earrings.
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Julianne Moore, 2015
Julianne’s custom Givenchy Couture gown was a real head-turner thanks to its feathered hem. Chopard earrings perfectly polished off the look.
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Lupita Nyong'o, 2015
After wowing in Ralph Lauren Collection in 2014, Lupita followed things up with a statement-making Giambattista Valli Fall 2014 Couture gown. Chopard gems completed the lovely look.
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Taylor Schilling, 2015
It was a fiery Ralph Lauren Collection halter gown with keyhole detail and full skirt for Taylor. The only way to complement this look was by working in a scarlet Salvatore Ferragamo clutch.
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Dakota Johnson, 2015
We were still getting to know Dakota’s red carpet style, but she got in our good graces pretty quickly with this silver strapless Chanel Fall 2014 Couture gown. Its thigh-high slit allowed her Jimmy Choo Minny sandals to shine.
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Jennifer Lopez, 2016
While she was covered up up top thanks to that coordinating capelet, Jennifer still managed to flaunt some skin by working the extended side slit on her canary yellow Giambattista Valli Couture gown, perfectly putting her sparkling Jimmy Choos on display. A glitzy clutch and stellar Harry Winston jewelry really increased the bling factor.
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Amber Heard, 2016
Amber’s dusty rose Gucci chiffon creation included a standout floral embroidered neckline. We simply adore how her dark red lip complemented the flowers on her gown.
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Zendaya Coleman, 2016
Zendaya took a tiered approach to the red carpet in an embroidered burgundy Marchesa. The sartorial risk-taker didn’t skimp on the accessories, either, working in a pair of eye-catching dangling earrings, a gigantic statement ring that seamlessly tied into her gown and an embellished black mini clutch.
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Kate Bosworth, 2016
The award for the most ornate dress of 2016 (that’s right, the whole year) goes to Kate and this dazzling pink paillette-covered Dolce & Gabbana strapless gown. Equally extravagant earrings polished off the blinding look.
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Olivia Palermo, 2016
Olivia definitely likes to stand out by blazing her own trail. Case in point: The fashion maven sported a multicolored Delpozo dress boasting a shorter hemline to the ceremony accented by a golden leaf necklace and tricolor ankle-strap sandals.
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Jenna Dewan Tatum, 2016
It was a heavily embellished Zuhair Murad plunging midnight blue gown for Jenna at the 2016 edition of the awards. Silver Stuart Weitzman Nudist platform sandals capped off the scene-stealing look.
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Diane Kruger, 2018
Diane Kruger’s semi-sheer Prada gown was amped up by a semi-sheer cape. Her silver clutch complemented the piece beautifully.
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Lady Gaga, 2019
From the puffy sleeves to that extended train, Lady Gaga’s grand Valentino haute couture gown won the night. She even earned extra credit by dyeing her hair to match.
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Joey King, 2020
Joey King hit the red carpet in an instantly recognizable Iris van Herpen haute couture creation. Delicate Harry Winston jewelry and flashy footwear polished off the look.
Image: Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
