What 79 best actress winners wore to accept their Oscars

• The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026.
• This year's best actress nominees are Jessie Buckley, Emma Stone, Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, and Renate Reinsve.
• We went back to 1930 to see how red-carpet fashion has changed over the decades.

Besides being a night to recognize talent both in front of and behind the camera, the Oscars are also a night for fashion.

The style of the nominees in the best actress category is perhaps the most scrutinized, analyzed, and remembered by the general public — it's their coronation moment as the reigning queens of Hollywood.

We went all the way back to 1930 to see what (almost) every best actress winner has worn on their big night, from Ginger Rogers to Faye Dunaway to Julia Roberts to Mikey Madison.

Kirsten Acuna contributed to a prior version of this article.

1930: Mary Pickford

Pickford wore a bedazzled dress, a large diamond bangle, and a few strings of pearls when she won for "Coquette."

There were actually two Academy Awards in 1930; one in April and then another in November.

1930: Norma Shearer

Shearer wore a jacket with fur-lined sleeves over her dress when she won the Oscar for her role in "The Divorce."

She finished her outfit with red lipstick, wavy hair, and several pieces of dainty jewelry.

1931: Marie Dressler

Dressler received the Oscar for her part in "Min and Bill." She wore a dark shift dress and a long necklace.

1932: Helen Hayes

Hayes wore a classic black dress paired with a pearl necklace and gloves to win best actress for her performance in "The Sin of Madelon Claudet."

1935: Claudette Colbert

Colbert won best actress for "It Happened One Night." She wore a gray suit with a large flower pinned to the lapel and a black hat.

1936: Bette Davis

Davis wore a patterned ensemble when she took home the award for best actress for her work in "Dangerous."

She was so convinced that she wouldn't win the Oscar that she wore "an old costume" to the ceremony, Harper's Bazaar reported.

1937: Luise Rainer

Rainer wore an elegant white coat and styled her hair in an updo to win the Oscar for her portrayal of Anna Held in "The Great Ziegfeld."

1938: Luise Rainer

Yes, Rainer won back-to-back Academy Awards. Her second win came for her performance as O-Lan in "The Good Earth." For her second win, she wore a high-necked gown with bell sleeves.

1939: Bette Davis

Bette Davis won her second best actress Oscar for her role in "Jezebel." She wore a black gown with a cloud-like collar embellishment.

1940: Vivien Leigh

Leigh wore a patterned dress while accepting the Oscar for playing Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind." She completed her outfit with a single pendant, dark lipstick, curled hair, and tons of mascara.

1941: Ginger Rogers

Rogers accepted the Oscar at the 13th annual Academy Awards for "Kitty Foyle" in a brown dress with lace details.

In 1921, attendees were advised to wear "muted tones" because of the ongoing war, The Telegraph reported.

1942: Joan Fontaine

Fontaine won best actress for "Suspicion." She wore a lacy black dress, which she paired with a matching hat and several pearl necklaces.

1944: Jennifer Jones

Jones (second from left) won her Oscar for "The Song of Bernadette." She wore a unique dark gown with white, puffy sleeves and a flower embellishment at the collar.

1945: Ingrid Bergman

Bergman wore a dark skirt and blouse when she won the Oscar for her role in "Gaslight." The star finished her outfit by sweeping her hair away from her face.

1947: Olivia de Havilland

De Havilland took home the gold for her role in "To Each His Own."

The actor wore a strapless floral gown, complemented by large curls and a pearl necklace.

1948: Loretta Young

Young wore a green satin gown with matching gloves to accept the award for "The Farmer's Daughter." Her tiered dress had plenty of ruffles.

1949: Jane Wyman

Wyman kissed her best actress Oscar for her role in "Johnny Belinda." She wore a white gown with an embellished collar.

1950: Olivia de Havilland

De Havilland (second from left) embodied '50s style when she accepted the Oscar for her role in "The Heiress." The actor paired her flower-embellished gown with matching gloves.

1953: Shirley Booth

Booth won best actress at the 25th Academy Awards for her performance in "Come Back, Little Sheba" in a patterned, long-sleeve dress with matching gloves.

This ceremony was held simultaneously in Hollywood and New York City, and was also the first to be televised.

1954: Audrey Hepburn

Hepburn wore a belted Givenchy dress as she accepted the award for her performance in "Roman Holiday." She finished the look with classic eyeliner and lipstick.

1955: Grace Kelly

Kelly accepted the award for her role in "The Country Girl." The future princess of Monaco topped off her pale-green ensemble with elbow-length gloves, dainty earrings, and an updo.

1958: Joanne Woodward

Woodward, Oscar winner and wife of Paul Newman, accepted her award for "The Three Faces of Eve" in a strapless gown embellished with sewn-on flowers. She kept her hair and makeup simple, allowing her outfit to stand out.

1959: Susan Hayward

Hayward wore a black dress to take home the Oscar for "I Want to Live!" She also sported a voluminous blowout, white gloves, and red lipstick.

1960: Simone Signoret

Signoret won the Oscar for "Room at the Top," wearing an off-the-shoulder black dress.

1961: Elizabeth Taylor

Taylor went floral in a Christian Dior gown to accept her award for "Butterfield 8." Her high-volume hair and white gloves added some serious glamour to her outfit.

1965: Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews hugged her Oscar for "Mary Poppins" in a pale-yellow gown. The "My Fair Lady" actor topped off her simple dress with a statement necklace and gloves.

1966: Julie Christie

Christie wore a shiny gold dress to match the Oscar she won for "Darling." She finished her outfit with a feathery blowout.

1969: Barbara Streisand

Streisand didn't realize her Arnold Scaasi pantsuit was see-through under the lights as she accepted the Academy Award for "Funny Girl." She finished her sequined pantsuit with a sleek bob and lots of eyeliner.

This year featured a rare tie: Streisand shared her award with Katharine Hepburn for "The Lion in Winter," but Hepburn famously attended the Academy Awards only once, to present.

1972: Jane Fonda

Fonda accepted the Oscar for "Klute" in a black Yves Saint Laurent suit. She parted her sleek, shoulder-length hair to the side to complete her mod ensemble.

1973: Liza Minnelli

Minnelli shone in a bright-yellow Halston dress to accept the award for her role in "Cabaret." She paired her outfit with a colorful choker and a matching bracelet.

1976: Louise Fletcher

Jack Nicholson and Fletcher posed together after their Oscar wins for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Fletcher wore a delicate Champagne-colored gown by Alfred Fiandaca.

1977: Faye Dunaway

Dunaway wore a black Geoffrey Beene dress with a rope belt to accept her award for "Network." She finished her dark outfit with several pieces of gold jewelry.

1978: Diane Keaton

Keaton accepted the award for "Annie Hall" in a unique Ruth Morley suit. She went for a muted color palette with her layered outfit.

1979: Jane Fonda

Fonda wore a gorgeous James Reva gown to accept her trophy for "Coming Home." The two-time winner embraced the trends of the '70s in a flowy floral dress.

1980: Sally Field

Field embodied spring in a white Bob Mackie dress with sheer floral cover as she accepted the award for "Norma Rae." She added to the look with lots of eyeliner and teased, voluminous hair.

1981: Sissy Spacek

Spacek took the award for "Coal Miner's Daughter" in a black jumpsuit and kept the rest of her look simple.

1983: Meryl Streep

Streep won the Oscar for "Sophie's Choice" in a gold Christian Leigh dress while she was pregnant with her second daughter, Mamie (familiar to fans of "We Were Liars"). She finished her outfit with a pink-brown shade of lipstick and curled hair.

1984: Shirley MacLaine

MacLaine wore a Fabrice pale-pink suit when she won for "Terms of Endearment." The suit was embellished with an intricate embroidered pattern.

1985: Sally Field

Field cried out her famous, "You like me! You really like me!" in a strapless black dress as she won for "Places in the Heart," her second win in five years. She finished off her outfit with a necklace that looked like a bow.

1986: Geraldine Page

Page, who won the Oscar for her work in "The Trip to Bountiful," layered a deep-purple velvet cape over her dress. She completed her outfit with chandelier earrings and a warm shade of lipstick.

1987: Marlee Matlin

Matlin paired her pink dress with a floral headpiece when she won for her role in "Children of a Lesser God." She paired her mixed-material gown with peachy lipstick.

1988: Cher

Cher famously wore a sheer Bob Mackie ensemble to accept the award for "Moonstruck." From her headdress to her sandals, the star sparkled.

1989: Jodie Foster

Foster wore a light-blue gown when she took home the Oscar for her role in "The Accused." She kept her hair and makeup simple, letting the ruched gown speak for itself.

1990: Jessica Tandy

Tandy sparkled in a two-piece getup by Giorgio Armani as she accepted the award for her performance in "Driving Miss Daisy." She finished her outfit with a pair of statement earrings.

1991: Kathy Bates

Bates wore a black gown with shoulder pads to accept her award for "Misery." Her earrings matched the glitzy details on her dress.

1992: Jodie Foster

Foster took home the gold statue again for her role in "The Silence of the Lambs." This time, she opted for a cream Armani jacket and paisley crystal-encrusted trousers, and went old school with matching gloves. Foster also wore a red pin on her lapel for HIV/AIDS awareness.

1993: Emma Thompson

Thompson wore an emerald Caroline Charles jumpsuit when she won for "Howards End." She completed her look with red lipstick and curled ringlets.

1994: Holly Hunter

Hunter wore a black and gray Vera Wang dress with a hint of sparkle when she won for "The Piano." She matched her earrings and bracelet to the glimmering details on her dress.

1995: Jessica Lange

Lange wore Calvin Klein when she won the award for "Blue Sky." She added a touch of color to her dark, mesh-paneled gown with her bright lipstick.

1996: Susan Sarandon

Sarandon wore a bronze Dolce & Gabbana gown when she was recognized for "Dead Man Walking." She finished off her outfit with tousled hair.

1997: Frances McDormand

McDormand wore a simple blue dress when she won for "Fargo." She kept her accessories minimal, opting for just one ring and a pair of earrings, a style she still goes by to this day.

1998: Helen Hunt

Hunt stunned in a strapless blue dress by Tom Ford for Gucci when she won for "As Good as It Gets." She finished off her outfit with a matching wrap, frosty makeup, and a diamond bracelet.

1999: Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow wore a baby-pink Ralph Lauren princess gown when she took home the Academy Award for "Shakespeare in Love," one of the most iconic Oscar looks of all time. She topped off her dress with a sheer, tulle wrap, a statement necklace, bright-pink lipstick, and a touch of blush.

2000: Hilary Swank

Swank wore a strapless green Randolph Duke dress when she accepted the award for "Boys Don't Cry." She glammed up her dress with a dazzling statement necklace.

2001: Julia Roberts

Roberts wore a black Valentino gown with white accents when she won for "Erin Brockovich."

2002: Halle Berry

Berry wore one of the most memorable Oscars dresses when she accepted her award for "Monster's Ball" in a floor-sweeping Elie Saab gown. Her dress had a mesh, floral-embroidered top and a contrasting satin skirt.

2003: Nicole Kidman

Kidman accepted her Oscar for "The Hours" in a black Jean Paul Gaultier dress that had an unexpected, edgy neckline.

2004: Charlize Theron

Theron rocked a glittering Gucci dress when she won for "Monster." The actor looked very old Hollywood with her hair styled in glamorous waves.

February 2005: Hilary Swank

Swank accepted her Oscar for "Million Dollar Baby" in a fully backless Guy Laroche dress. She completed the look with shimmering makeup and a sleek hairdo.

2006: Reese Witherspoon

Witherspoon looked radiant in a Christian Dior gown when she won for her performance in "Walk the Line." She completed her outfit with a smoky eye, a simple hairdo, and earrings that matched her dress.

2007: Helen Mirren

Mirren wore a Christian Lacroix gown when she accepted the Oscar for "The Queen." It looks like she layered a patterned tulle skirt over her lacy, embellished gown.

2008: Marion Cotillard

Cotillard took home the Oscar for "La Vie En Rose." The actor looked glamorous, with sleek curls and a mermaid-inspired dress by Jean Paul Gaultier.

2009: Kate Winslet

Winslet took home the Oscar for "The Reader" in a one-shouldered, blue-gray Yves Saint Laurent gown. Winslet complemented her two-toned dress with a smoky eye.

2010: Sandra Bullock

Bullock wore a silver Marchesa dress as she accepted the award for her role in "The Blindside." The actor brought some color to her look with bright-pink lipstick.

2011: Natalie Portman

Portman wore an off-the-shoulder Rodarte dress while accepting the award for "Black Swan." Portman's shoes and earrings perfectly matched her dress. Fun fact: She was four months pregnant at the time!

2012: Meryl Streep

Streep matched her Oscar for "The Iron Lady" in a gold Lanvin dress. From her accessories to her makeup, she appeared to be dripping in gold.

2013: Jennifer Lawrence

Lawrence, who won for "Silver Linings Playbook," may have tripped on her way to the stage, but she still looked flawless in this white Christian Dior gown.

2014: Cate Blanchett

Blanchett wore an embellished Armani Privé gown when she took home the award for "Blue Jasmine." She completed her look with delicate curls and large sunburst earrings.

2015: Julianne Moore

Moore wore a strapless Chanel gown when she accepted the award for "Still Alice." The custom, detailed gown took over 900 hours to make, according to People.

2016: Brie Larson

Larson accepted the Oscar for "Room" in a belted, royal-blue Gucci dress. The intricate gown was in the works for two months, per ABC.

2017: Emma Stone

Stone wore a vintage-inspired gown when she won the award for her performance in "La La Land." She finished her golden-toned dress with big waves and classic red lipstick.

2018: Frances McDormand

McDormand won the award for her role in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," wearing a black dress with a gold pattern. During her acceptance speech, McDormand asked every female nominee in the audience to stand and discussed the importance of inclusion riders.

2019: Olivia Colman

Colman wore an emerald-green Prada gown that took months to create as she accepted the award for "The Favourite." Colman's gown was draped with a silk organza cape, tied into a giant bow at the back, and covered in Swarovski crystal flowers.

2020: Renée Zellweger

Zellweger won her second Oscar — her first best actress Oscar, for "Judy" — in a custom white Armani Privé gown.

Though tough to see, according to Entertainment Tonight, the gown was covered in beads with pale pink and blue thread.

2021: Frances McDormand

McDormand wore a navy-blue gown with a feathered bottom and feathered sleeves to win her third acting Oscar for "Nomadland."

With her win, McDormand tied Meryl Streep and Ingrid Bergman with the most Oscar wins for acting. Katharine Hepburn holds the record with four best actress statues.

2022: Jessica Chastain

Chastain dazzled in a sparkly ombré Gucci gown that transitioned from rose gold to lavender as she accepted her first Academy Award for "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."

2023: Michelle Yeoh

Feathers accented the angelic Dior Couture gown. The "Everything Everywhere All At Once" star paired the look with a Moussaieff diamond headband and earrings, along with a Richard Mille watch.

2024: Emma Stone

Stone accepted her second best actress Oscar (this one for "Poor Things") in a mint-green peplum gown designed by Louis Vuitton, but she made sure to point out during her speech that the zipper had broken at some point during the ceremony.

She blamed Ryan Gosling's spirited performance of "I'm Just Ken."

2025: Mikey Madison

Madison, who won for "Anora," went for an Old Hollywood look at the 2025 Oscars, wearing a two-toned pink and black satin dress with a bow. It was designed by Dior.

Read the original article on Business Insider