21 vintage dresses that stole the show on the Oscars red carpet
From Demi Moore’s lilac gown to Jennifer Lawrence’s sheer John Galliano for Givenchy dress, scroll below to explore the best of vintage fashion
With stars often channelling old Hollywood glamour at the Oscars, it’s no surprise that vintage has been a popular choice on the red carpet over the years. In fact, it could be considered a good-luck charm: Julia Roberts won her Oscar for Best Actress in 2001 while wearing a black and white gown from Valentino’s autumn/winter 1992 couture collection; Reese Witherspoon wore a vintage Dior dress dating back to 1957 when she was named Best Actress in 2006; while Penélope Cruz won Best Supporting Actress in 2009, dressed in a 1950s Balmain gown.
More recently, archival looks have become an increasingly regular occurrence, with pulling trophy vintage now seen as the ultimate red carpet flex. In 2020, Margot Robbie wore a ’90s Chanel gown for the main ceremony, while Kim Kardashian sourced Alexander McQueen’s famous ‘Oyster dress’ from spring/summer 2003 for the Vanity Fair after-party. Meanwhile, at the 2024 ceremony, Carey Mulligan sported a recreation of a 1951 Balenciaga gown featuring a dramatic white tulle train.
Below, see 21 of the best vintage dresses at the Oscars to date
Jim Smeal/Getty Images1/21Demi Moore, 1992
In a lilac gown, featuring a delicately embroidered neckline, from the late ’40s or early ’50s.
Jeff Kravitz2/21Winona Ryder, 2000
In a black strapless Pauline Trigère dress from the 1940s.
Terry McGinnis3/21Julia Roberts, 2001
In a black and white gown from Valentino’s autumn/winter 1992 couture collection.
Chris Weeks4/21Renée Zellweger, 2001
In a lemon yellow Jean Dessès gown from the 1950s.
Sebastian Artz5/21Chloë Sevigny, 2002
In a 1970s Holly Harp dress at Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party.
Gregg DeGuire6/21Jennifer Garner, 2004
In a striking one-shouldered gown by Valentino from the 1970s.
Carlo Allegri7/21Beyoncé, 2005
In a vintage Versace gown.
J. Vespa8/21Reese Witherspoon, 2006
In a 1950s Balmain gown.
