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See the Sexiest and Most Daring Oscars Dresses of All Time

Hollywood's A-listers always bring the heat to the Academy Awards.

While winning a gold statue is the main goal at the Oscars, stars are also set on slaying the red carpet. Although some have played it safe, other celebs show up to the Oscars in the sexiest, most skin-baring dresses, suits and gowns the fashion world has to offer.

For starters, Angelina Jolie commanded attention in her black strapless Atelier Versace gown at the 2012 show. The strapless getup was the talk of the night, and to add even more drama to the ensemble, she wore a bright red lip and stilettos.

Then in 2026,Zoe Saldaña gave fans a glimpse of her figure in a fitted black Saint Laurent dress finished with a see-through lace bodice.

Without further ado, look through the all-time sexiest Oscars red carpet fashion moments from years past:



 AP/Shutterstock
AP/Shutterstock Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock


Farrah Fawcett, 1978



In a Stephen Burrows slink gold chain-mail dress.





 Dave Lewis/Shutterstock
Dave Lewis/Shutterstock Dave Lewis/Shutterstock Dave Lewis/Shutterstock


Cindy Crawford, 1991



In a plunging scarlet-colored Versace gown.





 Startraks
Startraks STARTRAKSPHOTO.COM STARTRAKSPHOTO.COM


Elizabeth Hurley, 1995



In a crystal-embellished ivory Versace pin dress.





 Peter Brooker/Shutterstock
Peter Brooker/Shutterstock Peter Brooker/Shutterstock Peter Brooker/Shutterstock


Halle Berry, 2002



In the iconic semi-sheer floral Elie Saab gown.





 Shelly Patch/Startraks
Shelly Patch/Startraks Shelly Patch Shelly Patch/Startraksphoto.com


Hillary Swank, 2005



In a plunging back, navy Guy Laroche gown.





 Broadimage/Shutterstock
Broadimage/Shutterstock Broadimage/Shutterstock Broadimage/Shutterstock


Penelope Cruz, 2011



In a red sequin detailed, L'Wren Scott dress.





 Broadimage/Shutterstock
Broadimage/Shutterstock Broadimage/Shutterstock Broadimage/Shutterstock


Jennifer Lopez, 2012



In a semi-sheer striped Zuhair Murad gown.





 Shutterstock
Shutterstock Shutterstock Shutterstock


Angelina Jolie, 2012



In a high-slit black Atelier Versace strapless gown.





 Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutt Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutt


Chrissy Teigen, 2015



In a pale blue, embellished Zuhair Murad gown featuring a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit.





 David Silpa/UPI/Shutterstock
David Silpa/UPI/Shutterstock David Silpa/UPI/Shutterstock


Charlize Theron, 2016



In a crimson Dior Haute Couture gown with a deep-v neckline.





 Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Invision/AP/Shutterstock Invision/AP/Shutterstock Invision/AP/Shutterstock


Taraji P Henson, 2017



In an off-the-shoulder, thigh-slit custom Alberta Ferretti gown.





 Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutt Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutt


Betty Gabriel, 2018



In a plunging teal Tony Ward Couture gown with sequined embellishment and Forevermark Diamonds jewelry.





 David Fisher/Shutterstock
David Fisher/Shutterstock David Fisher/Shutterstock


Meagan Good, 2019



In a Georges Chakra gown, featuring a thigh-high slit.





 David Fisher/Shutterstock
David Fisher/Shutterstock David Fisher/Shutterstock


Rooney Mara, 2020



In a custom Alexander McQueen gown, featuring a cutout lace bodice.





 David Fisher/Shutterstock
David Fisher/Shutterstock David Fisher/Shutterstock


Black Chyna, 2020



In a Dona Matashi gown with a plunging neckline.





 Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock
Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock


Zendaya, 2021



In a yellow Valentino gown with a torso cutout.





 Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock
Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock


Andra Day, 2021



In a gold Vera Wang number, which featured a leg slit and skin-baring cutout along the stomach.





 Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock
Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock a360


Emilia Jones, 2022



The Coda actress beamed in a Dolce & Gabbana beaded dress at the 2022 Oscars. The nude dress featured a bodycon fit and cutout on her bodice.





 Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock a360


Tracee Ellis Ross, 2022



A vision in red! The High Note star looked stunning in a Carolina Herrera bright red gown at the 2022 Academy Awards.





 Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock
Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock a360


Venus Williams, 2022



The tennis player slayed a custom Elie Saab frock at the 94th Annual Awards. The white frock had a plunging neckline and was finished with gorgeous silver details.





 Marleen Moise/Getty Images
Marleen Moise/Getty Images a360


Fran Drescher, 2024



The Nanny alum looked her best in a custom Ami Paris sheer bedazzled dress.





 JC Olivera/Getty Images
JC Olivera/Getty Images a360


Molly Sims, 2024



Sims showed off her curves in a pastel pink Georges Chakra gown equipped with a plunging neckline and fitted top.





 John Shearer/WireImage
John Shearer/WireImage a360


Danielle Brooks, 2024



Brooks was sleek and sultry in a custom Dolce & Gabbana gown that hugged her figure at the Oscars. Her dress was complete with a thigh-high slit.





 Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock a360


Halle Bailey, 2022



Edgy! The Grown-ish actress looked gorgeous in a Roberto Cavalli revealing gown at the 2022 Oscars.





 Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock
Jordan Strauss/AP/Shutterstock a360


Chloe Bailey, 2022



Perfect in purple! The Grown-ish alum looked effortlessly elegant at the 94th Academy Awards in an L.V.D.F gown, featuring a one-shoulder neckline, thigh-high slit and beaded details.





 John Shearer/WireImage
John Shearer/WireImage a360


Regina King, 2024



King wowed in a vibrant Atelier Versace frock that exposed her leg at the Oscars.





 John Shearer/WireImage
John Shearer/WireImage a360


Becky G, 2024



The singer rocked a custom Vera Wang Haute gown featuring a sheer bedazzled corset and a sexy slit.





 Robyn Beck / AFP
Robyn Beck / AFP ROBYN BECK Robyn Beck / AFP


Coco Jones



Coco Jones looked ethereal in a black Coach dress at the awards, featuring a thigh-high slit and bodycon silhouette.





 Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Mike Coppola/Getty Images Mike Coppola Mike Coppola/Getty Images


Zoe Saldana, 2025



Zoe Saldaña stunned in a Saint Laurent dress with a flesh-toned top and a red skirt.





 ANGELA WEISS / AFP
ANGELA WEISS / AFP ANGELA WEISS ANGELA WEISS / AFP


Lily Rose Depp



Lily Rose Depp showed off her figure in a sheer Chanel lace dress with sequin embellishments and a peplum waist.





 Aliah Anderson/Getty Images
Aliah Anderson/Getty Images a360


Issa Rae, 2024



Rae left little to the imagination in a glittery plunging AMI Paris look finished with a waist-high slit at the Academy Awards.





 Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Mike Coppola/Getty Images Mike Coppola Mike Coppola/Getty Images


Taylor Frankie Paul



Taylor Frankie Paul got leggy in a light pink dress with a cutout over her chest.





 ANGELA WEISS / AFP
ANGELA WEISS / AFP ANGELA WEISS ANGELA WEISS / AFP


Ginnifer Goodwin



Ginnifer Goodwin showed some skin in a sheer black Monse design.





 Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images Arturo Holmes Arturo Holmes/Getty Images


Bella Thorne



Bella Thorne gave her fans a glimpse of her underwear in a black semi-sheer dress.





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This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 2:24 PM.

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