It’s true that celebrities save their most glamorous gowns for the Oscars, which mark the grand finale of awards season. But over the years, this prestigious red carpet’s played host to plenty of plunging necklines, hip-high slits and sultry see-through numbers, too. Here, the sexiest Academy Awards dresses of all time.
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Rihanna’s famous for her bold, belly-baring pregnancy style, and this semi-sheer Alaïa look she chose in 2023 — comprised of a bump-framing leather band dress layered over a bodysuit — was no exception.
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Thigh’s the limit! Singing sisters Halle and Chloë Bailey twinned in high-slit gowns in 2022, with the former in cutout turquoise Roberto Cavalli and the latter in purple LVDF.
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Andra Day looked glam and glowing in a gold cutout chainmail gown by Vera Wang at the 2021 Oscars.
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Scarlett Johansson struck a sultry pose in 2020, clad in this silver Oscar de la Renta gown with an exposed corset and slinky satin skirt.
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Blac Chyna? At the Oscars?! Believe it. In 2020, the reality star and ex-fiancé of Rob Kardashian made her Academy Awards debut in this plunging, high-slit Dona Matoshi gown dripping with blue beaded fringe.
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Taraji P. Henson practically shut down the Oscars red carpet in 2018 with her slit-up-to-there Vera Wang look.
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Eiza Gonzalez looked gorgeous in sunny yellow Ralph Lauren in 2018.
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Viola Davis was a total babe in Barbie-pink Michael Kors Collection in 2018.
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Salma Hayek smoldered in black Alexander McQueen lace in 2017.
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Charlize Theron sizzled in plunging red Dior Haute Couture and a strategically placed Harry Winston necklace in 2016.
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Who wasn’t a sucker for Priyanka Chopra in this sheer white Zuhair Murad number in 2016?
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Rachel McAdams brought sexy back in 2016, dressed in a deep green gown by August Getty Atelier.
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Margot Robbie looked totally golden in this Tom Ford look in 2016.
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Jennifer Aniston glowed in nude embellished Atelier Versace in 2015.
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In 2015, Chrissy Teigen teamed her pale blue Zuhair Murad Couture dress with a sexy, dark lip.
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Who could forget #AngiesRightLeg? In 2012, Angelina Jolie showed up at the Oscars in a revealing black velvet Atelier Versace gown so sexy, it inspired its own hashtag and Twitter account.
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Jennifer Lopez flaunted her famous curves in this beaded Zuhair Murad in 2012.
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Girl on fire, indeed! Jennifer Lawrence made her Oscars debut in 2011, wearing this bold red Calvin Klein gown.
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Mila Kunis stole the spotlight in lingerie-inspired Elie Saab Couture in 2011.
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Penelope Cruz chose this ravishing ruby sequined L’Wren Scott dress for the 2011 Oscars.
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Marion Cotillard accepted her Best Actress statuette for “La Vie en Rose” in 2008 wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture showstopper covered in embellished scales.
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Hilary Swank looked every inch like a “Million Dollar Baby” in 2005, wearing this backless navy Guy Laroche dress.
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In 2005, Beyoncé played it regal in black velvet Atelier Versace.
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Halle Berry collected her Best Actress Oscar for “Monster’s Ball” in 2002 wearing this iconic Elie Saab creation, which featured a completely sheer bodice embroidered with flowers.
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For her very first Oscars in 1999, Cate Blanchett chose this semi-sheer John Galliano dress featuring a sheer back and beautiful floral embroidery.
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Wearing an ivory embellished Calvin Klein slip dress, Gwyneth Paltrow glowed at the 1996 Oscars with Brad Pitt.
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On the arm of then-husband Hugh Grant at the 1995 Oscars, Elizabeth Hurley proved she didn’t need safety pins to make a statement in Versace.
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In 1994, Ellen Barkin bared it all (well, almost) in semi-sheer gold mesh.
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Cindy Crawford showed everyone why she’s one of the world’s reigning supermodels at the 1991 Oscars, where she stole the spotlight from Richard Gere in red-hot Versace.
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Cher wore arguably the most revealing Oscars look ever in 1988, accepting her Best Actress statue for “Moonstruck” in this iconic Bob Mackie ensemble.
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In 1974, Raquel Welch looked Studio 54-ready in this plunging pink getup.
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And Elizabeth Taylor accessorized her plunging periwinkle Edith Head dress with the iconic, 68-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond in 1970.
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