The Tamesis
Awards season will finally come to an end on Sunday with the 2026 Oscars.
While we’re not looking forward to fashion moments (case in point: Teyana Taylor wearing a bejeweled Schiaparelli whale tail on the 2026 Golden Globes red carpet), we’re looking forward to the carefree Oscars carpet. The season finale—and the most esteemed acting honor—requires a high level of charisma. So what can we expect from our leading ladies on Oscar night? Dresses from yesteryear may be the key.
Since its inception, the Oscars have evolved into a more formal occasion. In 1928, Janet Gaynor accepted the first Academy Award for Best Actress in a long-sleeved gown and a silk scarf draped over her shoulders. But in recent Academy Awards history, red carpet dressing has become an increasingly competitive arena, with luxury brands making early demands on leading ladies in the hope that their outfits will become cinematic classics. After all, some of the most iconic dresses of all time come from Oscar night, whether it’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s bubblegum pink Ralph Lauren dress, Cher’s Bob Mackie showgirl gown, or Halle Berry’s floral Elie Saab.
But things aren’t always so pragmatic. In the early years, some honorees turned to costume designers to create their awards show looks. Edith Head designed a mint satin gown for Grace Kelly, while Olivia de Havilland and Bette Davis both wore Orry-Kelly gowns. (Buying your own look from a department store isn’t a distant phenomenon, either. In 1989, Jodie Foster wore an icy blue off-the-rack dress to win her Oscar.) One past winner even created her own look: 1966 winner Julie Christie wore a gold lamé jumpsuit that closely resembled the statue itself.
Ahead of the 2026 Oscars, let’s take a look back at what (almost) all the Best Actress winners have worn, from Jennifer Lawrence’s gorgeous Dior ballgown to Audrey Hepburn’s lace bateau-neck Givenchy dress.
