The Tamesis
The 98th annual Academy Awards, held on Sunday, March 15, is the most anticipated event of this year’s awards season. If the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and other events over the past few months are any indication, the 2026 Academy Awards is sure to be a night filled with unforgettable fashion looks.
Looking forward to this grand night, Fashion is taking a look at some of the most controversial choices in Oscars red carpet history, especially the looks we can’t help but discuss every year.
Past awards shows have sparked some of the most controversial moments in fashion. Is Björk’s swan dress genius or crazy? Did Angelina Jolie’s #RightLeg social media moment cover up her Atelier Versace gown? Is Jennifer Lawrence’s Dior gown worth the stumbling blocks it causes?
Many of the style choices have rich backstories, such as why Billy Porter wore a gown instead of a tuxedo in 2019, which adds context and depth to red carpet moments. Other moments — like 2024’s Emma Stone, whose Louis Vuitton dress ripped while accepting an award — remind us that stars are just like us. (Because even Oscar winners suffer wardrobe malfunctions.)
The truth is, fashion is subjective. The best outfit for one person may be the worst for another. But one thing is clear: These looks got people talking.
Below, 18 Oscar fashion moments that made a huge splash, in chronological order.
