Gowns Away: The History of Oscar Dresses

The Golden Years: The classic Hollywood era where everyone looked like a princess because some actresses were actually royalty.

1. Audrey Hepburn. 1954

Often seen in her Breakfast at Tiffany's outfit donning a black shift dress and big sunglasses, the star kept with her designer of choice and wore this angelic cinched Givenchy gown.

2.Grace Kelly, 1955

This Edith Head mint green dress is refreshing with a hue reminiscent of a delicious bowl of pistachio ice cream or pastel Easter eggs. The best old Hollywood touch? Those long slender gloves.

3. Cleo Moore and Jayne Mansfield, 1956

Hubba hubba — the dynamic duo looks like trouble with their pouts and poses. We're kind of into how spaghetti strap dresses were en vogue during the 1950s showing a lot more skin than you'd expect. Oh, the sultry scandal!

The Whirpool of Sexiness Ages: Whether its a classic low-cut gown or a sleek men's suit, the definition of "sexy" gets taken for a ride.

4. Barbara Streisand, 1969

The superstar looks so quintessential '60s with a Peter Pan collar, but a little bit helllllloo sex kitten in those sheer Scaasi evening pajamas.

5. Elizabeth Taylor, 1970

What really stands out in this photo? The color, duh! This soft violet Edith Head gown matches Elizabeth Taylor's eyes.

6. Diane Keaton, 1976

We're getting some major Annie Hall vibes with Keaton's androgynous clash of patterns in a polka-dot tie, a striped button-up, a structured blazer, and the final touch — a carnation corsage.

Barely-There-Cher: Showing ample midriff, wearing more beads than a jewelry store, and leaving little to the imagination, Cher was the epitome of stripper-chic — so she gets her own era. We got you babe.

7. Cher, 1984

The raven-haired songstress channeled Studio 54 in a powder shimmery pink gown with a navel-hitting deep v (move over J.Lo.), door-knocker earrings, and Val Kilmer on her arm.

8. Cher, 1986

Ethereal, demure, and angelic are NOTwords to describe this Bob Mackie creation. But it's cool – Cher has the confidence to pull anything off including the bizarre Vegas-meets-Lord-of-the-Bats headpiece, bedazzled dominatrix bikini top, and glimmering cape.

9. Cher, 1988

Cher strikes red-carpet gold again in this Bob Mackie number, baring, well, pretty much everything and lookin' like she's ready to shimmy with her best accessory in tow — a gleaming Oscar!

The Mix 'n Match Era: Princess to Prowess: Bold colors, bold silhouettes, and bold women—we're into it.

5. Nicole Kidman, 1997

Hello, alabaster beauty in a blazing canary yellow Christian Dior by John Galliano gown. We think she should switch her accessory, Tom Cruise, for a Golden Oscar man.

6. Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999

Vintage GOOP alert! Paltrow stunned in a Ralph Lauren powder pink gown reminiscent of Grace Kelly.

7. Halle Berry, 2002

Have you ever seen a Best Oscar Dress countdown? If Halle Berry's sheer Elie Saab sheer dress isn't on it, then you shouldn't consider it legitimate.

The Nouveau Hollywood: We're going with old Hollywood silhouettes and cutting-edge complements. Including avant-garde hand gestures (hey, J. Law).

8. Jennifer Hudson, 2011

Between the color, the cut, and the body, Jennifer Hudson was all about the va va vooooom.

9. Angelina Jolie, 2012,

Angelina gets a leg up (cue the knee slap) in this slinky, sultry, and vampy Atelier Versace number.

10. Jennifer Lawrence, 2013

American's sweetheart embodies old Hollywood in this Dior gown. What was Lawrence's signature accessory for the night that might not have been so classic? The middle finger she flashed the press.