The Most Memorable Party Dresses Ever

Here are 31 unforgettable party dress moments that continue to take our breath away.
By Chelsea Peng
Monochrome, Tribal chief, Art, Monochrome photography, Feather, Costume design, Black-and-white, Mythology, Tradition, Animal product,
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Every girl's got one. From history or the movies—eight times out of 10 following a makeover sequence set to pop music—here are 31 unforgettable party dress moments that continue to take our breath away.
Whoa, right? The Marchesa Luisa Casati, who famously said she wanted to be a living work of art, rocked this diamond-net costume by Worth at what must have been one epic fancy-dress party.
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Marchesa Luisa Casati, 1922
Whoa, right? The Marchesa Luisa Casati, who famously said she wanted to be a living work of art, rocked this diamond-net costume by Worth at what must have been one epic fancy-dress party.
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They don't call it the Revenge Dress for nothing. After her separation from Prince Charles, Diana brought out the big guns, aka this stunning Christina Stambolian ensemble, which she had previously considered too sexy.
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Princess Diana at the Serpentine Gallery, 1994
They don't call it the Revenge Dress for nothing. After her separation from Prince Charles, Diana brought out the big guns, aka this stunning Christina Stambolian ensemble, which she had previously considered too sexy.
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To die in a red Alaïa would be a heavenly way to die. Except it's actually "an a-what-a" according to her mugger, and Cher Horowitz lived to wear a whole slew of preppy designer outfits. (P.S. The party scene itself is definitely in our top 10.)
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Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, 1995
To die in a red Alaïa would be a heavenly way to die. Except it's actually "an a-what-a" according to her mugger, and Cher Horowitz lived to wear a whole slew of preppy designer outfits. (P.S. The party scene itself is definitely in our top 10.)
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In Kate Moss' impressive fashion oeuvre, this dress from renowned vintage store Lily et Cie still stands out—so much so that the model herself recreated it for her most recent Topshop collaboration.
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Kate Moss in vintage at an AnOther Magazine party, 2003
In Kate Moss' impressive fashion oeuvre, this dress from renowned vintage store Lily et Cie still stands out—so much so that the model herself recreated it for her most recent Topshop collaboration.
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Told you it was too hard to pick just one Kate look. This one's from her <em>The Beautiful and the Damned</em>-themed birthday party at Agent Provocateur founder Serena Rees' house.
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Kate Moss at her 30th birthday party, 2004
Told you it was too hard to pick just one Kate look. This one's from her The Beautiful and the Damned-themed birthday party at Agent Provocateur founder Serena Rees' house.
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Every girl wants to live Hermione's Yule Ball scene: You step onto the foyer. Your hair is the best it's ever going to look. The music swells, and Ron and Harry kick themselves for not asking you out first.
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Emma Watson in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 2005
Every girl wants to live Hermione's Yule Ball scene: You step onto the foyer. Your hair is the best it's ever going to look. The music swells, and Ron and Harry kick themselves for not asking you out first.
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Every time we see this picture, we sob a little inside because that tartan-tulle confection is the work of a madcap genius who died much too young.
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Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen at the 2006 Met Gala
Every time we see this picture, we sob a little inside because that tartan-tulle confection is the work of a madcap genius who died much too young.
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How could you not love a first lady who can <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/michelle-obama-turnip-for-what" target="_blank">get down with a turnip</a> <em>and</em> glamorous dresses by then-up-and-coming designers? This was a big moment for America but an even bigger one for Michelle O.'s lookbook.
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Michelle Obama in Jason Wu at the 2009 Inaugural Ball
How could you not love a first lady who can get down with a turnip and glamorous dresses by then-up-and-coming designers? This was a big moment for America but an even bigger one for Michelle O.'s lookbook.
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The theme was "The Model as Muse." That's pretty much all you need to know.
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Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs at the 2009 Met Gala
The theme was "The Model as Muse." That's pretty much all you need to know.
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With her up-to-there stems and professional-level posing, Blake Lively cemented her status as Bona Fide Movie Star and fashion darling that very night.
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Blake Lively in Marchesa at the 2010 Met Gala
With her up-to-there stems and professional-level posing, Blake Lively cemented her status as Bona Fide Movie Star and fashion darling that very night.
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We don't know any 56-year-olds who've <em>ever </em>pulled off anything like this.
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Carine Roitfeld at the Vogue Paris 90th Anniversary Party, 2010
We don't know any 56-year-olds who've ever pulled off anything like this.
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How do you stand out at arguably the fashion-iest fashion party of all time? Stick on a steel-feather headdress with your room-filling white gown.
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Anna Dello Russo in Emilio Pucci, Gareth Pugh at the Vogue Paris 90th Anniversary Party, 2010
How do you stand out at arguably the fashion-iest fashion party of all time? Stick on a steel-feather headdress with your room-filling white gown.
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If you bring your face really close to the screen, you can see Kate Middleton turning into a full-fledged princess right when this photo was taken.
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Kate Middleton in Jenny Packham at the 10th Annual ARK Gala, 2011
If you bring your face really close to the screen, you can see Kate Middleton turning into a full-fledged princess right when this photo was taken.
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This is what happens when you put the right girl in the right dress: magic.
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Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen at the 2012 Met Gala
This is what happens when you put the right girl in the right dress: magic.
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Beyoncé's patented guide to making an entrance: 1. Arrive late. 2. Breeze in right before the photographers pack up wearing plumed, transparent haute couture—with a staircase-draping train.
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Beyoncé in Givenchy Couture at the 2012 Met Gala
Beyoncé's patented guide to making an entrance: 1. Arrive late. 2. Breeze in right before the photographers pack up wearing plumed, transparent haute couture—with a staircase-draping train.
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10 Dresses You Need for Any Party
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