Top 10 Nicole Kidman Red Carpet Looks

Nicole Kidman is known for her classic and elegant sartorial tastes, and it’s not often that she does something truly daring, more often sticking to styles that are sure to please. For the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards however, she definitely left her comfort zone behind. She was nominated for her role in “Lion”, and marked the occasion by wearing a truly showstopping Gucci dress. The shimmery emerald green dress featured matching parrots made of sequins and feathers on each shoulder, which made for an absolutely stunning effect.

Kidman has worked with Calvin Klein several times throughout her career and the partnership is one that clearly works. In this custom ensemble, the actress looks like a ballerina, with the many layered tea length tulle skirt turning heads. The fitted black bodice accentuates Kidman’s slim figure and grounds the entire look to avoid it looking like a costume. She kept her signature blonde locks tucked behind her ears and competed the effect with a bold red lip. The end result is an outfit that looks both youthful and mature.

Just as her career was really taking off in the mid ‘90s, Kidman attended the premiere of her film “The Portrait of a Lady” with then hubby Tom Cruise. Everything about this look is quintessentially ‘90s, from Kidman’s curly hair to the iridescent green fabric used for her gown. The choker style necklace places the ensemble squarely in the era. It’s a look that may seem dated now, but at the time we can assure you it was the height of fashion.

At the 2004 Oscars, Nicole Kidman wasn’t attending as a nominee but rather as a presenter, since she had taken home the statue for Best Actress the previous year. She didn’t want to be a wallflower though, and chose a Chanel gown that was timeless and yet felt very of the moment. The shimmering blue grey fabric evoked images of the ocean, and the column style silhouette accented Kidman’s statuesque figure. Also, it really doesn’t hurt when you coordinate well with Oprah! Do you think that was intentional?

When Nicole Kidman was at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014 to promote her film, “Grace of Monaco”, she pulled out all the stops with her gown choice. She wore this Armani Privé dress to the opening ceremony and the premiere of her movie and the a-line style and heavy embellishments paired perfectly with one another. The shape may have been demure, with a strapless sweetheart neckline, but all of the beading adorning the fabric made it a true standout piece. Kidman always manages to look modern yet classic!

In 2017, Nicole Kidman made the awards circuit for the hit HBO mini series she worked on, “Big Little Lies”. In fact, she took home the very first Emmy Award she was ever nominated for because of her portrayal of a woman suffering from domestic violence. She wore a bright crimson gown that was a near perfect match for the carpet under her feet. The dress was designed by Calvin Klein and featured a silhouette that would have been comfortably at home in the 1950s. She paired it with fresh and simple hair and makeup for an overall classic look.

It would be several years before Kidman would be nominated for an Oscar of her own, but she still managed to stun on the red carpet in 1997, wearing a gown that would be featured on best dressed lists for years to come. It was a chartreuse colored number created for the actress by John Galliano for Dior. Of the dress, Kidman said, “John made it for me, and I love it. I don’t know if people will get it.” It was certainly one of the bolder looks she has chosen over the years, but the risk was definitely worth it.

Kidman became a red carpet fashion darling all over again in 2018 when she wore a bold blue gown to the 2018 Oscars. It seems that the star always turns it out for Hollywood’s biggest night, and this time was no exception. The dress was by Armani Privé and was made from a material that gave it an almost metallic effect. The deep sweetheart neckline paired with the oversized bow at Kidman’s hips made for a silhouette that was unique and unmatched. The look managed to be classically feminine while also retaining a definitively modern quality.

Ten years after her winning John Galliano dress, Kidman wore another Oscar dress that put her squarely in the upper echelons of fashion forward celebrities. Wearing red on the red carpet is not a move for the faint of heart, but Kidman managed to pull off this Balenciaga gown and looked effortlessly elegant while doing it. The high neck and body-skimming silhouette look polished and tasteful, while the dress’ color made it stand out from the rest. As always, the actress kept her beauty look simple and pared down, so as not to distract from the outfit itself.





Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.



High-Neck Cream Gown with Floral Overlay by Valentino Couture

"66th Cannes Film Festival" (2013)



Pink Ruffled Floor-Length Dress by Chanel

"74th Academy Awards" (2002)


Elegant Asymmetrical Black Gown by Jean Paul Gauthier

"75th Academy Awards" (2003)

Did we say that Nicole Kidman tends to go classic when it comes to her red carpet gowns? Okay well there are exceptions to every rule. For the 2016 Met Gala, Kidman took the opportunity to wear something that definitely couldn’t be called demure. The Alexander McQueen ensemble featured a starry printed dress with prominent cut outs and an embellished cape that brought it all together. The theme of the night was ‘Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology’, and the look Kidman chose seemed to perfectly exemplify the abilities of modern design.