Top 10 Best Red Carpet Looks of the Last Decade

The “A Star Is Born” Premiere (2018)

If there’s any star so boldly unafraid to rock a red carpet - it’s Gaga. The singer has been making statements on the carpet since the start of her stardom. But, for her first major big-screen premiere, she opted for something a little unexpected. The soft-pink feathers flowed perfectly on an off-the shoulder gown – which flowed perfectly on her! With her hair up in a bun and a soft-glam makeup look, she allowed the dress to command the attention it deserved. The drama of the look is only enhanced by the gorgeous diamond earrings and matching ring. There’s a wonderful balance between subtle tones and bold textures here.

“The Met Gala, Camp: Notes on Fashion” (2019)

You can’t spell “stylish” without the first half of Styles! The “Watermelon Sugar” singer has become a bit of a fashion icon since his boyband days. Before we could witness the fashion rolodex that is “Love on Tour”, we had to soak in every minute of Harry’s first and only Met Gala appearance. The Gucci ambassador wore a wistful mesh and lace top paired with incredibly high-waisted trousers - taking all-black to new heights. What really makes this look, though, are the accessories. The world honed in on his flawless manicure and signature ring stack. And we can’t forget the iconic, single pearl drop-earring.

“91st Annual Academy Awards” (2019)

Breaking the rules is always in fashion. While little black dresses and tuxedos never seem to go out of style, combining the two was pretty groundbreaking. Billy Porter’s tuxedo dress dominated news and social media outlets. The sleek black tux top flowed seamlessly into the bountiful gown to create one daring ensemble. Sure - the shock value got everyone to notice the outfit, but what makes this a favorite of the decade is the quality and fit of the piece. The look was so iconic that he even brought it back for the 2023 Golden Globes - this time in deep red and pink hues. Could this be a new calling card for the “Pose” actor?

“58th Annual Grammy Awards” (2016)

The Grammy-award winning artist started off her career as the sweet, southern belle with long, golden-ringlets and a guitar. Much like her sound, her style has evolved. She stunned at the 2016 Grammys with a bold new look. The two-toned two-piece set paired with the blunt bob solidified a new image for the singer-songwriter. The hot pink and coral tones added a wonderful warmth to the look and edged up her reputation - wink, nudge. We all know that the choker was a 2016 staple - but the colorful stones added a unique playfulness that really tied the look together. Incidentally, much of her positive re-branding can be attributed to long-term stylist, Joseph Cassell Falconer.

“The Met Gala, China: Through the Looking Glass” (2015)

While mesh-dresses may saturate today’s fashion world, it was a bit taboo for the 2010s. However, if anyone has the power to influence the world - it’s Beyoncé! The singer wowed in a barely-there Givenchy gown. Cleverly placed crystals cascade down to the train in beautiful sparkling shades of pinks, greens and golds. Meanwhile, the super high pony put the spotlight on the open-back cutout of the dress and the see-through material also allowed us a sneak peak at her platforms. The superstar’s fashionably late arrival was well worth the wait.

“The Met Gala, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and Catholic Imagination” (2018)

Who would have thought that Catholicism could spark so much creativity in fashion? This theme arguably brought out the most beautiful and innovative outfits for the gala. Even with stiff competition, Blake Lively managed to be a stand-out. She’s proven her status as a fashion icon over the years with bold looks like the gold and feathered gown at the previous year’s red carpet. But “heavenly” is truly the only way to describe 2018’s look. From the beaded corset top to the ornate red train, to the golden headpiece…the whole look presented as regal. Blake herself has even dubbed this fit as a favorite from her career. To make things even more impressive - she’s never had a stylist! That’s right, Lively is always in charge of what she wears!

“84th Annual Academy Awards” (2012)

The legendary leg pop! Angelina Jolie is widely known for her incredible acting skills and undeniable beauty; however, after the 2012 Oscar’s, it was all about the slit in her dress. The strapless, velvet gown had a thigh-high slit that commanded everybody’s attention. The actress kept it simple with black heels and an alluring red lip. This look proved that black dresses are always a tried and true option. According to Jolie, though, she almost wore something completely different! Supposedly, the Versace gown was the more comfortable, second option. We can’t imagine it would have topped her final pick, though, which took over social media with plenty of memes and a trending #Angiesrightleg.

“86th Annual Academy Awards” (2014)

Lupita Nyong’o came out swinging - both on-screen and on the red carpet. Not only did she win the Oscar for her debut role in “12 Years a Slave”, she also won while wearing one of the most stunning gowns to ever hit the red carpet. The beautiful sky blue fabric made it look as if she was floating. The pleated, deep cut gown offered us just a hint of sparkle at the hem, making this a modern-day princess moment. The simplicity in the design and the color choice is what makes this so breathtaking. Here’s a star who doesn’t need to be covered in massive jewels or layers of heavy fabric to shine through the sea of celebs.

“The Met Gala, Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” (2017)

Zendaya gives us variety - but every single one of her looks is a hit. Her model-esque features allow her to wear literally everything with grace. We’ve seen her keep it sleek and sexy, and just as easily switch to more powerful, masculine tropes. Perhaps most jaw-dropping was her choice to go big at the Met. Bold, bright birds patterned the off-the-shoulder gown. While the sheer size of the skirt might lead others to a “less is more” mindset for the remainder of the look, she wowed us with voluminous hair and a bold lip. One of the reasons Zendaya is such a young fashion icon is because there is thought put into the entire look from head to toe, each time and every time she makes an appearance.

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

Keeping It Simple & Sleek

Red & Pink Paired Perfectly

Can’t Go Wrong with Rose Gold

Understated, Yet Eye-Catching

Absolutely Angelic

“The Met Gala, China: Through the Looking Glass” (2015)

With starpower like Rihanna’s, everyday is a catwalk. She’s the queen of showing up and showing out - from basically inventing the “naked dress”, to bringing back the babydoll gown…it’s hard to choose just one favorite look. However, it’s impossible not to bring up the “Yellow Queen” ensemble. The fur-trimmed, golden dress had a 16-foot long train and weighed in at something like 50 pounds! The incredible intricacies of the cape paired with the ornate headpiece left onlookers in absolute awe. Rihanna was also one of few celebrities to wear something from a Chinese designer. Guo Pei’s dresses are handmade, and can take upwards of 50,000 hours of hard work and craftsmanship to create.