Oscars: 20 Best Dresses of the Past 20 Years

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20. JENNIFER LOPEZ (2003)

This sari-style Valentino number in fresh mint green may have been the only good by-product of the age of Bennifer.

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19. JODIE FOSTER (1995)

While she might be lambasted for it today, when Foster stepped out in this exquisitely beaded Armani in the mid-'90s, our collective fashion mind was blown.

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18. CHARLIZE THERON (2000)

Years before she'd win her Oscar, Theron won over red-carpet watchers with her body-skimming tangerine Vera Wang.

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17. KIM BASINGER (1998)

To pick up her Best Supporting Actress statuette for the '50s-era flick L.A. Confidential, Basinger picked an appropriately retro-chic Escada.

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16. KATE HUDSON (2003)

Sometimes it's enough just to be pretty. Case in point: Hudson's flawless turn in this golden gown by Versace topped with a carefully curled coif.

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15. CLAIRE DANES (1997)

In a sea of spaghetti straps and taffeta, Danes brought a different silhouette to the Academy Awards when she arrived in an icy-cool sweater-skirt combo by Narciso Rodriguez that was as sleek as her new bob.

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14. KATE WINSLET (2002)

Red always makes a statement, but Winslet made it one for the ages in this simple Ben de Lisi column set off with a single floral garland.

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13. WINONA RYDER (1994)

Just a month after her Gen-X flick Reality Bites premiered, Ryder traded coffeehouse grunge for ultra-glam with a vintage flapper gown.

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12. REESE WITHERSPOON (2007)

The newly single star capped off a winning awards-season red-carpet run with this subtly shaded and totally stunning Nina Ricci design.

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11. GWYNETH PALTROW (1999)

For her fairy-tale moment — accepting the Oscar for her lead turn in Shakespeare in Love — it was only fitting that Paltrow wore a princess-worthy Ralph Lauren gown.

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10. CATE BLANCHETT (1999)

The Elizabeth star's John Galliano gown revealed its true beauty on the back side with an ornately embroidered Garden of Eden design.

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Oscars 2009, Anne Hathaway | Anne Hathaway The Rachel Getting Married nominee brought serious silver-screen glamour to the red carpet in a paillette-laden Armani Prive gown. — John Shearer/WireImage.com

9. ANNE HATHAWAY (2009)

From the twist of her chignon to the swirl of her Armani Privéskirt, Hathaway's look was sterling perfection.

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8. HALLE BERRY (2002)

The Monster's Ball star made Oscar history with her 2002 Best Actress win — and fashion history for this Elie Saab gown with its strategically placed appliques.

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7. ANGELINA JOLIE (2004)

White never looked less innocent than when Jolie picked a plunging Marc Bouwer halter to slink down the Academy carpet.

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6. RENÉE ZELLWEGER (2001)

Before she garnered buzz for Bridget Jones's Diary, the actress caught our eye in a lemon yellow vintage Jean Deesès dress.

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5. SHARON STONE (1998)

While 1996 was the first time Stone brought high-low fashion to the Oscars with a Gap tee, this white button-down and Vera Wang skirt was the best.

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Oscars 2006, Michelle Williams | Michelle Williams (2006) This mustard-hued, beautifully pleated and tucked Vera Wang swept away any trace of doubt that the former Dawson's Creek star could make — KMazur/WireImage

4. MICHELLE WILLIAMS (2006)

Williams left her Dawson's Creek days behind when she hit the carpet in a sophisticated mustard Vera Wang and bold red lips.

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3. JULIA ROBERTS (2001)

The pretty woman made old things new again when she wore vintage Valentino — then an awards-show rarity — to scoop up her Best Actress Oscar for Erin Brockovich. She still owns the dress.

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2. NICOLE KIDMAN (1997)

Stepping out in a striking chartreuse John Galliano for Dior number helped Kidman step out from then-husband Tom Cruise's shadow. ''It represented John's unique talent,'' she said later. ''It was an honor to wear it.''