The 41 Best Golden Globes Looks of All Time
Ahead of the 2025 Golden Globes, we look back at the ensembles that have helped to define the awards ceremony.
This weekend, the Golden Globes will officially kick off awards season as top films, shows, and celebrities battle it out for top honors. In the past, the hour before the ceremony begins is truly a fashion fairytale as we witness all the ways top designers make attendees look as radiant as the awards they might be getting.
Over decades upon decades of Golden Globes looks, countless iconic moments have emerged, and over time, we've noticed a few key trends that result in a foolproof yet memorable ensemble. Among these is the black dress—whether going for a sleek LBD moment or a classy fitted gown, it seems one can't go wrong—as well as picking a golden, sparkly look to match the trophy. And, of course, nothing stands out like all-out statements, which have transformed celebrities from Cher to Lady Gaga into fashion stars to watch.
Ahead of the 2025 Golden Globes, we revisit 41 of the best looks in the ceremony's history, all of which reflect both their time and iconic Hollywood glamour.
Just months before marrying Prince Rainier, Grace Kelly had her last hurrah as film royalty. Wearing a knee-length white dress with matching heels, she emanated an air of classic chic that a soon-to-be-royal does best as she accepted the Henrietta Award for World Favorite Film Female.
No one defined mid-century style like Elizabeth Taylor, and it's only natural that this carried over into the Golden Globes. Attending with third husband Mike Todd, the violet-eyed icon showed up to the 1957 ceremony in a tiara, because of course she did. She paired this with a voluminous floral gown, and you probably could fool someone by saying she had married a prince or was otherwise attending a regal event.
Marilyn Monroe has come to define provocative glamour, thanks to always accompanying each role and appearance with her iconic looks. During one of her last appearances before her tragic death, she accepted a World Film Favorite award at the Golden Globes, and the glittering gown she wore to pick up the prize went down in fashion history.
Animal print is back in full force, but even as it finds modern iterations, it's impossible to forget the history of the trend. Posing with Andy Williams, the multitalented star wore a fur-trimmed leopard coat, embracing a timeless yet fun glamour that people continue to explore today.
Embracing her status as the most fashionable of flower children, Cher rocked a two-piece floral look (featuring a very low waist) underneath a fur coat. Then-other-half Sonny Bono went for a sleek tux, letting his talented wife take center stage.
For the 34th Annual Golden Globes, Barbra Streisand blended style with comfort in a loose-fitting pink gown complemented with a lavish fur coat. It was a successful night for Streisand, as she took home two Golden Globes for Best Original Song and Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in the 1976 film A Star is Born.
The first Black actress to win a Golden Globe, the boundary-pushing icon always dressed to impress when attending the premier film and tv ceremony. Mixing classic Hollywood glamour with a touch of the times, the talent rocked a jewel-toned satin gown, pearl earrings, and voluminous, bouncy curls to attend the 1984 event.
On this night, then-up-and-comer Julia Roberts took home her first Golden Globe for her performance in Steel Magnolias, but arguably the biggest part of her night was this oversized suit. Even just 30 years ago, it was a lot less common for women to dive head-first into masculine tailoring, so the world was in awe when the actress took the lingering power suiting trend to a new (yet still incredibly stylish) level.
The actress and fashion model took home a literal award at the 1991 Golden Globes, but she also won with this backless mini dress. Daring, glitzy looks came to define Hollywood in the '90s, and MacDowell proved herself a pioneer in this field with her bold outfit choice.
The same year, fellow award-winner Whoopi Goldberg made another kind of statement. Also embracing the mini length, the Ghost star stood out in bright orange tailoring, the perfect choice to match her vibrant personality.
Even in the days before she committed to being a silver-haired icon, Jamie Lee Curtis has always been making a statement. She paired a satiny white gown with matching pumps and a lightweight wrap to embody effortless glamour as she took home a Best Actress award for her role in True Lies.
J.Lo's most iconic look is undeniably the jungle dress, but regardless, she's always proven to be one of the most consistent fashion stars to watch. Wearing a form-fitting gown in striking shades of yellow, purple, and blue, she embodied the turn-of-the-millennium spirit everyone is trying to recreate today.
Sometimes, nothing beats an interpretation on an LBD. A 21-year-old Kate Hudson, who would win an award for her breakout role in Almost Famous, took her newcomer status as an opportunity to establish herself with a Vera Wang look that felt both classic and entirely of its time.
Angelina Jolie does not shy away from professing her love for anything with a little high-octane edge mixed with sexy. No wonder the actor wears so much Versace, which is also the designer she sported to the 2001 Golden Globes. Her strapless and metallic column gown helped the three-time Golden Globe winner embraced a classy, sophisticated look.
Two years after becoming the first (and only, so far) African American woman to take home the Best Actress Oscar, Halle Berry continued to prove herself a Hollywood icon in this Cinderella moment by Reem Acra. From the elegant draping to the soft hue, the look was a true fashion dream.
At the tail end of the original Friends run, Instagram's favorite new user turned old standby into bold standby when she showed up in this Valentino gown, which created a flattering black silhouette alongside a plunging neckline. Hopefully, she'll turn up in something just as iconic when celebrating her nomination for her work on Apple TV+'s The Morning Show.
Another style icon we're sure to see at this year's awards, Charlize Theron wore Dior to celebrate her role in Monster, work that ultimately earned her an Oscar later that season. Sixteen years later, we all wonder what she has up her sleeve now that she's a top Best Actress contender again, having crafted an eerily accurate Megyn Kelly impression in Bombshell. With how she went for simple elegance while playing a serial killer, could Theron now don a brand that would make Fox News scream?
Enjoying a moment of exploring new film roles in between gigs as Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw, the actress kept her style icon status in a strapless mermaid gown by Rochas. There was no Fendi baguette bag in sight, but the necklace and clutch she wore shone brightly.
Who doesn't miss the glory days of Alexander McQueen? Attending on two nominations (one of which, for I'm Not There, she would later win), Cate Blanchett knew she was twice as likely to hit the stage at the 2007 Golden Globes, so she went for a lacy, high-low gown by the late designer, who was famous for the theatricality of his shows but always could churn out truly elegant creations.
Before she became a veritable icon who surprise-drops albums right and left, makes expert business decisions (Homecoming!!), and goes viral on Instagram three posts at a time, Beyoncé was enjoying her solo rise while trying her hand at acting. The talent she is, the triple-threat got two nominations for her work in Dreamgirls, and while she ultimately didn't win either award, she did win the red carpet in this golden masterpiece by Elie Saab.
Penélope Cruz has been doing a lot with Chanel lately, walking Karl Lagerfeld's last show and becoming an ambassador, but she has long been a friend of the brand. Enjoying the acclaim surrounding her lead role in Spanish film Volver, the actress went with a black gown by the timeless French house, which wowed onlookers with the elegance of its three-tiered silhouette.
Back in 2009, Megan Fox had pop culture wrapped around her finger. Fans marveled at her talent and appearance (and kind of freaked out over her thumbs), and looks like this golden Ralph Lauren number only added to the obsession. Fox wasn't up for an award on stage, but she undeniably stood out on the red carpet.
Years after her roles in films like The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada, the world already had a sense of Anne Hathaway's impeccable style. The actress was a golden girl in Armani Privé in what would go down to be one of the best Golden Globes looks in history.
Riccardo Tisci is a master of sensual glamour, and while he's since taken his talents to Burberry, his decade at Givenchy was a magical time for all those who witnessed it. After starring in half a dozen films the year prior, Jessica Chastain needed a look to match, and she achieved awards season magic with a belted, high-neck white gown featuring an array of tiny pearls.
Who says you have to choose between a sleek tailored look and feminine elegance? A true master of androgyny, Tilda Swinton blew the world away with an ensemble that beautifully encompassed both. Haider Ackermann created the moment, contributing to an ever-growing legacy that bleeds modern cool.
Well into stardom, it wasn't going to take much for Emily Blunt to turn heads. Still, she nailed it in a gold-toned Michael Kors gown, which features a form-fitting silhouette, cutouts, and the most mesmerizing details.
Riding on her breakout moment starring in 12 Years a Slave, the Kenyan-Mexican actress stunned in a Ralph Lauren gown. The cape and bright red shade were impossible to miss, putting Nyong'o on the fashion map.
2016 was Brie Larson's year to shine as she picked up trophy after trophy for her performance in Room. Going for the gold(en Globes), she went with a shimmering Calvin Klein number and a radiant glow.
It seems a trend that Best Actress nominees dress for what they might look like holding the trophy, going for something that embodies glamour while standing the test of time. Knowing the power of her performance in La La Land, Emma Stone donned a star-covered gown by Valentino.
2018 was the year of the red carpet blackout, when stars embraced the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements en masse and made a statement against the red carpet's tendency to objectify women. The result was a sea of elegant looks that let the women behind them shine as they discussed topics that mattered to them. One of the best was Dakota Johnson's Gucci moment, which embraced the more sensual side of Alessandro Michele's vision that we got to see in full in the Spring 2020 collection.
Also participating in the Golden Globes blackout, Viola Davis killed it in a Brandon Maxwell gown, which beautifully accompanied her radiant glow and forward-thinking mindset.
Gemma Chan's 2019 Golden Globes look was comprised of a dark teal Valentino gown with a high slit. Its textured skirt complemented the dress' silken sheen. The actor's $500,000 worth of diamonds kept the ensemble classy with a little edge. While Chan wasn't nominated for her own Golden Globe, she attended that year in support of Crazy Rich Asians, in which she starred. The movie was nominated for Best Motion Picture in Musical or Comedy.
Eccentricity long led Gaga's style, but in the era of A Star is Born, classic Hollywood glamour took over as the talent celebrated her second Golden Globe and first Oscar. "Shallow" is still in our heads, and so is the feeling we got upon seeing this Valentino couture gown, which Pierpaolo Piccioli designed custom for the night. The creative director shared the process behind it, the star posted several celebratory photos, and I overshared all of it to my Instagram stories (honestly, you're welcome for that). Not even the Tiffany diamond, which Gaga casually wore to the Oscars, could beat the magic of this Golden Globes moment.
Print isn't easily pulled off on the red carpet, and for that, we have to commend Zoë Kravitz. The polka-dotted Saint Laurent gown boasted a chic off-the-shoulder neckline and contrasting prints that made a statement not only on the red carpet, but also on stage as she presented the award for Best Actress during the ceremony.
Following a historic winning streak at the Emmys for Schitt's Creek, Dan Levy brought his A-game to the modified, at-home 2021 Golden Globes. Looking dapper in a chartreuse Valentino Spring/Summer 2021 Haute Couture ensemble, the sitcom king tookhome another trophy for the show, winning Best TV Comedy.
Kicking off what would become a record-breaking awards season following her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, Michelle Yeoh wore one of the Golden Globes best looks at last year's show—a glittering strapless gown with a peplum waist courtesy of Armani Privé.
All eyes were on Rihanna's Schiaparelli gown at the 2023 Golden Globes. She complemented its black velvet bustier piece was with a Cartier necklace. Although she didn't win a Golden Globe that evening, the artist was nominated for Best Original Song for "Lift Me Up" for the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Ayo Edebiri wasn't up for any awards in 2023, but she won the hearts of fashion lovers with her baby blue two-piece by Rose Assoulin. She paired the number, which boasted a mini hoop skirt and a sculptural neckline, with cinnamon brown opera gloves. This looked marked just one of many examples of the actor's playful and elevated red carpet style.
Billy Porter's stunning 2023 Golden Globes look came courtesy of Christian Siriano. This fuschia tuxedo gown gave a nod to the iconic black velvet tuxedo gown Porter debuted at the Oscars in 2019, which was also by the American designer. The Pose actor never fails to innovate on the carpet.
Hunter Schafer was on everyone's best dressed lists at the 2024 Golden Globes thanks to her ethereal Prada gown, which was custom but took after similar looks in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection. Although Schafer was not up for any awards, she did present during the awards ceremony.
Dua Lipa wore an exaggerated drop-waist Schiaparelli gown to the 2024 Golden Globes. It channeled an avant-garde feeling and was embellished with diamond bones and a diamond necklace to match. The star joined, thanks to a nomination for her song, "Dance The Night" in Barbie. However, she lost out to Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" that is coincidentally another song from the movie.
