The 77 Best Red-Carpet Looks of All Time (and What You Can Learn From Them)

From Timothée Chalamet’s backless jumpsuit to A$AP Rocky’s Met Gala quilt, here’s what you can learn from some of the most iconic outfits ever worn.Photographs: Getty Images; Collage: Gabe ConteWhat does it mean to truly own the red carpet? It means showing out the way that stars have at the biggest events on the planet for generations now: In the swankiest, swerviest, most spotlight-stealing fashion possible.Maybe that’s stunting in a disco-tinged jumpsuit like a ruffled John Malkovich at the 2026 Venice Film Festival, suiting up in sumptuous red velvet like Gwenyth Paltrow in 1999, keeping things simmeringly subtle like Frank Ocean’s Prada look at the 2019 Met Gala, or popping out the big lapels on a suede tux like Tom Holland at GQ’s Men of the Year 2021. Whatever your interpretation, the best red-carpet looks need to feel unexpected, look unforgettable, and radiate confidence.To help jumpstart your own legendary party ensembles, here are 77 of the greatest red-carpet moments ever—and what you can learn from each.ExpandRay Tamarra / Getty ImagesMarc Jacobs, 2012Don’t be afraid to lean into your sex appeal.ExpandFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesColman Domingo, 2024As one wise Twitter user once put it, “Colman Domingo always dresses like he's stepped out of a GQ Mag shoot.”ExpandKevin Mazur / Getty ImagesGwenyth Paltrow, 1999This lush Gucci velvet suit became so instantly legendary that Gwenyth herself recreated the look more than 20 years later.ExpandJohn Shearer / Getty ImagesFrank Ocean, 2019Frank caused some consternation (though not around these parts) when he showed up to 2019’s camp-themed Met Gala in an understated, decidedly un-camp look. Four years on, though, his outfit remains a great reminder that sticking to the classics—in this case, black-and-white Prada from head to toe—is never a poor choice.ExpandEarl Gibson III/Getty ImagesJohn Malkovich, 2026Ruffles have ridges, and so does this suit.ExpandGetty ImagesLakeith Stanfield, 2021Leaning retro can sometimes go awry on the red carpet, but Stanfield managed to pull the ‘70s look off with funky ease when he pulled this giant-collared, razor-sharp Saint Laurent jumpsuit out for the Oscars.ExpandRon Galella / Getty ImagesWesley Snipes, 1995This outfit looks like it comes with its own walk-in music, and it’s loud.ExpandKristina Bumphrey/Getty ImagesStellan Skarsgård, 2026The right to rock bare-chested suit isn’t something you demand—it’s something you earn.ExpandDaniele VenturelliGreta Lee, 2025Take a bow!ExpandRon Galella / Getty ImagesKeanu Reeves, 1993ExpandRon Galella / Getty ImagesJulia Roberts, 1990Julia Effin’ Roberts in a Big Effin’ Suit. That’s it. That’s the caption.ExpandGilbert Flores / Getty ImagesPaul Mescal, 2023Big shoulders, big flares, big vibes.ExpandKevork Djansezian / Getty ImagesLetitia Wright, 2023Wearing Prada, like Wright at the 2023 Golden Globes, is a surefire way to get a lot of compliments. The brand makes you look stylish and smart. Don’t you just want to ask Wright which local art gallery to visit?ExpandDaniele Venturelli / Getty ImagesKaia Gerber and Austin Butler, 2023Sign up for Show Notes to get news on the latest runway shows, parties, and insider events on the international fashion circuit.