32 Dresses That Prove The ’90s Was The Most Fabulous Decade For Oscars Fashion

From J.Lo to SJP, these stars knew how to work a red carpet.

'90s Oscars fashion

by Grazia Contributor |
Updated on

There is no era of fashion we love to reminisce about more than the '90s, whether it was the cargo pants, the platforms, the super low-waist jeans or the sleek shoulder bags.

One particular fashion highlight was, of course, the red carpet. As the pinnacle of awards season, what better place to push fashion boundaries and indulge in some risk-taking glamour than the Oscars?

Celebrating its 96th year, we certainly have a few decades to choose from. After delving deep into the archives of the Academy Awards, we've settled on the glorious '90s as the gold-medal decade for A-list style. From slinky slip dresses to yard (seriously yards) of swishy taffeta, scroll down to see the best of the bunch from our beloved 1990s...

Gallery

SEE: The Dresses That Prove The '90s Was The Best For Oscars Fashion

Celine Dion1 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Celine Dion

Just Celine Dion being her fabulous self at the 69th Academy Awards.

Jane Fonda2 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda's checkerboard dress in 1991 truly took monochrome to a new level.

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith3 of 32

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith

Jada in metallic green chainmail and a matching body chain would be right at home on the red carpet today.

Mariah Carey4 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey in 1999 must have made it onto many a bride's moodboard.

Jodie Foster5 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Jodie Foster

In 1991, Jodie Foster absolutely rocked a gold suit in what is possibly our favourite look of all time from her.

Tyra Banks6 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks truly stunned in this strapless dress in 1998

Halle Berry7 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Halle Berry

Halle Berry served all the silk inspiration we could ever need at the 1998 Oscars.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick8 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick

The tinted shades, the hoops, the too-cool-for-school tank dress, it's a 10/10.

Gwyneth Paltrow9 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth served us her best red carpet look of all time at the 1999 Oscars - this spaghetti-strapped dress by Ralph Lauren.

90s Oscars Fashion Claire Danes10 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Claire Danes

Clare Danes embodies '90s fashion with this entire look in 1997.

Pamela Anderson11 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson in a slinky navy number in 1992.

Elizabeth Taylor12 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor's 1993 Oscars dress took eye-catching to the next level.

Courtney Love13 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Courtney Love

Courtney Love channeled Marylin Monroe in this silver gown for the 1997 Oscars.

Jennifer Lopez14 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo, of course, looked sensational at the 1999 Oscars in this full-skirted prom gown.

Oprah Winfrey15 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah posed with partner Stedman Graham in 1995 looking oh-so-elegant in this elongated shirt dress.

Vanessa L. Williams16 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Vanessa L. Williams

Vanessa L. Williams shimmering away in a metallic gown and the perfect smoky eye.

Alicia Silverstone17 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone looked angelic in this Vera Wang dress at the 68th Annual Academy Awards.

Sarah Jessica Parker18 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker channeled all the Carrie Bradshaw we could possibly need in this beautiful black dress in 1995.

Sharon Stone19 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Sharon Stone

The legendary Sharon Stone made a splash at the 1995 Oscars with this silver gown.

Julia Roberts20 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts and actor Kiefer Sutherland attended the 63rd Annual Academy Awards on March 25, 1991, with Julia's head-to-toe black outfit contrasting with her blonde bob.

Salma Hayek21 of 32
CREDIT: Getty

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek giving us glimmering gold realness for the 1997 Oscars.

Demi Moore22 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Demi Moore

Demi Moore showed us how timeless red carpet dresses truly work at 1992 Oscars.

Kate Winslet23 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Kate Winslet

Baby Kate Winslet wearing pretty-in-pink taffeta in 1996.

Naomi Campbell24 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Naomi Campbell

A young Naomi graces the red carpet in a silky lemon number in 96.

Claudia Schiffer25 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Claudia Schiffer and David Copperfield

A round of applause for Claudia's 1995 hot pink Versace gown, please.

Jennifer Lopez26 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez

It's official, J.Lo has not aged since the '90s.

Kim Cattrall27 of 32
CREDIT: Getty

Kim Cattrall

Is there anything more '90s thank a silky slip dress, velvet evening coat and shimmering lipstick?

Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley28 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley

Sweethearts of the '90s, Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant take to the red carpet in 1995.

Denzel Washington and Geena Davis29 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Denzel Washington and Geena Davis

A dapper Denzel Washington and Geena Davis bringing a bit of Hollywood glamour to the night.

Helena Bonham-Carter30 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Helena Bonham-Carter

Helena Bonham-Carter in lilac tulle is the most peak '90s moment we've seen today.

Whoopi Goldberg31 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Whoopi Goldberg

A moment for Whoopi in this striking lime ensemble.

Claudia Schiffer and Elton John32 of 32
CREDIT: Getty Images

Claudia Schiffer and Elton John

What a duo (we want to know what they're talking about).

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us