A Look Back at ’90s Red Carpet Style
We’re revisiting the looks and the icons from the end of the 20th century.
When you hear the words “red carpet” today, you might think of extravagant dresses, tailored tuxedos, and no shortage of diamond jewelry. However, in the 1990s, the red carpet was a whole different ball game. Punctuated by low-rise jeans, crop tops, chokers, and slip dresses, the ’90s was a time of sartorial experimentation where anything seemed to go. While some celebs showed up to award shows and film premieres outfitted in elaborate satin gowns, others opted for more laid-back looks, like jean jackets and beige pantsuits.
Even though it’s been over 20 years since the turn of the millennium, there’s no doubt that the red carpet dressing of that time still heavily influences fashion today. In honor of that inimitable era, we rounded up some of the most unforgettable red carpet moments of that time. From Elizabeth Hurley’s headline-making Versace dress (you know the one) to Celine Dion’s backwards Dior suit, click ahead to revisit the best of ’90s red carpet style.
Daryl Hannah
In 1990, Hannah showed up to the Academy Awards wearing a fitted gold gown with an exaggerated mermaid hem, a white fur stole, elbow-length gloves, and a pair of matching glasses.
Madonna
The singer walked the 1991 Academy Awards red carpet dressed in a Bob Mackie-designed ensemble. Mackie custom-made the outfit for the songstress after they collaborated on a Vanity Fair cover.
Daryl Hannah
The award-winning actor turned heads at the 1991 Academy Awards once again when she waltzed in wearing a sky-blue gown paired with a white scarf, blue-toned jewelry, and a pair of silver shades.
Cindy Crawford
Crawford wore a striking black and white outfit, complete with a beret, to the 1992 Emmy Awards.
Geena Davis
Davis’s red carpet fashion was truly something else in the ’90s. Case in point: the 1992 Academy Awards, where she wore a ruffled white dress that featured an asymmetrical hem.
Drew Barrymore
The tinted sunglasses, the Mickey Mouse bag, the jean jacket with contrast stitching—what's not to love about Barrymore’s laid back look? This outfit was for the 1993 premiere of the thriller Silver.
Claudia Schiffer
Schiffer looked pretty in pink while at the 1994 Academy Awards. Here, she’s seen posing next to her then-fiancée, the magician David Copperfield.
Tyra Banks
Banks wore a stunning silvery-blue spaghetti strap gown to the 1994 CFDA Awards.
Elizabeth Hurley
Hurley wore a striking black Versace gown punctuated with oversized gold safety pins to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral. Decades later, the dress remains one of the most talked-about red carpet looks.
Naomi Campbell
Campbell, pictured here walking next to fellow supermodel Christy Turlington, rocked a white crochet mini-dress to attend the New York City red carpet premiere of Wolf.
Liv Tyler
Tyler chose a black dress with see-through sleeves for the 1995 MTV VMAs red carpet.
Kate Moss
Moss looked cool in all-black suiting while posing for the cameras at the 1995 VH1 Fashion and Music Awards.
Nicole Kidman
Kidman wore a sparkly silver dress to the 1995 premiere of Batman Forever.
Drew Barrymore
Barrymore stunned in a silky baby blue minidress with a daisy hair clip at the Batman Forever red carpet. The young actor played Sugar in the Joel Schumacher-directed movie.
Halle Berry
Berry wore a simple yet striking silver-blue gown to the 1995 People’s Choice Awards.
Sharon Stone
Stone wore a gorgeous Vera Wang look (with pockets!) to attend the premiere of her movie Last Dance.
Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey was glowing at the 1995 Academy Awards dressed in a silky coffee-colored getup with a gold clutch and plenty of diamond accessories.
Uma Thurman
Thurman kept it casual at the French Kiss premiere in a beige-colored suit with black accessories.
Mary J. Blige
Who could forget Blige’s all-leopard print look that she wore at the Grammys?
Kate Winslet
Winslet sported a gorgeous pink Vivienne Westwood gown with a diamond necklace while attending the 1996 Oscars. She was nominated that year for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Sense and Sensibility.
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