Celebrity 50 Times Jennifer Lopez's Red Carpet Looks Made Our Jaws Drop From her iconic Versace gown to her favorite Zuhair Murad dress(es), these outfits are legendary. By InStyle Editors InStyle Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Our editors and writers comprise decades of expertise across the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and wellness spaces in print and digital. We prioritize journalistic integrity, factual accuracy, and also having fun with every story we share. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on January 31, 2023 @ 09:37AM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: John Lamparski Jennifer Lopez has been known to wear the heck out of a sweatshirt and a pair of leggings, so it's no surprise that when it comes to glamorous events, this style star doesn't hold back. J.Lo has been making us audibly gasp with her red carpet looks since at least 1997 (and definitely since 2000, when her belly-button-baring Versace gown first made an appearance) and there's rarely a moment when we aren't impressed or envious over what she's wearing. It's hard to narrow down over 20 years of best dresses and gowns — there have been so many wins — but somehow, we did it. Check out all the times Lopez solidified her title as ruler of the red carpet, whether she was wearing silver, animal print, or a sexy naked dress. Jennifer Lopez Has Been Following These 20 Genius Style Rules For Over 30 Years 01 of 50 1997 Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage Early on in her career, the star went with sweet and classic, wearing a Badgley Mischka gown to the Oscars that year. 02 of 50 1997 Albert L. Ortega/WireImage For the premiere of Anaconda, Jennifer showed a little leg in a lacy brown number. 03 of 50 1998 Steve Granitz/WireImage) This multi-colored number would go on to inspire others — particularly Sienna Miller's look from the 2020 Golden Globes. 04 of 50 1998 Jim Smeal/Getty Images Clearly, this woman isn't afraid of a statement-making accessory. She paired her suit with a large cowboy hat back at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. Jennifer Lopez Paired a Cowboy Hat with a Plunging Pinstripe Dress 05 of 50 1999 Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage A full, strapless ballgown and a sparkly choker necklace made for the perfect princess moment at the 1999 Oscars. 06 of 50 1999 Ke.Mazur/WireImage A few years before Paris Hilton partied in a slinky silver dress, J.Lo wore a similar one to the launch of Notorious Magazine. 07 of 50 2000 Bob Riha Jr/Getty Images The Versace dress that broke the Internet — and inspired a million recreations — popped up at the Grammy Awards at the start of the millennium. Demi Lovato Just Channeled Jennifer Lopez's Iconic Green Versace Dress 08 of 50 2000 George De Sota/Getty Images Yes, J.Lo's top from the 2000 MTV Awards does say Sean John. She, of course, paired it with a bandana and an embellished silver belt. We Can't Let Low-Rise Pants Come Back 09 of 50 2001 KMazur/WireImage Lopez showed some skin — and embraced leopard print — at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. 10 of 50 2002 Frank Micelotta Archive/Getty Images The star looked like she stepped out of old Hollywood at the Oscars, wearing a pretty pink Versace gown. 11 of 50 2002 Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic The sheer top, the flower, the dreamy '60s vibe — what isn't there to love about this look from the premiere of Enough? 12 of 50 2003 Kevin Winter/Getty Images Lopez had a minty moment at the 2003 Oscars, where she showed up in a one-shouldered Valentino gown that featured material draped over her arm. Jennifer Lopez in Her Own Words (and Everyone Else's) 13 of 50 2004 Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Metallic and marigold proved to be the perfect color combination at the 2004 Golden Globes, where she walked the red carpet in a bright Michael Kors gown. 14 of 50 2006 Lester Cohen/WireImage Why wear new when you can wear vintage? That was likely J.Lo's thought process when she stepped out in this gorgeous green throwback number by Rita Watnick. 15 of 50 2007 HECTOR MATA/Getty Images This empire-waisted Marchesa gown reminded us of ancient Greece, and J.Lo looked like a true goddess at the 2007 Oscars. 16 of 50 2009 Jason Merritt/TERM/Getty Images Going for the gold — at the Golden Globes — in Marchesa. 19 Times Jennifer Lopez Was Nearly Naked on the Red Carpet 17 of 50 2010 Jason Merritt/TERM/Getty Images This Armani Privé dress looked stunning at the Oscars, but we could easily see it being worn as a wedding dress, too. 18 of 50 2011 Kevin Mazur Met Gala glam. We love how the fiery color of this Gucci gown with floral embellished shoulders makes its way into J.Lo's purse and pout. The result is stand-out. 19 of 50 2011 AFP/Getty Images A cutout Emilio Pucci gown gave us a peek at J.Lo's abs at the 2011 BAFTA Awards. 10 Easy Ab Workouts You Can Do At Home 20 of 50 2012 Jason Merritt/TERM/Getty Images We have a feeling that this star really loves Zuhair Murad. She wore yet another sparkly number from the brand to the 2012 Oscars. 21 of 50 2012 Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Her sequined Zuhair Murad dress for the Vanity Fair afterparty incorporated the ombré trend, going from a dark plum shade on top to a lighter cranberry on the bottom How to Wear Sequins and Shine Without Feeling So Extra 22 of 50 2013 Kevork Djansezian/NBC/Getty Images The star gave us glamour — and a bit of skin — at the 2013 Golden Globes, where she showed up in a lace Zuhair Murad gown and sparkly drop earrings. 23 of 50 2013 Dan MacMedan Sure, the black Anthony Vaccarello dress that Lopez wore to the 2013 Grammy Awards was nice, but she couldn't forget to show off those Tom Ford shoes with a full leg pop. The little extras were what made the look: Neil Lane for Forevermark and Norman Silverman jewels and a Jimmy Choo bag. 24 of 50 2014 Jason Merritt/TERM/Getty Images J.Lo's Charbel Zoe dress almost looked like glam armor at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. Jimmy Choo shoes, a Thalé Blanc clutch, and Norman Silverman rings and earrings made the look complete. Jimmy Choo and Billy Porter Released a Shoe Collection That Goes Up to a Women's Size 15 25 of 50 2014 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic The 2014 Billboard Music Awards were red hot — mostly because of this caped Donna Karan bodysuit that featured floor-grazing panels as a skirt. 26 of 50 2014 Jim Spellman/WireImage She struck a pose at a Fashion Rocks event, popping up on the red carpet in a sexy, cut-out Versace design and holding a Thalé Blanc clutch. 27 of 50 2015 Jason Merritt/Getty Images Lopez made a dramatic entrance at the 2015 Golden Globes in a caped Zuhair Murad design that was styled with Stuart Weitzman shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewels. 28 of 50 2015 Getty feed for People For the 2015 Oscars, the choice was a whole lot of tulle, courtesy of Elie Saab. 29 of 50 2015 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images J.Lo's Atelier Versace gown at the 2015 Met Gala was embroidered with a red dragon that wrapped around her body, giving a nod to the theme that year, China: Through the Looking Glass. Her accessories included a Swarovski clutch and jewelry by Sutra, Harry Kotlar, and Jack Vartanian. The 100 Best Met Gala Looks of All Time 30 of 50 2015 Steve Granitz/WireImage No stranger to showing some skin, she wore a peek-a-boo sheer Charbel Zoe gown to the Billboard Music Awards. 31 of 50 2015 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images At the 2015 Tony Awards, Lopez channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a strapless navy gown with gold sequined detailing by Valentino Couture. 32 of 50 2016 Jason Merritt/Getty Images Hello, yellow! We're still swooning over this Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown from the 2015 Golden Globes, which was perfectly accented with Harry Winston, Jimmy Choo heels, and a clutch by Judith Leiber. From Marilyn to J.Lo, See Our Favorite Golden Globes Gowns of All Time 33 of 50 2016 Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Lopez brought the drama for the finale of American Idol, wearing a champagne Elie Madi gown, Christian Louboutin heels, and Le Vian jewels. The Mullet Dress Is the Latest Confusing Fashion Trend to Make a Comeback 34 of 50 2017 Neilson Barnard / Getty Images This semi-sheer, blue Valentino gown featured a regal cape and made J.Lo look angelic. It was a top-notch choice for the Met Gala that year. 35 of 50 2017 Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Lopez wore another winning look to the NBCUniversal Upfronts, showing up in an off-the-shoulder Elie Saab dress with a knotted detail and a major side slit. She coordinated with a matching clutch, Narcisa Pheres and Le Vian diamond rings, and sky-high platform sandals. 36 of 50 2018 Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images At the Time 100 Gala, J.Lo opted to show a little leg in a Zuhair Murad Couture gown. She added even more shine to her look with some metallic Jimmy Choo heels and a Judith Leiber clutch. Follow These Steps to Create a Sleek Long Ponytail 37 of 50 2018 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Sleek, sexy, silver — this one-shouldered Versace gown from the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards is definitely one of our favorites. 38 of 50 2018 Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images This jaw-dropping, gem-encrusted Balmain gown that Lopez wore to the 2018 Met Gala was custom-made just for her. 39 of 50 2018 Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images Say no to subtle. We have a feeling that's pretty much J.Lo's motto, especially after she wore this bright pink, tulle Giambattista Valli gown for the world premiere of Second Act. Tulle Skirts Are Trending Again Like It's 2015 40 of 50 2019 Steve Granitz The star's Ralph & Russo Couture gown was straight off the runway, and she made sure to accessorize it with Niwaka jewels, a Judith Leiber clutch, and Jimmy Choo platform heels. 41 of 50 2019 Jeff Kravitz She sure likes the color silver. The Tom Ford dress she wore to the 2019 Oscars was right in line with J.Lo's signature style. 42 of 50 2019 (C)Kevin Mazur Bringing matching sets to the red carpet, Lopez showed up to the CFDA Fashion Awards wearing a sparkly, orange crop top and a voluminous skirt from Ralph Lauren Collection. All the Best Looks from the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards 43 of 50 2019 Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic It was a power pose — and a whole lot of sparkle! — for the 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion. J.Lo wore a silver, fringed Versace gown with a plunging neckline. 44 of 50 2020 Kevork Djansezian/NBC/Getty Images The star made quite the statement for the Emmy Awards, showing up in a Valentino gown that featured a big bow. 45 of 50 2020 Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic For the 2020 SAG Awards, Lopez went classic and elegant, wearing a black Georges Hobeika gown with a casual $9 million worth of Harry Winston jewels. Basics Are Back, So Here Are 11 Black Dress Outfits to Make the Most Out of Your LBD 46 of 50 2021 Noam Galai / Getty Images JLo went risqué with her wardrobe at the VMAs, proving she knows how to dress for the occasion. After all, less is more, right? Jennifer Lopez Is Giving the People What They Want: Her Skincare Routine 47 of 50 2021 Amy Sussman / Getty Images Lopez exuded elegance in this flowy Elie Saab gown at the LA premiere of Amazon Studio's The Tender Bar. The silver belt adds a nice touch, cinching at the waist and flattering her figure. 48 of 50 2022 Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images Suggestive, yet tasteful, Jennifer Lopez reinvents the classic LBD with this sheer cut-out gown. 49 of 50 2023 Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic A semi-transparent dress is a head-turner all on its own. But to give it that JLo touch, throw in some sparkle and add a pop of color à la yellow sash. The result is next-level. 50 of 50 2015 Phillip Faraone / Getty Images There's a lot going on with this Gucci gown — unitard, sheer skirt, and rhinestones galore — but it all works. Jennifer Lopez Brought Western Glam to the 2023 Grammys With a Plunging, Rhinestone-Covered Gown