100 Best Dresses of the Decade

From barely-there figure-flaunters to sophisticated sheaths, the last 10 years have been great for gowns. Take a walk down memory lane (via the red carpet!) with InStyle fashion director Hal Rubenstein.

RELATED VIDEO: The Most Naked Dresses of All Time

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1 of 101

Kate Hudson in Versace


WHERE 75th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "It had a level of extravagance that just had you gasping. The combination of her golden skin, golden hair and the yards of gold lace-I was stunned."

-Hal Rubenstein, Fashion Director
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2 of 101

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive


WHERE 81st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The huge, iridescent paillettes came down at a diagonal and created a great mermaid effect. This dress almost matched her skin tone and was like a burst of light underneath her."
Rob Beccaris/WireImage

3 of 101

Charlize Theron in Vera Wang


WHERE 72nd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Vera understands real, sexy, old-fashioned, 'knock 'em dead' glamour. The color is just great and, of course, the diamonds are perfectly placed. It’s Old Hollywood without looking old."
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4 of 101

Eva Mendes in Dior


WHERE 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This look has one moment of extravagance and shows that proportion is everything. If that wonderful fold at her hip was two inches wider or longer it might have failed-but it was so right. The Van Cleef & Arpels necklace is a spectacular complement."

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5 of 101

Penelope Cruz in Atelier Versace


WHERE 81st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Three things: A refined moment with her hair and makeup, a va-va-va-voom moment where the dress fits so close to her body and a big glamour moment with the intricate train that goes on forever."

Paul Smith/Featureflash/Retna

6 of 101

Gwen Stefani in Valentino


WHERE 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT “Here’s the rocker chick wearing the most unlikely dress of the night. It’s all about going against the grain and throwing people off.”
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7 of 101

Jessica Alba in Dolce & Gabbana


WHERE 58th International Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France
WHY WE LOVE IT "The movement of the fabric against her great body is sexy and, as sparkly as the dress is, there’s something very withholding about it."

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8 of 101

Kate Winslet in Atelier YSL


WHERE 81st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This dress shows the sexiness of a real woman who makes no apologies for her curves."
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9 of 101

Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel


WHERE 55th Annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "There's something so happy about this dress. Those fabulous, weightless layers of organza-it’s like cotton candy or a pink meringue souffle. They didn’t bother with hair and makeup because the dress was such an eye-popper."
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10 of 101

Drew Barrymore in Alberta Ferretti


WHERE Grey Gardens premiere in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "Drew was channeling a femme fatale with the twenties hair and bee-stung lips. It had that unabashed boudoir feel that Alberta does so well."
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11 of 101

Joy Bryant in Donna Karan


WHERE The Skeleton Key premiere in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Everything comes dead center to the waist and starbursts out from there. It’s about a woman being proud of her curves."
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12 of 101

Reese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci


WHERE 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This was Reese's first moment out after her split with Ryan Philippe: Strapless, short, yellow, unadorned and showing her body. I love the unexpectedness of it. It was a brilliant strategy and it really worked."

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13 of 101

Jennifer Lopez in Versace


WHERE 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Her bravado is unbelievable. It’s funny because you want to tear the dress apart, yet when she showed up you couldn’t take your eyes off her."
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14 of 101

Cate Blanchett in Prada


WHERE BAFTA Awards in London
WHY WE LOVE IT "Prada took a classic flash of glamour and added the little lingerie moments against a quiet T-strap shoe."
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15 of 101

SJP in Richard Tyler


WHERE 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "It was layer upon layer of beaded tulle and was this wonderful blush color that perfectly matched her skin tone."
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16 of 101

Uma Thurman in Jean Paul Gaultier


WHERE 53rd Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France
WHY WE LOVE IT "There’s something very calm about the dress in the sense that it’s not about the usual Hollywood drama. It’s as if you took old scarves and sewed them all together."
Jeffrey Mayer/Wireimage

17 of 101

Halle Berry in Valentino


WHERE 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The red stones jump out like a shower of little roses accenting the smallness of Halle’s waist. They were like two fires burning from the middle and bottom of the dress."
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18 of 101

Charlize Theron in Narciso Rodriguez


WHERE El Captain Theatre in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "She looked like a glamorous savage. The torn beading and asymmetrical hem gave it an element of sophisticated grunge."
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19 of 101

Penelope Cruz in Ralph Lauren


WHERE 72nd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Ralph’s clothes never upstage the woman wearing them. He took his classic shape, pulled it off the shoulder and added an incredibly sheer shawl."
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20 of 101

Demi Moore in Donna Karan


WHERE Costume Institute Gala in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "There’s almost a deconstructed extravagance or luxury in this dress. The one shoulder gives it a goddess quality."
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21 of 101

Kate Beckinsale in Givenchy


WHERE Pearl Harbor premiere in London
WHY WE LOVE IT "It has this perverse, milkmaid-hits-the-red-carpet quality that I love. Also, the belt was made of this unbelievably thick, saddle-like leather."
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22 of 101

Michael Michele in Hermes


WHERE Ali premiere in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "You can imagine someone wearing it on a red carpet or while walking around barefoot at home. I think any woman who bought this dress would wear it forever."
Fitzroy Barrett/Globe Photos

23 of 101

Julianna Margulies in Oscar De La Renta


WHERE 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This was a true fairy-tale princess gown. It looks as if somebody captured the heavens and wrapped it into a dress."
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24 of 101

Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gaultier


WHERE Moulin Rouge premiere in London
WHY WE LOVE IT "I like dresses that cover up everything but one asset. In this case, it’s her legs. It’s just so smart and brilliantly accessorized."
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25 of 101

Jennifer Lopez in Alexander McQueen


WHERE MTV Video Music Awards in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "This was very 19th century swashbuckler. The big heavy locket and the curly hair make it a great look from top to bottom."
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26 of 101

Jennifer Connelly in Vivienne Westwood


WHERE BAFTA Awards in London
WHY WE LOVE IT "The dress looks classic but there’s a deliberate off-centeredness. This little twist makes the dress far more interesting and idiosyncratic."
Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo

27 of 101

Heather Locklear in Michael Kors


WHERE 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The beige and turquoise highlighted her tan while the diamonds and rhinestones lit up her hair and eyes. There’s something cheeky about throwing so much onto something little."
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28 of 101

Oprah Winfrey in Bradley Bayou


WHERE 54th Annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "There’s something queenly and regal about the dress just as there’s something very regal about Oprah. She’s like the Czarina of the world."
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29 of 101

Halle Berry in Collette Dinnigan


WHERE Die Another Day premiere in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "There's something about the combination of the Peter Pan haircut, the uneven hem and the sheerness of the beading. She looks like a fabulous sprite!"
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30 of 101

Kate Beckinsale in Gucci


WHERE 8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "It was this weird mix of virginal and sensual. When she moved it was like it became a fabulous night gown."
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31 of 101

Kate Hudson in Valentino


WHERE 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This is one of my favorite Valentino dresses ever. It’s not what you’d expect on a red carpet because it’s so riveting and untamed. The vibrant colors evoked Kate’s free spirit."

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32 of 101

Gwen Stefani in Vivienne Westwood


WHERE 45th Annual Grammy Awards in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "This is just too cool for school. It's very strong and dramatic with the white cape that fit perfectly. She was definitely having a Marilyn moment."
Carmen Valdes/Ron Galella/WireImage

33 of 101

Selma Blair in Behnaz Sarafpour


WHERE Costume Institute Gala in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "There’s something very modern fairy-tale princess about this dress that’s simple and reserved. Selma has that natural minimalist reserve about her too."
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34 of 101

Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera


WHERE 55th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The sheer panel in the front was teasing while the red belt gave it an old-fashioned elegant structure. It’s a very interesting juxtaposition."
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

35 of 101

Victoria Beckham in Dolce & Gabbana


WHERE MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This entire dress is a corset from top to bottom. It’s like the greatest undergarment you’ve ever seen."
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36 of 101

Diane Lane in Oscar De La Renta


WHERE 75th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "I like the idea of the fringes and that wide wrap that comes right across the arms. It’s incredibly flattering on a woman."
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37 of 101

Kate Hudson in Jean Paul Gaultier


WHERE How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days premiere in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Sometimes it’s all about the right placement of beading and gathering. This had a very Charleston moment to it—it has that sort of flapper insouciance."
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38 of 101

Scarlett Johansson in Calvin Klein


WHERE Costume Institute Gala in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "It has the neckline that someone in the court of Versailles would've worn- pushed up just enough to make it irresistible."
Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage

39 of 101

Natalie Portman in Stella McCartney


WHERE Costume Institute Gala in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "The dress is a whole series of V’s and triangles on the neck piece, daecolletage and hem that create a perfect sense of balance."
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40 of 101

Julia Roberts in Armani


WHERE 76th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Julia is more likely to show up on the red carpet in a tuxedo. Seeing her dressed this way was a very Hollywood moment."
Hahn-Khayat-Nebinger/Abaca

41 of 101

Nicole Kidman in Chanel


WHERE 76th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "There’s something completely weightless about this dress. It looks as if it just floated down and landed on her. It's like whipped cream!"
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

42 of 101

Kelly Rowland in Dolce & Gabbana


WHERE 18th Annual Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "I've always envisioned that at the heart of Dolce & Gabbana there is a hot Sicilian woman. This is the Dolce & Gabbana dress."
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43 of 101

Jennifer Lopez in Michael Kors


WHERE 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The crisscross accents her chest and the belt accents her waist. Kors picked a summer-squash orange to play off Jennifer’s golden skin tone."
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

44 of 101

Thandie Newton in Miu Miu


WHERE The Chronicles Of Riddick premiere in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This dress was about pure proportion. There’s a great balance in the way the dress starts wider at the top and then becomes wider at the bottom."
Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo

45 of 101

Kristen Davis in Prada


WHERE 61st Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This almost had the look of a dress turned inside out. It has a boudoir effect that makes it sexy without being revealing."
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46 of 101

Sheryl Crow in Narsico Rodriguez


WHERE 32nd Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Narciso is so brilliant at understanding fitting. His dresses take on a transformational sorcery that make every woman’s body look their best."
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47 of 101

Gwen Stefani in Vivienne Westwood


WHERE Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas
WHY WE LOVE IT "There is something ramshackle and grungy about it and yet at the same time it’s so 'I want to party.'"
Steve Granitz/WireImage

48 of 101

Jennifer Garner in Valentino


WHERE 76th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This is probably the most glamorous Jennifer has ever been on the carpet. The diagonal going across the bodice is incredibly fitted."
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49 of 101

Kate Bosworth in Louis Vuitton


WHERE The Louis Vuitton United Cancer Front Gala in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "It was a very unexpected collection for Vuitton. It’s a modernizing of the old fashioned sense of femininity."
Fernando Allende/Celebrity Photo

50 of 101

Bridget Moynahan in Narciso Rodriguez


WHERE I, Robot premiere in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Narciso is a romantic minimalist. He took a pared down shape and used embroidery to give it great panache. This look is almost urban romantic."
Barry Talesnick/IPOL/GLOBE PHOTOS

51 of 101

Kelly Ripa in Oscar De La Renta


WHERE American Image Awards in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "This is Oscar at his prettiest. The little drop waist with the big full skirt-it’s like a variation on a young girl’s party dress."
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52 of 101

Ellen Pompeo in Prada, 2004


WHERE Prada store opening in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The fabric had a beautiful movement. You could actually see the intricacies of the hand painting."
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53 of 101

Hilary Swank in Guy Laroche


WHERE 77th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This was a really smart move on Hilary’s part. There are few things sexier than a dress with a very high front and a low back. It’s a deliberate attention-getter."
Tim Whitby/WireImage

54 of 101

Kate Hudson in Roberto Cavalli


WHERE The Skeleton Key premiere in London
WHY WE LOVE IT "The slightest sway made the whole dress vibrate with light. It was incredible on the red carpet because it was reflecting and splashing light all over the place."
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55 of 101

Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney


WHERE 77th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "Between the train and Stella’s simple tailoring this dress is incredibly glamorous."
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56 of 101

Salma Hayek in Prada


WHERE 77th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "There’s something about this dress that’s so siren-like and very Latin. A woman would go out to dance the cha-cha wearing this."
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57 of 101

Eve in Louis Vuitton


WHERE Louis Vuitton Boutique in Paris, France
WHY WE LOVE IT "This dress just screams innocence with the white eyelet lace plus the peep-toes. It beautifully plays against type."
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58 of 101

Kristen Scott Thomas in YSL


WHERE 58th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France
WHY WE LOVE IT "She looked like a knockout yet there’s a certain level of reserve to the dress. You could wear it in a 19th century costume drama."
Jason Merritt/FilmMagic

59 of 101

Scarlett Johansson in Roland Mouret


WHERE 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This dress is all about the bodice. It has a very '50s movie star, Lana Turner feel."
George Pimentel/WireImage

60 of 101

Sienna Miller in Dior


WHERE Venice Film Festival in Venice
WHY WE LOVE IT "This was a perfect example of how a beautifully draped dress should move. I think every woman in the world would look good in this dress."
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61 of 101

Hilary Swank in Calvin Klein


WHERE 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The square neckline is like a picture frame while the darting and bodice pushes everything up. I love the strong bronze color against her skin."
Dave Allocca/Startraks

62 of 101

Halle Berry in DvF


WHERE On the USS Kearsager to kick off Fleet Week in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "It looks fresh, simple and happy. I can’t imagine a woman putting this dress on and not being in a good mood."
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

63 of 101

Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera


WHERE 78th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "To pick chocolate brown for your first red carpet is very unconventional but it has these wonderful ribbons that framed her body beautifully."
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64 of 101

Sienna Miller in Burberry


WHERE Costume Institute Gala in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "It looks like a shower of gold coins. It’s the personification of retro, cool and English."
Kevin Mazur/WireImage

65 of 101

Kyra Sedgwick in Bottega Veneta


WHERE 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT “On a night where everyone else would be wearing glitter, there’s something very reserved and almost contrary about this dress."
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

66 of 101

Nicole Kidman in Balenciaga


WHERE 78th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "The incredible ornate beading gives it a romantic feel yet the dress itself is very tightly wound. I love the juxtaposition."
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67 of 101

Maria Bello in Donna Karan


WHERE 5th Annual Awards Season Diamond Fashion Show in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "It’s such a happy yellow without being gooey. It’s a lot more intricate and sophisticated than it looks at first glance."
George Pimentel/WireImage

68 of 101

Anne Hathaway in Marc Jacobs


WHERE 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "It’s as if he stole the stars from the sky for this dress. It’s a clear, summer night blue and is just completely garnered with stars."
George Pimentel/WireImage

69 of 101

Joy Bryant in Ralph Lauren


WHERE 31st Annual Toronto International Film Festival
WHY WE LOVE IT "This shows the quiet luxury of a cashmere dress. There’s so much hidden it makes you want to know the woman more."
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70 of 101

Keira Knightley in Gucci


WHERE Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest premiere in London
WHY WE LOVE IT "She looked like a siren from the golden age of Hollywood. The whole thing draped so beautifully."
Henry Lamb/Photowire/BEImages

71 of 101

Sienna Miller in Marchesa


WHERE Marchesa's Bergdorf Goodman Anniversary Dinner in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "There’s something very neat about the dress. The design is so feminine and light-hearted that it looks more innocent than it is."
rian Ach/WireImage

72 of 101

Natalie Portman in Lanvin


WHERE Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Annual Spring Benefit in New York City
WHY WE LOVE IT "It’s a perfect choice for a young actress who’s transitioning. It’s young but still very urban."
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73 of 101

Rachel Weisz in Vera Wang


WHERE 79th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "This may have been one of the most beautiful necklines I have ever seen. It’s strapless but it swoops."
George Pimentel/WireImage

74 of 101

Ellen Pompeo in Versace


WHERE 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles
WHY WE LOVE IT "It looks like a dress that you’d wear to a New Year's Eve party on the Starship Enterprise. I love the futurism."