Sexiest Dresses of All Time

While winning a gold statue is the main goal at the Oscars, stars are also set on slaying the red carpet. While some have played it safe, opting for ballgowns and high necklines, other celebs show up to the Academy Awards in the sexiest, most skin-baring dresses, suits and gowns the fashion world has to offer.

From thigh-high slits and plunging necklines to peek-a-boo cutouts and nearly naked designs, the Oscars red carpet is a general parade of skin and sultriness.

For starters, who can forget Angelina Jolie’s leg peeking out from her black strapless Atelier Versace gown in 2012? That single gam (and her accompanying power stance) became a viral sensation, taking over social media feeds everywhere for days, weeks, month — heck — years to come (hey, we’re still talking about it right?). If there were an award for Best Supporting Appendage, her leg would have certainly gone home with a statue.

Other notable moments in smoldering goodness: Cindy Crawford stunned in a plunging red Versace number in 1991. Halle Berry wowed in with the see-through bodice of her Elie Saab gown she wore to pick up the Best Actress award for Monster’s Ball in 2002.

And back in 2005 the world became obsessed with Hilary Swank’s back muscles thanks to her rear-plunging navy Guy Laroche gown.

Showing a bit of cleavage is also a mainstay trend on the red carpet. Between Jennifer Lopez’s Zuhair Murad dress in 2012 and Charlize Theron’s red Dior number in 2016, plunging necklines and a bit of sideboob have come to be expected on the red carpet.

Then in 2020, Cardi B took the plunge with one of the deepest necklines we’ve ever seen. She wore a navy Dona Matashi gown that came to a close just above her belly button.

More recently, a new skin-baring trend took center stage, with celebs rocking peek-a-boo cutouts along their torso at the 2021 Academy Awards.

One of our favorites? Zendaya! She stunned in a bright yellow Valentino number that featured a bandeau-like top and triangular cutout along the stomach.

Andra Day also heated up the 93rd Annual Oscars red carpet, in a gold Vera Wang number that not only had a super-high leg slit, but also a huge cut out on her stomach.

So without further ado, grab something to fan yourself with and look through the all-time sexiest Oscars red carpet fashion moments from years past!