24 of the Most Memorable Style Moments

01 of 19

JULIANNE HOUGH, 2013

“I saw it at New York Fashion Week and I died,” said of this Jenny Packham design. And a few style editors died a little bit, too, when she hit the red carpet in the look, proving that the sheer trend wasn’t going to disappear anytime soon.

02 of 19

LENA DUNHAM, 2013

It wasn’t just the Girls creator and star’s floral Prada gown that we find unforgettable; it’s the fact that she chose to match her (heavy) eyeshadow to the teal shade of the dress.

03 of 19

ELLEN DEGENERES & PORTIA DI ROSSI, 2012

The couple left viewers and Tweeters divided. While ‘s cool midnight-blue suit wasn’t a surprise, Portia’s sheer beaded Valentino onesie was something we never could have predicted. (Remember: This was a time before jumpsuits had taken over Hollywood.)

04 of 19

JULIANNE MOORE, 2012

She may not have been on everyone’s Best Dressed list, but she was certainly at the top of the Brightest list. A yellow full skirt and matching cashmere top, both Christian Dior Couture, ensured that nobody missed Julianne on the carpet.

05 of 19

SARAH JESSICA PARKER: 2000

Yes, Sex and the City was a fashion phenomenon and made into a style icon. But that doesn’t mean Carrie Bradshaw’s signature look should be attempted off-screen, even by the star herself. And if her ballet-inspired, feathery tutu ensemble wasn’t over-the-top enough, that enormous rosette armband pushed this into Scary Bradshaw territory. Hey, at least the shoes are great!

06 of 19

HEIDI KLUM: 2005, 2006 & 2009

never let a little thing like pregnancy get between her and a red carpet. At the 2005 awards she showed off her post-baby body in a draped floral dress just eight days after giving birth to son Henry. A year later, she arrived rocking a gorgeous scarlet gown and a major bump. But nothing beats 2009, when she donned a skintight black strapless gown, which enhanced her any-minute-now belly.

07 of 19

SOFIA VERGARA: 2012

Of course the Modern Family turned heads in her beaded Zuhair Murad dress, but she really got attention when she suffered a wardrobe malfunction and Tweeted a photo of her exposed rear for all to see. Not that anyone probably minded …

08 of 19

BRAD PITT & JENNIFER ANISTON: 1999, 2000, 2002 & 2004

Ah, and . We know they’ve both moved on (and so have we), but we can’t help taking a trip down memory lane to revisit their coordinated Emmys ensembles. When they got it right, they were so right (who could forget that glam red gown?) – but even when they got it wrong (the dreadlocks! The goatee! The scarf!) they still reigned on the red carpet.

09 of 19

BLAKE LIVELY: 2009

The plunging neckline. The super-high slit. The slicked-back braid. There was no question that the was ready to amp up her image in her sexy red Versace gown when she strutted onto that red carpet like a seasoned pro.

10 of 19

JANUARY JONES: 2010

Perhaps she was feeling a little ’50s fatigue from her Mad Men wardrobe, or perhaps she just wanted a few seats to herself in the Emmys auditorium. Either way, January’s bright blue high-low Atelier Versace gown definitely got her (and fashion critics, for that matter) out of her comfort zone.

11 of 19

NINA DOBREV: 2011

Though she’d been on The Vampire Diaries for a few years, Nina was still an under-the-radar starlet in 2011. By the time she’d finished strolling the red carpet in her perfectly fitted, mermaid-style Donna Karan gown, she had established herself as a fashionista to watch.

12 of 19

ANGELINA JOLIE: 1998

Back in 1998 Oscar-worthy roles, humanitarian work and big brood were just twinkles in our eyes. But her sex appeal was on full display in a body-skimming Randolph Duke dress that emphasized her killer curves.

13 of 19

GWYNETH PALTROW: 2011

While Nina Dobrev’s gown had jaws dropping, Emilio Pucci number had eyebrows raising, thanks to the bare midriff and open back – a bold pick for the mom of two. While we’re still split about whether exposed abs belong at a black tie event, we all agree that if anyone can pull it off, it’s Gwyneth.

14 of 19

ASHLEY JUDD: 2012

Last year’s Emmys were apparently a hair-raising experience for Ashley, who added at least four inches to her 5-foot-7-inch frame with her very voluminous hairstyle. Hey – at least it took attention off of that prom-like gown, right?

15 of 19

CLAIRE DANES: 2010

She nabbed a best actress statuette for Temple Grandin, but we would have gladly handed her an award for her head-to-toe gorgeous look. In a glittering Armani Privé gown and soft blonde curls, Claire effortlessly pulled off megawatt glamour. Take note, 2013 nominees!

16 of 19

GEENA DAVIS: 2000

Was there something in the water at the 2000 Emmys? At the same awards where looked like a ballet class escapee, Geena seemed to have taken a wrong turn on the way to Burning Man, wearing a psychedelic (and totally see-through) dress with flip-flops and a goofy grin.

17 of 19

KATHERINE HEIGL: 2006

Though she was on an ensemble show, the Grey’s Anatomy stole the spotlight the second she hit the red carpet in this curve-hugging, flesh-toned Escada gown, complete with plunging neckline and sexy, smoky eyes. It was the perfect pick for the statuesque blonde, and we’re still waiting for her to regain that same fashion mojo.

18 of 19

STAR JONES: 2005

As if the TV host wasn’t making enough waves on The View, she further got tongues (and tails) wagging when she toted along her fluffy white dog in lieu of a clutch. She went to the trouble to coordinate their outfits, but seven years later, we still want PETA to intervene on behalf of the poor, confused puppy.

19 of 19

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE: 2008

After her recent breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy, no one would have blamed for taking the Emmys off. Instead, she was the talk of the red carpet in a beautiful powder blue Reem Acra gown. “I’ve got a pretty dress on and lipstick,” she said. “It feels really good to be here.”