Stars' First-Time Oscars Fashions

Michelle Williams! Meryl Streep! Brad Pitt! See the styles this year's nominees sported at their Academy Awards debut

MICHELLE WILLIAMS, 2006

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For her first Academy Awards appearance, Brokeback Mountain’s already looked like a red carpet pro, walking arm-in-arm with partner in a canary-yellow, pleated Vera Wang gown that is still considered one of the best Oscar dresses of all time.

BRAD PITT, 1992

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In a look we dubbed one of the scariest Oscar fashions ever, the , with date Juliette Lewis, was on hand to fete his film A River Runs Through It, mixing ’20s style with some wild, modern touches (two-toned dress shoes, anyone?).

MERYL STREEP, 1979

A.M.P.A.S.

A Best Supporting actress nominee for The Deer Hunter, the then-30-year-old actress, accompanied by husband Don Gummer, attended the awards in a sheer swiss-dot dress. This year she’s earned her 17th nomination, for The Iron Lady.

SANDRA BULLOCK, 2002

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In an off-the-shoulder, paillette-studded number and loose waves, the (whose film Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is nominated for Best Picture this year) exuded casual elegance.

GEORGE CLOONEY, 2006

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Though he’s been in Hollywood for years, the didn’t hit the Academy Awards red carpet until just six years ago, when he donned a classic, dapper look and won Best Supporting Actor for his turn in Syriana.

GLENN CLOSE, 1984

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Puffy sleeves? Check. Bouffant hairdo? Check. Door-knocker earrings? Check! The (for her gender-bending work in Albert Nobbs) hit every item on the ’80s checklist for her first Oscars, when she got a Best Supporting Actress nod for The Big Chill.

RACHEL MCADAMS, 2010

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A presenter at the event, the easily made our best-dressed list in a pastel watercolor Elie Saab Haute Couture gown and Lorraine Schwartz diamonds. This year, her film Midnight in Paris is nominated for Best Picture.

VIOLA DAVIS, 2009

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When you look this golden and statuesque, who needs a golden statuette? As a first-time nominee for Doubt, the actress attended the ceremony in a shimmering, fluid gown and major bangles; this year she’ll hit the red carpet having already picked up two best-actress trophies (at the Golden Globes and SAGs) for her Oscar-nominated role in The Help.

AMY ADAMS, 2006

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The movie The Muppets is up for Best Song this year, but she was a Best Supporting Actress nominee (for Junebug) when she first attended the event in a chocolate Carolina Herrera gown with an updo and dangling earrings.