Stars' First-Time Oscars Fashions

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.

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?).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.