15 Oscar Dresses From the ’90s That Would Look Totally Normal This Year
Photo: Getty Images
Before every awards season, we comb through archival images to find the best and worst dresses from red carpets past. This year, we found ourselves gravitating to our favorite looks from our youth: simple, ’90s sheath dresses, turtleneck column gowns, and the occasional power suit.
The era of the minimal, super-plain, spaghetti-strapped bias-cut silk dress seems particularly relevant now — especially as we reach a collective tipping point of red-carpet looks that are so voluminous and bedazzled. Click through our slideshow of 15 amazing ’90s Oscars dresses that would be at home on the red carpet this Sunday.
Cindy Crawford, Richard Gere, 1991 First of all, this is probably one of the greatest Oscar couples ever to have walked a red carpet. Secondly, C...
Cindy Crawford, Richard Gere, 1991 First of all, this is probably one of the greatest Oscar couples ever to have walked a red carpet. Secondly, Cindy Crawford's Deep-V Versace dress was entirely era-less: it was as low in front as it was high in the back. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn, 1992 Audrey Hepburn's pink, one-shouldered dress at the 1992 Oscars is simultaneously preppy and fashion-forward. And a bit Lupit...
Audrey Hepburn, 1992 Audrey Hepburn's pink, one-shouldered dress at the 1992 Oscars is simultaneously preppy and fashion-forward. And a bit Lupita Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Winona Ryder, 1994 Fringe just so happens to be back this season: Winona, ahead of her time by 20 years. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Gwyneth Paltrow, 1996 This Calvin Klein pale pink silk charmeuse dress was, in Klein's words, "a dress designed to show off the woman and no...
Gwyneth Paltrow, 1996 This Calvin Klein pale pink silk charmeuse dress was, in Klein's words, "a dress designed to show off the woman and not the designer." Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, 1997 A turtleneck column dress with a faint shimmer is basically all Goldie ever needs. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty I...
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, 1997 A turtleneck column dress with a faint shimmer is basically all Goldie ever needs. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Meryl Streep, 1999 We just really hope Meryl wears this exact thing to the Oscars this year. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Bruce Paltrow, Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999 Basically the greatest Oscars dress of all time -- in part because it was just so. damn. simple. Photo: Ron...
Bruce Paltrow, Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999 Basically the greatest Oscars dress of all time -- in part because it was just so. damn. simple. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, 1999 A little bridal, this one, but nice nonetheless. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Marisa Tomei, 1994 Shoulders: the body part of the nineties. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Glenn Close, 1991 This black and gold number is a little more complicated, but -- subtract the gloves and stockings -- and this would completely ...
Glenn Close, 1991 This black and gold number is a little more complicated, but -- subtract the gloves and stockings -- and this would completely work today. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Glenn Close, 1994 This embroidered grey number looks like it could be Valentino from any recent year. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Candice Bergen, 1991 Please, someone, wear a metallic power suit this year. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Helen Hunt, Jack Nicholson, 1998 A baby blue strapless stress was just the right note for Hunt in 1998. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Debbie Allen, 1994 This military dress has a vaguely McQueen vibe, no? Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
Martha Plimpton, River Phoenix, 1989 Martha Plimpton may not like you, but at least her dress was killer. Photo: Ron Gallela/Getty Images
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