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Best Over-50 Looks From Oscar History

8 red-carpet fashions that turned heads then (and still do now!)

spinner image Sophia Loren, Angela Bassett and Meryl Streep
(Left to right) Sophia Loren, Angela Bassett and Meryl Streep
Steve Granitz/WireImage; Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The Academy Awards is one of fashion’s top nights, with up-and-coming and established designers competing to dress Hollywood’s biggest stars in the most glamorous (and often most daring) gowns. In anticipation of the 95th annual show on March 12 that honors the best in film, take a look back at some of the stunning looks worn by the 50-plus crowd.

spinner image Audrey Hepburn wearing a pink one shouldered dress at the 64th Annual Academy Awards
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Audrey Hepburn, then 62

The Breakfast at Tiffany’s star dazzled in a hot pink, one-shouldered dress with bold pearl earrings at the 1992 Academy Awards.

spinner image Ruby Dee on the red carpet wearing a red long sleeved belted gown at the 80th Annual Academy Awards
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Ruby Dee, then 85

Actress and activist Ruby Dee stood out in a ruby-red long-sleeved belted gown from Kevan Hall at the 2008 show. Nominated for best supporting actress for her role in American Gangster, Dee told The New York Times that she chose Hall’s designs to complement her petite 5-foot frame. “I like to look tall, thin and young,” she said. “He can stretch me.”

spinner image Sophia Loren wearing a yellow gold dress at the 81st Annual Academy Awards
GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images

Sophia Loren, then 74

Sophia Loren gave the shiny Oscar statuette some stiff competition at the 2009 Oscars. The Italian beauty glowed in a yellow-gold tiered dress with ruffles and sheer sleeves paired with a pearl choker necklace and chunky pearl-drop earrings.

spinner image Helen Mirren on the red carpet at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards
Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Helen Mirren, then 64

Helen Mirren looked simply regal at the 2010 Oscars. Her ice-blue Badgley Mischka gown with a straight neckline and tulle sequin overlay was complemented by eye-catching Chopard jewelry.

spinner image Meryl Streep wearing a gold dress on the red carpet at the 84th Annual Academy Awards
Donato Sardella/WireImage

Meryl Streep, then 62

A solid gold Streep picked up her third best actress Oscar for The Iron Lady in 2012 wearing a custom-made Lanvin gown with an elegantly draped train and deep V neckline.

spinner image Goldie Hawn on the red carpet at the 86th Annual Academy Awards
Steve Granitz/WireImage

Goldie Hawn, then 68

Bubbly Hawn chose a champagne-hued Versace gown with off-the-shoulder beaded sleeves for the 2014 awards show.   

spinner image Angela Bassett wearing a red dress on the red carpet at the 93rd Annual Academy Awards
Matt Petit/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images

Angela Bassett, then 62

Hello, color! Hello, sleeves! Angela Bassett could not be missed at the 2021 Academy Awards. The Black Panther actress wowed in a red Alberta Ferretti gown with oversize organza sleeves, a leg-baring slit and dramatic train.

spinner image Rita Moreno on the red carpet at the 93rd Annual Academy Awards
Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images

Rita Moreno, then 89

The unstoppable EGOT (the rare Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winner) took on the red carpet in 2021 wearing a strapless burgundy gown with mermaid-style skirt and matching coat. Moreno completed the ensemble with a chunky burgundy beaded necklace.

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