Jennifer Lopez's Best Red Carpet Looks Through the Years

Jennifer Lopez has never been afraid to make a bold statement on the red carpet

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Jennifer Lopez has been known to wear the heck out of a sweatshirt and a pair of leggings, so it’s no surprise that when it comes to glamorous events, the style star doesn’t hold back. Lopez has been making us audibly gasp with her red carpet looks since at least 1997 (and definitely since 2000, when her infamous green Versace gown first made an appearance at the Grammys), and there’s rarely a moment when we aren’t impressed or envious about what she’s wearing.

The Mother actress has so much red carpet fashion to crush that it actually takes two stylists — Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn — to keep up with her needs. The duo (known by their Insta handle #RandM) have been by Lopez’s side since 2010 and have a hand in everything she wears, from music videos and stage performances to the Oscars and Met Gala, and everything (read: a lot) in between.

Their guiding light along the way? Defining Lopez’s style as iconic, sexy, and timeless, in addition to sticking to one rule: “At the end of the day, the best dress always wins,” Haenn told British Vogue in 2021. Lopez long ago solidified her title as ruler of the red carpet, whether she was wearing silver, animal print, or a sexy naked dress, so it seems like #RandM’s rule is one to live by.

Keep scrolling for a taste of Jennifer Lopez’s best red carpet looks to date.

Jennifer Lopez Has Been Following These 20 Genius Style Rules For Over 30 Years

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Jennifer Lopez in a Valentino Couture gown at the ‘Shotgun Wedding’ Los Angeles premiere in 2023

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Lopez’s completely sheer Valentino Couture dress for the Shotgun Wedding premiere was sprinkled in silver sequins and floated above a nude bodysuit and canary yellow belt with a matching clutch.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Gucci gown at the Grammys in 2023

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Lopez’s blue Gucci gown at the 2023 Grammys had everything — rhinestones, a unitard, a ruffled train — but somehow it all worked.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Tom Ford dress at the ‘Halftime’ premiere at Tribeca Film Festival in 2022

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Suggestive yet tasteful, Lopez reinvented the classic LBD with a sheer Tom Ford cutout gown.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Elie Saab gown at ‘The Tender Bar’ L.A. premiere in 2021

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Lopez exuded elegance in this flowy Elie Saab gown at the L.A. premiere of Amazon Studio’s The Tender Bar. The silver belt added a nice touch, cinching at the waist and defining her figure.

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Jennifer Lopez in a David Koma ensemble at the VMAs in 2021

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The Hustlers star went super risqué with her string-heavy David Koma separates at the VMAs, proving she knows how to dress for the occasion. After all, less is more, right?

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Jennifer Lopez in a Georges Hobeika gown at the SAG Awards in 2020

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For the 2020 SAG Awards, Lopez went classic and elegant, wearing a black Georges Hobeika gown with a cool $9 million worth of Harry Winston jewels.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Valentino gown at the Golden Globes in 2020

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The Bronx native made quite the statement at the Emmy Awards, wearing a Valentino gown that featured a large bow.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Ralph & Russo Couture dress at the Grammys in 2019

STEVE GRANITZ

The mother of two’s Ralph & Russo Couture gown was straight off the runway, and she made sure to accessorize it with Niwaka jewels, a Judith Leiber clutch, and Jimmy Choo platform heels.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Versace gown at the Met Gala in 2019

Jennifer Lopez in a silver, fringed Versace gown with a plunging neckline at the 2019 Met Gala

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It was a power pose — and a whole lot of sparkle! — for the themed “Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion” Met Gala. Lopez wore a silver, fringed Versace gown with a plunging neckline and accessorized with a crystal fringed headpiece.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Ralph Lauren Collection look at the CFDA Awards in 2019

(C)KEVIN MAZUR

Bringing a matching set to the red carpet, Lopez arrived at the CFDA Fashion Awards in a sparkly, clementine crop top and a voluminous skirt from Ralph Lauren Collection.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Tom Ford dress at the Oscars in 2019

JEFF KRAVITZ

The Tom Ford dress Lopez wore to the 2019 Oscars was right in line with the actress’s signature style, which often includes blinged-out metallic looks.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Versace gown at the VMAs in 2018

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Sleek, sexy, silver — this one-shouldered Versace gown that Lopez wore to the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards is a perfect example of why she goes back to Versace time and again.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Balmain gown at the Met Gala in 2018

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The jaw-dropping, gem-encrusted Balmain gown Lopez wore to the 2018 Met Gala was custom-made just for her.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Giambattista Valli gown at the ‘Second Act’ New York City premiere in 2018

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There’s no hiding in a neon pink tulle gown, and Lopez shone bright in a layered Giambattista Valli number for the world premiere of Second Act.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Zuhair Murad Couture gown at the TIME100 Gala in 2018

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At the TIME100 Gala, Lopez opted to show a little leg in a Zuhair Murad Couture gown. She added even more shine to her look with metallic Jimmy Choo heels and a Judith Leiber clutch.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Elie Saab dress at the NBCUniversal Upfront in New York City in 2017

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Lopez wore another winning look to the NBCUniversal Upfront, including an off-the-shoulder Elie Saab dress with a knotted detail and a major side slit. She coordinated with a matching clutch, Narcisa Pheres and Le Vian diamond rings, and sky-high platform sandals.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Valentino gown at the Met Gala in 2017

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This semi-sheer, blue Valentino gown that Lopez wore to the Met Gala in 2017 featured a regal cape and made J.Lo look angelic.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Elie Madi mini-dress at ‘American Idol’ season finale in Hollywood in 2016

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Lopez brought the drama for the season finale of American Idol, wearing a champagne Elie Madi gown, Christian Louboutin heels, and Le Vian jewels.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown at the Golden Globes in 2016

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Hello, yellow! We’re still swooning over the Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown Lopez wore to the 2016 Golden Globes, which was perfectly accented with Harry Winston jewelry, Jimmy Choo heels, and a clutch by Judith Leiber.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Charbel Zoe gown at the Billboard Music Awards in 2015

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No stranger to showing some skin, Lopez wore a peek-a-boo sheer Charbel Zoe gown to the 2015 Billboard Music Awards.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Atelier Versace gown at the Met Gala in 2015

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Lopez’s Atelier Versace gown at the 2015 Met Gala was embroidered with a red dragon that wrapped around her body, giving a nod to the theme that year, “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Her accessories included a Swarovski clutch and jewelry by Sutra, Harry Kotlar, and Jack Vartanian.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Elie Saab gown at the Oscars in 2015

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For the 2015 Oscars, the Lila & Eve star opted for a tulle-heavy gown courtesy of one of her favorite designers, Elie Saab.

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Jennifer Lopez in a caped Zuhair Murad gown at the Golden Globes in 2015

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Lopez made a dramatic entrance at the 2015 Golden Globes in a caped Zuhair Murad design that she paired with Stuart Weitzman shoes and Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Valentino Couture gown at the Tony Awards in 2015

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At the 2015 Tony Awards, Lopez channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a strapless navy gown with gold sequined detailing by Valentino Couture.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Donna Karan bodysuit at the Billboard Music Awards in 2014

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The 2014 Billboard Music Awards were red hot — mostly, because of the caped Donna Karan bodysuit that Lopez wore, featuring floor-grazing panels as a skirt.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Versace dress at a Fashion Rocks event in 2014

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Lopez struck a pose at a Fashion Rocks event, popping up on the red carpet in a sexy, cutout Versace design and holding a Thalé Blanc clutch.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Charbel Zoe dress at the VMAs in 2014

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Lopez’s Charbel Zoe dress almost looked like glam armor at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. Jimmy Choo shoes, a Thalé Blanc clutch, and Norman Silverman rings and earrings completed the look.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Zuhair Murad gown at the Golden Globes in 2013

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The “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” singer gave us glamour — and a bit of skin — at the 2013 Golden Globes, where she showed up in a lace Zuhair Murad gown and sparkly drop earrings.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Anthony Vaccarello dress at the Grammys in 2013

DAN MACMEDAN

Sure, the black Anthony Vaccarello dress that Lopez wore to the 2013 Grammy Awards was nice, but she couldn’t forget to show off those Tom Ford shoes with a full leg pop. The little extras made the look: Neil Lane for Forevermark and Norman Silverman jewels, plus a Jimmy Choo bag.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Zuhair Murad dress at the ‘Vanity Fair’ Oscars party in 2012

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Her sequined Zuhair Murad dress for the Vanity Fair after-party incorporated the ombré trend, going from a dark plum shade on top to a lighter cranberry on the bottom.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Zuhair Murad dress at the Oscars in 2012

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We have a feeling that the performer really loves Zuhair Murad. She wore yet another sparkly number from the brand to the 2012 Oscars.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Emilio Pucci gown at the BAFTA Awards in 2011

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A cutout Emilio Pucci gown gave us a peek at Lopez’s abs at the 2011 BAFTA Awards.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Gucci gown at the Met Gala in 2011

KEVIN MAZUR

Met Gala glam. We love how the fiery color of this Gucci gown with floral embellished shoulders makes its way into Lopez’s purse and pout. The result was a stand-out.

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Jennifer Lopez in an Armani Privé gown at the Oscars in 2010

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This Armani Privé dress may have stunned at the Oscars, but with its cloud-like side bustle, we could easily see it being worn as a wedding dress, too.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Marchesa dress at the Golden Globes in 2009

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Lopez was a Golden Globe come to life in a drapey Marchesa gown at the awards show in 2009.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Marchesa gown at the Oscars in 2007

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This empire-waisted Marchesa gown reminded us of ancient Greece, and Lopez indeed channeled a true goddess at the 2007 Oscars.

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Jennifer Lopez in a vintage Rita Watnick gown at the Oscars in 2006

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Why wear new when you can wear vintage? Lopez channeled that old Hollywood style in a gorgeous green throwback number by Rita Watnick at the Oscars in 2006.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Michael Kors gown at the Golden Globes in 2004

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Metallic and marigold proved to be the perfect color combination at the 2004 Golden Globes, where Lopez walked the red carpet in a bright Michael Kors gown.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Valentino gown at the Oscars in 2003

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Lopez had a minty moment at the 2003 Oscars, where she arrived in a one-shouldered Valentino gown that featured material draped over her arm.

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Jennifer Lopez in a sheer pink dress at the ‘Enough’ N.Y.C. premiere in 2002

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The sheer top, the flower, the dreamy ’60s vibe — what isn’t there to love about this look from the premiere of Enough?

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Jennifer Lopez in a Versace gown at the Oscars in 2002

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The Selena actress looked like she stepped out of old Hollywood at the Oscars, wearing a ballet slipper pink Versace gown.

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Jennifer Lopez in a leopard mini-dress at the VMAs in 2001

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Lopez showed some skin — and embraced leopard print — at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards. A soon-to-be-signature big floppy hat and over-the-knee boots rounded out the look.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Sean John ensemble at the VMAs in 2000

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Yes, Lopez’s top from the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards does say Sean John. She, of course, paired it with a bandana, embellished silver belt, and of-the-moment ultra low-rise jeans.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Versace dress at the Grammys in 2000

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The Versace dress that broke the Internet (before that was even a thing) — and inspired a million recreations — popped up at the Grammy Awards at the start of the millennium.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Versace mini-dress at a party in 1999

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A few years before Paris Hilton partied in a slinky silver dress, Lopez wore a chainmail Versace number to the launch of Notorious Magazine.

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Jennifer Lopez in a Badgley Mischka gown at the Oscars in 1999

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A full strapless ballgown from Badgley Mischka and a sparkly choker necklace from Harry Winston made for the perfect princess moment at the 1999 Oscars, where Lopez was a presenter.

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Jennifer Lopez in buttery separates at the VMAs in 1998

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Clearly, Lopez isn’t afraid of a statement-making accessory. She paired her cream-colored suit with a large cowboy hat back at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards.

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Jennifer Lopez in a color blocked dress at the Golden Globes in 1998

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This multi-colored number may be from early on in her career, but the look made its mark, influencing Sienna Miller to choose a similarly colored and cut-out Gucci dress decades later.

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