What is chic style and how has it evolved over time. How can you incorporate chic elements into your wardrobe. What are the different variations of chic style and how can you achieve them.

The Origins and Evolution of Chic Style

The term “chic” has a fascinating history that spans centuries and continents. While its exact origins are debated, the concept of chic style has undeniably left an indelible mark on the fashion world. Let’s explore the journey of this influential fashion concept.

French Roots and Early Usage

The word “chic” is believed to have French origins, with some sources tracing it back to the 17th century. Interestingly, its initial meaning had little to do with fashion. The term “chicanery” was used to describe legal quibbling or raising trivial objections. However, over time, the word evolved and found its way into the realms of art and fashion.

International Adoption and Expansion

By the late 19th century, “chic” had become a versatile descriptor used in various contexts, from clothing to architecture. The term gained significant traction in the 1920s during the Jazz Age, particularly in America. It was during this period that chic style began to take shape as a distinct fashion concept.

Can you pinpoint a defining moment for chic style in popular culture? The 1954 film “Sabrina,” starring Audrey Hepburn, is often credited with cementing chic style’s place in the fashion pantheon. Hepburn’s costumes, designed by Edith Head, epitomized the elegance and sophistication that would come to define chic style.

Defining Chic Style: Elegance in Simplicity

At its core, chic style embodies smart elegance and sophistication. But what does this mean in practical terms for your wardrobe?

Key Elements of Chic Style

• Clean lines and minimalist aesthetics
• Monochromatic color schemes with neutral bases
• Classic pieces with subtle, unique twists
• High-quality, luxurious fabrics
• Thoughtful accessorizing

How can you achieve a chic look without appearing overly styled? The key lies in creating an effortless appearance. Chic style should seem uncomplicated and put together with minimal effort, even if careful thought has gone into the outfit.

The Philosophy Behind Chic Style

Coco Chanel, an icon of chic fashion, once said, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must be different.” This quote encapsulates the essence of chic style – it’s about standing out through subtlety and uniqueness rather than flashy trends.

Variations of Chic Style: From Boho to Casual

Chic style is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It can be adapted to various aesthetics and personal preferences. Let’s explore some popular variations of chic style.

Boho Chic: Free-Spirited Elegance

Boho chic style combines the free-spirited bohemian aesthetic with more polished elements. This style emerged in the early 20th century, inspired by French Bohemians – travelers and artists from central Europe.

What sets boho chic apart from traditional bohemian style? While it retains the flowing, effortless qualities of boho fashion, boho chic incorporates more fitted pieces, neutral colors, and coordinated elements. The result is a versatile, curated look that balances artistic expression with sophistication.

Casual Chic: Elevating Everyday Comfort

Casual chic style proves that comfort and elegance can coexist harmoniously. This variation takes relaxed, everyday pieces and elevates them with more polished elements.

How can you achieve a casual chic look? Try pairing your favorite jeans with a crisp white t-shirt and a tailored blazer. Add a statement necklace or a pair of sleek heels to complete the look. The key is to balance comfort with refinement.

Building a Chic Wardrobe: Essential Pieces

Creating a chic wardrobe doesn’t require an extensive collection of clothing. Instead, focus on curating a selection of versatile, high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched effortlessly.

Timeless Staples for Chic Style

1. Little black dress
2. Well-fitted blazer
3. Crisp white button-down shirt
4. High-quality jeans in a classic cut
5. Tailored trousers
6. Versatile midi skirt
7. Classic trench coat

Why are these pieces considered essential for a chic wardrobe? Each item serves as a foundation for countless outfits and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. They embody the timeless quality that is central to chic style.

Investing in Quality Over Quantity

When building a chic wardrobe, it’s crucial to prioritize quality over quantity. Investing in well-made pieces crafted from luxurious fabrics will ensure your wardrobe stands the test of time. These items may come with a higher price tag, but their longevity and versatility make them worth the investment.

The Art of Accessorizing in Chic Style

Accessories play a crucial role in chic style, often serving as the exclamation point to an otherwise understated outfit. The key is to choose pieces that complement rather than overwhelm your look.

Signature Accessories for Chic Style

• Classic leather handbag
• Delicate gold or silver jewelry
• Silk scarf
• Quality timepiece
• Elegant sunglasses

How can you use accessories to elevate a simple outfit? A well-chosen accessory can transform a basic ensemble into a chic statement. For instance, a silk scarf tied around the neck can add a touch of sophistication to a simple white shirt and jeans combination.

The Power of Minimalism in Accessories

When it comes to chic style, less is often more. Instead of piling on multiple accessories, focus on selecting one or two key pieces that will enhance your outfit without overwhelming it. This approach aligns with the clean, sophisticated aesthetic that defines chic style.

Chic Style for Different Body Types

Chic style is not limited to any particular body type. With the right approach, anyone can embody chic elegance regardless of their shape or size.

Adapting Chic Style to Your Body Shape

To achieve a chic look that flatters your unique body type, focus on silhouettes that accentuate your best features. For example:

• Hourglass figures can emphasize their waist with belted dresses or high-waisted trousers
• Pear shapes might opt for A-line skirts and tops with interesting necklines
• Apple shapes can create a sleek silhouette with monochromatic outfits and structured jackets
• Rectangle shapes might add curves with wrap dresses or peplum tops

How can you ensure your chic style feels authentic to you? Remember that true chic style is about confidence and comfort. Choose pieces that make you feel good, and your inner elegance will shine through.

The Importance of Proper Fit

Regardless of body type, proper fit is crucial for achieving a chic look. Well-fitted clothing not only looks more polished but also boosts confidence. Don’t hesitate to have key pieces tailored to ensure they fit you perfectly.

Incorporating Chic Style into Everyday Life

Chic style isn’t reserved for special occasions. With the right approach, you can infuse chic elements into your everyday wardrobe and lifestyle.

Chic Style for Work

How can you maintain a chic appearance in a professional setting? Focus on classic silhouettes and neutral colors. A well-fitted blazer, tailored trousers, and a silk blouse can create a chic work outfit that exudes confidence and professionalism.

Casual Chic for Weekends

Weekends offer the perfect opportunity to experiment with casual chic style. Try pairing your favorite jeans with a crisp white shirt and ballet flats. Add a statement necklace or a classic watch to elevate the look.

Chic Style Beyond Fashion

Remember that chic style extends beyond clothing. It’s a lifestyle that encompasses your home decor, personal grooming, and even your demeanor. Cultivate an air of elegance in all aspects of your life to truly embody chic style.

Embracing Sustainability in Chic Style

In today’s fashion landscape, sustainability is increasingly important. How can you maintain a chic style while being environmentally conscious?

Quality Over Quantity

The chic philosophy of investing in timeless, high-quality pieces aligns perfectly with sustainable fashion practices. By choosing well-made items that last longer, you reduce waste and minimize your fashion footprint.

Ethical Fashion Choices

Look for brands that prioritize ethical production methods and sustainable materials. Many luxury fashion houses are now incorporating eco-friendly practices, making it easier to find chic, sustainable options.

Second-Hand and Vintage Shopping

Thrift stores and vintage shops can be treasure troves for unique, chic pieces. Not only is this approach budget-friendly, but it also gives new life to existing clothing, reducing waste in the fashion industry.

By embracing these sustainable practices, you can maintain a chic style while also contributing to a more ethical and environmentally friendly fashion industry. Remember, true elegance extends beyond appearance to encompass mindful consumption and respect for our planet.

Chic Style for Women | Personal Styling

Chic is a fashion buzzword that is widely used, but what does chic style really mean? It’s a term that can be associated with any genre of style. From boho to rocker, every style has its own interpretation of chic. Let’s take a trip down history lane to kick off your women’s guide to chic style.

The Origins of Chic Style

We start our chic journey in France. Ooh, la la. Established in 1600, the old French term chicanery was the first and original mention of chic. By definition, chicanery means legal quibbling and sophistry. In other words, it is used to mean arguing or raising objections about a trivial matter. While this has nothing to do with style, the Wikipedia entry describes that it’s where the word chic originated, so it must be true, right? Perhaps more plausible, some link chic to a German word, schick, meaning skill or tact. Either way, you have a new fun, possibly true fact to impress all of your friends with at parties.

The definition and use of chic continued to evolve in France and England in the art and fashion scenes. By 1887, the word chic was being used in publications to describe just about anything. From clothing to architecture, everything was coming up chic. 

Chic Fashion Makes it to America

In 1925, chic exploded across the pond onto the American fashion scene with the height of the jazz age. By 1954, chic was a frontrunner in the industry and would soon become the leading lady. Perhaps one of the chicest women of all time, Audrey Hepburn, ignited chic flames with her wardrobe in the movie Sabrina. Dressed by costume designer Edith Head, the fashions Hepburn adorned in the movie catapulted her to chic style icon status. The world continued to ride the chic wave and never looked back. 

Overtime, the word chic evolved and was adopted across the world. Used to describe social events, individuals and modes and styles of dress, chic landed a spot in the english dictionary. Defined as smart elegance and sophistication, chic is used as a descriptor for an array of people, places and things.

Many attributes can be chic, but none are more popular than chic style. Whether in closets or on runways, chic style is supreme. It’s time for a class in chic fashion style 101. Pay attention—there will be a quiz after. Obviously, we are totally kidding, but please do the chic thing and pay heed anyway.     

What is Chic Style?

As you will soon find out, women’s chic style comes in many variations. However, in its stripped-down fashion form, chic style contains clean lines, monochromatic notes and is steeped in neutral colors. Highlighted by a bold accessory, this looks consist of classic pieces with a twist that never go out of style.

Famed chic French fashion designer CoCo Chanel once said, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must be different.” Chic style certainly accomplishes this by incorporating unique details like asymmetrical hems, boxy silhouettes, classy prints and slight embellishments. Chic fashion style is often marked by luxurious fabrics that elevate a woman’s closet to new levels. They are lasting, classic and will be dependable staple pieces in your wardrobe for years to come.  

Think of chic style as an uncomplicated look put together with little or no effort. Chic style is the result of a wardrobe consisting of pieces that mix and match together with ease and have individual interest. It is a simple voice with an extravagant exclamation point. 

Now that we have a handle on chic style, let’s talk about its dashing forms, starting with boho chic style.   

Boho Chic Style

To understand boho chic style, we must again travel back to France. In the early 20th century, French Bohemians were travelers and artists from central Europe. Boho style was directly derived from the garments that bohemians wore while living their unique and artistic lifestyles. Flowing, effortless and free, the functional fashions for the bohemian culture became a desired style statement for the French masses.    

Taking it one step further, boho chic style has more recent roots. While boho style was in the mix years prior, a more polished version of the trend emerged in late 2005. Knighted as boho chic, the trend consists of pieces that are more fitted, neutral and coordinated than boho alone. Still self-expressive, boho chic is far more curated and versatile, expanding the power of your wardrobe with each piece. 

Casual Chic Style

Opposites really do attract with our next fashion player on the scene, casual chic style. Casual chic style is a variation that takes your comfortable pieces up a notch. Accelerate your chic status by pairing them with tailored pieces like a smart black blazer or pleated midi-skirt. You chic things up by mixing and matching your laidback options with your most polished pieces.

Try pairing your cherished straight-leg jeans with a white tee, boyfriend blazer and a fresh pair of white sneakers. Style your favorite pair of wide-leg pants from your closet with a neutral sequin top. Slip your feet into neutral slides, and you are ready for whatever the day brings your way. 

Rocker Chic Style

Chic happens. Even to edgier styles like rocker. Rocker styles were first seen in the United States and later emerged in England. The style really had nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with protection. Motorcycles were far more economical than cars and everyone who rode needed a thick layer of armour. Enter the biker jacket. Over time, the jackets became a point of fashion as people added trinkets, zippers and studs to personalize them. Even the name rocker came straight from the motorcycle itself as there were rockers found in the 4-stroke engines of the motorcycle.

This necessary and functional clothing sparked an entire genre of rocker chic style that is worn to this day. Marked by leather, fringe and distressing, rocker chic styles add edge and a sexy silhouette to your wardrobe.   

Chic Street Style

Chic street style is exactly how it sounds—a style that has evolved from the street rather than the runway. You will find this style while thumbing through your most-loved magazine and all around you when out and about. It’s a reflection of what everyone is wearing, with individual interpretations that make every look unique. 

Often retail pieces will be combined with designer items to create looks that are not only functional but fashionable. Infusing crisp chic lines and neutral colors into the clean streetwear ensembles is key. Due to the times, athleisure with both comfort and style in mind dominates streetwear. Pair a versatile jumpsuit with a utility-inspired open-front top for an instantly chic streetwear look. Add a pair of trainers, and you are ready to hit the city streets in ultimate chic style. 

Modern Chic Style 

Colorblocking. Structured design. Fresh, solid color palettes. Much like modern architecture, modern fashion is inherently chic, innovative and an instant classic. Modern chic style can be seen on every runway and street. Elegant or casual and always in style.  

Look for modern chic pieces that are already in your closet. From solid pencil skirts to crisp white button ups, pair your clean basic pieces for a powerful modern chic look that is perfect for almost any occasion. Don’t have any modern pieces in your wardrobe? Check out a thrift store for chic eco-friendly clothing that is looking for a new home. Create a strong ensemble with thrifted pieces that will help promote your fashion sense and the planet. 

French Chic Style

It’s only fitting that we wrap up your woman’s guide to chic style where it all began—France. Perhaps the most chic of all of the styles, French chic style is wrapped in beautiful simplicity. Basics with unique details like balloon sleeves and pleats make every day dressing an easy task. This style creates a wardrobe full of effortless pieces you can mix and match to create numerous fresh looks.

French chic style is never overdone and relies heavily on statement pieces that take the looks to the next level. From vibrant color to diligent details, French chic styles always have an unexpected pop that sets them apart from the rest. The true definition of très chic.

Inspired to add new chic styles to your closet? Take your style quiz, order a Fix and ask your stylist for chic items that fit your style preferences. Remember, you’re never required to schedule more than one Fix a time and shipping and returns are always free.

By: Alicia Smith and Jenny Beltran

June 29, 2021

Decode the Dress Code — The Wardrobe Consultant

how to style

May 3

Written By Katie Mander

Sections

1. What is Rustic Chic?
2. What is the Rule of Juxtaposition?
3. Rustic Chic – Ways To Make Your Outfit Look Rustic
4. Rustic Chic – Ways To Make Your Outfit Look Chic
5. Rustic Chic for the Men
6. Rustic Chic Outfit Inspiration

Party dress codes can be hard for many people to decode even when it’s just “black tie” or “white tie. ” But sometimes, that confusion is compounded with “creative” dress code wording. You know, when the invite says things like: Country Club Casual, Diamonds and Denim, Funky Formal or the one I was asked about recently… Rustic Chic.

Decoding dress codes for parties can be challenging, whether it’s black tie, white tie, or one of the more imaginative dress codes. Let’s use Rustic Chic as an example of how to approach it.

Also, I usually do a Mother’s Day gift ideas post around this time of year. Rather than writing another’ Mother’s Day post, I updated an older one with new links and ideas! Click here to see the post.

What is Rustic Chic?

According to Merriam Webster, rustic is defined as “of, relating to, or suitable for the country.” While chic is defined as “smart elegance and sophistication especially of dress or manner.”

So, elegant, sophisticated, and suitable for the country. Well that’s an oxymoron, isn’t it? How does this translate to fashion? That’s where my Rule of Juxtaposition comes in. I made a video talking more about this topic, you can watch it on Instagram or TikTok!

What is the Rule of Juxtaposition?

The basis of the Rule of Juxtaposition is formed around the idea that opposites attract, bringing out the best in each other. So while rustic and chic are pretty much opposites, they can actually be paired together in a way that brings out the best in each other.

Use This Rule to Tackle Most of Those Clever Dress Codes.

When the invite resorts to ingenious wording, typically the host doesn’t want the guests to dress too formally. They’re opening the door for some individuality and fun. And yet, they don’t want guests to dress as if they’re going to a football game. Since it’s not clear cut, as it is with Black Tie – it takes more creativity and therefore more effort to get dressed.

Think of it like putting salt in a chocolate chip cookie recipe – a little (just a dash) of the opposite dress code – be it the rustic part in this example – to take the chic down a notch.

Putting together a rustic chic outfit is much easier when you understand what items/styles are considered rustic, and what are considered chic. For the rustic pieces, think natural, earthy, and/or distressed. For the chic pieces, think luxurious, but effortless. Pearls are great for rustic chic because they are both natural and sophisticated.

Rustic Chic – Ways To Make Your Outfit Look Rustic

Is your outfit feeling too chic? Here are some options for making your outfit feel more rustic:

• Floral prints and lace work well for the rustic style

• Stick to an earth tone or muted color palette

• Denim or leather jacket as a topper

• Adding something with fringe can feel rustic

Rustic Chic – Ways To Make Your Outfit Look Chic

If your outfit is feeling too rustic, here are some options for making it feel more chic:

• Silk, sequins, diamonds, pearls, and sparkles are all super chic

• Easy to add chic pieces to your outfit with earrings, bags, and shoes

• If not on grass, adding a delicate heel can feel more chic (non-block heel like a stiletto)

• A wrap always adds an element of elegance (plus a bit of warmth)

Rustic Chic for the Men

• Lighter color palette (khaki, white, chambray)

• Opt for no tie or fun tie

• If there’s no tie, a pocket square is always a winner!

• Incorporating suede into either shoe or belt can help the outfit feel more rustic

Rustic Chic Outfit Inspiration

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Katie Mander

4 fashion ideas with a simple shirt

You won’t have time to look back, when the most romantic holiday of the year is already here – Valentine’s Day. Dates at this time are sure to be, even if you don’t have company for the evening: a delicious dinner with yourself never hurts! And even more so, dressing up and indulging in fashionable experiments is always a great idea.

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How to dress for a date

What to wear with shirts

Social networks

Everyone has a little excitement before a date, plus, there are always a lot of questions in the head. One of the most important – what to wear? I want to look luxurious, but not too much. Nice, but not like you overdid it. Stylish, but in its “repertoire”. And what to do?

We offer you the safest strategy: opt for laconic, but refined with the help of accessories (bags, glasses, jewelry) combinations with an ordinary shirt. Almost everyone can find this wardrobe item (thank school or office uniforms for this), and fans of the now popular preppy style should definitely have a couple of suitable options in their closet.

The basic shirt adds a fresh and elegant touch to the look, and it is also versatile – it can be easily combined with a variety of models of skirts, jeans, coats. The best thing is when you don’t know what to wear!

Romance for every day

A silk shirt with “bishop’s sleeves” (gathered at the tassels) looks smart on its own. Just for the case when the meeting is scheduled right after work, and you just don’t have time to change. Any trousers, both classic and leather, and even simple jeans, will suit this top model. Add your favorite earrings, style your hair so that they do not cover your beautiful collar and shoulders. And a maxi-down jacket and a scarf will save you from the cold wind – an increased degree of romance, alas, does not correct the weather!

ADVERTISING – CONTINUED BELOW

Playing with contrasts

The long pencil skirt has been chosen by trendsetters around the world, and at Fashion Weeks we see it even more often than versatile midis. So you can’t go wrong if you choose a maxi-length “pencil” for a date – when, if not now? We suggest experimenting with layering: put on a thin black turtleneck with a white shirt over it, and throw a jacket over your shoulders. Don’t forget a coat with warm lining and ankle boots with heels. Voila, a strict but stylish look is ready!

Party Uniform

Various combinations of school uniforms do not leave us even now, when the “wonderful school years” are long gone. Fashion law says that pleated skirts and classic vests bought last season can easily be worn further. We are glad, because we believe that the preppy style suits any figure, the main thing is to choose the right styles.

And our shirt is just right for pleated miniskirts, vests and jackets. High boots and outerwear in basic beige and black colors will successfully complement the outfit: an excellent student, your way out!

Experiments on the air

The little black dress always comes to the rescue in SOS situations when there are absolutely no ideas for an image. But you can experiment and choose a laconic model in the style of Chanel, but not in dramatic black, but, say, an emerald shade – why not? Although we won’t argue: the black “little dress”, unlike other variations, works flawlessly in any situation.

If you choose a sundress for a date, we suggest you wear a shirt under it. Firstly, it will become much warmer (do not forget that it is still winter outside), and secondly, this way your going out will become more relaxed – just for those who do not want to look like they put on all their best at once. It remains to add high boots – and you are ready for the most romantic evening of this year. And you look, I must tell you, incomparably!

Text: Seda Movsisyan

Uma Thurman, Winona Ryder, Audrey Hepburn and others (photo)

Let’s look back at the most iconic Oscar guest dresses in the history of the film awards: how Uma Thurman gave rise to the red carpet phenomenon as a separate event, Julia Roberts wore vintage, Sharon Stone mixed luxury and mass market, and Björk literally laid eggs.

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Audrey Hepburn, 1954

Audrey Hepburn was close friends with Hubert de Givenchy, and now it seems not surprising that for such an important event as the Oscars, she chose the Givenchy dress, although this was just the first time she appeared in the French creation designer. It was a dress that perfectly reflected the fashion of that era with a neat top and fluffy skirt, white, with an unobtrusive floral pattern on the fabric. The actress then received a statuette for her role in the film Roman Holiday, and the dress in which Hepburn came to the ceremony was recognized by Time magazine as the best outfit in the history of the award.

Grace Kelly, 1955

The mint satin Edith Head gown worn by Grace Kelly to win the Oscar for her role in Country Girl was originally created for the premiere of this film, but a beautiful exit is not a sin to repeat (especially that the dress was made from premium French satin costing $4,000 per metre). Shortly after winning the Oscars, Kelly wore the dress again for a photo shoot for Life magazine – the cover portrait is still one of the most recognizable shots of the actress, and her dress was subsequently inspired more than once – for example, Kim Basinger at 1998 year.

Barbra Streisand, 1969

In 1969, two actresses received the Best Actress award at once: Barbra Streisand for the film The Merry Girl and Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter, but only the first one came to the ceremony then. Not only was the award sharing event itself remarkable, but also Streisand’s outfit – a transparent and sequined Arnold Scaasi dress with a cute collar with a bow and white cuffs.

Jane Fonda, 1972

It is now that guests come to the red carpet in a wide variety of outfits, but in the seventies, not everyone decided on a trouser suit. Jane Fonda, who won an Oscar in 1972 for her role in the film Klute, wore a black Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo to the ceremony and looked modest in it, but this outfit still outperforms many “mermaids” dresses.

Cher, 1986

As Cher herself later said, that time she chose the outfit to take revenge on the Academy, which allegedly did not take her seriously. How successful the revenge was, we will leave it to her to judge, but it is obvious that the outfit became almost the main event of the ceremony and went down in history: the sequined “oriental” set of top and skirt by designer Bob Mackie was complemented by an unimaginable headdress made of feathers – from this and really hard to look away.

Winona Ryder, 1994

a vintage dress that the actress bought for $10.

Uma Thurman, 1995

Now it is sometimes more interesting to watch the outfits on the red carpet than the award ceremony itself, but it was not always so. Until the mid-nineties, celebrities certainly dressed up, but their dresses did not attract much attention from the press and were not covered in the media. Everything changed after the release of Uma Thurman in 1995 in a Prada dress: the actress did not receive an award then, but her outfit gave rise to the very phenomenon of red carpet lighting in gossip. Also, stars following the example of Thurman (whose stylist Barbara Tfunk helped with choosing a dress) began to turn to stylists to help them choose a dress for important events.

Sharon Stone, 1998

If Winona Ryder’s vintage dress was a thrift store treasure, the next step in the democratization of Oscar fashion was more peremptory: Sharon Stone hit the red carpet in a lilac Vera Wang skirt and white Gap shirt and looked luxurious and relaxed at the same time. The case when a chic outfit can be made from anything (especially if you have a smile like Sharon Stone). Subsequently, there were many tributes to this image of the actress: for example, in 2022, Uma Thurman came in a combination of a laconic blouse and a long straight skirt, and Zendaya had a similar one, but with a cropped blouse.

Björk, 2001

Oscar lists of the weirdest dresses are usually topped by Björk’s swan dress by Macedonian designer Marjan Pejoski. Not only did the dress itself look eccentric, but the singer carried several large ostrich eggs under her skirt and periodically “demolished” them, leaving them right on the red carpet (and the perplexed guards tried to return the “accidentally dropped” one to her).

Julia Roberts, 2001

Now vintage is held in high esteem, but in 2001 it was often treated as “junk”. That didn’t stop Julia Roberts from choosing a velvet and satin Valentino gown from the 1982 movie star collection. According to Valentino Garavani himself, until the last moment he did not believe that the actress would really wear an archival outfit for the ceremony: “This dress made me nervous. I was in Rome that night, watching the Oscars live, and I stayed up until the morning to see if Giulia was wearing my dress.” The fashion designer worried in vain – the actress was the star of the evening – and the outfit also played a role in this.

Halle Berry, 2002

Halle Berry’s 2002 award was historic for being the first and so far the only black actress to win an Oscar for best actress. She came to the ceremony in a dress with a transparent top with embroidery and a satin hem Elie Saab – a bold decision, but, firstly, she looked very beautiful in it, and secondly, the winners are not judged.

Angelina Jolie, 2012

In 2012, Angelina Jolie appeared on the red carpet in a black velvet Atelier Versace dress, long but with a deep slit: no matter how the actress posed in it, her leg was always visible. The outfit spawned a lot of jokes about the fact that Jolie’s leg that evening seemed to live its own separate life, but this did not detract from the effectiveness of the dress.

Sandy Powell, 2020

Costume designer Sandy Powell was nominated for the 13th Oscar in 2020. She came to the ceremony in a white suit, autographed by stars – Pedro Almodovar, Robert De Niro, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson and many others that Powell collected during previous awards season ceremonies. It wasn’t just an eccentric creative gesture: she was going to auction the costume to raise money to save Derek Jarman’s historic cottage. The house and garden built by artist, filmmaker and activist (and friend Sandy Powell) Jarman in the 1980s was in danger of being demolished. Powell sold the suit for £16,000, but her main credit was that she drew attention to the cottage. As a result of the campaign to save it, £3.5 million was raised, and now the cottage will be turned into a museum.