The 12 Best Chanel Dresses in Oscars History

The 96th annual Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 10, and I have several burning questions. Which Barbie will Margot Robbie re-create on the red carpet? Which movie will win Best Picture? Who will turn up to the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party? Only time will tell, but rest assured, you can count on us to deliver all of the answers in due time.

In the meantime, I decided to take a walk down memory lane and revisit iconic Oscars looks from years past. I've always associated Chanel with the pinnacle of luxury fashion, so I've focused this story specifically on looks from the storied French house once helmed by Karl Lagerfeld and now steered by Virginie Viard. What can you expect from my roundup? Well, one celebrity scored two spots on my list: Kirsten Dunst, who wore Chanel to the prestigious ceremony in 2005 and 2007. Scroll down to see my favorite Chanel looks in Oscars history.

Kirsten Dunst, 2007

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Michelle Williams, 2023

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Tessa Thompson, 2019

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Nicole Kidman, 2004

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Rinko Kikuchi, 2007

chanel dresses at the academy awards

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Diane Kruger, 2010

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Kirsten Dunst, 2005

kirsten dunst wearing chanel at the oscars 2005

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Sarah Jessica Parker, 2010

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Penélope Cruz, 2008

chanel dress red carpet oscars

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Margot Robbie, 2018

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Julianne Moore, 2015

chanel dresses at the oscars

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Sofia Boutella, 2017

chanel dresses at the oscars

(Image credit: Getty Images)
Associate Director, Fashion News

Erin got her start as aBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.