30+ of the Most Fearless Dresses Celebrities Have Ever Worn on the Red Carpet

Ming Xi is a fantastic model that first rose to popularity in 2009. As a model, what would you expect other than fearless and impressive outfits? That’s exactly what we got when Xi showed up to the after-party for the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

The model donned a short, sheer dress but kept the dazzling design going with a pair of matching thigh-high boots. The sheer model, paired with such a powerful pose, makes this red carpet look absolutely unforgettable.

If there’s one thing that we’ve seen on the red carpet more and more in recent years is actors who break the mold of gender norms.

Non-binary Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness was dressed to the nines when he showed up to the Creative Arts Emmys in 2018 in a gorgeous mesh-top gown paired with towering shoes and a fun clutch. Of course, we’d expect nothing short of a fantastic look from the queer icon!

If there’s one type of dress you’ve probably heard you need to keep in your closet, it’s the classic choice of a little black dress. Yet, even the most basic staples can be amped up to something fearless.

Rosie Huntington-Whitely wore a Versace black dress to the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2018. To shake things up, the designer opted for a strappy bodice that Huntington-Whiteley pulled off artfully.

Tiffany Haddish is one funny comedian and there are few people who don’t know her name at this point. The star has also made a splash on the red carpet.

This outfit was fearless in more ways than one. To start, she matched her dress and headband for a seamless look from head to toe. The see-through gown was the perfect way to let this beading and pattern shine under those red carpet lights.

We often think of a sheer dress being rather simple. However, as we’ve seen, many of these dresses use this to their advantage to add unique embellishments.

What would Hollywood be without a little glitz and glamor either? When Ciara hit the red carpet for the Billboard Music Awards in 2018 in a sheer dress that was shimmering and shining. It looks great and was sure to stand out under the photographers’ lights.

When it comes to sheer, fearless gowns, we often think that they’re just meant to have a specific appeal. However, they can lean towards a fearless, fantastical look.

This white gown that Deepika Padukone wore to the Cannes Film Festival in 2018 was nothing short of high-end glamor. She looks almost bridal-decked out in lace and with a flowing, matching cape that pools at her feet. All in all, it’s a classy, fashionable look that we can’t help but envy.

Hailey Baldwin is a rather famous face, so it’s no surprise that she pulled out all the stops to shine at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

The star took a page out of Ciara’s book and went for something sheer, neutrally-toned, and sequined just right to catch all the lights and camera flashes, making sure the star looked great in any publication covering the event. The gown was a Roberto Cavalli Couture creation.

There are some events where even the famous faces of Hollywood go above and beyond with their looks for the evening. Nothing demands more creativity than the Met Gala.

The theme of the 2018 Met Gala was “Heavenly Bodies,” but this dress had a dark and lacy appearance. As if the lace fabric wasn’t daring enough, Zoë Kravitz opted for a Saint Laurent dress with a high slit and two simple ties holding it together on the side.

Of course, we can’t leave behind the 2018 Met Gala just yet. After all, a lot of Hollywood goes to extra lengths to look even more fearless than usual.

In this gown, Selena Gomez proves that sheer doesn’t have to mean skintight. This flowing gown has a sheer skirt but is thick enough to still allow mostly full coverage. The necklace paired with it is a nice nod to the religious theme of the Met Gala that year.

Laverne Cox is an amazing actress and her accomplishments as nothing short of trailblazing and talented. Of course, with a career like this, it’s no surprise she’s a red-carpet regular.

When the actress attended the NAACP Image Awards back in 2018, she showed up in a striking, shimmering, semi-sheer gown called Abyss by Abby design. She paired it with a pair of heels designed by Stuart Weitzman. THe star was really shining at this awards show!

Of course, Hollywood events and awards shows are rarely attended by one famous person. Halle Berry was at the NAACP Awards in 2018.

For the event, the actress donned a red and black Reem Acra Gown. Near the top of the gown, you can see eye-catching lace panels. As the camera pans down, the dress shifts to a sheer skirt and long lace train. The fearless look dazzled everyone there and at home.

When you see a dress with a flowing skirt, you usually expect a bodice that’s short to allow for the skirt to start higher on the dress.

SZA mixed up the usual formula by opting for a ballgown and bodice fusion that’s truly fearless. While the skirt still flows like a ballgown, the upper half of the dress is body tight with a mesmerizing pattern and a skirt that starts low and has two well-placed slits for striking a pose — especially at the 2018 Grammys.

Jennifer Lawrence has taken on more than one intense role in the past. The star took on a horror role for the lead in Mother!. When the movie premiered, the star had to make a splash on the red carpet, right?

Well, in 2017, Lawrence appeared in a spiderweb-like Atelier Versace gown for the London premiere. From the sheer design to the cobweb pattern, the star definitely stood out and impressed critics.

There are some celebrity who are so famous, they need little introduction. If there’s a pop star who everyone knows, it’s Beyoncé. You’d be hard-pressed to find a critic of hers.

The singer caught people’s attention once more at the 2015 Met Gala. With husband and musician Jay-Z next to her, Beyoncé stepped out on the red carpet with a sheer dress studded with crystals for embellishment. The Givenchy dress was paired with a high ponytail and the singer’s usual charm.

When it comes to body-hugging, revealing trends, Kim Kardashian really sets the stage. The reality star was also in attendance at the 2015 Met Gala.

Much like Beyoncé, Kardashian opted for a semi-sheer gown. Plus, this dress features a longer train with a texture that really stands out. Along with the Roberto Cavalli dress, the star accessorized with earrings by Lorraine Schwartz.

Sure, we’ve looked at some iconic looks so far. However, only one dress was so daring and in demand, it led to the creation of Google Images.

Jennifer Lopez wore a plunging green jungle print Versace dress to the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000. It was a look that no one could possibly predict the lasting popularity of. In 2020, Lopez appeared in a fashion show in which she wore a recreation of the iconic dress.

When it came to the MuchMusic Video Awards in 2014, all eyes were on Jenner sisters and reality stars, Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Not only are they famous but they served as cohosts for the show.

Kendall opted for a rather fearless look when it came to her outfit for the awards show. The model opted for a long, white gown with long sleeves and two incredibly high slits up the front. It’s really the dramatic embellishments up the front of the dress and sleeves that really set this gown apart.

Chrissy Teigen is no stranger to pushing the limits of fashion. That’s just what she did when she showed up to the 2015 VMAs.

The model and her husband, musician John Legend, took to the carpet together in matching black. While Legend opted for a simple suit, Teigen was especially daring with a primarily sheer, black gown accessorized with a stack of bracelets. With slits up the side, the dress was all the more revealing.

If you didn’t recognize Amber Rose at first when you turned on the 2017 VMAs, we can’t blame you. The star really transformed herself for the event!

For one, the long wig changes up her look a lot and she really pulls it off! On top of that, the star rocked a shimmering, mesh dress that hugged her curves before fanning out into a floor-length skirt. The strappy design and beading make for an unmissable look.

Before we leave the 2017 VMAs behind, we have to look at another star who really rocked a great look that night — Bebe Rexha.

The star went for her own body-hugging gown, this time in shining silver over the flesh-toned mesh. The star finished it all off with some silver jewelry and a slicked-back, platinum-blonde hairdo. Ironically, Bebe Rexha and Kylie Jenner seemed to have similar looks this night, as several outlets later discussed.

Fashion gives us a chance to think outside the box and do something really unique and fearless. Olivia Munn showed us something really one-of-a-kind at the 2017 VMAs.

Rather than a gown, Munn opted for a shorter dress with an artistic approach. Across the chest of the dress, the fabric turns to fishnet but the celeb is still covered by an array of designs. These embellishments give this dress a lot of character and fashion lovers definitely noticed!

Gabrielle Union has made quite a splash with her career. On top of that, it seems that the celebrity has a striking fashion sense as well.

The actress was on her way to the 2017 Oscars After-Party when she was photographed on the red carpet, paparazzi captured a stand-out look. The dress was not only revealing but used electric blue to beautifully contrast against the other half of the dress which uses black fabric. The gown came from the Spring/Summer 2017 by Jean Paul Gaultier.

In 2016, Kardashian sisters Khloé and Kourtney both debuted in their customary impressive style at the Angel Ball. This was one that Kim wasn’t available for.

The sisters were there to honor their late father. Still, fashion didn’t take a backseat. Khloé donned a silver and mesh gown that shines in the light. As for Kourtney, she went for a simple black gown with mesh cut-outs on the thighs to set it apart from a sea of other black gowns on red carpets around Hollywood.

Emma Roberts comes from a famous family and so, naturally, she’s an acting powerhouse. With that, we’ve had the chance to see her on a variety of red carpets at this point.

Rather than a premiere, this time Roberts was attending the 2019 Oscars. The actress wore an off-the-shoulders nearly see-through gown that really combined modern fashion with a classic Hollywood style. All in all, the gown was a hit and the simple accessories really allow the dress to shine.

Another famous face that impressed fashion critics at the 2019 Oscars. Adriana Lima also showed off an unforgettable look that night.

Her gown was reminiscent of a peacoat — if you upgraded it to a haute couture gown. The result is a stunning Ralph & Russo gown that’s nothing short of fabulous. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the high slit showed off a garter made of diamonds. Not many of us get to accessorize with something so unique and high-end as this.

Before we’re done, we have one more appearance at the 2019 Oscars that would make a big splash in fashion. This time, it was Gemma Chan who caught the photographers’ attention.

How could she not? This gown is absolutely flowing and the hot pink fabric is bound to be eye-catching. Not to mention, Chan shakes up the usual plunging necklines for a high collar that works well with the voluminous nature of the gown.

The same year, the Met Gala had the theme Rei Kawakubo/Comma des Garçons: Art of the In-Between. In other words, the theme of the night was avante-garde.

The look Constance Wu showed up in reminded us of the Roaring ’20s — with a modern twist, of course. With a dark lip, perfectly curled hair, and a dress that matched the “flapper” aesthetic with something ethereal. How could you not be impressed by a look like this?

If there’s one famous person known for pushing fashion to its limits and making a major statement with what she wears, it’s Lady Gaga. Celebrity fashion tends to be a bit elaborate.

However, Lady Gaga is known for taking it to the next level. At the 2019 Met Gala, she came in with an oversized pink dress. On the way inside, the singer changed her outfit four whole times, debuting a number of choreographed looks on the red carpet.

The Cannes Film Festival is an international film festival that artists from all over the world attend. So, there are plenty of fashion choices that stand out among red-carpet appearances.

Eva Longoria stepped onto the red carpet that night dressed to impress. The pale pink gown left a slit for one leg while a train trailed behind the actress. To make the dress stand out, half of the bodice of the dress is decorated in striking detail for the premiere of The Dead Don’t Die at the festival.

It seems that Eva Longoria wasn’t the only one looking pretty in pink at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Lorena Rae joined the party, too!

The star went for a modern and high-fashion mix of the beauty of a short dress and a full gown. At its base, this gown has a sparkling pink mini dress. As you get to the waist of the dress and the sleeve, the fabric texture changes and the ruffles create a striking silhouette.

Ralph & Russo had a lot of business at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2019. Another star who stepped out in one of their creations is Alessandra Ambrosio.

Ambrosio opted for the same white gown for the beginning of the festival and for the specific premiere of The Dead Don’t Die. Not only is this long, white, one-shouldered dress eye-catching but it’s paired with strappy heels by René Caovilla and jewelry from Boucheron.

When we mention a famous denim dress, you probably automatically think of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s famous look in the early noughties.

As for a modern fashion icon bringing the look back, Jodie Turner-Smith made a fearless decision to rock the all-denim look again. For the 79th Venice International Film Festival, Turner-Smith showed up in an elaborate denim gown made by a designer she wears frequently — Balmain. Even her eye makeup was blue to match the theme!

Who says that dresses are just for the girls? In recent years, we’ve had the chance to see our favorite male celebrities show off their style with designer gowns.

The rapper is known for breaking barriers and he surely commanded attention at the 2022 VMAs. The skirt he wore was voluminous, giving us a six-tiered look. As if that wasn’t enough, the talented star had a matching halo of material that gave the star a dark but ethereal outfit in all.

When designers and stars want to step outside of the box with fashion, they can find inspiration in odd places. This JW Anderson dress seemed to find its inspiration at a pet store.

For the premiere of My Policeman, Emma Corrin donned a mini dress that might remind you of your first pet. The inspiration here is clear — a goldfish in one of those bags you get them in to take home and put in a tank.

Heidi Klum is known for making a statement on the red carpet. You can look at any of her Halloween costumes to know she puts a lot of effort into her look.

For a more traditional but daring red carpet look, we look at her outfit for the 2023 Golden Globes. The star wore a silver mini dress with a revealing panel snaking up the side. Yet, you might not notice it right away with this boa-like embellishment.

Another star in attendance at the 2023 Golden Globes was Selma Hayek. With a nude fabric as a base, the star gives the illusion she’s just dripping in silver.

Draping all the way to the floor, this is another dress that seems like a modern twist on a classic Hollywood look. The dress is all tied together with a corset-like bust. If you want this gown, you might be out of luck, since it’s a custom gown from Gucci.

There are two classic looks that you can opt for when you head to an awards show. This is usually split into two neat categories — a tuxedo or a gown.

As we’ve seen, though, fashion is all about challenging the roles that people expect from your look and fearlessly pushing those boundaries, no matter what unwarranted advice the critics give. As for Billie Porter’s appearance at the 2023 Golden Globes, he opted for an outfit that was part gown, part tux, and fully impressive.

It’s easy to forget that good actors are playing a role. With roles in horror films like X and shows like Wednesday, Jenna Ortega has shown up on our screens in some dark roles.

That doesn’t mean that you only see her decked out in black, though. At the 2023 Golden Globes, the young star went with a nude-colored gown featuring long, trailing sleeves — plus a train behind her. The dress was made all the more eye-catching by the way the fabric twists around her torso.

The CFDA Fashion Awards are all about celebrating those with fearless fashion. So, it’s no wonder that we have an outfit to discuss from the event. Almost any Rihanna outfit could make it on this list.

The singer, designer, actress, and entrepreneur is dressed to impress every time we see her on the red carpet. At this event in 2014, though, the star was the Style Icon winner and accepted in this nude, iridescent gown complete with a boa.

Whether you were a Hole fan, a Nirvana fan, or just someone who heard the story as it played out, you’ve probably heard of Courtney Love before. With such a grunge style, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen Love push fashion limits before.

At the 2000 Golden Globes, she showed up decked out in Christian Dior, a design done by John Galliano. A twist on the usual black gown, the top of her dress was carefully shredded for a more grunge look to match the star’s usual vibe.

Whether you know her for her solo career or prefer the days of The Black-Eyed Peas, Fergie really knows how to make an impact. She uses a different take on the “barely there” look. For one, we aren’t opting for a neutral color here.

Fergie showed up to the 2012 Grammys, demanding attention in a fearless, bright orange lace dress. Underneath, black undergarments show. The dress was also seen on the runway in Jean Paul Gaultier’s collection that year.

If anyone really set the stage for daring fashion in the past few decades, we can’t leave Cher out of the equation. After all, who’s had more moments in the spotlight in stunning, daring outfits than Cher?

At the 1974 Met Gala, Cher arrived in Bob Mackie, a designer whose creations the star has been seen in a variety of times. The theme that year was Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design and Cher definitely made Hollywood fashion history with this nude bodysuit complete with feathers.

Megan Thee Stallion showed up to the 2023 GQ Men of the Year awards in this equally daring and stunning outfit. The revealing dress is from the Salih Balta Spring 2024 collection, and the rapper was sizzling in it!

In terms of her style, Megan Thee Stallion has said that she “value[s] compliments from women far more than from men” and that she’s not necessarily trying to “appeal to men.” We think it’s safe to say that this dress appeals to everyone!