Angelina Jolie wore a white satin dress with a plunging neckline designed by Marc Bouwer at the 76th Academy Awards on February 29, 2004.[1] It has been described in subsequent years by fashion and celebrity publications as a memorable and stylish selection that was reminiscent of classical Hollywood style.[2]
Critical reception to the dress focused on the material and color, describing both as difficult to wear stylishly. Most critics agreed that the look was a success for Jolie, and comparisons were drawn to several classic Hollywood stars, including Rita Hayworth, Jean Harlow, and especially Marilyn Monroe.[3] [4] [5] The dress's minimalism and classic aesthetic has consistently been referred to as a defining moment for Jolie's style.[6]
Since its debut, the dress has been placed on several lists of best Oscars or red carpet fashion. Cosmopolitan magazine picked the dress in 2011 as one of the best Oscar dresses of all time, saying, "Angie's one of very few people who can rock this material and this color — both being mercilessly unforgiving. But the dress drapes on her curves and shows off her assets in all the right ways."[7] Fashion journalist André Leon Talley put it on his list of the 25 best Oscars dresses, published 2012.[8] In 2019, Harper's Bazaar named it one of the 100 best red-carpet dresses.[9] That same year, the dress was one of 25 famous red carpet dresses used in a photo shoot celebrating the 25th anniversary of InStyle magazine.[10] [11] In 2023, Christian Allaire of Vogue selected it as one of the 55 best Oscars dresses; Vogue contributor Christina Liao was quoted calling the dress Jolie's "best look of all time".[12]
In 2024, Sydney Sweeney wore the dress for the Vanity Fair Oscar party following the 96th Academy Awards.[13]