Over the years, red carpets, be it at the Oscars or the Cannes Film Festival, have seen some iconic outfits. And while some may have made their mark for being daring, or colorful, others made history for just being mind-boggling expensive.
After all, considering that most stars only borrow the jewels and gowns they wear for red carpets, their actual prices can be so high it’s worth many people’s yearly wages.
At the 2015 Oscars, for example, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o wore a Calvin Klein dress that was covered in a total of 6,000 pearls, per Reuters. The dress, which was mysteriously stolen and later returned two days later, is estimated to be worth $150,000.
And while that price tag is hefty, Nyong’o’s look doesn’t come close to some other celebrity looks that have hit the red carpet over the years. In fact, many of them even reach the tens of millions!
Check out the most expensive red carpet outfits of all time below!
Lady Gaga at the Oscars (2019)
At the 2019 Oscars, Lady Gaga left us in awe as she walked the carpet in this billowing Alexander McQueen gown with a necklace so big it totally stole the show.
The piece, one of the most notable pieces from the Tiffany & Co archives, had only been worn twice in public before, per Harper’s Bazaar. The necklace, which includes a 128.54-carat fancy yellow diamond, was the perfect complement to her Best Original Song Oscar.
According to Vogue, the necklace alone is estimated to cost $40 million. Altogether, the “Bad Romance” singer’s look was estimated to cost $41 million.
Carrie Underwood at the Grammys (2013)
In another blinding necklace choice, Carrie Underwood rocked a 380-karat diamond necklace from Johnathon Arndt to the 2013 Grammys. Per People, the necklace alone costs $31 million.
She then paired the jewels with a black strapless Roberto Cavalli gown.
Charlize Theron at the Oscars (2014)
Charlize Theron’s showstopping Christian Dior gown at the 2014 Oscars reportedly had the same price tag as Biel’s, per Vogue.
To accessorize, however, Theron added a one-of-a-kind Harry Winston necklace worth a whopping US$15 million, per The Jewellery Editor.
Amy Adams at the Golden Globes (2014)
Joining the list of necklaces we can’t believe cost that much, Amy Adams’ pendant and earrings from the 2014 Golden Globes are estimated at $10.6 million, per Vogue.
The actress paired the expensive jewelry with this two-toned Valentino gown.
Anne Hathaway at the Oscars (2011)
While Vogue estimates that Anne Hathaway’s bright red Valentino look at the 2011 Oscars was worth $106,075, looking at her jewels is a whole other story. According to Prestige, the Eileen star’s diamond necklace, titled the Lucida Star diamond necklace from Tiffany and Co., is valued at $10 million.
Nicole Kidman at the Oscars (2008)
While Nicole Kidman’s look at the 2008 Oscars might not be everyone’s favorite with the jewels overlapping her dress, it sure was expensive. According to Prestige, the L’Wren Scott cascading necklace is worth an estimated $7 million.
Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars (2013)
While Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscars dress in 2013 might be more known for her trip on her way to accept the Oscar, it came with a hefty price tag too. According to Vogue, the Christian Dior gown is worth $5.3 million.
Charlize Theroon at the Oscars (2013)
In another one of Theron’s looks, the actress wowed in this peplum Christian Dior Couture gown at the 85th annual Academy Awards. To accessorize the look, she wore approximately $4.5 million of Harry Winston diamonds in her bracelets and earrings, The Jewellery Editor reports.
Rihanna at the Met Gala (2015)
Yes, Rihanna’s Guo Pei look at the 2015 Met Gala has been endlessly meme’d. Also yes, it reportedly costs $3.97 million, per Vogue.
Zendaya at the Venice International Film Festival (2021)
The emerald necklace Zendaya wore to the 2021 Venice International Film Festival is so iconic that it has its very own documentary. Inside the Dream, which stars Zendaya herself as well as many other stars, traces the origin of Bulgari’s most expensive pieces, including this 93.83-carat emerald in the Serpenti Hypnotic Emerald necklace, per Robb Report.
The Euphoria star rocked the piece, which is valued at $3.5 million, with this Balmain nude-colored dress.
Nicole Kidman at the Oscars (1997)
While this photo reminds us of Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise’s brief yet iconic marriage, Kidman’s dress at the 1997 Oscars was one for the books too. Per Vogue, this bright yellow embroidered dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior gown costs $2.65 million.
Paris Hilton at the Hollywood Beauty Awards (2017)
Taking a short break from Oscars red carpets, Paris Hilton’s shimmering dress from August Getty at the 3rd Annual Hollywood Beauty Awards cost $357,710, Vogue reports.
According to Harpers Bazaar, Hilton’s sculpted look was comprised of 500,000 Swarovski crystals and took a team of five eight months to produce.
Cate Blanchett at the Oscars (2007)
Cate Blanchett looks like a million bucks no matter what she’s wearing so it comes to no surprise that her look at the 2007 Oscars was quite expensive. According to Vogue, the one-shoulder Armani Privé look cost $265,046.
Elizabeth Taylor at the Oscars (1970)
In a dress that would look as stylish today as it did back then, Elizabeth Taylor’s Edith Head purple dress at the 1970 Academy Awards cost approximately $221,976, per Vogue.
Lady Gaga at the Golden Globes (2019)
Making an appearance in the gallery for a second time, Lady Gaga’s stunning lavender dress by Valentino was reportedly worth $198,846, per Vogue.
Princess Diana at the Cannes Film Festival (1987)
In one of Princess Diana’s most iconic looks, the late Princess of Wales dazzled at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival in this pastel blue strapless dress from Catherine Walker with a matching neck scarf. Vogue estimates the dress is worth $181,572
Audrey Hepburn at the Oscars (1954)
This year marks 70 years since Audrey Hepburn wore this chic Givenchy gown to the 1954 Oscars. Per Vogue, the look is approximately worth $174,018.
That night, she won her first and only Oscar for her role in Roman Holiday.
Lady Gaga at the Grammys (2018)
In another one of Gaga’s looks, the “Born This Way” singer’s Armani Privé lace dress with an ultra-train long train at the 2018 Grammys also came with a hefty price tag. Per Vogue, the look cost $165,716.
Lupita Nyong’o at the Oscars (2015)
Looking at this pearl-covered gown worn by Lupita Nyong’o at the 2015 Oscars, we can already tell it’s expensive. According to Reuters, the Calvin Klein gown, which had a total of 6,000 pearls, costs approximately $150,000.
Kate Winslet at the Oscars (2007)
Kate Winslet’s stunning mint green look at the 2007 Oscars was one of our favorite of hers of all-time. According to Vogue, the look cost $132,521.
Jessica Biel at the Oscars (2014)
In another stunning look, Jessica Biel’s strapless Chanel look at the 2014 Oscars cost $132,521, per Vogue.
Julia Roberts at the Oscars (2001)
Speaking of Oscar winners with expensive taste, Julia Roberts’s black and white Valentino gown at the 2001 Oscars reportedly cost $125,850, per Vogue. That night, she won the Best Actress award for her perfomance in Erin Brockovich.
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