Best and Worst Looks in Oscar Red Carpet History

Best and worst looks in Oscar red carpet history.

ByABC News
February 21, 2011, 10:06 PM

Feb. 22, 2011 — -- The Academy Awards are this Sunday, and style watchers are gearing up for the red carpet reveals.

As "Good Morning America" counts down to the Oscars, fashion expert, author and TV host Clinton Kelly visited the show to share the 10 most memorable Oscar red carpet looks.

Even if you don't get the chance to thank the Academy, these stars stood out in our memories because their red carpet looks were either so good -- or so bad.

The actress was stunning when she wore this Elie Saab dress to the Oscars in 2002 and picked up the award for Best Actress for her turn in the film "Monster's Ball." The figure-hugging dress with the peek-a-boo top won reviews for being classy and sexy.

The actress took her second Oscar in 2005, wearing this stunning backless navy dress from designer Guy Laroche.

Basinger became her own designer for the 1990 Oscars, donning her own white satin dress. The full-skirted gown was topped with a half-jacket that featured cryptic lettering down its single sleeve.

The actress turned heads when she stepped out on the red carpet in this Ralph Lauren menswear-inspired pantsuit -- complete with hat, polka dot tie and gloves -- for the 2004 Oscars.

The stunning actress-turned-model had fashion experts wondering what happened when she wore this Christian Lacroix number to the 2004 Oscars.

The actress positively sizzled in this fire engine red Versace dress in 1999, the year she had her breakout role in the film "Zorro." "It's an event dress," she said of the gown. "When I saw it, it was like what I used to dream about wearing."

The former "Dawson's Creek" star appeared on the red carpet in 2006 looking all grown up in this mustard-colored Vera Wang dress. While her performance in "Brokeback Mountain" earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination, the dress met with mixed reviews. Some style watcher said the color was too strong for her, while others praised the gown's old-world sophistication.

People were horrified to see the elegant beauty in this Alexander McQueen creation. She wore it in 2003, but it lives on in infamy – consistently making the list as one of the worst gowns in Oscar red carpet history.

The Oscar-winning actress, talk show host and comedienne wore a jumpsuit with a purple and lime green satin coat to present at the 1993 Oscars. She bought the ensemble at a Beverly Hills boutique.

The Oscar-winning Brit dazzled in pale gold Christian Lacroix in 2007, taking home the Best Actress award for her performance in "The Queen." She later told talk show host Oprah Winfrey that the dress was "all made for me so I didn't have to have any underwear. It fitted me like two angels' hands. I cried when I put it on - it's a work of art."

Click here to return to the "Good Morning America" website.

Go to Oscar.com for Oscar coverage before, during and after the awards.