Angelina Jolie Is the True Master of the Sleek and Chic Red Carpet Look

Though she had already been acting in made-for-television movies and shorts for nearly a decade, Angelina Jolie shot into the public eye in 1999 thanks to her performance in Girl, Interrupted (and also, in part because of her Golden Globes appearance that same year in a clingy sequined Randolph Duke gown). The look marked the actor as one to watch on the red carpet, and more than two decades later, it’s a status she maintains. Though these days, Jolie’s red carpet appearances have been far fewer, every once in a while she treats us and steps out in another classic Jolie look. Over the years, the actress has perfected her style, sticked with sleek silhouettes, neutral colors, and the motto, “When in doubt, call Donatella.” Versace has been her go-to for decades, and it’s easy to see why—their atelier team just knows how to show off Jolie, whether it’s by draping her in velvet or their signature metal mesh.

It’s been a little while since we’ve gotten a new Jolie red carpet moment, but luckily, she has some projects in the works that will mark her return to the press circuit very soon. In the meantime, let’s take a look back on 25 years of Jolie’s looks, from 1998 to now.

Angelina Jolie attends the "The Eternals" UK Premiere

Jolie provided a unique, voluminous take on suiting in custom Valentino haute couture.

2021: Rome Film Festival
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the red carpet of the movie "Eternals"

The actress returned to one of her favorite designers and wore Atelier Versace for the premiere of Eternals at the Rome Film Festival.

2021: Eternals Los Angeles Premiere
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Marvel Studios' "Eternals"

Jolie’s Eternals press tour was filled with great looks, including this draped Balmain resort 2022 dress.

2019: Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil London Premiere
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the Maleficent: Mistress of Evil European Film Premiere

Perhaps the magic of Disney got to her, because the custom Ralph & Russo couture gown Jolie wore to the Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil was a bit of a departure for the actress.

2019: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Los Angeles Premiere
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the World Premiere of Disney's “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil"

Jolie has proven she loves Versace’s metal mesh, so she wore a dress made out of the fabric yet again to the Maleficent LA premiere, setting it apart from the others with a scorpion broach placed on her hip.

2019: Dumbo Premiere
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the premiere of Disney's "Dumbo" at El Capitan Theatre

Looking almost like a bride, Jolie stepped out in a slightly more demure look—a white Atelier Versace dress—for the Dumbo premiere.

2018: Critics’ Choice Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the 23rd Annual Critics' Choice Awards

While it is rare to see Jolie in white, she also embraced the color at the 2018 Critics’ Choice Awards, attending the event in a strapless, draped Ralph & Russo dress, decorated with a bust of feathers.

2018: BAFTA Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs)

Jolie also tapped the Ralph & Russo team to dress her in a one-shoulder velvet gown for the BAFTAs.

2018: Golden Globe Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie attends The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards

The actress returned to her favorite color and designer for the Globes in 2018, wearing a black dress from Atelier Versace featuring a sheer top layer and feather details.

2017: First They Killed My Father Premiere
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the "First They Killed My Father" New York premiere

It’s rare to see Jolie in a classic ballgown silhouette, but the color and simplicity of this Dior fall 2017 couture dress places it squarely in the canon of Jolie’s personal style.

2015: Critics’ Choice Movie Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie arrives at the 20th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards

This silver silk Atelier Versace gown looks like it was poured right onto Jolie before she hit the red carpet.

2014: Unbroken Premiere
 
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Angelina Jolie

Jolie almost never wears prints, so it was quite the surprise to see her in this Gucci Premiere black and white lace dress at the Unbroken premiere.

2014: Maleficent Premiere
 
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Actress Angelina Jolie arrives at the World Premiere of "Maleficent"

While this Atelier Versace dress may look to be made of leather, it was actually constructed out of rubberized silk.

2014: Academy Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the Oscars

Jolie embraced a bit more sparkle and wore a beaded Elie Saab fall 2013 couture gown to the 2014 Oscars.

2014: BAFTA Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie arriving at The EE British Academy Film Awards 2014

Every actress has a Saint Laurent tux phase, and Jolie’s hit around 2014 when she wore this cool, relaxed take on menswear to the BAFTAs.

2012: Academy Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie posing in a black dress

Thank to that leg, this black, velvet Atelier Versace dress may be Jolie’s most famous red carpet look of all time.

2012: Screen Actors Guild Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

While this black dress with a draped neckline is Jenny Packham fall 2011, the metallic, liquid-like fabric almost makes it seem like another one of Jolie’s favorite Atelier Versace creations.

2012: Golden Globe Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie attends the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards

It isn’t often Jolie wears color on the red carpet, so even the pop of red on her Atelier Versace dress at the Globes in 2012 was a welcomed surprise.

2011: The Tree of Life Premiere
Angelina Jolie

Pre-2012, though, Jolie did embrace color just a bit more. Take this blood-orange, one-shoulder Jenny Packham dress she wore to The Tree of Life premiere.

2011: Cannes Film Festival
 
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Angelina Jolie attends 'The Tree Of Life' premiere at the Palais des Festivals

Jolie looked gorgeous in a rich, chocolate brown Atelier Versace gown at The Tree of Life premiere during the Cannes Film Festival.

2011: Golden Globe Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie in an emerald gown

Seeing Jolie in this gorgeous, emerald green Atelier Versace dress has us wishing the actreess would start embracing color again.

2010: The Tourist Premiere
 
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Angelina Jolie attends COLUMBIA PICTURES Presents the World Premiere of THE TOURIST

Versace changed things up when it came to their fabric choice, and put Jolie in a white, cashmere dress for the premiere of her film, The Tourist.

2010: Salt Premiere
 
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Actress Angelina Jolie arrives at the premiere of Sony Pictures' "Salt"

A little black dress never goes out of style, and Jolie could easily wear this sequin Versace mini to an event today.

2009: Academy Awards
 
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Angelina Jolie arrives at the 81st Annual Academy Awards

While originally, this Elie Saab dress was presented on the runway in white, Jolie had it made in black for the 2009 Oscars.

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