How Halle Berry Brought Pageant Girl Style to the Red Carpet

What comes to mind when you think of Halle Berry? Her transition from a Miss World contestant to a global A-lister? Her complete domination of the silver screen in the 2000s? Her role as Catwoman in the titular film or Storm in the X-Men movies? Or maybe her historic Oscar win in 2002, when she became the first Black woman to take home the award for Best Actress? Upon hearing her name, you might also think of her prowess on the red carpet, and all the eye-catching dresses she has worn over the years while taking home an Emmy, Golden Globe, and two SAG Awards.

The actor has always been a style maven—especially in the first decade of the 21st century—often making it onto the best-dressed list thanks to her relationships with Elie Saab and Versace. Of course, it was the former who dressed her in the burgundy frock with a completely sheer bodice for her big Oscar night over two decades ago, a moment still discussed by the fashion-obsessed. Since then, her style hasn’t changed much. Berry still loves sheer moments as much as she loves sparkle, and when she can’t decide between a low-neck or a high-slit, she isn’t afraid to opt for both. Below, take a look back at the actor’s best red carpet moments over the past 30-plus years as we wait to see what she pulls out next.

At the premiere for her 2026 thriller film, Berry put a dark-romance spin on the classic suit in a plunging Gucci set with a ruffled satin collar.

Staying true to her high-shine reputation, Berry paired a V-neck bodysuit with a bejeweled maxi skirt from The New Arrivals. While the silhouette was sleek and streamlined, the texture play added just the right amount of visual intrigue.

As a member of the Cannes jury in 2025, Berry wore a slew of looks on the Croisette, including this semi-sheer Dior couture number that flirted with the event’s dress code.

Berry made a major statement at the 2025 Met Gala in a nude illusion LaQuan Smith dress that she wore without undergarments.

The actor’s Christian Siriano Oscars dress featured a broken glass-like effect.

The actor wore a completely sheer, skintight dress to the premiere of The Union.

The Elie Saab fall 2023 couture dress Berry wore to the Red Sea International Film Festival in 2023 was an absolute showstopper.

Berry was a vision in white when she wore a Tamara Ralph Couture dress with a dangerously high slit and rose gold crystal flowers at the 2023 Oscars.

Later, for the after party, the actor changed into a quirkier ensemble courtesy of Oscar de la Renta fall 2023.

Berry’s Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini spring 2020 dress proves LBDs do not have to be boring.

While the pink chiffon Dolce & Gabbana dress Berry wore to the 93rd annual Academy Awards was gorgeous, most viewers were more focused on the actor’s chin-length bob and cropped bangs.

Berry looked sleek and stylish in a Cushnie pre-fall 2019 jumpsuit with a sheer, high neck panel.

The Sebastian Gunawan Couture design Berry wore to the CDGAs in 2019 turned the actor into a walking sculpture.

Berry loves a high slit almost as much as she loves a low neckline, which is likely why she gravitated toward this raspberry Zuhair Murad fall 2018 couture dress.

While many wear gowns to the Vanity Fair Oscar party, Berry went in a different direction in 2018 and wore a patterned Zuhair Murad mini dress.

Berry sparkled in a sequin-covered Pamella Rolland gown with a black, tulle overskirt at the SAG Awards in 2018.

The actor risked a major wardrobe malfunction on the NAACP Image Awards red carpet in her sheer Reem Acra fall 2016 gown.

Berry’s sheer Elie Saab fall 2017 dress allowed her to show off her legs while still wearing a full-length skirt.

Of course, Berry wore her favorite trend—sheer—to the 2016 Met Gala, though the scalloped details on her Atelier Versace gown brought the design to a whole other level.

Berry floated through the 2017 Oscars in a Atelier Versace fall 2017 dress.

The actor opted to wear her favorite designer—Elie Saab—to the Emmy Awards in 2013.

Berry mixed things up a bit and opted for a more structured dress for the 2013 Oscars, wearing a sparkling, graphic Atelier Versace design to the ceremony.

Abstract patterns, one shoulder, high slit, and a side cutout—the Atelier Versace dress Berry wore to the 2013 Golden Globes truly had it all.

Berry sparkled in a silver Dolce & Gabbana mini dress at the LA premiere of her film, Cloud Atlas.

The actor wore a sparkly Marchesa dress with a skirt of gathered tool to the Oscars in 2011.

Berry opted for a lingerie-inspired black dress with a high-low skirt at the 2011 Golden Globes.

The actor mixed things up for the Frankie & Alice premiere, wearing a gold jacquard Balmain suit for the big night.

The actor showed off the open back of her lace Kaufman Franco dress.