Charlize Theron's Best Red Carpet Looks

For some actresses, it takes a significant awards season win or campaign to get noticed on the red carpet, but Charlize Theron cemented her place among the pantheon of style greats long before she won her Oscar for Monster. Theron, who became the face of J'Adore Dior perfume in 2004 and has worked closely with the brand since, has developed a truly signature style.

While the former ballerina is no stranger to revealing outfits, she's careful to balance exposing elements where appropriate with softening details like bows, pleats, and blazers. By the same token, Theron will often enliven a covered-up look with a keyhole detail, exposed back or midriff, or thigh-high slit.

Keep scrolling for Charlize Theron's 20 best red carpet looks to date.

01 of 20

2023: In Dior Haute Couture Lingerie at the 'Fast X' Premiere

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture at Fast X Premiere in Rome

Elianto/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Theron cemented her penchant for flaunting underpinnings on the red carpet at the Fast X premiere in Rome when she arrived in a three-piece Dior Haute Couture ensemble that included a bralette, shorts, and sheer, plunging, robe-like dress.

02 of 20

2020: In All-Black Dior at the Academy Awards

Charlize Theron in Black Dior Gown at 2020 Oscars

Steve Granitz/WireImage

The picture of relaxed elegance, Theron attended the 92nd Academy Awards in a black peplum Dior gown with a generous slit, asymmetrical neckline, and stunning train.

03 of 20

2020: In a Custom Golden Gucci Gown in L.A.

Charlize Theron in Gold Louis Vuitton at the CDGA 2020

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Theron was the living embodiment of an Oscar winner at the Costume Designers Guild Awards, where she accepted the Spotlight Award in a custom gold embellished Louis Vuitton gown featuring a keyhole cut-out.

04 of 20

2020: In Two-Piece Givenchy at the SAG Awards

Charlize Theron in Givenchy at 2020 SAG Awards

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Two of Theron's signature styles — a high slit and an exposed midriff — came together in her Givenchy look at the SAG awards, proving that well-paired separates definitely have a place on the red carpet.

05 of 20

2020: In Silver Céline at the Critic's Choice Awards

Charlize Theron in Celine Gown at the Critic's Choice Awards in 2020

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Theron balanced the deep-V and revealing slit in her Céline dress at the Critic's Choice Awards with a tuxedo jacket, rolled-up sleeves, and a bejeweled pendant necklace.

06 of 20

2019: In Black, White, and Bowed Dior at the Golden Globes

Charlize Theron in Black and White Dior Gown at the 2019 Golden Globes

Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Theron's potentially modest black and white Dior gown at the Golden Globes got a sweet-meets-sultry assist from a large bow tied over a peek-a-boo keyhole.

07 of 20

2020: In a Corseted Dior Gown at the Golden Globes

Charlize Theron on Green Dior Haute Couture Gown at 2020 Golden Globes

George Pimentel/WireImage

It was another take on underpinnings as outwear at the Golden Globes in 2020 when Theron wore an electric green Dior Haute Couture gown featuring an exposed corset and Grecian draping.

08 of 20

2019: In a Plunging Dior Mini-Dress at a 'Bombshell' Screening

Charlize Theron in Black Deep V Dior Mini Dress at Bombshell Screening 2019

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

You could say Theron took the plunge again in Dior at a screening of her film Bombshell, wearing a deep-V mini-dress with flapper-inspired fringe detailing and hair styling.

09 of 20

2019: In Hot Pink Givenchy at a Screening for 'Long Shot'

Charlize Theron in Pink Givenchy Gown at Long Shot Screening in London 2019

Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images

Her signature keyhole detail gave Theron's peplum and pink Givenchy ensemble the perfect bit of edge at a screening of her comedy Long Shot in London.

10 of 20

2019: In a Backless Blue Dior Gown at the Oscars

Charlize Theron in Backless Periwinkle Dior Gown at 2019 Oscars

Steve Granitz/WireImage

It was business in the front and party in the back for Theron's Dior gown at the 91st Academy Awards. The actress wore an open-back periwinkle showstopper accessorized with jewels from Bulgari's classic Serpenti collection.

11 of 20

2018: In a Givenchy Cocktail Dress at a Beverly Hills Banquet

Charlize Theron in Givenchy at the HFPA Banquet in 2018

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Sweet details like the pleats and oversized bow of Theron's Givenchy look for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association banquet strike a perfect balance with the short hemline and deep V.

12 of 20

2017: In a Dior Bra and Mini at the 'Atomic Blonde' Premiere

Charlize Theron in White Dior at Berlin Premiere Atomic Blonde 2017

Matthias Nareyek/WireImage

Theron was every bit an Atomic Blonde at the film's world premiere in Berlin, wearing a top-to-bottom white look that included a Dior mini skirt and bralette that the actress has said she loved so much she wore it directly onto a flight later that night.

13 of 20

2016: In a Dior Haute Couture Tuxedo in Cannes

Dior Haute Couture, 2016
Foc Kan/FilmMagic

Theron practically shut down the red carpet during The Last Face premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, pairing a Dior Haute Couture tuxedo with a smoky eye and Cartier jewels.

14 of 20

2016: In Frilly Pink Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci in Cannes

Charlize Theron in a Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci pink mini dress
Splash News

The actress made a rare appearance in lace, wearing a soft pink Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress for The Last Face photocall in Cannes, France.

15 of 20

2016: In a Midi Dior Haute Couture Dress in L.A.

Carlize Theron in a black Dior Haute Couture dress
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Theron softened her head-to-toe black look with a Dior Haute Couture dress featuring sheer illusion and whimsical embroidery at The Huntsman: Winter's War premiere.

16 of 20

2016: In 3-D Alexander McQueen at the MTV Movie Awards

Charlize Theron in a black Alexander McQueen dress
Splash News

Breathing new life into the naked dress at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards, Theron wore a sheer Alexander McQueen design featuring 3-D butterflies over black underpinnings.

17 of 20

2016: In Chloé and Saint Laurent Separates in Milan

Charlize Theron in Saint Laurent & Chloé
IPA/WENN.com

Proving that separates have a place on the red carpet, Theron paired a ruffled Chloé mini skirt with a no-frills Saint Laurent button-down and killer lace-up sandals from Alexandre Vauthier at The Huntsman: Winter's War photocall in Milan.

18 of 20

2016: In Fire Engine Red Dior at the Academy Awards

Charlize Theron arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Theron emphasized her plunging Dior gown at the 2016 Academy Awards with Harry Winston's 48 carat Secret Cluster platinum and diamond necklace.

19 of 20

2016: In Black Silk Dior at the Cinema for Peace Gala

Charlize Theron in a black silk Dior gown
ddp images/Dominik Bindl/Sipa US

Keeping her look minimal but sophisticated at the Cinema for Peace Gala, Theron wore a deeply cut black silk Dior gown, simple black clutch, and matching black nails.

20 of 20

2015: In a Canary Yellow Dior Gown in Cannes

Charlize Theron in a yellow gown at Cannes
Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage

Theron lit up the Cannes Film Festival in a sunny yellow Dior gown and Chopard jewels for the Mad Max: Fury Road premiere.

Related Articles