Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Taraji P. Henson – what do these stars know about the wonders of a white gown on a Golden Globes red carpet?

Traditionally, the white gown is thought of as the wedding dress, but wearing white on your wedding day only became a tradition with the wedding of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840 when she chose white over the traditional red royal gown that had been the traditional choice for royal brides.

Kinda interestingly, white was considered a color of mourning at the time – so one wonders what Victoria was messaging about her marriage.

But the young Queen was onto something. Many of the beautiful, talented, and glamorous have chosen white to walk down the Golden Globes red carpet in its 80-year history.

The Golden Globes is considered the first  ‘fashion event’ of the year. The trends that start at the ‘party of the year’ influence every subsequent award show – and red carpet.

Time and again over the 8 decades of the Golden Globes’ celebrating the best in entertainment, statement white gowns have stood out on the red carpet.

Who could forget Alicia Vikander‘s white Louis Vuitton cross-over back and high-bib gown in 2016?

Or Gwyneth Paltrow‘s Balenciaga creamy white retro gown with its empire waist showing her baby bump. The Proof star was pregnant with Moses Martin, back in 2006.

Gwendoline Christie of Wednesday and Game of Thrones fame made an indelible mark in 2017 in a stunning white Vivienne Westwood gown with overtones of peach. Vivienne Westwood died this week. She is remembered for her Punk and New Wave fashion and is immortalized through shows like Sex in the City and FX’s Pistols.

Jennifer Lawrence prompted a slew of Instagrammers to emulate her Dior gown in 2014. The black and white gown was an ode to simplicity – and similar to another gown worn by another star back in 2007. 

Both gowns are featured in this gallery. Scroll through to see if your favorite variation on a white dress is included.

Return on January 10th to see the Golden Globes celebrate its 80th year of honoring the best and looking glamorous while doing so. Check out our nominees’ style statements to glimpse their likely choices on the 2023 Golden Globes red carpet.