The iconic Oscars dresses that have increased in value after Hollywood’s biggest night

The night she won the Oscar for portraying June Carter Cash in the biographical drama Walk the Line, Reese Witherspoon wore a vintage silver-toned beaded dress from Dior, initially made in 1955.

Kim Kardashian wearing Marylin Monroe’s iconic dress to the 2022 Met Gala may have angered some fashion lovers. Still, there’s no denying that it also created a renewed interest in classic designs from heritage French fashion houses, and 1950s Dior is among the most iconic and significant in fashion history. This dress is truly a museum piece, and the experts doubt Reese could wear it today without experiencing a similar online backlash.

• Designer: Dior
• Value then: $12,000
• Value now: $37,500
• Appreciation: +212%

While taking home the best actress trophy for Monster, Theron channeled 1950s Hollywood glamour, wearing an embellished nude-colored Gucci gown with a V-neck, spaghetti straps, and split to the front.

• Designer: Gucci
• Value then: $120,000
• Value now: $180,000
• Appreciation: +50%

One of the most iconic red carpet looks of the past 25 years, the bubblegum ball gown worn by Gwyneth Paltrow when she accepted her Oscar for Shakespeare in Love in 1999 inspired a generation of high-school prom dresses. The gown featured a plunging v-neck and a dramatic taffeta skirt.

With the looming release of the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie , there is likely to be a renewed interest in ultra-feminine looks like this that feature an American heritage edge. This gown, with a similar silhouette and pink taffeta material, is also similar in style to the late Vivienne Westwood’s designs, likely to boost its desirability.

• Designer: Ralph Lauren
• Value then: $120,000
• Value now: $172,500
• Appreciation: +44%

The best actress winner from 2001 wore a dramatic mix of velvet and satin. The Valentino gown had attention-grabbing white satin piping from the V-neckline dress. The delightful details, such as the peekaboo panel on the bust and tulle fishtail train, finished off with strips of white satin; all worked together to make a true classic.

• Designer: Valentino
• Value then: $95,000
• Value now: $120,000
• Appreciation: +26%

The floor-grazing royal blue dress featured a voluminous skirt and chic ruffles and was finished off with a dramatic waist-cinching belt. The blue ruffled gown was custom-made by Gucci, especially for the 2016 ceremony, which explains how this iconic look has stood the test of time and increased in value.

• Designer: Gucci
• Value then: $32,000
• Value now: $40,000
• Appreciation: +25%

The Black Swan actress donned a purple ankle-length gown, which featured an off-the-shoulder neckline. The custom-made violet silk chiffon gown was designed by Rodarte and featured a thigh-high split and a train.

• Designer: Rodarte
• Value then: $24,000
• Value now: $30,000
• Appreciation: +25%

To pick up her Best Actress award at last year’s ceremony, Jessica Chastain dazzled on the red carpet in a beautiful, custom purple halter-neck gown made entirely of sequins and a hem designed with lilac ruffle trim.

Louisa highlights that despite being worn just 12 months ago, now that Alessandro Michele is no longer Gucci’s acting creative director, the gown will have become an “archival piece” that represents his innovative leadership and will have likely increased in value and desirability.

• Designer: Gucci
• Value then: $45,000
• Value now: $55,000
• Appreciation: +22%

To collect her best actress Oscar in 2008, Cotillard wore a mermaid-like Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown. The dress featured an intricately-detailed, ivory-colored skirt with a mermaid hemline.

• Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier
• Value then: $150,000
• Value now: $180,000
• Appreciation: +20%

Julianne Moore’s red carpet look featured a white strapless gown with black embellishments. The strapless column dress was trimmed with black sequin-encrusted applique flowers.

• Designer: Gucci
• Value then: $80,000
• Value now: $92,000
• Appreciation: +15%

To pick up the best actress accolade in 2003, Nicole Kidman arrived on the red carpet dressed in a sleek, midnight blue asymmetrical gown. The Jean Paul Gaultier gown featured a slit and one-shoulder neckline, accentuating her figure and adding interest to the elegant dark look.

• Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier
• Value then: $22,000
• Value now: $25,000
• Appreciation: +14%