Amy Adams's best looks, from glittering red carpet gowns to elegant printed midi dresses

Want to up your fashion game? Then take notes from fashion guru Amy Adams. These are her best looks...

Amy Adams's best looks on the red carpet
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For dreamy red carpet dressing, you can’t go wrong with Amy Adams’s best looks. 

Adams made her film debut in the dark comedy Drop Dead Gorgeous in 1999 and got her first major role in Steven Spielberg's biopic Catch Me If You Can in 2002. However, her breakthrough came in the 2005 comedy-drama Junebug, followed by fantasy film Enchanted in 2007. 

The star - who has a daughter with her actor husband Darren Le Gallo - featured on several big releases from the 2010s, including American Hustle, Big Eyes, Nocturnal Animals and Arrival, as well as the TV series Sharp Objects. During her glittering career, she has won two Golden Globe Awards and six Oscar nominations. So it's safe to say she's frequented many a red carpet - from the Oscars to the Golden Globes - where she always showcases the most stunning of ensembles. 

Amy Adams's best looks

Many of her most memorable outfits are her best red carpet looks - think sweeping princess-like gowns or slinky sparkling frocks. However, we have also seen her dress with a cooler, more relaxed edge - in statement midi dresses and sleek tailoring - at glitzy showbiz events, providing ideal smart-casual inspiration.  

1. The teal Oscars gown

Amy Adams attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

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Adams channelled classic Hollywood style at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills in 2019. The actress wore a silky teal blue long-sleeved gown designed by Alexandre Vauthier, which featured diamond buckle detailing and elegant gathering at the waist.

2. The butterfly-print Valentino dress

Amy Adams attends the 'Arrival' Royal Bank Of Canada Gala screening during the 60th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on October 10, 2016 in London, England

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At the screening of the film Arrival during the BFI London Film Festival in 2016, Adams looked chic in a white Valentino gown. The floor-length dress featured an asymmetric neckline and a bold butterfly print on the skirt.

3. The elegant floral midi dress

Amy Adams is seen on July 31, 2018 in New York City

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We love a mid-length shirt dress for an easy smart-casual look. Adams stepped out in a multi-coloured floral number while out in New York in 2018. She accessorised with a small cream handbag and strappy black heels. 

4. The gold Tom Ford gown

Amy Adams attends the premiere of 'Nocturnal Animals' during the 73rd Venice Film Festival at Sala Grande on September 2, 2016 in Venice, Italy

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Adams wore perhaps the ultimate party dress to the premiere of film Nocturnal Animals at the Venice Film Festival in 2016. The star wowed on the red carpet in a gold sequinned one-sleeved Tom Ford design, which perfectly highlighted her hourglass figure.

5. The tailored Max Mara look

Amy Adams attends the Max Mara Resort 2024 Collection Fashion Show on June 11, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden

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A beige jacket is a handy component of any capsule wardrobe. Adams wore one draped over her shoulders at the Max Mara fashion show in Stockholm, Sweden in 2023. The star paired it with an all-black look, including wide-legged trousers and a structured handbag.

6. The cool printed midi dress

Amy Adams enters the "Katie Couric Show" taping at the ABC Lincoln Center Studios on June 10, 2013 in New York City

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Adams looked effortlessly stylish as she arrived to film for the Katie Couric Show at the ABC Lincoln Center Studios in New York in 2013. The actress wore a flowing long-sleeved midi dress, featuring an eye-catching geometric print, which she accessorised with a pair of black strappy heels.

7. The black Calvin Klein midi dress

Amy Adams attends the Los Angeles premiere of the HBO limited series "Sharp Objects" at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on June 26, 2018 in Hollywood, California

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You can't go wrong with a simple black midi dress - especially one that creates such a feminine and powerful silhouette. Adams looked the epitome of chic in a long-sleeved Calvin Klein number to attend the Los Angeles premiere of HBO series Sharp Objects in 2018. She finished off the look with sleek locks and a dramatic smokey eye - an easy makeup look that never fails to impress.

8. The strapless white Oscars gown

Amy Adams attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California

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Adams dazzled on the Oscars red carpet in 2019. The actress wowed in a white strapless, form-fitting Versace gown, which featured a small train. She finished off the look with a statement diamond necklace and wore her hair wavy.

9. The blue Antonio Berardi dress

Amy Adams attends the European Premiere of 'Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice' at Odeon Leicester Square on March 22, 2016 in London, England

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All eyes were on Adams as she attended the premiere of Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice in London in 2016. Her stunning blue strapless Antonio Berardi gown featured elegant ruffled detailing and a thigh-split, and she finished off the look with her hair worn in a sleek ponytail.

10. The ruched one-shouldered cocktail dress

Amy Adams attends the 2008 National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Awards Gala at Cipriani's 42nd Street on January 14, 2009 in New York City

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We love a one-shouldered sleeve to give a dress an interesting edge. Adams wowed in the asymmetric design at a film gala in New York in 2009. Her black knee-length frock featured elegant ruching, and she finished off the ensemble with black open-toed heels and silver drop-down earrings.

11. The silver Tom Ford dress

Amy Adams arrives at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California

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Adams turned heads at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills in 2017. The star dazzled in a silver gown designed by Tom Ford, which featured long sleeves, a form-fitting silhouette and a plunging neckline. She finished off the look with her hair styled into a curly bouncy blow-dry.

12. The draped red gown

Amy Adams attends Annapurna Pictures, Gary Sanchez Productions and Plan B Entertainment's World Premiere of 'Vice' at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on December 11, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California

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While Adams often opts for a more neutral colour palette when it comes to eveningwear, here she proves she also knows how to wear red with ease. The star wowed in a red gown by Andrew Gn for the premiere of the film Vice in Beverly Hills in 2018. It featured cut-out sleeves and subtle pleating

13. The dramatic black Oscars gown

Amy Adams attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California

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Adams looked every bit the certified film star at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills in 2018. The actress turned heads in a sweeping black long-sleeved Christian Siriano gown, which featured an asymmetric neckline and a dramatic thigh-split. She finished off the chic look with a sleek ponytail and silver hooped earrings.

14. The off-the-shoulder white Versace gown

Amy Adams arrives at The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 11, 2016 in Santa Monica, California

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In a rather angelic look, Adams wowed in white on arrival at the Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California in 2016. The actress dazzled in an off-shoulder Versace gown, which featured a cut-out neckline and a small train. The dress was the star of the show and she kept accessories minimal, opting for a slicked-back ponytail and simple earrings.

15. The deep purple Dolce & Gabbana gown

Amy Adams attends Disney's "Disenchanted" Premiere at El Capitan Theatre on November 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California

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Adams brought the glamour to the red carpet of the premiere for Disney's film Disenchanted in Los Angeles in 2022. The star's long-sleeved purple gown was designed by Dolce & Gabbana, and she finished off the ensemble with her signature wavy hair.

16. The herringbone corset dress

Amy Adams attends the "Dear Evan Hansen" premiere at Walt Disney Concert Hall on September 22, 2021 in Los Angeles, California

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In a slight departure from her trademark feminine style, Adams stepped out in a more structured look at the premiere of the film Dear Evan Hansen in Los Angeles in 2021. Her black strapless herringbone corset dress was designed by Thom Browne, and featured subtle button detailing for a cool result.

17. The tulle grey Oscar de la Renta gown

Amy Adams arrives at the Oscars at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California.

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Adams looked every bit the leading lady on the red carpet at the Oscars in 2013. The actress wore a pale grey strapless gown by Oscar de la Renta, which featured extensive ruffled detailing on the voluminous skirt. She finished off the look with diamond earrings and an elegant up-do.

18. The black sparkly Oscar de la Renta gown

Amy Adams arrives at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California

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You can't go wrong with a bit of sparkle in an evening look. Adams shimmered on the red carpet of the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills in 2009 in a sweeping black strapless Oscar de la Renta gown, featuring intricate sparkly, lace detailing.

19. The blue patterned Gucci dress

Amy Adams attends the 2017 LACMA Art + Film Gala Honoring Mark Bradford and George Lucas presented by Gucci at LACMA on November 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California

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Adams turned heads in Gucci as she arrived at the LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles in 2017. The star's silky blue gown featured a red bow pattern and ruffled detailing. She finished off the glamorous look with bouncy curls, a bright red lip and a burgundy velvet clutch bag. 

20. The green Proenza Schouler Oscars gown

Amy Adams attends the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008 in Los Angeles

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It's safe to say Adams knows what colours suit her - and forest green beautifully complements her pale skin tone and red hair. The actress looked stylish in green on the red carpet at the Oscars in 2008, wowing in a strapless, form-fitting Proenza Schouler gown, which featured an elegant fishtail train. She finished off the glamorous look with a gold bracelet and earrings.

21. The relaxed trouser suit

Amy Adams attends TimesTalks to discuss "Arrival" at Merkin Concert Hall on November 9, 2016 in New York City

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While she may have a penchant for dresses, Adams is also a fan of good tailoring. The star stepped out in a chic pale pink trouser suit - which she paired with a pretty ruffled blouse - at an event to discuss her film Arrival in New York in 2016. Who said the best tuxedos for women need to be black?

22. The black Céline gown

Amy Adams attends the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California

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Adams commanded attention on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Award in Los Angeles in 2019. The star wowed in a black strapless Céline gown, which featured peplum detailing at the waist and a daring thigh-split. She finished off the elegant look with black platform heels. 

23. The trench and shirt dress combo

Amy Adams is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on February 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, California

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A trench coat can make an ideal stylish cover-up for in-between temperatures. Adams wore the classic outerwear in a chic navy shade, over an emerald green shirt dress, to visit the Los Angeles studios of Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2019. 

24. The chic backless LBD

Amy Adams arrives at the 2007 New York Film Critic's Circle Awards at Spotlight on January 6, 2008 in New York City

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Adams harnessed the powers of the LBD - or little black dress - at a film event in New York in 2008. The star looked chic in the backless knee-length design, which she accessorised with strappy gold heels and dewy make-up.  

25. The draped Versace gown

Amy Adams attends the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted By Graydon Carter at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 28, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Vanity Fair Oscar Party welcomed a Versace-clad Adams in 2016. The actress looked stunning in the floor-length gown at the star-studded event in Beverly Hills. She accessorised the frock, which featured elegant draping, with a simple red lip.

26. The blazer and midi dress combo

Amy Adams attends a photocall for 'Nocturnal Animals' during the 73rd Venice Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on September 2, 2016 in Venice, Italy

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Adams looked like she meant business in an all-black look at the photocall for Nocturnal Animals at the Venice Film Festival in 2016. The star wowed in a blazer jacket over a slinky strapless midi dress, and accessorised with statement earrings and black and gold footwear.

27. The floral Carolina Herrera dress

Amy Adams attends the Julie & Julia premiere in New York in 2009

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Florals really can work for evening, as Adams proved at Julie & Julia premiere in New York in 2009. The actress stunned in a floor-length, halterneck-style Carolina Herrera dress, which featured a pretty monochrome print.

28. The purple Giambattista Valli gown

Amy Adams arrives at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Adams exuded Hollywood glamour at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in 2009. The star stepped out in a strapless Giambattista Valli gown in a chic plum hue, which featured intricate gathering at the waist. She finished off the look with an elegant up-do and statement earrings. 

29. The cobalt Antonio Berardi dress

Amy Adams attends the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 18, 2014 in Los Angeles, California

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Adams wowed in a cobalt blue gown by Antonio Berardi at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in 2014. The floor-length, one-shouldered frock featured an asymmetric neckline and a thigh-split. She finished off the ensemble with a red lip and a pair of black open-toed heels.

30. The sparkling Golden Globes gown

Amy Adams attends the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 8, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Adams dazzled at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills in 2017. The actress sparkled in a floor-length, strapless gown sequinned gown designed by Tom Ford, which she paired with sleek locks and silver drop-down earrings.

31. The pretty floral midi dress

Amy Adams during Dior and EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund Celebrate the Launch of Dior Christal at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, California, United States in 2005

(Image credit: Getty Images)

For a fundraising event in Los Angeles in 2005, Adams looked chic in a strapless floral midi dress. The star accessorised the pretty frock with a small pink handbag, strappy gold heels and an elegant up-do.

32. The princess-like 2013 Golden Globes gown

Amy Adams arrives at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Adams turned heads on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills in 2013. The actress stunned in a pale pink strapless Marchesa gown, which featured lacy detailing and a voluminous fishtail skirt. She finished off the ensemble with a wavy up-do and minimal silver jewellery.

Lauren Clark

Lauren is a freelance writer and editor with more than six years of digital and magazine experience. In addition to Womanandhome.com she has penned news and features for titles including Women's Health, The Telegraph, Stylist, Dazed, Grazia, The Sun's Fabulous, Yahoo Style UK and Get The Gloss. 

While Lauren specializes in covering wellness topics—ranging from nutrition and fitness, to health conditions and mental wellbeing—she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain, interviewing Heidi Klum and joining an £18k-a-year London gym.