“Every time that you go anywhere on the red carpet, there are websites dedicated to picking you apart,” Sarah Paulson once told the New York Times. Well, Paulson has had more hits than misses over the past two decades. She’s come into her own, sartorially speaking, eventually eschewing the very pretty looks of her early career in favor of avant-garde designs by smaller labels like Cushnie et Ochs, Etro, and Matières Fécales as well as powerhouses like The Row and her beloved Prada. She’s gotten more experimental and more dramatic, and she’s developed hairstyles (like an on-trend blunt bob) that add an instant edge to anything she wears.
Here, look back at Sarah Paulson’s best red-carpet moments—from the A-line dresses she wore during her early days as a stage actress to her high-concept premiere looks for Ryan Murphy productions.
2026: American Horror Story: 13 Celebration Event
In celebration of the horror series, Paulson went understandably dark in a frothy Valentino gown with an edgy fish-net neckline.
2026: The Toronto International Film Festival
Danielle Frankel’s ballooning bridal frock proved to be the perfect statement gown for the TIFF premiere of Paulson’s new film Closing Night.
2026: Tony Awards
Paulson embraced bow-adorned femininity in this drop-waist, two-toned gown by Erdem.
2026: Met Gala
The actor had money on her mind—or rather, her face—at the 2026 Met Gala. Her voluminous ensemble, complete with white opera gloves and a one-dollar-bill eye mask, was made by Parisian label Matières Fécales.
2026: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Paulson delivered silhouette severity in a blunt bob and a structured waist-cinching white ballgown by Matières Fécales.
2025: All’s Fair World Premiere
At the world premiere of the Ryan Murphy series, Paulson proved that a white T-shirt pairs quite well with a multicolored fuzzy skirt—courtesy of Bottega Veneta.
2025: All’s Fair London Premiere
Prada slime green and periwinkle purple were a punchy combination to kick off the All’s Fair press tour.
2025: Emmy Awards
Paulson put a gothic twist on statement feathers in this moody Marc Jacobs dress.
2025: Tony Awards
The star reworked the classic ballgown silhouette in Schiaparelli’s drop-waist couture creation.
2025: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
This crimson Marc Jacobs confection takes bubble hems to new, very abstract heights.
2025: Golden Globe Awards
Paulson leaned into more-is-more plumage in this texturally rich Elie Saab gown.
2024: LACMA Art+Film Gala
She donned a black skirt and a stark white top—all Altuzarra—at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala.
2024: Academy Museum Gala
The actor went for an ab-baring Prada number at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles.
2024: Met Gala
Bow overload (Prada, of course) at the 2024 Met Gala.
2023: Appropriate Opening Night
Wearing Alexandre Vauthier, Paulson looked in charge at the opening night of Appropriate.
2022: Emmy Awards
Paulson turned to Louis Vuitton for her structural navy 2022 Emmys look.
2021: Impeachment: American Crime Story Premiere
Paulson attended the Impeachment: American Crime Story premiere in a regal, sparkling Alexandre Vauthier number.
2019: The Goldfinch Premiere
Paulson slipped into this dotted Prada number in 2019.
2019: Met Gala
The actress reworked the classic black evening gown in a one-shoulder Moschino design for the 2019 Met Gala.
2019: Game of Thrones Premiere
Paulson attended the Game Of Thrones New York Premiere in a gilded Gucci dress.
2019: Academy Awards
Paulson was pretty in pink—courtesy of Brandon Maxwell—at the 2019 Academy Awards.
2019: Glass UK Premiere
She stood out in this bright Prada look at the UK Premiere of Glass.
2019: Ocean’s 8 Premiere
Paulson was early to the Brat green trend in a Prada dress festooned with sequin fringe.
2018: Met Gala
The actor struck an ethereal image in Prada at the Met Gala.
2018: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Paulson donned butter yellow Marc Jacobs at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. For a hit of contrast, she paired the look with velvet opera gloves.
2018: Golden Globe Awards
Paulson went uncharacteristically minimal in a custom Calvin Klein gown, complete with a ballgown skirt and a sequin top.
2017: Emmy Awards
Wearing Carolina Herrera, Paulson shone bright the 2018 Emmy Awards.
2017: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
The actress made a splash in Ronald van der Kemp at the the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
2017: Met Gala
Paulson did color-blocking and feather trim in Prada at the 2017 Met Gala, themed “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between.”
2017: Golden Globe Awards
This glistening Marc Jacobs gown matched her Golden Globe statuette—which she won for her portrayal of Marcia Clark in Ryan Murphy’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
2016: Emmy Awards
She opted for a plunging, emerald Prada gown at the 2016 Emmy Awards.
2015: Carol New York City Premiere
The premiere of Carol called for a metallic Etro ensemble.
2015: American Horror Story: Hotel Premiere
Paulson’s Monique Lhuillier power shoulders commanded the red carpet at the premiere of American Horror Story.
2014: American Horror Story: Freak Show Premiere
Zac Posen’s metallic cobalt design proved to be the perfect moody pick for the premiere of American Horror Story.
2014: Emmy Awards
Armani Privé’s conceptual ballgown—complete with gauzy tufts of tulle and pops of red—turned heads at the 66th annual Emmy Awards.
2014: Met Gala
Paulson was feeling Prada’s geometric lines at the 2014 Met Gala.
2014: Golden Globe Awards
At the 2014 Golden Globes, Paulson exuded ethereal glamour in Marchesa’s tiered, silver lace gown.
2013: 12 Years a Slave Premiere
Paulson opted for a severe Vivienne Westwood corset dress at the premiere of 12 Years a Slave.
2013: Emmy Awards
Playing with color on the red carpet, Paulson wore a pink Carolina Herrera dress with a column silhouette, a plunging neckline, and a tonal, waist-cinching bow.
2013: Golden Globe Awards
Though the silhouette is familiar, Paulson leaned into a more risk-taking motif with this geometric-print gown.
2012: American Horror Story: Asylum Premiere
Feathery, floral appliqués turned this lovely Reem Acra A-line dress into an avant-garde statement.
2012: Emmy Awards
The black statement belt added a hit of contrast—and 2010s fashion—to this Reem Acra ballgown.
2007: Golden Globe Awards
Paulson served pure movie-star glam in a strapless, romantically draped gown—and a blonde blowout—at the 2007 Golden Globes.
2005: Tony Awards
Paulson went classic in a simple black sweetheart number at the 2005 Tony Awards.
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