Why do we watch award shows? To see the red carpet. Why do we check PureWow the night after movie premieres? To see the red carpet. Ogling ultra-glam outfits is one of our favorite things, and 2018 gave us plenty of opportunities to do so. In no particular order, here are our 18 favorite red-carpet looks from the past 12 months.

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Angela Bassett in Naeem Khan at the Premiere of 'Black Panther'

Imagine looking this good ever, let alone at 60 years old. 

Claire Foy in Valentino at the Venice Film Festival

Pink and red is a color combination we didn’t know we needed until this very moment.

Kerry Washington in Atelier Versace at the Tony Awards

When you have to slay the red carpet at 7:30 and fight crime with the Justice League at 8.

Frances McDormand in Valentino at the Met Gala

Here we have Frances McDormand wearing a getup literally only Frances McDormand could pull off. That said, we’re absolutely going to copy this color combination come spring.

Janelle Monae in Dolce & Gabbana at the Grammys

Have you ever wondered what it would look like if a matador costume mated with a tuxedo? Now you know.

Elle Fanning in Valentino at the Berlinale International Film Festival

The best kind of red-carpet dress should lead bystanders to ask, “What’s she hiding under there?”

Lady Gaga in Valentino at the Venice Film Festival

Out here looking like the world’s chicest cockatoo.

Meghan Markle in Stella McCartney at her Wedding

Dare we say the duchess’s after-party look topped her actual wedding dress? (Also, we’re well aware this isn’t technically a red carpet moment, but come on…)

Tracee Ellis Ross in Michael Kors Collection at the Met Gala

Tracee and dramatic gowns: Name a better duo. We’ll wait. 

Rita Moreno in Vintage at the Oscars

The fact that she wore this same exact dress to the 1962 Oscars makes it approximately five million times better.

Yara Shahidi in Ralph Lauren Collection at the SAG Awards

Simple jumpsuit + dramatic train = Actual perfection.  

Julianne Moore in Givenchy at the Cannes Film Festival

We’re suckers for a cape. Even more so if said cape is covered in plumage.  

Thandie Newton in Brandon Maxwell at the Emmys

Pepto-Bismol, but make it fashion.

Octavia Spencer in Brandon Maxwell at the Oscars

The color, the silhouette, the styling. Quite literally everything about this look is incredible. 

Katy Perry in Alexis Mabille at the amfAR Gala

Looks like someone’s getting a jump on one of 2019’s biggest fashion trends. (Feathers.)

Lena Waithe in Carolina Herrera at the Met Gala

One word: Yes.

Viola Davis in Michael Kors Collection at the Oscars

Which limited edition, collector’s item Barbie is this? (Also, apparently pink was a huge trend on 2018 red carpets.)

The Cast of 'Ocean's 8' at the Movie's World Premiere

You thought we could choose just one of these looks? Nope. (For the record, Cate Blanchett is in Missoni; Awkwafina is in Reem Acra; Sarah Paulson is in Prada, Anne Hathaway is in Jean Paul Gaultier; Sandra Bullock is in Elie Saab; Mindy Kaling is in Prabal Gurung; Helena Bonham-Carter is in Vivienne Westwood; and Rihanna is in Givenchy.)

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