By bpierose
1:00am PDT, Jul 3, 2022
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The year 2002 was full of hits and misses on the red carpet. Skin-baring looks and dressed-up denim reigned supreme, but there were some enchantingly chic statements made too. Join Wonderwall.com as we take you on a roller coaster ride of a recap… Nicky Hilton and Paris Hilton have never shied away from color or skin-baring ensembles, that's for sure! Their looks at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards were no exception for the vibrant sisters, who rocked rainbow pastels with their signature blonde locks.
Read on for more of our favorites from a seminal year on the red carpet…
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In a micro-mini and Missoni scarf disguised as a top, Christina Aguilera was barely dressed for the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards! Along with many trends from this time, some say we will be seeing more of these uber-minis on the 2022 streets soon.
RELATED: Duchess Kate's best fashion moments ever
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In perhaps her most controversial look ever, Gwyneth Paltrow strolled onto the 2002 Oscars red carpet wearing a gothic Alexander McQueen gown with a sheer bodice and black taffeta train. It was shocking at the time, but it will go down in the annals of fashion history as a very interesting, cool choice.
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In a onesie and matching boots with a Western motif, Sheryl Crow hit the 2002 Grammys red carpet looking like a perfect representation of her music. Her fur-lined denim coat hit a proper top note of glam too.
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Halle Berry's 2002 Oscars appearance in an Elie Saab gown the year she won best actress is probably one of the most published fashion looks from the event ever. And for good reason, as she looked positively rapturous! Sheer-and-sexy yet romantic with floral embroidery and a long taffeta train, the dress was unique while somehow remaining classic.
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Although they didn't all match at this event, music trio Destiny's Child still brought their A-game to the 2002 Grammy Awards. It was a whole lot of sheer and midriffs and chiffon for Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams!
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All smiles and looking ready to haul someone off to jail, Britney Spears was a sexy dominatrix in leather at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.
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Nicole Kidman won an Oscar for her performance in "Moulin Rouge," but she also took home the trophy for best dressed at the Academy Awards in 2002! She radiated in a pale pink tiered Chanel gown that was the epitome of understated elegance.
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Alicia Keys took home a whopping five Grammy Awards in 2002. Her attire, however, was… shall we say, interesting? Her ensemble — denim, a tank top and an embroidered turquoise chiffon overlay that wrapped around her head — definitely turned heads!
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Jennifer Garner captured the idea of timeless elegance at the 2002 Emmy Awards. Clad in an ivory Narciso Rodriguez strapless gown and a simple diamond choker, she couldn't have looked lovelier.
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In one of her mosts unforgettable looks ever, Cameron Diaz stunned on the 2002 Oscars red carpet in a floral Emanuel Ungaro silk gown. It was unexpected in the best way — and we especially loved the clashy pop of turquoise on her wrist.
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Denim was a red carpet staple in 2002 — jeans somehow surpassed dresses! Janet Jackson was part of the movement at that year's Vanity Fair Oscar Party where she eschewed a gown and instead paired her jeans with a long suede duster and on-trend bralette-slash-scarf that highlighted her incredible abs.
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How cute are Selma Blair and Reese Witherspoon at the Teen Choice Awards in 2002? Ever-chic Selma chose a black-and-white look anyone could rock in any decade and Reese was oddly super preppy in a Polo Ralph Lauren knit tank and khakis.
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Tara Reid epitomized the bare-it-all attitude of 2002. Here she is at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas in a tattered crop top and gilded asymmetric skirt.
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Faith Hill clearly dressed for the occasion when she sang "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" at the 2002 Oscars. In this tight-fitting on-theme kaleidoscopic Versace look, she was the talk of the town (not all of it positive, even at the time!).
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"Lady Marmalade" singer Lil' Kim was a lady in red at the 2002 Grammy Awards! Her accessories really took center stage though. A rainbow rhinestone belt, red sunglasses, a single blue glove and a Chanel moto-helmet were unforgettable toppers to the look.
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Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were undoubtedly the red carpet couple of the early aughts and their look seen here at the "Crossroads" movie premiere represent the era well. He was a total stud in a wrinkly white shirt and leather bell bottoms while she rocked dusty rose knee-high boots, a dress-over-denim and a newsboy cap.
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At the 2002 Oscars, J.Lo straddled decades looking like a pin-up in a bubblegum pink dress with her hair in a '60s-inspired bouffant. Versace has always been a brand that's suited the singer-actress and her curves.
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Paula Abdul didn't miss any chances to strut her stuff on the red carpet in the 2000s — she was seemingly everywhere! At the Teen Choice Awards in 2002, she was feeling Hawaiian vibes in a matching pink-and-orange cropped halter top and skirt set.
