Whether she’s winning hearts in a rom-com or singing about being “Jenny from the Block,” Jennifer Lopez has always had a penchant for putting on the glitz. Since the famous plunging chiffon Versace dress she wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards, J.Lo’s name has become synonymous with daring, curve-baring looks. But it’s easy to forget that it wasn’t always so—Lopez once favored more demure designs, albeit always those with a shimmer, which is why she often gravitates to Zuhair Murad’s dramatic pieces. (In fact, she even wore the designer to her midnight Las Vegas wedding to Ben Affleck.) Two decades later, Lopez still shines on every red carpet she walks. As we wait for her to deliver another eye-catching look, revisit her highlights.
J.Lo attended the Tribeca Film Festival of her documentary Halftime this June in a part velvet, part mesh gown by Tom Ford.
Just a few days later, she accepted MTV’s Generation Award dressed in black from head-to-toe, topping off a long black Mônot gown with an equally plunging leather vest.
She was honored yet again—with iHeartRadio’s Icon Award—wearing a bandeau and floor-length skirt, both in velvet emerald green. Like the spotted robe she wore atop the ensemble, it was designed by Roberto Cavalli.
Five months before she married Ben Affleck, Lopez prophetically posed alongside her now husband in a lace bridal-style dress to the premiere of her film Marry Me.
She again posed with Affleck, this time in a plunging blue Elie Saab gown, at the premiere of his movie, The Tender Bar.
Lopez showed off her abs in a glittering copper Hervé Leger two piece set at the premiere of Affleck’s The Last Duel.
Wearing custom Ralph Lauren, Lopez attended the 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion.
Lopez posed with Affleck in a low-cut Georges Hobeika crepe satiné gown at the red carpet for The Last Duel at the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
Wearing an all-white Chanel ensemble, complete with sequined wide-leg pants and a pirate blouse, Lopez performed at Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony.
Wearing a black column dress with a large bow in the back, Lopez posed with her then-fiancé, Alex Rodriguez, at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Lopez looked like a full glass of champagne in this backless George Hobeika gown at the 2020 Critics’ Choice Awards.
Looking like the best Christmas under the tree in this green, gold, and white Valentino Couture gown, Lopez posed with Rodriguez at the 2020 Golden Globes.
Lopez stunned in this deconstructed yellow Maison Yeya dress with a very fitting money clutch at the premiere of Hustlers at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Lopez dripped in diamonds in this Versace dress with a matching headpiece for the 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion.
Wearing a long-sleeved turtleneck Tom Ford dress, Lopez almost looked like an Oscar trophy herself at the 2019 ceremony.
Lopez nabbed this couture Ralph & Russo gown straight off the runway for the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Wearing this bright and voluminous Giambattista Valli gown, Lopez attended the premiere of her movie Second Act.
Lopez wore a classic, one-shoulder metal mesh Versace dress to the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
Wearing a jewel and feather encrusted cutout Balmain dress, Lopez attended the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala.
Lopez looked angelic in this blue Valentino gown at the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between” Costume Institute Gala.
Wearing a Ralph & Russo's spring 2017 dress with a high slit and tulle neckpiece, Lopez attended the 59th annual Grammy Awards.
Lopez shined in this Giamattista Valli haute couture caped gown at the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards.
Lopez really amped up the glam in this deep blue, embellished Valentino couture gown at the 2015 Tony Awards.
Wearing a beautifully intricate Atelier Versace gown, Lopez attended the 2015 Met Gala.
Lopez brought the drama in this flesh-toned, low-cut Elie Saab gown for the 87th annual Academy Awards.
Wearing this caped Zuhair Murad fitted dress, Lopez attended the 2015 Golden Globes.
Lopez proved she loves a good cape moment in this belted Donna Karan bodysuit at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.
This cutout, high slit Charbel Zoe dress is quintessential Lopez.
The simplicity of this one-shoulder Anthony Vaccarello dress means all the attention was on Lopez’s leg at the 2013 Grammy Awards.
Lopez attended the 2013 Golden Globes with her then boyfriend, Casper Smart, wearing this sheer lace Zuhair Murad gown.
The lines of this sparkling Zuhair Murad gown accentuate Lopez’s figure beautifully.
Lopez opted for a more feminine Gucci dress with a floral shoulder piece for the 2011 Met Gala.
The caplet on top of Lopez’s Zuhair Murad spring 2011 gown brings the right amount of sparkle to her Golden Globes look.
Lopez stunned in this structural Armani Privé dress at the 2010 Academy Awards.
Lopez looked statuesque in this gold, low-cut Marchesa gown at the 66th annual Golden Globes.
This empire-waisted Marchesa was a bit of a departure for Lopez, but of course, she pulled it of beautifully.
The yellow of this Michael Kors dress paired well with Lopez sun-kissed skin at the 61st annual Golden Globe Awards.
Lopez has many iconic looks from over the years, but this pale green Valentino dress will always top the list.
Lopez paired this corseted pink Versace dress with some bouncy curls for the 2002 Academy Awards.
Lopez looked gorgeous in this gray Chanel ballgown at the 2001 Academy Awards.
This all-white look made up of a Sean John crop top and jeans and a white bandana around her head is one of Lopez’s most iconic to date.
They say this Versace dress launched Google Images when Lopez wore it to the Grammys in 2000, and we can see why.
Lopez looks like a real princess in this strapless black ballgown at the 1999 Academy Awards.
Lopez opted for this blue knitted halter dress with a matching cardigan for her first-ever Grammy Awards in 1998.
Jennifer glowed in this gorgeous Badgley Mischka dress at the 1997 Academy Awards.
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