STYLE EVOLUTION

Jessica Lange’s Style Evolution, From Shoulder-Pads to Custom Marc Jacobs


Getting her start as the ultra-glamorous damsel in distress in the 1976 hit film King Kong, Jessica Lange has always been an ultimate Hollywood beauty. With more than a few awards on her resume, and even more nominations flowing in each and every year, Lange has spent the last four decades on the red carpet, and has taken every one as an opportunity to show off her impeccable style. A bit of a rebel, Lange has graced the red carpet in many short dresses, and makes no qualms about wearing sunglasses at night. Often portraying characters with their own chic elegance, such as her famed turns in the various iterations of American Horror Story, the fashion crowd has always kept an eye on Lange. Her new role as Joan Crawford in Feud, premiering this weekend, promises to keep Lange in the spotlight for several years to come. Here, a look back at her effortless style over the years.

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Jessica Lange started out strong both on screen and off. She won her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Tootsie in 1983, wearing a pale green dress with sequins and diamonds by Valentino.

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Nothing says ‘80’s like the sweetheart neckline and full volume skirt of Lange’s little black dress at the 1986 premiere of Crimes of the Heart.

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Still loving a short dress on the red carpet, Lange keeps warm in a brilliant fur coat at the NYC premiere of Cape Fear in 1991.

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In 1995, Jessica Lange won her second Academy Award for her role in Blue Sky. The Best Actress opted for a covered up black and lace gown by Calvin Klein. This was a sure departure from her previous fondness of short dresses, but a trend that she has continued through her career.

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The following year at the 1996 Academy Awards, Lange stunned in a low cut, slinky black gown.

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Lange was all glitz and glamour, looking every inch a movie star, at the AFI Lifetime Achievement Awards, which honored fellow actor Dustin Hoffman, in 1999.

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Dressed all in black, Lange makes a return to wearing a short dress on the red carpet for Glamour’s 14th Annual Women of the Year Awards in 2003. The look is elevated with a velvet embellished jacket falling just below the knee.

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Rocking orange paisley like few can, Lange amazed at the 2004 Golden Globe Awards. Previously preferring to wear more subtle colors on the red carpet, this daring look was a welcome shift.

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The CFDA Awards is the place to show off the best of fashion. Lange attended the awards, alongside designer Diane von Furstenberg in 2006, wearing a body hugging sheer, black gown.

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Nominated in 2010 for her role in the TV mini-series, Grey Gardens, Lange makes another step away from her favored black in a silver ball gown at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

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Jessica Lange kept her cool at the 2012 Emmy Awards–where she took home the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a miniseries or movie–as she walked the red carpet in gold sunglasses. It was a bold move, and the perfect accessory to her red column gown by J. Mendel.

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The American Horror Story star attends the 40th International Emmy Awards in 2012 alongside Ryan Murphy. Lange arrived in a stunning blue Escada gown.

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Less than a year later, Lange stuns in blue again, wearing another ultra-flattering J. Mendel gown.

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Lange dressed in glitz at the 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards wearing an embellished black gown by Escada.

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Lange wore a long sophisticated black gown, by favorite J. Mendel, in 2014. The look became even more glamourous with her elegant bracelets by Le Vain.

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Lange accompanied designer Marc Jacobs, to the 2014 Charles James: Beyond Fashion Costume exhibit gala, where she wowed in his all black gown.

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Lange gave us a refreshing pop of red at the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards, wearing a perfectly tailored dress by J. Mendel.

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Lange’s black dress at the 5th Annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards may be covered up, but it was no doubt one of the actresses best.

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Once again, working sunglasses on the red carpet, the actress dazzeled in an off-the-shoulder navy, embroidered dress by J. Mendel in 2015.

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In her signature blue, Lange took home an award for Best Performance by an Actress in a play at the 70th Annual Tony Awards. Her dress was designed by J. Mendel and elevated with jewelry by Lorraine Schwartz.