Sandra Bullock's Best Red Carpet Looks Through the Years

Publish date: 2024-05-07

Whether it's a bold print, a pop of color, or an unexpected cut, Sandra Bullock has effortlessly mixed Hollywood glamour with a dash of fresh modernity in each of her looks and has continued to push style boundaries. No matter how avant-garde the silhouette or how bright the hue, Bullock's fashion sense has always been authentic and never contrived. 

Many have credited Bullock's style evolution to notable Hollywood stylist Elizabeth Stewart (who has styled Cate Blanchett, Viola Davis, Julia Roberts, and Jessica Chastain). Stewart doesn't have a reputation for forcing her aesthetic on her clients, opting to channel their personalities and energies into more representative looks — which undoubtedly led to Bullock abandoning head-to-toe black to willfully embracing color and a more playful style.

Despite her penchant for mixing it up style-wise, Bullock has leaned on a several distinguished designers over the years, including Stella McCartney, Elie Saab, Giambattista Valli, and Zuhair Murad, to name just a few. Since 2021, the Oscar winner has (mostly) eschewed gowns in favor of suits, catsuits, and even crop tops but continued to embrace sparkle, color, and the odd surprise accessory, like knee-high leather boots. After all, adding a touch of whimsy shouldn't be a surprise from the star of Miss Congeniality.

Here, we've compiled Sandra Bullock's best red carpet looks to date.

Sandra Bullock in a Carolina Herrera suit at 'The Lost City' U.K. screening in 2022

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At a U.K. screening of her film The Lost City, Bullock wore a double-breasted jacket with a criss-crossed rainbow train and slim trousers.

Sandra Bullock in an Elie Saab Haute Couture gown at 'The Lost City' Los Angeles premiere in 2022

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It was a very pink affair when Bullock stepped out in an Elie Saab tulle ombré gown, topped with a cropped jacket and black over-the-knee boots at the L.A. premiere of The Lost City.  

Sandra Bullock in a Lela Rose suit for a 'Late Show' taping in New York City in 2022

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Bullock set the internet ablaze when she appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in a Lela Rose ensemble that included a midriff-baring crop top.

Sandra Bullock in a Stella McCartney catsuit for 'The Unforgivable' L.A. premiere in 2021

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Nobody saw Bullock's flared Stella McCartney catsuit and blazer coming, but the star dazzled in the surprising number at the L.A. premiere of The Unforgivable.

Sandra Bullock in an Oscar de la Renta gown at the Golden Globes in 2020

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Bullock's marigold Oscar de la Renta gown for the Golden Globes was in good company — the star commissioned a matching bow for her rescue pup, Sweetie, to wear on awards night, too.

Sandra Bullock in a Martin Grant gown at a 'Bird Box' screening in 2018

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A red halter neck Martin Grant gown and matching red peep toe Louboutin sandals were the ideal ensemble for a Lincoln Center screening of Bullock's hit Netflix thriller Bird Box.

Sandra Bullock in an Alberta Ferretti gown at the 'Bird Box' Berlin premiere in 2018

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Taking the film's naturalistic setting to heart, Bullock donned a green one-shouldered tulle gown with beading by Alberta Ferretti to the Berlin premiere of Bird Box.

Sandra Bullock in a Zuhair Murad jumpsuit at the 'Ocean's 8' London premiere in 2018

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Bullock ushered Ocean's 8 in style in Europe, walking the film's London red carpet in a multi-colored Zuhair Murad jumpsuit with a plunging neckline.

Sandra Bullock in Elie Saab Haute Couture at the 'Ocean's 8' N.Y.C. premiere in 2018

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The actress took a softer turn for the Ocean's 8 New York premiere in a flowing Elie Saab Haute Couture gown accented with Lorraine Schwartz jewels.

Sandra Bullock in a custom Louis Vuitton gown at the Oscars in 2018

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Following a brief hiatus, Bullock made a triumphant return to the Academy Awards in an ombré black-and-gold Louis Vuitton gown with a ruffle down the side, and paired the look with a middle part and long, straight tresses.

Sandra Bullock in a J. Mendel dress at the 'Our Brand Is Crisis' L.A. premiere in 2015

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The Our Brand Is Crisis star went romantic for the Hollywood premiere of her film and paired a floaty printed cutout gown from J. Mendel with a soft updo.

Sandra Bullock in a Stella McCartney mini-dress at the 'Minions' premiere in 2015

Bauer Griffin

At the world premiere of Minions, Bullock wore an embroidered paisley-print asymmetric Stella McCartney dress that revealed a black mini underneath.

Sandra Bullock in a custom Alexander McQueen gown at the Oscars in 2014

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Bullock didn't lay eyes on this custom-draped Alexander McQueen stunner until the day before the Oscars. 

"McQueen is edgy, classic, and well constructed," said the Best Actress nominee for Gravity. "It was worth the wait." 

A Lorraine Schwartz diamond ear cuff balanced her soft side-swept curls.

Sandra Bullock in a Lanvin gown at the SAG Awards in 2014

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In a bespoke rich emerald lamé Lanvin gown at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Bullock accessorized with heels by Jimmy Choo and a Roger Vivier clutch.

Sandra Bullock in an Alex Perry dress at the Palm Springs Film Festival in 2014

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"Sandra looks gorgeous in a sharp silhouette," said designer Alex Perry of the star at the Palm Springs Film Festival. "This one is ladylike, but the clashing colors make it fun."

Sandra Bullock in a Stella McCartney dress at the 'Gravity' London screening in 2013

Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Bullock kept it leggy at the London Film Festival in a lace Stella McCartney mini and 5-inch Charlotte Olympia pumps.

Sandra Bullock in an Elie Saab Haute Couture dress at the Oscars in 2013

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At the 2013 Oscars, Bullock wore a million dollars in Harry Winston diamonds, a vintage Swarovski clutch, and a lace Elie Saab Haute Couture dress, which took a month and a half to make.

Sandra Bullock in a J. Mendel gown at a 'Gravity' premiere in 2013

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J. Mendel's Gilles Mendel dreamed up Bullock's red gown with a "modern-day siren in mind," and the actress fit the bill. "She is sophisticated and every inch the iconic movie star," said the designer.

Sandra Bullock in a Marchesa gown at the Oscars in 2010

John Shearer/Getty Images

Perhaps a foreshadowing? Bullock's custom gold Marchesa column gown was fitting for both the red carpet and when she took home the Best Actress statuette for her role in The Blind Side. Designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig recalled feeling exhilarated. 

"The gown caught the light beautifully, and its fully beaded skirt was the epitome of glamour," the designing duo said. "It was perfect for such an important night in Sandra's career."

Sandra Bullock in a Bottega Veneta gown at the Golden Globes in 2010

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Maybe purple is her lucky hue. After three previous noms, Bullock scored her first Golden Globe (for The Blind Side) in a wispy chiffon Bottega Veneta gown complemented with gray diamond drop earrings and a 10-carat cocktail ring by Lorraine Schwartz.

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