STYLE EVOLUTION

Gillian Anderson’s Best Red Carpet Moments

by Kat Herriman
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Gillian ANderson
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From the original The X-Files series to The Crown, Gillian Anderson has enjoyed a long career in the spotlight. And for just about the entire time that the television star has been a household name, Anderson’s sense of style has remained classic and chic. From sultry gowns to simple menswear moments, Anderson’s red carpet looks never disappoint, and whether she’s playing a British Prime Minister or a sex positive therapist, her sense of humor remains in tact as well. In honor of her 53rd birthday, here are her best looks from 1996 to today.

2021: Emmys

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Nominated for her work on The Crown, Gillian Anderson came to the 2021 Emmys in a unique, tasseled dress by Chloé.

2021: Met Gala

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Anderson also wore Chloé less than a week earlier to the 2021 Met Gala, this time opting for black. She attended as a guest of the label's current designer Gabriela Hearst.

2020: EE British Academy Film Awards

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Wearing a sleeveless black gown, Anderson attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 at Royal Albert Hall on February 02, 2020 in London, England.

2020: Sex Education Premiere

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Gillian Anderson wore a metallic gown with puffed sleeves to the premiere of season 2 of Sex Education in 2020.

2020: Golden Globes

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At the Golden Globes, Anderson wore a simple yet chic white gown with an off-the-shoulder draping from Dior.

2018: Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony

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Anderson shimmered in silver as she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.

2018: Golden Globes

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With hair bleached blonde, Anderson wore a striking one-shoulder column gown in black to the 2018 Golden Globes.

2017: Berlinale International Film Festival

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A menswear moment at the 67th Berlinale International Film Festival.

2016: The Crown Premiere

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Before she would be cast as Margaret Thatcher, Anderson attended the world premiere of The Crown in 2016 wearing a burgundy gown.

2015: Glamour Women of the Year Awards

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Anderson returned to center stage as a platinum bombshell—arriving at the 2015 Glamour Women of the Year Awards in a caped gown.

2012: Harper’s Bazaar UK Event

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Over in London for Harper’s Bazaar’s Women of the Year event, Anderson went for a sparkling gown.

2011: BFI London Film Festival

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Refining her style with age—Anderson opted for some show-stopping earrings when dressing up a simple black gown in 2011.

2008: The X-Files: I Want To Believe Premiere

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By 2008, the red head was back to her natural color. A mother-to-be, Anderson sheathed her baby bump in a capped navy dress that set off her fiery locks.

2001: Vanity Fair Oscar Party

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Yes, it’s the cheeky little dress remembered around the internet. Anderson wore a column gown with an exposed thong built right in to Vanity Fair’s 2001 Oscars after-party.

2000: Blockbuster Entertainment Awards

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Some very Aughts shades made their way to Anderson’s red carpet look at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards in 2000.

1999: SAG Awards

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Anderson kept it glam in a dark green gown for the 1999 SAG Awards. Her matching jewelry was a refined addition to the look.

1999: Golden Globes

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At the 56th Annual Golden Globes, Anderson arrived in a lilac gown.

1998: The X-Files Film Premiere

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When The X-Files received a film treatment, Anderson arrived at the premiere’s red carpet in a bright red gown.

1998: Golden Globes

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Anderson vamped it up in 1998—hoping to snatch her second win in a row at the Golden Globes. While she didn’t go home with the prize, her pointed neckline left a lasting impression.

1997: The X-Files 100th Episode Celebration

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Anderson went for a fuzzy casual sweater—a very ‘90s look—paired with pearls for a celebration of the 100th episode of The X-Files.

1997: Emmys

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Later that year, Anderson swept her second win at the Emmy Awards—her train growing with her star status.

1997: Golden Globes

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At the Golden Globe Awards in 1997, Anderson hit the carpet in a plunging nude number accessorized with arm-candy and boyfriend David Duchovny. The combo was as winning as her performance—she left with her first Golden Globe.

1997: Airport Style

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Anderson’s airport style was just as chic (albeit much more casual) as her red carpet looks in 1997.

1996: SAG Awards

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In 1996, the actress also attended what was just the second annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, wearing a black velvet gown.

1996: Emmys

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In 1996, Anderson—still a freshman on the red carpet— was nominated for her first Emmy award.

1995: New York Film Festival

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At the New York Film Festival in 1995, newcomer Gillian Anderson seemed to intuit that someday orange would be the new black.

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