Sarah Paulson’s style is a lesson in fearlessness and unpredictability. Always decked out in daring looks Paulson has become a red carpet mainstay. Ahead, we list 15 of her best looks.

Her bold style reigns supreme

When it comes to taking fashion risks, few starlets are as fearless as Sarah Paulson. The actress has long wowed audiences on screen and on stage with her riveting performances, which have won her rave reviews and major accolades—she’s just an Oscar short of gaining EGOT status. Off-screen, Paulson has garnered a sartorial reputation for being predictably unpredictable with her red carpet looks, prioritizing individuality instead of trendiness.

While she doesn’t necessarily stick to a fashion formula (method dressing has never been her thing) a few hallmarks of her style include bold silhouettes, lush textures, and plunging necklines balanced by voluminous sleeves and lots and lots of Prada. With the help of her longtime stylist Karla Welch, Paulson has catapulted herself to style icon status, thanks to the wide array of looks the stylist selects for her, ranging from decadent daytime dresses to stylish stand-out couture creations.

“I need her to push me out of my sweatpants and my sneakers,” Paulson once said of her and Welch’s styling sessions. Ahead, we list the 15 most fearless red carpet looks Paulson has ever worn—sans sweatpants.

In Carolina Herrera at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, 2013

The actress channeled old Hollywood glamour in a red-hot Carolina Herrera column dress from the brand's fall 2013 collection. The minimalist silhouette was turned into a showstopper thanks to its plunging neckline, ruched bow detailing at the waist, and a hint of shine from her Fred Leighton jewelry.

In Armani Privé at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, 2014

At the following year's awards, the American Horror Story star showed up in a frothy cloud of black netted tulle from Armani Privé. Red polka dots gave the dark, witchy design a more whimsical touch.

In Prada at the 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion' Met Gala, 2014

Paulson started her long love affair with Prada a decade ago with this emerald green frock she wore to the 2014 Met Gala. The look honored James's sculptural and mathematical approach to design, seen in its linear white seams and graphic geometric embroidery.

In Prabal Gurung at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, 2015

Serving up severe sophistication in a custom Prabal Gurung off-the-shoulder dress, Paulson turned heads at the 2015 Emmy Awards. The deep navy sequins of the gown were subtly contrasted with jet-black beads at the shoulder and waist.

In Armani Privé at the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2016

Simple and chic with a twist, was on the red carpet menu for Paulson at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2016. The gorgeous jewel-toned feathers made this simple velvet dress from Armani Privé take flight.

In Prada at the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, 2016

Paulson dazzled onlookers at the 2016 Emmy Awards wearing a floor-length emerald-green Prada gown with glitzy, art deco-inspired embellishment. The Great Gatsby-worthy dress featured the star's beloved plunging neckline and long sleeves.

In Altuzarra at the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards, 2016

At the 2016 CFDA Fashion Awards, Paulson looked pretty tough in an edgy black and red dress from Altuzarra. The red lace-like embroidery and sequined asymmetrical hem gave the ladylike dress a topsy-turvy design.

In Vera Wang at the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2017

Paulson looked practically presidential in a fitted black dress from Vera Wang's spring/summer 2017 collection. The actress wore a bone-white jacket cape over the dress, revealing cinched pocket detailing at the hips once she took it off.

In Valentino at the 'Ocean's 8' UK Premiere, 2018

This Valentino look Paulson wore to the UK premiere of Ocean's 8 is why she always takes the cake when it comes to red carpet dressing. The asymmetrical design was highlighted by scalloped edges that mimicked the sugary look of fondant.

In Prada at the 'Ocean's 8' World Premiere, 2018

It was hard to miss Paulson at the premiere of Ocean's 8 where she donned a highlighter green Prada dress. The luminescent look was covered head-to-toe in feather-like acetate fringe and paired with a matching belt and satin evening satchel.

In Moschino at the 'Camp: Notes on Fashion' Met Gala, 2019

While most of the attendees at the 2019 Met Gala wore over-the-top designs, such as feathered frocks, showgirl bodysuits, and overly ornate looks, Paulson went the opposite route. She wore a black silk satin Moschino dress with a bow bodice. A clutch shaped like a champagne bottle winked at the evening's theme.

In Brandon Maxwell at the 91st Annual Academy Awards, 2019

Paulson's red carpet style packed a punch at the 2019 Academy Awards, where she wore a super-saturated fuchsia Brandon Maxwell look. The woolen silk gown featured a tulip-like top that barely connected to the skirt, revealing a peek of the starlet's midriff.

In Louis Vuitton at the 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, 2022

Louis Vuitton's creative director Nicholas Ghesquière conjured up a geometric navy look for Paulson to wear to the 2022 Emmy Awards. The pleated tiered skirt was an interesting textural contrast to the sleeker square top. A mirrored belt and Boucheron jewels added megawatt sparkle.

In Moschino at the 75th Annual Tony Awards, 2022

While this love-it-or-hate-it Moschino look may not be for the faint of heart, the sheer confidence required to wear it is what makes Paulson a bonafide style star. She carries the look off with ease, even with its balloon sleeves, an oversized peplum waistline, and bright gold metallic fabric covered with jeweled leopard print.

In Nina Ricci at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, 2023

For the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Paulson chose a Nina Ricci sequined dress that could be only summed up as dark and romantic with a touch of '80s decadence. A gold collar bow necklace and clutch gave the midnight-hued look a hint of glimmer.

In Prada at the 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion' Met Gala, 2024

At this year’s Met Gala, Paulson wore a baby pink satin Prada dress embroidered with over 280 ribbons. The coquette-coded look featured a contrasting black back panel and was accessorized with a white brushed leather floral embossed clutch and black satin platforms.