Whether or not she wants to admit it, Jane Fonda has always been a style icon (she once remarked that she considers the mere notion to be “a hoot”). The actor, now 87, has decades of sartorial influence under her belt, going back to her 1968 film Barbarella, which is still inspiring collections to this day. But even off screen, Fonda’s style choices have made a mark, and her gravitation toward sparkle and embellishment has not ceased in the many decades she’s been in the spotlight. Though these days, it’s more likely to see Fonda in a classic suit than a gown (“I’m best when I’m wearing something structured, with no frills or bows,” she told W in 2015), she still likes to mix it up and even her most tailored looks often include a bit of shine. Plus, there’s the fact that in 2020 the eco-warrior pledged to never purchase new clothes again, making her continuing style influence all the more impressive. Here, take a look back at some Jane Fonda’s most memorable red carpet looks over the years.
2024: Women In Film Gala
Fonda kept it simple during a 2024 gala, opting for ballet flats, wide-leg pants, and a sequin-covered jacket.
2024: Cannes Film Festival
In a tailored Elie Saab suit and a cheetah print coat, Fonda staked claim as the Queen of the Mob Wife trend at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
2023: Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken Premiere
Fonda made a statement with a long, snakeskin shirt for the premiere of Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken.
2023: Cannes Film Festival
The actress wore a look by AMI Paris to the Cannes closing ceremony, finishing off black trousers with a sequin-covered top.
2023: Book Club: The Next Chapter Premiere
Fonda loves sequins, so it’s no surprise she wore them in the form of a black blazer to the premiere of the second Book Club film.
2023: 80 For Brady Premiere
The actress went all-in on purple with this Max Mara suit for the premiere of 80 for Brady.
2021: Golden Globe Awards
Fonda accepted the Cecil B. DeMille award at the 2021 Golden Globes in an ivory suit that recalled the all-white ensembles of suffragettes. Twenty-five years earlier, Fonda wore this suit for the first time, at the Shape Magazine Awards in 1996.
2020: Academy Awards
True to her environmental word, Fonda attended the 2020 Academy Awards in the same red beaded Elie Saab fall 2013 couture gown she wore to the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
2020: Grace and Frankie Season 6 Premiere
Fonda pulled out yet another monochrome suit for the season six premiere of her Netflix show, Grace and Frankie.
2019: Screen Actors Guild Awards
It’s the gorgeous texture and bright red color of this Valentino pre-fall 2019 dress that really makes it an out-of-the-park look.
2018: Cannes Film Festival
Fonda stole the show at the Cannes Film Festival’s BlacKkKlansman premiere in an ethereal beaded Valentino couture dress and matching cape.
2018: Book Club Premiere
The unexpected pink and red color combo of this Brandon Maxwell suit made an already intriguing look that much more exciting.
2018: Academy Awards
Fonda wore a modern, white Balmain gown with a structured neckline to the Oscars in 2018.
2017: Our Souls at Night Premiere
The actress took a bit of a risk for the premiere of her film Our Souls at Night, wearing a completely sheer Dior couture skirt and blouse.
2017: Emmy Awards
Showing off a different hairstyle from her usual cropped look, Fonda attended the 2017 Emmy Awards in a bright pink Brandon Maxwell dress with a boat neckline and open back.
2017: Venice Film Festival
Fonda went in a more romantic direction for the 2017 Venice Film Festival, attending the premiere of her film in a tulle Marchesa gown covered in floral appliqués.
2017: Grace and Frankie Season 3 Premiere
The actress posed with her co-star Lily Tomlin in a turquoise Elie Saab blouse and pants at the premiere of season three of their Netflix show.
2016: Golden Globe Awards
There was actually an important reason why Fonda wore this white Saint Laurent dress to the Golden Globes in 2016. The ruffled topper helped to cover up the bandages from the actress’ recent mastectomy.
2015: Youth Premiere
Fonda paired her romantic Valentino dress with an almost barbed wire-like headpiece.
2015: Cannes Film Festival
The actress really embraced the theatrics of the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, wearing a black Schiaparelli couture dress with a hot pink train and bustle to the premiere of her film, Youth.
2015: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Fonda has never been afraid of a sheer look, and in 2015, she proved that when she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a see-through Zuhair Murad jumpsuit.
2015: Grammy Awards
Fonda’s straight-from-the-runway—it was even sample-size—emerald green Balmain jumpsuit at the 2015 Grammy Awards got the ultimate seal of approval: “Oh my god! I want to be you when I grow up!,” Rihanna told her backstage.
2014: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
The actress once again brought out a sparkly look—a Nicholas Oakwell couture gown—this time for the Vanity Fair Oscar party.
2013: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
The abstract print of Fonda’s Reem Acra gown was balanced out by its simple silhouette.
2013: Academy Awards
Fonda was unmissable in a bright yellow Atelier Versace dress at the 2013 Oscars.
2013: Berlin International Film Festival
A sequin and fur-covered Fonda gave the young-ins stunting on the red carpet a run for their money at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival.
2012: The Newsroom Premiere
Fonda spiced up a more casual look with a gold leather jacket.
2012: Cannes Film Festival
Returning to her tried-and-true sequins, Fonda attended the Cannes Film Festival in a shimmering burgundy Roberto Cavalli dress.
2012: Cannes Film Festival
At the premiere of De Rouille et D’os, meanwhile, Fonda opted for a simpler look, wearing a black and white Stella McCartney gown.
2012: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Fonda attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a golden dress with her then-partner, record producer Richard Perry.
2011: amfAR Gala
The actress looked gorgeous in a Roberto Cavalli dress with a blown-up, sequin-covered cheetah print pattern.
2011: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Just a few months after Fonda wore this dark blue, off-the-shoulder dress to the Vanity Fair Oscar party, she brought it back out at the Cannes Film Festival for the Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides premiere.
2011: Golden Globe Awards
Fonda embraced a bit of her Barbarella past in this sci-fi-inspired George Hobeika dress at the 2011 Golden Globes.
2009: 33 Variations Opening Night
It seems that Fonda’s go-to, more casual red carpet look is a black sequin-covered jacket balanced out by simple trousers.
2007: Cannes Film Festival
While Fonda doesn’t usually opt for strapless dresses, she mixed things up at the Cannes closing ceremony in 2007, stepping out in this fun, striped dress with a black bow detail.
2005: Monster-In-Law Premiere
Fonda opted for a slightly more bohemian look for the premiere of her film, Monster-In-Law, attending the red carpet in a patterned dress and cropped patterned jacket.
2004: Golden Globe Awards
Easing back into the spotlight after a nearly 10-year hiatus from acting, Fonda played it safe with a black dress at the 2004 Golden Globe Awards, which she attended alongside her son, Troy Garity.
2000: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Fonda partied after the Oscars in a shimmery Vera Wang ballgown edged up with a pair of fingerless gray gloves.
1998: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Though her then-husband, Ted Turner, wore a tux to the 1998 SAG Awards, Fonda went a bit more casual, opting for a black velvet suit with a patterned black and white top.
1997: Academy Awards
Fonda stood out among her black and white-clad dates (Turner and Garity) in a yellow, beaded Versace dress.
1996: Emmy Awards
One of Fonda’s most impressive rewears comes in the form of this silk dress and matching bolero, which the actress originally wore in her 1981 film, Rollover.
1995: Academy Awards
Fonda stepped out of the box for the Oscars in 1995, attending the event with Turner in a black and white, checkerboard print ballgown and black satin jacket.
1993: Academy Awards
Clearly, Fonda used to love a good pair of opera gloves, as she wore them once again with this double-breasted white dress when she attended the Oscars in 1993.
1992: Emmy Awards
Fonda’s love affair with sparkle is nothing new, as evidenced by this gorgeous, halter neck dress the actress wore to the 1992 Emmys.
1990: Academy Awards
The actress sparkled in a blue dress featuring a completely embellished bustier bodice, which she showed off while posing with screenwriter Tom Schulman who won Best Screenplay that year for Dead Poet’s Society.
1985: Agnes of God Premiere
Fonda topped a one-shoulder, draped dress with an embellished leather jacket for the premiere of her film, Agnes of God.
1984: Emmy Awards
When Fonda took home the Emmy for her role in The Dollmaker, she did so in a suit with a black sequin vest and some very ’80s hair.
1982: Academy Awards
Fonda accepted the Best Actor award on behalf of her father in a black and gold off-the-shoulder ball gown with a brown skirt.
1980: Nine to Five Premiere
The actress joined her co-stars Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin in a black sequin dress for the premiere of their hit film.
1979: An Evening with Jane Fonda
In a move that pretty much embodies her whole persona, the activist added a touch of Hollywood glamour to her “Raises Not Roses” t-shirt by accessorizing with a silk scarf when urging female office workers to organize.
1979: Academy Awards
Fonda accepted the award for Best Actress for her role in Coming Home while wearing a floral lilac James Reva dress with fluted sleeves.
1979: Golden Globe Awards
Fonda added a feminine edge to one of her more masculine looks at the 1979 Golden Globe Awards by accessorizing with some bold jewels.
1967: The Game Is Over Premiere
Fonda attended the premiere of her film in a black Georges Kaplan mink coat with her then-husband, Roger Vadim, on her arm.