Throughout her career actress, activist, and film producer Jessica Chastain has been a consummate chameleon both on the screen and on the red carpet. Since her break-through role in The Tree of Life a decade ago, Chastain has made an indelible mark on the fashion and movie worlds alike; serving as muse to Riccardo Tisci and Miuccia Prada, even fronting a few major fashion campaigns. Today, Chastain is known for her knock-out, ultra-glamorous ensembles, but at the beginning of her career, the actress was no stranger to the LBD. Often utilizing sleek lines, rich colors, and glimmering embellishments Jessica Chastain channels old school Hollywood beauty without ever looking passé. With her Pre-Raphaelite features, statuesque frame and an undying love for all animals big or small, the Academy Award winner Chastain would not be out of place in a Disney fairytale and perhaps, that’s exactly why we love her. In honor of the actress’ 46th birthday, we’re taking a look back at some of her best looks over the years in all their bright, sequined, voluminous glory.
2023: Academy Awards
When Chastain returned to the Oscars a year after winning Best Actress she did so once again in Gucci, wearing a sequin-covered, silver dress with a dramatic black train.
2023: A Doll’s House Opening Night
For the opening night of her Broadway show, A Doll’s House, Chastain wore a velvet Gucci jumpsuit with a pearl-adorned collar.
2023: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Chastain went for full glamour at the SAG Awards in a Zuhair Murad spring 2023 raspberry gown featuring a ruched bodice.
2023: Golden Globe Awards
The actress wore a crystal-embellished, cage-like gown from Oscar de la Renta pre-fall 2023 to the Golden Globes in January 2023.
2022: George & Tammy Premiere
It’s not rare for the red-headed actress to gravitate toward a green dress, but usually she opts for more of an emerald shade. This lime green, cowlneck look from Michael Kors Collection spring 2023 was therefore a bit of a suprise coming from Chastain.
2022: Governors Awards
Chastain wore a gorgeous, off-the-shoulder Zuhair Murad spring 2023 gown in a ruby red hue to the Governors Awards.
2022: Country Music Awards
Wearing a navy blue satin Gucci dress with embellished astrological motifs, Chastain attended the CMAs to promote her show, George & Tammy.
2022: The Good Nurse Premiere
Chastain posed with her costar, Eddie Redmayne, in a Caroline Herrera fall 2022 mini dress decorated with oversized bows at the premiere of their show, The Good Nurse.
2022: Academy Museum Gala
The actress wore a gorgeous Oscar de la Renta pre-fall 2022 floral silk chiffon dress with a matching cape to the Academy Museum Gala in October 2022.
2022: Tony Awards
Chastain wore her go-to Gucci in the form of a light pink satin off-the-shoulder gown to the Tony Awards in 2022.
2022: In America: An Anthology of Fashion Met Gala
Despite having red hair, Chastain is never afraid to wear the color, and at the 2022 Met Gala she arrived in an oxblood, sequined-covered dress with a matching turban and shawl. The look, from Gucci, was an homage to the Sunset Boulevard character Norma Desmond.
2022: Academy Awards
Chastain took home the Best Actress award in a sequined-covered Gucci gown with a rose gold bodice, purple skirt, and flouncing hem of ruffles.
2022: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
After picking up the award, the actress headed to the after parties, but first, she changed into another Gucci number, this time emerald green with a bustier top and ruched bodice.
2022: Screen Actors Guild Awards
Chastain looked chicly professional at the SAG Awards when she arrived in a Dior Hate Couture wool and silk jacquard suit.
2021: Rome Film Fest
This color blocked Gucci dress was quite the head-turner during The Eyes of Tammy Faye premiere at the Rome Film Fest.
2021: The Eyes of Tammy Faye Premiere
Chastain embraced ‘70s glamour in this silver Burberry dress at The Eyes of Tammy Faye premiere.
2021: Scenes From a Marriage Premiere
Costars Chastain and Oscar Isaac made quite the stir when they arrived to the Scenes From a Marriage premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. The two look especially glamorous with Chastain in a beaded red Atelier Versace dress and Isaac in a classic black tux.
2021: Cannes Film Festival
Chastain attended the Annette premiere and the opening ceremony of the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival in a black, strapless Dior Haute Couture gown.
2019: It Chapter Two Premiere
Dressed in an emerald green beaded Zuhair Murad Fall 2019 Couture gown, Chastain attended the premiere of It Chapter Two in August 2019.
2019: Dark Phoenix Premiere
Chastain wore a black cast with her Maticevski Resort 2019 two-piece look after getting surgery on her wrist just days earlier.
2019: Golden Globe Awards
Wearing a custom corseted Burberry dress, Chastain attended the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2019.
2018: Critics’ Choice Awards
Chastain wore a green, grecian-inspired Vionnet Spring 2018 gown with a keyhole cutout to the 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards.
2018: Golden Globe Awards
Wearing a black velvet Armani Privé halter gown, Chastain attended the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2018.
2017: Molly’s Game Premiere
Chastain looked gorgeous in this Oscar de la Renta Spring 2018 gown with a quirky neckline and the designer’s name scribbled in black across the tulle skirt.
2017: Cannes Film Festival
While this Zuhair Murad crepe gown with red beading was originally designed in black for the brand’s Spring 2017 Couture collection, Chastain opted for a white version for the Cannes Film Festival closing ceremony.
2017: Okja Premiere
This beaded lilac Givenchy Fall 2015 Couture dress proves Chastain’s ability to take risks when it comes to her red carpet looks.
2017: Met Gala
Chastain wore this buttery yellow, off-the-shoulder Prada gown to the “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between” Costume Institute Gala in May 2017.
2017: Miss Sloane Premiere
The Miss Sloane premiere called for this gorgeous belted Chanel Spring 2017 Couture gown with pockets.
2017: Golden Globe Awards
Chastain opted for a powder blue bespoke Prada dress with glittering floral embellishments for the 2017 Golden Globes.
2016: CFDA Fashion Awards
Wearing a strapless, jacquard Prabal Gurung dress with an asymmetric hemline, Chastain attended the CFDA Fashion Awards in June 2016.
2016: Money Monster Premiere
Chastain looked like an old Hollywood starlet in this intricately beaded Alexander McQueen dress at the premiere of Money Monster during the 69th Cannes Film Festival.
2016: Café Society Premiere
Never afraid of a splash of color, Chastain attended the premiere of Café Society in a canary yellow dress by Armani Prive.
2016: Met Gala
Chastain was larger than life in this custom blue Prada ballgown during the “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology” Costume Institute Gala.
2015: The Martian Premiere
This beaded Elie Saab Spring 2015 Couture gown was perfectly accessorized with large green earrings at The Martian premiere in September 2015.
2015: Met Gala
Chastain opted for a classic silhouette with this gold, low-cut Givenchy dress at the “China: Through the Looking Glass” 2015 Costume Institute Benefit Gala.
2015: Academy Awards
Wearing Givenchy Couture, Chastain attended the 87th annual Academy Awards in February 2015.
2014: Interstellar Premiere
Chastain wore a black Prada column dress for the Interstellar premiere in November 2014.
2014: Cannes Film Festival
Once again proving her brilliant awareness of color, Chastain stunned in this electric blue Atelier Versace gown at the premiere of The Disappearance Of Eleanor Rigby during the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival.
2014: Golden Globe Awards
The beautiful detailing of this Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci gown makes the simple silhouette come to life.
2013: amfAR’s 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS
Chastain proved why redheads should embrace red clothing, not shy away from it, when she wore this one-shoulder Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane gown to amfAR’s 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS event.
2013: Cannes Film Festival
This beautifully beaded purple Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress was quite a showstopper on the All is Lost premiere red carpet during the 66th Cannes International Film Festival.
2013: Academy Awards
One of her best looks to date, Chastain wore a champagne-colored Giorgio Armani gown to the 85th annual Academy Awards in February 2013.
2013: Golden Globes
Chastain was all smiles in this sea-foam halter top dress from Calvin Klein.
2012: Zero Dark Thirty Premiere
Opting for a more causal look, Chastain wore an Elie Saab Spring 2013 dress with a lace bodice and asymmetric peplum to the Zero Dark Thirty premiere in December 2012.
2012: Tony Awards
Chastain wore this sheer, long-sleeve Marios Schwab Fall 2012 dress to the 66th Annual Tony Awards in June 2012.
2012: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted Premiere
Opting for a vintage Saint Laurent strapless dress, Chastain attended the premiere of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.
2012: Lawless Premiere
Chastain wore a chiffon Gucci Première gown while posing with her Lawless costar, Tom Hardy, at the premiere of their movie at the Cannes Film Festival.
2012: Cannes Film Festival
Opting for a classic, strapless silhouette, Chastain wore this white Armani Privé gown to the Madagascar 3: Europe Most Wanted premiere during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival.
2012: Met Gala
Chastain looked gorgeous in this blue Louis Vuitton dress at the “Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations” Costume Institute Gala.
2012: Academy Awards
Wearing a black and gold gilded Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen gown, Chastain attended the 84th Academy Awards in February 2012.
2012: Golden Globe Awards
This high-neck Givenchy Couture gown really deserves a second look, so one can truly appreciate the pearl detailing across the dress.
2012: Critics’ Choice Awards
Once again playing with color, Chastain wore a bubblegum pink Balenciaga dress to the 17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.
2011: The Debt Premiere
Chastain wore a gold, sculptural Vivienne Westwood knee-length dress to The Debt premiere in September 2011.
2011: The Help Premiere
While the silhouette of this deep magenta strapless Oscar de la Renta gown is very simple, it’s the ruching detail up the center of the dress that adds just the right amount of drama for The Help premiere.
2011: Tree of Life Premiere
Chastain wore a one-shoulder, turquoise Rouland Mouret gown with a hint of yellow to The Tree of Life premiere in May 2011.
2011: Met Gala
The actress went for a slightly edgier look when she wore this black, velvet and lace Emilio Pucci dress to the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” Costume Institute Gala.
2011: W Magazine Golden Globes Party
The W Magazine party called for a cerulean dress with a tie detail at the collarbone.