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2002 was a year full of hits and misses on the red carpet. Skin-baring looks and dressy denim reigned supreme, but there were also statements of enchanting chic. Join Wonderwall.com as we take you on a roller coaster ride of a recap… Denim was a red carpet staple in 2002 – jeans have kind of overtaken dresses! Janet Jackson was part of the movement at that year’s Vanity Fair Oscar party, where she eschewed a dress and instead teamed her jeans with a long suede duster and a trendy wrap bralette that showed off her amazing abs.

Read on for more of our favorites from a seminal year on the red carpet…

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In micro-mini and Missoni scarf disguised as a top, Christina Aguilera was barely dressed for the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards! Along with many of the trends from this era, some say we’ll soon see more of these uber-minis on the streets of 2022.

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In perhaps her most controversial look of all time, Gwyneth Paltrow walked the red carpet at the 2002 Oscars wearing a gothic Alexander McQueen gown with a sheer bodice and black taffeta train. It was shocking at the time, but it will go down in the annals of fashion history as a very interesting and cool choice.

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In a jumpsuit and matching boots with a western motif, Sheryl Crow walked the red carpet at the 2002 Grammys looking like the perfect representation of her music. Her fur-lined denim coat also hit a high glam note.

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Halle Berry’s appearance at the 2002 Oscars in an Elie Saab dress the year she won Best Actress is probably one of the most publicized fashion looks from the event. And for good reason, because she looked really lovely! Sheer and sexy yet romantic with floral embroidery and a long taffeta train, the dress was unique yet classic.

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Although they didn’t all face off at this event, musical trio Destiny’s Child still brought their A-game to the 2002 Grammy Awards. It was a lot of sheer, belly, and chiffon for Beyonce, Kelly Rowland , Michelle Williams!

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All smiles and ready to send someone to jail, Britney Spears was a sexy dominatrix in leather at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.

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Nicole Kidman won an Oscar for her performance in ‘Moulin Rouge,’ but she also took home the Best Dressed trophy at the 2002 Oscars! She beamed in a pale pink tiered Chanel dress that was the epitome of understated elegance.

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Alicia Keys won five Grammy Awards in 2002. Her attire, however, was…shall we say, interesting? Her ensemble—jeans, a tank top, and an embroidered turquoise chiffon overlay that wrapped around her head—definitely turned heads!

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Nicky Hilton and Paris Hilton have never been shy about wearing colorful or stripped down outfits, that’s for sure! Their looks at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards were no exception for the vibrant sisters, who rocked rainbow pastels with their signature blonde locks.

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Jennifer Garner captured the idea of ​​timeless elegance at the 2002 Emmy Awards. Dressed in an ivory Narciso Rodriguez strapless gown and simple diamond choker, she couldn’t have looked prettier.

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In one of her most unforgettable looks, Cameron Diaz dazzled on the 2002 Oscars red carpet in an Emanuel Ungaro floral silk dress. It was unexpected in the best way – and we especially loved the splash of vibrant turquoise on her wrist.

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How cute were Selma Blair and Reese Witherspoon at the Teen Choice Awards in 2002? Always chic, Selma chose a black and white look that anyone could wear in any decade and Reese looked oddly super preppy in a Polo Ralph Lauren knit tank top and khakis.

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Tara Reid epitomized the bare-bones attitude of 2002. Here she is at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas in a tattered crop top and gold asymmetric skirt.

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Faith Hill clearly dressed for the occasion when she performed “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” at the 2002 Oscars. In this skin-tight, kaleidoscopic Versace-themed look, she was the talk of the town (not quite positive, even then!).

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“Lady Marmalade” singer Lil’ Kim was a lady in red at the 2002 Grammy Awards! Her accessories really took center stage. A rainbow rhinestone belt, red sunglasses, a single blue glove and a Chanel motorcycle helmet were unforgettable accessories for the look.

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Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were undoubtedly the The early red carpet couple and their looks seen here at the “Crossroads” premiere are representative of the era. He was a total stud in a wrinkled white shirt and leather bell bottoms as she rocked dusty pink knee high boots, a dress over denim and a newsboy cap.

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At the 2002 Oscars, J.Lo walked through decades looking like a pin-up girl in a candy pink dress with her hair in a ’60s-inspired bouffant. Versace has always been a brand suited to the singer-actress and her curves. .

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Paula Abdul missed no opportunity to strut the red carpet in the 2000s – she was seemingly everywhere! At the Teen Choice Awards in 2002, she felt Hawaiian vibes in a matching pink and orange top and skirt ensemble.