The Most Inappropriate Outfits In Golden Globes History

Every year, the Golden Globes are a signal that awards season is in full swing. The ceremony, held by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is one of the most buzz-worthy nights of the year. Unlike some award shows that are focused solely on movies or television, the Golden Globes celebrates both. This means movie stars and familiar television faces will interact, rubbing elbows and laughing together for all the world to see. Of course, before the show, Hollywood icons have all eyes on them while they walk the red carpet, and some grab attention with more than just their star power, as the Golden Globes has seen its share of provocative and downright unsuitable outfits over the years.

When it comes to fashion, many celebrities have embraced the award's namesake by wearing glitzy gold dresses. Others have taken a risk with menswear, perhaps wearing pants for warmth during the winter. Naturally, there have also been quite a few occasions when stars have opted for questionable choices, with some of the worst Golden Globes looks of all time including bizarre patterns and cuts. But others make a far worse mistake at the awards show by revealing way too much and ignoring the formal tone of the event. Now, let's take a look back at some of the worst offenders over the years.

Courtney Love never subscribed to acting prim and proper in the way other famous women were celebrated for. She was no stranger to feuds or scandal and stayed true to her grunge persona even when it came to her wardrobe. Case in point, Love attended the 2000 Golden Globes in an unusual dress. The shredded bodice barely covered her, feeling cheap when paired with a thigh-high slit and what appeared to be streamers on the skirt. The dingy look almost felt like an insult to the awards show. 

There are so many reasons Diane Kruger's 2005 Golden Globes outfit didn't work that it's hard to know where to start. Let's acknowledge that this wasn't even technically a dress, but instead a strange two-piece barely connected by a hideous wrinkled bronze draped fabric. The peek-a-boo side panel revealed so much skin, especially underneath the barely there bandeau top. This bizarre take on ancient Greek or Roman wear almost looked as though Kruger stole the ugliest costume from a local theater production of "The Odyssey." 

Halle Berry relied too heavily on sex appeal when she wore a boudoir-inspired minidress to the Golden Globes in 2018. The seductive black lace fabric looked like lingerie, covering her arms and not much else. While lace trims add a light but sultry touch to dresses, especially in the summer, they feel hugely out of place at an event where you'll be seeing work colleagues. Between the plunging neckline and super-short skirt, Berry's outfit would've made more sense on an MTV red carpet rather than one with so many A-listers attending. 

Kerry Washington really said "less is more" with her topless ensemble at the 2020 Golden Globes. She combined a chic suit jacket with a classic black slitted skirt and left her chest bare with the exception of a single silver diamond chain. But the balance was off, as Washington took far too much of a risk with this revealing outfit. It could've easily led to an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction — one gust of wind, and the jewelry keeping the blazer in place could've fallen off.

Eyes widened when actor Christina Ricci showed up to the 2024 Golden Globes in a sheer dress that left little to the imagination. Her nude undergarments were just barely visible and scandalized what could've been an elegant fashion moment. The dress' design is so stunning that it didn't need the risqué elements to add drama — the artistic beading and long train delivered on that already. Ricci has been in the industry for decades, but this outfit felt like a presumptuous attempt to rival the younger stars on the carpet. 

Miley Cyrus has never seemed afraid to shock the public. Miley Cyrus has worn her fair share of inappropriate outfits, and even though she's pivoted to dressing in more classic styles, there's clearly still a part of the "Flowers" singer that likes to show some skin. At the 2025 Golden Globes, Cyrus' top half was barely covered in a body-hugging backless black gown. The angular chest cutouts with silver lining would have been better suited for a wild night out on the town, and the same goes for her uber-casual messy bun.

How can a sparkling silver dress look inappropriate? When it's on the wrong person, as Kylie Jenner proved with her 2025 Golden Globes outfit. Jenner's chest was overflowing in the teeny-tiny top, and the straps were barely keeping hold. The 1999 Versace dress ultimately became distracting and pulled focus away from the nominees. She even had to hold the top portion in place when taking some photos. It became a repeat of her 2024 Golden Globes look, which was a cheeky, fully lace number that showed off every single one of her curves.