The most eye-catching outfits Zendaya has worn, from sheer gowns to a dress with angel wings

Zendaya at the New York City premiere of "The Odyssey" on July 14. Christopher Polk/Getty Images ...

July 15, 2026

No one does fashion quite like Zendaya.

The 29-year-old actor has been making showstopping appearances on red carpets since the start of her career, and her style only seems to get better with time.

You might remember the iconic Met Gala outfits she's worn over the years, or some of her sweet style moments with her husband and fellow actor, Tom Holland.

Or, maybe her daring red-carpet ensembles have stuck out to you. Here's a look at the boldest outfits she's ever worn, from silver armor to a gown with angel wings.

Zendaya made her first Met Gala appearance in May 2015.

Zendaya's standout dress for the event was designed by Fausto Puglisi.

It had a sleeveless black bodice and a red miniskirt with embroidered suns. The latter piece was especially unique, as it extended into a train behind her.

To complete the look, she wore a gold sun headband and a matching bracelet.

In December of that year, she wore a pair of very wide-legged pants to Rihanna's Diamond Ball.

Her striped pants and single-sleeved crop top were designed by Rosie Assoulin. Though both pieces are now sold out, they previously retailed for a combined total of $3,490.

The actor paired a black dress with a wild pair of shoes for a Grammys after-party in February 2016.

Zendaya's long-sleeved gown had a plunging neckline that extended to her metal belt. The slit in her skirt, on the other hand, helped her show off black sandals that had 14 buckle straps each.

The actor's blonde, cropped hairstyle also helped her stand out on the red carpet.

Zendaya later wore one of her most confusing looks to date in October 2016.

On the blue carpet, she was photographed wearing a white shirtdress underneath an oversize, ripped-up sweater. She completed the look by wearing over-the-knee boots with red laces.

Zendaya wore a white dress with a bubble skirt at the 2016 Glamour Women of the Year event.

She was an honoree that night and looked stunning in the Reem Acra design, which also had sheer pink sleeves covered in ruffles.

She looked glamorous in a semi-sheer gown at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards.

The green Zuhair Murad dress was made of transparent fabric and featured a plunging neckline and open back.

In June 2017, Zendaya donned a two-piece outfit reminiscent of her "Shake It Up" days.

For a "Spider-Man: Homecoming" photo call, she paired a black-and-yellow striped cardigan with a blue tutu and white belt. The actor also wore white pumps and an updo hairstyle.

Zendaya was pretty in pink at the "Spider-Man: Homecoming" premiere in June 2017.

Her custom Ralph & Russo gown was bright pink, with a high neckline and rows of fabric that cascaded from her shoulders down to the red carpet. The dress also had a plunging cutout across the chest, as well as a thigh-high slit, which revealed her pink pumps.

For Variety's Power of Young Hollywood event in August 2017, Zendaya wore a bold outfit covered in sparkles.

Her high-neck top had long sleeves and was held together by pink buttons. Zendaya's pants, on the other hand, were wide-legged and reached her ankles.

Zendaya wore a Vivetta gown to the annual Fashion Awards in December 2017.

Zendaya's dress had a floor-length velvet skirt and long sleeves covered with silver stars. Its bodice was almost entirely sheer, aside from two black horses that covered her chest.

The actor opted for an oversize minidress at the Tiffany & Co. Paper Flowers event in May 2018.

Her billowing dress had balloon-style sleeves, a high neckline, and a giant bow on the side of her neck. To complete the bold look, Zendaya wore a black headband and polka-dot-print shoes.

The actor resembled Joan of Arc at the 2018 Met Gala.

Zendaya was one of three celebrities to wear an armor-inspired outfit that night. Still, her Versace gown stood out thanks to its sparkling skirt, scoop-style neckline, and metal padding.

At the GQ Men of the Year Awards in September of that year, Zendaya wore a colorful gown with a daring skirt.

Her gown had a sparkling yellow bodice, which was wrapped with purple silk that extended into a single sleeve draped down her back. Additionally, Zendaya's skirt had a tall slit that extended above her thigh.

She opted for a standout tiered gown at an Âme Jewelry event in December 2018.

Designed by Marc Jacobs, Zendaya's sleeveless dress was partially made from pink-and-orange feathers. She paired it with pink pumps and wore her hair in an updo.

Zendaya experimented with ruffles once again in February 2019.

At a Lancôme event, during which Zendaya was named the brand's Global Ambassador, the actor wore a red, long-sleeved jumpsuit. Each sleeve had red ruffles attached, and her outfit perfectly matched her bright heels.

Then, in June 2019, Zendaya wore a two-piece outfit with a unique print.

While visiting "Good Morning America," Zendaya was photographed wearing a sleeveless shirtdress covered in car blueprints. Her pants were also covered in the daring design.

The actor showed her affinity for bold prints the following day.

Zendaya's three-piece ensemble comprised a suit-style jacket, loose shorts, and tall boots — all of which had the same red-and-white print.

Zendaya put her own twist on a superhero suit while at the "Spider-Man: Far From Home" premiere.

Her Armani Privé gown had a red sleeveless top that connected to her black high-low skirt. The daring gown was also backless and paired perfectly with her pointed pumps.

Zendaya then put a feminine spin on a menswear-inspired look during Paris Fashion Week.

Her tuxedo-style crop top and sleek black trousers were custom-made for her by Armani. She paired the outfit with sheer black tights and Christian Louboutin pumps, which retailed for $845 at the time.

She wore one of her most sultry looks to date at the Emmys in September 2019.

Her green Vera Wang gown had a sheer strapless bodice and a silk floor-length skirt with a slit. She also wore matching green heels and a cuff-style bracelet.

By October of that year, Zendaya was mixing men's and women's wear.

Designed by Peter Do, her daring outfit included a button-up shirt, pleated pants, a skirt, and a cropped jacket with shoulder pads.

The actor kicked off 2020 with a hot-pink outfit.

She walked the Critics' Choice Awards red carpet in January wearing a bright two-piece designed by Tom Ford. The outfit included a metallic breastplate and a mid-rise skirt.

She also wore a dress with daring cutouts, giant pockets, and a split sleeve that same month.

Her edgy look, designed by Christopher Esber, cost $1,035. That night, Zendaya also wore Vhernier jewelry and $695 Christian Louboutin pumps.

In February of that year, Zendaya donned a sheer shirtdress that made her look like she was draped in leaves.

Rahul Mishra Couture designed her outfit, and her jewels were from Bvlgari.

In June 2021, she attended the BET Awards in a semi-sheer gown with a plunging neckline.

The purple-and-green dress was a vintage Versace design. Stylist Law Roach coordinated the look, and Zendaya revealed on Instagram that the outfit was inspired by Beyoncé wearing the same dress during her first performance of "Crazy in Love."

Zendaya then brought back the "naked" fashion trend at the 2021 Venice Film Festival in September.

She wore a sleeveless, tan dress custom-made by Balmain.

It had a scoop neckline and ruched bodice, as well as a floor-length skirt with a small train and a bold slit that extended almost to her hip. On Instagram, Balmain revealed that the gown was created from leather "using an exact model of the star's bust."

The actor completed the look with pointed Louboutin heels in the same color as her dress, diamond studs, an emerald ring, and a statement snake necklace. 

A few days later, she paired a tiny crop top with a standout skirt.

Designed by Alaïa, the two-piece set had a purple long-sleeved top that fit almost like a bralette. Its long sleeves also had tiny holes in them, as did its high-waisted skirt.

The latter part of the outfit was form-fitting up to her knees, where it was covered in a thick, fur-like material.

While promoting "Dune" in November 2021, Zendaya wore a top made entirely from chains.

She wore the backless Vivienne Westwood top with a high-waisted, checker-print skirt and cream-colored pumps.

She then showed off her bold style at the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards.

She wore a red Vera Wang ensemble that included a strapless bra and a floor-length skirt. The latter stood out because it had a round ruffle around her hips.

Zendaya also accessorized with diamond jewelry and rosy makeup.

Later that month, the actor was photographed wearing a black gown with a creepy detail.

Her Roberto Cavalli dress was backless but with a piece of gold jewelry attached to the open space. It was shaped like a scorpion and extended from her shoulders to her backside.

After stunning on the 2022 Emmys red carpet, Zendaya attended HBO's after-party in a red dress with a plunging neckline.

Valentino designed her long-sleeved dress, featuring a form-fitting bodice, a mermaid skirt, and a thin train. She wore it with a messy bun and diamond jewelry.

The Italian fashion house also created the black ball gown she wore to the actual ceremony.

During Paris Fashion Week 2022, Zendaya attended a Valentino runway while wearing a sheer design from the fashion house.

Her see-through jumpsuit was bedazzled with Valentino's monogram, as was her matching blazer.

She wore no bra or shirt underneath but added dark shorts and pointed heels.

Months later, she wore two standout looks at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.

First, she hit the red carpet in a black, vintage Versace gown with neon-green detailing.

While it was vibrant in color, it also stood out thanks to its split bustier bodice and gathered fabric across the back of its skirt.

She later changed into a white Prada ensemble during the actual show.

The two-piece set from Prada's 1993 spring collection included a bra with star-shaped cups and a floor-length skirt with matching shapes across its cutout waistline.

The actor chose a backless look for CinemaCon 2023.

From the front, Zendaya's Louis Vuitton ensemble looked chic and classic. It featured a gray vest atop baggy brown trousers and white pumps.

When she turned around, however, Zendaya revealed just how daring her outfit actually was. The halter top had no fabric across her back, only a loose belt that kept it in place.

In 2024, Zendaya embraced the "Dune" aesthetic with multiple daring outfits.

At the movie's Mexico premiere, for example, she wore a custom Bottega Veneta two-piece.

It included a high-waisted skirt with a leather waistband and thigh-high slit, along with a long-sleeved crop top that revealed the underside of her chest.

She also wore an assortment of diamond rings, sky-high heels, and a silver anklet.

The outfit was one of the most daring Zendaya wore throughout the "Dune" press tour.

Her most memorable "Dune" look was an archive piece that made the star look like a robot.

She wore a silver suit of armor with see-through panels, designed and created by Thierry Mugler in 1995.

Roach told podcast host Recho Omondi that he and the actor began talking about styling the piece before "Dune: Part Two" began filming.

They eventually flew to Paris to meet with the fashion house's creative director, Casey Cadwallader, and, after some convincing, scheduled a fitting.

Roach told Omondi that the suit fit Zendaya like a glove, and he cried.

On the red carpet, she wore it with a slicked-back hairstyle, no jewelry, and neutral makeup.

In October 2024, Zendaya channeled Cher with a skin-baring dress covered in sparkles.

Bob Mackie originally designed the sparkle-covered gown for a 2001 collection. Then Zendaya gave it a second life.

The vintage piece featured crisscrossed sheer fabric across her chest, small straps that crossed over her waist and hips, and a form-fitting skirt with a tall slit.

She opted out of wearing accessories and let her dress do all the talking.

After a quiet 2025, Zendaya returned to the spotlight this year in daring fashion.

After a press tour full of elegant looks to promote her film "The Drama," Zendaya was photographed entering an after-party in a more daring look.

She wore a blue halter gown from Di Petsa, which had a sheer bodice and strategically placed string detailing.

It matched her makeup and jewels perfectly, and she completed the outfit with black pumps.

Some of her boldest looks this year have been part of "The Odyssey" press tour.

You couldn't miss the actor when she arrived at the film's London premiere. She wore a Schiaparelli gown that had come straight from a runway show earlier that day.

The sleeveless design featured a sculpted bodice that resembled a torso and a beaded, floor-length skirt that glowed as she walked.

Zendaya also wore white pumps, diamond earrings, and statement white eyeshadow.

She stepped onto the carpet in Paris, wearing a look as glamorous as it was daring.

While promoting "The Odyssey" in Paris, she wore a custom Louis Vuitton look.

The sleeveless lace dress featured a keyhole cutout at the stomach, a semi-sheer skirt, and a short train

She also wore a ruffled bolero jacket, a thick diamond necklace from Messika, and a sleek updo braid.

Zendaya looked like an angel at the film's New York City premiere.

She wore a structured design from Matières Fécales. The white gown was strapless and floor-length, with a skirt featuring a thigh-high slit and a distressed train.

The most eye-catching part, though, was the gown's feathered wings attached at the back.

Zendaya completed the look with white Louboutin heels, long diamond earrings, and subtle makeup.

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Amanda Krause

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Amanda Krause is a Senior Reporter at Business Insider covering a variety of lifestyle topics.Her work at BI includes profiles of beauty moguls, analyses of celebrity fashion, reviews of trending products, expert interviews across topics, features about booming small businesses and lucrative side hustles, and live coverage of award shows, pageants, and other events. Amanda has also widely covered Disney brands and theme parks, writing everything from slideshows about her experiences on Disney cruises to breaking-news stories focused on major changes and layoffs within the company. She previously appeared on CBS in 2024 to discuss the Met Gala and won an Anthem Award in 2023 for her work on Business Insider's package "Better Me."Amanda graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a degree in Communications and Journalism, and has more than seven years of experience in the lifestyle space.You can email her at [email protected], celebrity style, beauty, lifestyle trends, and Disney theme parks.Popular ArticlesI spent under $200 a night to stay at Disney World's cheapest resort. My tiny room was worth the convenience.A woman spent $2 on a necklace that resembled a Tide Pod. It turned out to be a one-of-a-kind art piece worth $3,000.Bobbi Brown is still living a life of luxury and lipstick — and it's all on her own termsA Kansas City store owner thought someone made a fraudulent order on his website. It was actually a legit purchase from Taylor Swift.Beyoncé's mom promised Ty Hunter 20 years ago that she would get him out of his retail job. Now he's styling the biggest stars in Hollywood.I've tested every product in Selena Gomez's makeup line, and almost every item is worth buying

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