September 26, 2013

See 16 Years of Scarlett Johansson’s Red-Carpet Looks

By Margaret Lyons

Photo: AFP/Getty

Scarlett Johansson starred in The Horse Whisperer in 1998, and since then she’s been a fixture on the red carpet, with blockbusters (The Avengers), indies (Lost in Translation), a pile of Woody Allen movies, a BAFTA, four Golden Globe nominations, and a Tony to her name. Over the years, Johansson has worn some staggeringly beautiful dresses and rocked some stunningly unflattering hair colors. Journey with us through her red-carpet looks.

Aaah! Baby ScarJo! She's 12 here.

Aaah! Baby ScarJo! She's 12 here.

Everyone in 1998 was required to have that oxblood lipstick and those chunky black boots.

Everyone in 1998 was required to have that oxblood lipstick and those chunky black boots.

A Phoebe Buffay–inspired junior prom kind of look.

A Phoebe Buffay–inspired junior prom kind of look.

No one had stylists in 1999, especially not 14-year-olds. Times change!

No one had stylists in 1999, especially not 14-year-olds. Times change!

The weird thing about Scarlett Johannson is that she's always seemed to be about the same age. Even when she was actually a teenager.

The weird thing about Scarlett Johannson is that she's always seemed to be about the same age. Even when she was actually a teenager.

Something sheer and ill-fitting, with pointy shoes: Part I.

Something sheer and ill-fitting, with pointy shoes: Part I.

Part II.

Part II.

Now with square-toed shoes ...

Now with square-toed shoes ...

And with open-toed shoes ...

And with open-toed shoes ...

Until we come full circle back to the pointies.

Until we come full circle back to the pointies.

Love the dark auburn hair; loathe the witchy ankle boots.

Love the dark auburn hair; loathe the witchy ankle boots.

Oh, remember when she had a fashion mullet?

Oh, remember when she had a fashion mullet?

At the time, the mullet was hideous, but now it seems almost quiant. Those boots, though, were and remain horrendous.

At the time, the mullet was hideous, but now it seems almost quiant. Those boots, though, were and remain horrendous.

Same black sandals from five slides ago.

Same black sandals from five slides ago.

Something's off here, but the idea of the outfit is very cute and youthful.

Something's off here, but the idea of the outfit is very cute and youthful.

Johansson has had many, many different hair colors.

Johansson has had many, many different hair colors.

And apparently many pairs of weird black boots.

And apparently many pairs of weird black boots.

That's certainly one way to draw attention to one's breasts.

That's certainly one way to draw attention to one's breasts.

And here is a second way.

And here is a second way.

It doesn't matter that this photo is ten years old. That outfit does not make sense in any era.

It doesn't matter that this photo is ten years old. That outfit does not make sense in any era.

Pretty dress, but that hat-shaped hair is kind of weird.

Pretty dress, but that hat-shaped hair is kind of weird.

Scarlett Johannson does not have a particular style. She's not always vintage-y, or vixen-y, or high fashion or beachy or anything else consistent.

Scarlett Johannson does not have a particular style. She's not always vintage-y, or vixen-y, or high fashion or beachy or anything else consistent.

Gorgeous. And the ashier blonde is much better than the yellow blonde from before.

Gorgeous. And the ashier blonde is much better than the yellow blonde from before.

Less gorgeous. The hair is weird, and the dress feels unfinished.

Less gorgeous. The hair is weird, and the dress feels unfinished.

On her way to the Ice Capades.

On her way to the Ice Capades.

Pretty dress, but unfortunately it does not fit right.

Pretty dress, but unfortunately it does not fit right.

And another swing and a miss with an oddly shaped, satiny, bright-colored dress.

And another swing and a miss with an oddly shaped, satiny, bright-colored dress.

Again, ash blonde is the way to go.

Again, ash blonde is the way to go.

Maybe there was a time that this top was cool. But was there a time it ever fit correctly?

Maybe there was a time that this top was cool. But was there a time it ever fit correctly?

Very plain, very pretty, but maybe a little mature for a 19-year-old. See what we mean about her always seeming the same age? (And that age being around 25?)

Very plain, very pretty, but maybe a little mature for a 19-year-old. See what we mean about her always seeming the same age? (And that age being around 25?)

Again, gorgeous, but a little staid for a teenager.

Again, gorgeous, but a little staid for a teenager.

We take it back! Go with the staid look!

We take it back! Go with the staid look!

So beautiful.

So beautiful.

Imagine how great this would look if it fit better.

Imagine how great this would look if it fit better.

This is nice and all, but what in the holy hell is that bright aqua nightmare in the background?

This is nice and all, but what in the holy hell is that bright aqua nightmare in the background?

Good.

Good.

Better.

Better.

Best. And ... breast.

Best. And ... breast.

Do you know a lot of 21-year-olds who wear below-the-knee sheath dresses?

Do you know a lot of 21-year-olds who wear below-the-knee sheath dresses?

Ding ding ding ding ding. Perfection.

Ding ding ding ding ding. Perfection.

It's a little nightgown-ish, and a little childish, but it's also approaching a nineties alt-glam thing, too.

It's a little nightgown-ish, and a little childish, but it's also approaching a nineties alt-glam thing, too.

That's not how breasts are supposed to fit into dresses.

That's not how breasts are supposed to fit into dresses.

Please note how often Johansson poses in this exact position.

Please note how often Johansson poses in this exact position.

Are the fishnets helping or hurting?

Are the fishnets helping or hurting?

Another successful red dress.

Another successful red dress.

And then she was a brunette again.

And then she was a brunette again.

And then a strawberry blonde.

And then a strawberry blonde.

Always wear red dresses, ScarJo.

Always wear red dresses, ScarJo.

While she does not have a specific style or aesthetic, we can at least say she likes sculptural details.

While she does not have a specific style or aesthetic, we can at least say she likes sculptural details.

Another good dress/bad hair combo.

Another good dress/bad hair combo.

And another.

And another.

Pretty color, but it's not enough to distract us from the weird smushing that's happening in the chest.

Pretty color, but it's not enough to distract us from the weird smushing that's happening in the chest.

Ruffles!!! Well ... ruffle.

Ruffles!!! Well ... ruffle.

Why so much volume in the hair?

Why so much volume in the hair?

Ooh, the rarely seen mixed print. Pretty cute!

Ooh, the rarely seen mixed print. Pretty cute!

From the waist up, it's lovely. From the waist down, it's confusing.

From the waist up, it's lovely. From the waist down, it's confusing.

Again, sculptural if not exactly thrilling.

Again, sculptural if not exactly thrilling.

Whereas this is unimpeachably adorable. But if you saw this outfit without knowing who was wearing it, wouldn't you guess Rachel Bilson? Or Hailee Steinfeld? ScarJo would be pretty far down the list of guesses.

Whereas this is unimpeachably adorable. But if you saw this outfit without knowing who was wearing it, wouldn't you guess Rachel Bilson? Or Hailee Steinfeld? ScarJo would be pretty far down the list of guesses.

Oh, fine, Scarlett Johansson. You look lovely in a variety of garments.

Oh, fine, Scarlett Johansson. You look lovely in a variety of garments.

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