Is gold a lucky color at the Oscars? The theory has been floated for years, so TODAY Style decided to track down the numbers. Since 1929, 17% of Oscars best actress winners wore gold to the awards show — but even more (23%) wore black while the rest (39%) chose a different color altogether.
Still, the symbolic color is a common theme for nominees who hope to take home the top prize. Donned in a gorgeous, long-sleeve, gold-and-black ombre gown, Frances McDormand, won best actress at the 2018 Academy Awards. (The 2019 winner, Olivia Colman, went with a hunter green gown, which is supposedly the unluckiest color.)
Here are the winners — for both best actress and best supporting actress — who prove that gold just might be a good luck charm.
Best actress winners wearing gold:
Emma Stone
Stone's win for "La La Land" at the 2017 Academy Awards — and the fringed Givenchy gown she wore to the show — lent further evidence to the theory that wearing gold to the awards ceremony equals Oscar gold.
Cate Blanchett
Blanchett won her second Oscar for her role in "Blue Jasmine" and accepted the award looking like an ethereal princess in this Champagne-colored Armani Prive gown.
Meryl Streep
Streep nailed it once again in a gold Lanvin wrap dress at the 2012 Oscars. The iconic actress took home her third Academy award for playing Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."
Sandra Bullock
In 2010, Sandra Bullock rocked a liquid metallic Marchesa gown that appeared good as gold. It was the perfect choice for the best actress winner, who scored big for her role in "The Blind Side."
Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren won the best actress trophy in 2007 for playing Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen," and there's no color more fit for royalty than pure gold. The star accepted her award in a Christian Lacroix gown with a gold pattern on the skirt and an intricately embellished gold bodice.
Reese Witherspoon
The vintage Christian Dior gown Reese Witherspoon wore to the 2006 Oscars could almost be considered rose gold, but we'll count it anyway because it's just so darn beautiful!
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron was recognized as the best actress of the year for her work in "Monster," but she looked more like a golden goddess on the red carpet. Theron opted for a body-hugging Gucci gown in a shimmering light gold that brought her good luck.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep won her second Oscar in 1983 and wore a glamorous gold caftan for the event. The long-sleeved gown featured embroidery and sequins for added shine.
Liza Minnelli
Winning best actress in 1973 for her work in "Cabaret," Liza Minnelli shined in a bright yellow/gold-toned dress paired with a colorful, patterned choker and long gold necklace.
Julie Christie
In 1966, Julie Christie took home the Oscar for best actress in a mod gold dress with a high-collar neckline. She paired the look with gold statement earrings and a gold belt for a monochromatic look that matched her shiny new award.
Julie Andrews
Taking home the gold in 1965, Julie Andrews wore a simple empire waist gown to accept her award for her role as "Mary Poppins." She paired it with long, elegant white gloves and a statement necklace.
Elizabeth Taylor
Taylor won best actress for her work in "Butterfield 8" in 1961. She wore a soft yellow bodice that popped against the white skirt and gloves she wore to accept her award.
Best supporting actress winners wearing gold:
Alicia Vikander
The stunning Swedish actress became an instant style star, so it's no surprise her golden Louis Vuitton gown was a favorite from the 2016 Oscars.
Octavia Spencer
In 2012, Octavia Spencer went with an intricately beaded Tadashi Shoji gown — and all that sparkle seemed to bring her good luck! The star won best supporting actress for playing Minny Jackson in "The Help."
Melissa Leo
For her role in "The Fighter," Melissa Leo won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2011 — all the while looking gorgeous. Her white lace, capped sleeved dress twinkled with hints of a golden slip underneath.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson won best supporting actress for her role in "Dreamgirls" in 2007. The actress and musician may have worn a simple brown dress to accept her award, but when it came time to pose with her statue she changed into an opulent gold gown with stunning embellishments.
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett wore a taffeta gown in a bright goldenrod hue for the 2005 Oscars, and it seemed to serve her well! The actress took home the award for best supporting actress for playing Katharine Hepburn in "The Aviator."
Jennifer Connelly
The best supporting actress award went to Jennifer Connelly in 2002 for her work in "A Beautiful Mind." But check out her beautiful dress! The actress chose a matte gold dress with tiered ruffles at the bottom and paired the look with a light gold scarf.
Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench won the award for best supporting actress for her role in "Shakespeare in Love." The star stepped onto the stage in a cream, pleated gown with a gold embroidered jacket.
Maggie Smith
For her role in "California Suite", Maggie Smith took home her second Oscar in 1978. Her dress had a simple black skirt with golden leaves on the bodice — helping prove the theory that winners wear gold.
Rita Moreno
Rita Moreno wore this iconic black and gold gown when she won an Academy Award for her role as Anita in "West Side Story" in 1962. The dress made another Oscar appearance in 2018 when Moreno wore it once again.
Shirley Jones
In 1961, Shirley Jones won best supporting actress for her work in "Elmer Gantry." Shinning as gold as the Oscar, Jones wore a gold, glittery gown paired with a small jacket and white, arm-length gloves.
This story was originally published Feb. 28, 2017.
