Do you remember the moment when Julia Roberts shattered conventional expectations by donning a suit at the Golden Globes?
EDITOR’S NOTE: In our nostalgic series "Remember When?" (https://www.cnn.com/style/specials/remember-when), CNN Style takes you on a journey through pop culture history, revisiting the iconic outfits that have left a mark on their respective eras.
Can one single appearance on the red carpet elevate someone to the status of a style icon? If that appearance features a Giorgio Armani suit and you're Julia Roberts, the answer is a resounding yes.
Back in 1990, at just 22 years old, Roberts made headlines when she arrived at the 47th Golden Globes dressed in a charcoal gray suit from Armani's menswear collection. At that time, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Steel Magnolias," a performance that ultimately earned her the award. Although the Georgia native was beginning to make waves in Hollywood—having starred in "Mystic Pizza" just two years earlier—she had yet to achieve the level of fame or fashion recognition she would later enjoy.
This suit, which was sharply tailored and intentionally oversized, marked a pivotal moment in her career and in red carpet history. More than thirty years later, it is still regarded as one of the most quietly revolutionary moments on the red carpet in Hollywood.
Roberts customized the suit at the Beverly Hills store where she purchased it, fine-tuning the cut while maintaining its masculine essence. She completed the look with a crisp white shirt, a purple floral tie, and flat brown brogues, creating what could be considered a definitive example of androgynous fashion. To add a touch of femininity, she wore her trademark curls in a loose and natural style, paired with subtle makeup and a soft red lip. This combination resulted in a look that effortlessly blended glamour with comfort. In a video interview with British Vogue, Roberts later described this ensemble as one of her "all-time favorite" outfits.
"I styled my hair myself, and my girlfriend did my makeup," she recalled. "Back then, I don't even think people wore extravagant gowns to the Golden Globes the way they do today, but I felt a bit over-the-top in that outfit. I had no idea it would become such a significant statement piece. I just thought I looked fabulous, and I still keep that suit in my wardrobe."
And indeed, it became a statement. Although the Golden Globes at that time weren’t yet the high-energy, couture-filled events we see today—before partnerships with big brands and meticulously planned styling took over the red carpet—her audacious choice still stood out amidst a sea of traditional dresses and classic silhouettes. The Armani suit was a bold, modern alternative that distinctly separated her from the crowd.
In the years to follow, women wearing tailored suits became an increasingly influential presence on prestigious award stages. Consider Gwyneth Paltrow’s striking ruby red velvet Gucci suit at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards, or Rihanna’s sharp Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo at the 2009 Met Gala. Angelina Jolie dazzled in immaculate Saint Laurent tailoring at the 2014 BAFTAs, while Ayo Edebiri paid homage to Roberts with a relaxed Loewe suit at the 2025 Golden Globes. More recently, Keri Russell and Sarah Snook made headlines at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards in a Tom Ford tuxedo and an Akris suit, respectively. While Roberts may not have rewritten the style rules all by herself, her choice certainly paved the way for others to follow.
This iconic moment also set the foundation for Roberts’ personal style going forward. Over the years, she has consistently turned to suits and suit-like garments for her most significant public appearances. From tuxedo-inspired jumpsuits at the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2015 and the 2022 Cannes Film Festival to chic shorts and blazers at movie premieres like "Mother’s Day" in 2016 and "Gaslit" in 2022, her love for tailored looks has been unwavering.
Even outside the glitz of the red carpet, her preference for tailored suits remains strong. In March 2025, she donned a sophisticated gray tailored suit while receiving the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at the French Ministry of Culture in Paris, a look that closely mirrored her groundbreaking 1990 Golden Globes ensemble.
She revisited this reference again last October during an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" to promote her new film "After the Hunt," for which she is nominated again at the Golden Globes—this time in the category of Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture Drama. For this occasion, Roberts opted for a fitted cobalt-gray suit featuring a blue tie reminiscent of her original look—albeit updated with a slimmer silhouette and contemporary tailoring. The jacket was shorter and more precise, while the trousers featured a high waist and clean lines. She completed the ensemble with a light gray shirt and a tie adorned with playful brooches, emphasizing how her relationship with suiting has evolved from a quiet form of rebellion into a confident style hallmark.
Where her fashion journey will lead next is yet to be seen, but one thing is clear: the suit is here to stay.
