Scarlett Johansson's Style Evolution
Her role as the Black Widow in Avengers Assemble has sent Scarlett Johansson shooting to the top of Hollywood's hot property list yet again. Join GLAMOUR.com as we track the actress' sartorial journey to see how she's weathered its ups - and downs
Getty ImagesIn March 1997, a 13-year-old Scarlett Johansson not only had two movies under her belt but apparently, she also knew that wearing brights to official functions would guarantee pap flashes aplenty. Witness: she hit up the Independent Spirit Awards in March of that year in this canary-coloured knit dress paired with lime green flatforms and some oh-so cute hair slides.
Getty ImagesFast forward 12 months, though, and she had a serious red carpet style wobble in this baggy Tommy Girl T and shapeless leather jacket at the New York premiere of Primary Colours. Bring back the crochet, we say!
PA PhotosPhew. Scarlett rediscovered her fash mojo in time for the Sliding Doors premiere the following month, rocking this prettily printed teal dress with a matchy-matchy cardigan.
Getty ImagesScarlett took the ‘casual’ dress code at the 1998 Salute To American Heroes event to the letter, reviving her favourite black trousers with a mannish blue shirt and, er, no frills trainers.
Getty ImagesThank goodness! Scar-Jo smartened up her act in this pinstripe trouser and white jersey vest ensemble in time for the 1999 premiere of Tarzan.
Getty ImagesHer first leading lady-worthy red carpet look: a long black dress with asymmetric hem and a red pashmina at the 2000 Vanity Fair Oscars party.
Rex FeaturesAt the premiere of An American Rhapsody the following year, Scarlett started pushing the fashion envelope in this risqué sheer lace shirt. And we liked it. A lot.
Rex FeaturesBold and beautiful at the 5th Annual Hollywood Film Festival Awards in August 2001.
Rex FeaturesHm. Perhaps we spoke too soon about the sheer shirt chic – mix in a cropped hemline, and you’ve got a recipe for red carpet disaster. Scarlett road-tested this ill-advised look at the premiere of The Others just a few weeks later, and we suspect she was as uncomfortable wearing it as we feel looking at it. A girl’s gotta experiment, though!
Rex FeaturesHands up who remembers when those pointy-toed shoes were the shoe shape to be seen in? Yup, us too. Although this look wouldn’t quite cut it today, in 2001, this red leather jacket and bootcut jeans combo was hot, hot, hot. Kudos on the daring eye make-up, too.
Rex FeaturesEr, Scarlett, is that you? Fast forward to New York Fashion Week in 2003 and we spotted a newly red-headed, Converse-wearing Scarlett in full-on chameleon mode on the front row.
PA Photos...And it didn’t stop there! We barely recognised Scarlett again, just a few weeks later, as she turned up to the Independent Spirit Awards in this punked-up crop, backless fuchsia tunic and silver wedges. ‘Twas the year of Lost In Translation – but who would’ve believed that Scarlett was a mere 19-years-old at the time, if it wasn’t for her rebellious off-set look?
Rex FeaturesSleeker and chicer yet just as playful: this velvet cowl-neck top look, which Scarlett wore to the Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony that same year, is up there with our faves. Our girl was growing up.
PA Photos...And, apparently, there was no stopping her. Scarlett’s style kicked into fifth gear in time for the Times Gala Screening of her movie Girl With A Pearl Earring.
PA PhotosAt the 2004 Golden Globes, Scarlett debuted two signatures that have continued to endure: a penchant for nude hues paired with a red lip, and out-and-out Dolce & Gabbana worship. She would later become their campaign girl.
PA PhotosShe also found time to be a golden girl – at the BRIT Awards 2004.
PA PhotosRocking a softer look for the Hollywood Film Festival premiere of A Love Song for Bobby Long that October in 2004, Scarlett showed off her perfect pins in a brocade mini dress made fun with cute side buns and clashing turquoise heels.
PA PhotosWhat does a girl wear to meet one of her all-time idols? When Scarlett was posed with this conundrum the following month, she had a Marilyn moment. And it really suited her.
PA PhotosBy December 2004, a newly-confident Scarlett was ready to try jeans on the red carpet again – and, boy, did she pull them off thanks to that killer contrast of pin-sharp blazer and minxy bra flash.
PA PhotosSo, moving swiftly on from this sludge-coloured style blip at the 2005 Academy Awards...
PA Photos...We were back in dressed up denim territory at the Cannes Film Festival. And breathe.
PA PhotosScarlett hit the catwalk for her friend Tara Subkoff's Imitation of Christ collection at New York Fashion Week in September 2005 in high-waisted jeans, see-through vest and – OMG – is that a cigarette?!
PA PhotosScarlet for Scarlett! Proving that less is more in a hot red tube dress with minimal embellishment at the 2006 Golden Globes.
Rex FeaturesWe rarely see Scarlett in dark colours. She made an exception for this black, belted, sequinned midi number by Burberry at the 2006 Met Ball – and we can see why. Love.
Rex FeaturesA month later, Scarlett debuted a newly-dark dye job beautifully against this pale, pleated cocktail dress at the CFDA Awards.
PA PhotosIt’s rare for us to spot Scarlett in ‘done’ off-duty looks – which is why we were totally thrilled to snap her at the Venice Film Festival as she promoted The Black Dahlia in this cute-and-quirky chevron top and velvet pumps.
PA PhotosBut it was ‘bring on the ballgown!’ for the film’s premiere, and Scar-Jo didn’t hold back, opting for this fairytale, Japanese-inspired creation. Although, is it just us, or does that butterfly in her hair push it from brave into twee territory? Pesky butterflies.
PA PhotosCats, though – cats, we like. Scarlett got it oh-so right channelling Holly Golightly at a Moet & Chandon Fashion Tribute party in London in 2006.
PA PhotosEver the hair chameleon, Scar-Jo premiered this bold orange rinse – along with her new film The Prestige – in London in November 2006, taking the spotlight off her bustylicious Grecian dress somewhat.
Rex FeaturesFast forward six months, though, and Scarlett was back to her blonde best and in a rainbow-bright strapless prom dress (her go-to shape) for a Louis Vuitton charity event.
Rex FeaturesTackling the 20s brief in fishnets, a quiff-tastic up-do and an embellished cocktail dress at the Poiret: King of Fashion-themed Met Ball in May 2007.
PA PhotosThe belt felt like something of an after-thought in this outfit, which somehow still managed to swamp Scarlett’s gorgeous figure, at a photocall for The Other Boleyn Girl at the Berlin Film Festival. “Less frump, more oomph, please,” we cried!
PA PhotosThankfully, Scarlett obliged at a subsequent screening of the film in her failsafe staples – prom dress, fishnet tights and a dramatic eye.
PA Photos...Indeed, she looked positively regal in this one-shouldered, aqua gown for its London premiere.
Rex FeaturesBut Scarlett was firmly back in her fashion comfort zone in this nude, bustier-style, tulle-skirted Dolce & Gabbana dress at the 2008 Met Ball – and doesn’t it show? Atta girl!
PA PhotosIn February 2009, Scarlett had gone back to brunette for the premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You in LA; she appeared to be compensating for her darker hair hue with a super-peppy, pink strapless gown. Hm.
Bigpicturesphoto.comTo promote Dolce & Gabbana make-up in London’s Selfridges that summer, Scarlett was every inch the off-duty screen siren in polished separates.
PA PhotosScar-Jo experimented with a sculptural shape in Armani Privé at the premiere of Iron Man 2 – and pulled it off with aplomb. Great silver shoes, too.
PA PhotosA sleeker silhouette for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards – the dress was Dolce & Gabbana, natch. No wonder she got a smooch from Sandra Bullock...
Rex FeaturesAnd, if there were any doubt whatsoever as to whether Scarlett had finally blossomed into a woman who is at one with her red carpet persona, it was blown away when we saw her looking utterly striking in this full-length, blush-coloured Elie Saab gown accessorised with lashings of Van Cleef & Arpels jewels at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards.
PA PhotosA less done ‘do and Dolce & Gabbana lace at the 2011 Oscars notched up another red carpet hit.
Rex FeaturesFor an appearance on The Late Show in December 2011 to promote her new film We Bought A Zoo, Scarlett was channelling Marilyn again in a 50s-style quiff, red lip and classic wool coat.
PA PhotosIt was style that Scarlett stuck with for the premiere a few days later – after substituting a prom-style Dolce & Gabbana frock for the coat, natch.
PA PhotosSpotted: Scar-Jo keeping a low profile on the streets of New York early in 2012 as anticipation for the release of Avengers Assemble, in which the actress plays the iconic role of the Black Widow, began to hit fever pitch. Love the casually assured clogs and leather jacket combo.
PA PhotosCome the Avengers premiere in April 2012, however, Scarlett was back to her kilowatt best in a bang on trend peplum-waisted LBD and that signature high hair. There’s no denying that she looks fantastic – although we suspect we weren’t the only ones who were just a teensy bit disappointed that she didn’t wear a catsuit...
Rex FeaturesHeading to London for the UK Avengers premiere, Scarlett didn't lose her fashion touch. The actress wore this rose applique Prada gown in red, blue and black.
