Jennifer Lopez's Sexiest Red Carpet Looks, Ranked

"Sexy, feminine, fearless." That's how Jennifer Lopez's stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn described her style to Billboard in 2017. But while they may lend a hand with her iconic looks, Lopez is super involved in choosing her daring outfits. "It would surprise people how involved [Lopez] is in the entire process. She enjoys it. It's not just part of the job," Haenn explained to USA Today in 2013. "It's a true passion of hers. She's always looking to reinvent herself and push herself and push us. Can we outdo the last one?" Mariel added.

Well, we can safely say there have been multiple times when J.Lo has outdone herself. When Lopez isn't bringing back everyday denim trends, she's killing it in some of the sexiest red-carpet dresses ever. And we've ranked them for your viewing pleasure. We considered what the public, fashion experts, and Lopez herself have said, as well as diving into each ensemble's cultural impact.

Jennifer Lopez teased her super sexy style in 1999. She attended the launch of Notorious Magazine alongside Donatella Versace in a see-through mini dress. Lopez was super on-trend, as models Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss had also worn very similar Versace dresses that year (the sheer dress trend also made a comeback in 2023!) This dress was still glam, but, compared to some of Lopez's later red-carpet appearances, it was understated. The slight glimpse at her underwear through the chainmail was classy and sexy, while the reflective silver brightened Lopez's gorgeous olive skin.

This may not be one of Lopez's most famous dresses, but it certainly stood the test of time. More than two decades after she wore it, Fashionista dubbed the mini one of the "great outfits in fashion history."

In 2015, Jennifer Lopez — who's given us so many real quotes about love and relationships — hit the red carpet for her birthday party in an impossibly sexy black dress. The bodycon midi had sheer fabric across her thighs and shoulders, and cut-outs across her chest, torso, and hips. Lopez looked years younger than 46, and accessorized with a chic, simple black clutch and peep-toe heels.

It's no surprise that praise rolled in for this slinky ensemble, which made some noise. "If you got it, flaunt it — and boy does she have it, beautiful and hot," one X, (formerly known as Twitter) user wrote. And fashion outlets were just as taken aback by this slinky LBD. "Jennifer Lopez's 46th birthday outfit = [fire emoji, fire emoji, fire emoji]," Grazia tweeted.

Jennifer Lopez took a fashion risk at the 2017 Billboard Latin Music Awards in a barely there Julien McDonald dress. The provocative all-black look had countless cutouts, with almost every inch of J.Lo's skin on display. Speaking to Billboard, Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn explained the sexy piece was a purposeful departure from what she usually wears. "It feels dark and mysterious," they said, but noted she kept her sensual side alive by showing skin.

The Australian dubbed this number as Lopez's sexiest outfit yet (though we ranked a couple of others higher) and Billboard labeled it one of her best Billboard Latin Music Awards ensembles. Years later, fans were still talking about this dress. "Jennifer Lopez was stunning at the Billboard Latin Music Awards back in 2017," one X user wrote five years later.

Jennifer Lopez slipped into the seriously sexy Versace Dragon Dress for the 2015 Met Gala. The garment was made with sheer (noticing a J.Lo trend?) nude fabric with strategically placed red, black, and silver beading. The deep red brought out the warmth in the siren's skin, giving her a gorgeous, healthy glow.

Fashion icon André Leon Talley couldn't get enough. And neither could we. "This hot, hot, hot, gown!" he shouted across the red carpet when he interviewed Lopez at the event for Vogue. "Darling, only you can wear a dress like this," he added. After The Metropolitan Museum of Art shared a photo of Lopez, one user responded, "She still slays." Billboard placed the garment on its list of favorite Met Gala looks of all time, as did The Daily Front Row.

How could anything but the Versace gown Jennifer Lopez wore to the 2000 Grammys come out on top as her sexiest red carpet look? This backless, plunging number is widely considered her most iconic — and it's the reason Google Images exists. Ex-Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt told Project Syndicate in 2015 that so many people wanted pictures of Lopez after the event, that Google created Image Search.

Lopez told Vogue in 2019 that she wore the dress against her stylist's advice and didn't think it would be so popular. "The dress was just provocative enough, I guess, to make people really interested," she explained. It's so beloved that E!'s "Fashion Police" experts declared it the most must-see outfit of 2000, and Versace told Canadian Press in 2008 (via HuffPost) that it was a turning point for the fashion house.

To determine Jennifer Lopez's sexiest red carpet look of all time, we took into account each one's cultural impact and reactions. That included (positive and negative) responses from the public via X, as well as commentary from media outlets and fashion experts. We also considered what Lopez and her long-time stylists, Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, said about the outfit and if the designer spoke publicly.