As Penélope Cruz Turns 50, Vogue Revisits Her Turn-Of-The-Millennium Style
These days, Penélope Cruz refuses to be parted from her Chanel. But back when she was first making her way in Hollywood (already well known in her native Spain, Cruz’s first US role was in 1998’s The Hi-Lo Country), before her bouclé tweed and double C days, she wore pared-back slips and simple dresses.
In the intervening years, the actor, who turns 50 today, has carved out the kind of career that aspiring movie stars dream of. Along the way, she’s scored an Oscar for her stand-out performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona and married her fellow Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem. She’s also racked up some memorable red-carpet moments.
In the ’90s and early ’00s, a young Cruz, like many of her contemporaries at the time – such as Jennifer Aniston, Winona Ryder and Gwyneth Paltrow – tended towards a minimalist aesthetic. Think: lots of Ralph Lauren, slip dresses, mannish suits and plenty of all-white looks. To celebrate her 50th birthday, Vogue takes a look back at Cruz’s turn-of-the-millennium style.
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Just like Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry, a black slip dress was also a go-to for Cruz when it came to walking the red carpet in the ’90s.
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In a white silk Bardot-style top and tailored trousers, Cruz looked summer-ready at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival.
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Looking effortlessly elegant in a beaded dress at Cannes Film Festival.
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A strapless, floor-sweeping black gown was a style loved by Cruz, Winona Ryder and more in 1999.
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In a high-neck pared-back dress and a bold red lip, Cruz kept things minimal for the Latin Grammy Awards in 2000.
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In an all-white outfit and some simple strappy sandals at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival.
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A signature beige slip dress meant Cruz was party-ready in Cannes.
