Rita Moreno's Timeless Oscars Look: Recycling Fashion With Grace

After an incredible 56 years, legendary actress Rita Moreno decided to open up her closet and pull out something truly special. And when we say special, we mean it. Rita walked the 2018 Oscars red carpet on Sunday, March 4, wearing the very same gown she wore back in 1962 when she won her Oscar. Talk about making a statement!

At 86 years young, Rita shared her excitement about the gown with a touch of nostalgia. "This is a 56-year-old gown that I wore when I won my Oscar in 1962. This is the dress. It’s been hanging in my closet all these years, and I go and stroke it now and then. I just love it—it was an amazing night," she reminisced on the red carpet. She added, "Back then, there wasn’t even a red carpet. It was so different. The Oscars have come such a long way, but some things, like this dress, are timeless."

Rita in 1962 (left) and 2018 (right).

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Timeless Elegance: A Closer Look at the Gown

The dress, a stunning black strapless frock, features a luxurious black bottom adorned with striking gold flower embellishments. Rita completed the timeless look with a pair of long black gloves, a bold gold and black necklace, earrings, and a chic black headband. Interestingly, the original gown from the '60s had straps, so Rita updated it with a few minor alterations to give it a modern twist. It's a testament to her enduring style and adaptability.

From Winning to Wearing Again

Rita first wore the ensemble when she was just 30 years old and took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her iconic role as Anita in West Side Story. But back then, she wasn’t expecting to win. "I thought Judy Garland would win for Judgement at Nuremberg," she revealed. Winning that award was a surprise, and it left her wishing she had prepared a longer speech. "If I could go back, I would add about 40 different things. Mostly, I wish I had accepted on behalf of my people. That would have been so wonderful, but it was so unexpected," she shared with genuine emotion.

Staying Young at Heart

Rita’s choice to wear the same gown after all these years proves that age is just a number. In a previous interview, the stunning star opened up about her secret to staying young. "I write with my left hand even though I’m right-handed, I walk backwards in a very safe place—anything that engages your brain," she told People last year. "I’m so damn lucky to still be here at [86]. If I get a hangnail, I don’t dare complain! Life is good. I wake up humming." Her positivity and zest for life are truly inspiring.