She might play the partner of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but when it comes to slaying the red carpet, Gwyneth Paltrow knows the best armour is shimmer and shine. The American actress, 48, has been a bonafide star for decades, after making her film debut in 1991's <em>Shout</em>, but it's only in recent years she seems to have found her high-fashion footing. Once an aficionado of the slip dresses and cropped cardigans of the 1990s, the Oscar winner has dabbled in sequinned sheaths, power shoulders, voluminous silhouettes and tactile textures in the past decade. She also, on occasion, still embraces more fairytale sensibilities, with floor-sweeping cuts and romantic hues. Turning to storied labels such as Valentino, Prada and Ralph Lauren, Paltrow is also known to sport labels of the region from time to time, namely Lebanon's Elie Saab. Here, we take a look at how the <em>Contagion</em> star's style has evolved throughout her time in the spotlight. <strong>Scroll through the gallery above to see more images of Gwyneth Paltrow through the years.</strong>