The Most Stunning Evening Gowns in Miss America History

The Miss America pageant has been a staple of American culture ever since its founding in 1921. While the organization recently celebrated its 100th birthday, a lot has changed over the years. The event is now branded as a "competition" with "candidates," and there is no longer a swimsuit portion. These days, the brand is seeking out more than just beauty—Miss America 2020, Camille Schrier, won the competition by conducting a science experiment as her talent. As the pageant evolves, so do the dresses. Click through this gallery to see some of the most stunning Miss America dresses from the past 100 years.

Miss America's evening gown competition has been iconic since the very first pageant. Margaret Gorman from Washington D.C.'s look is proof: She wore a drop waist embroidered gown and topped it off with an American flag shawl.

In 1922, Mary Campbell from Ohio was the first Miss America to don a regal robe, crown, and scepter. She was also the only person in the pageant's history to take home the crown twice—both in 1922 and 1923.

Ruth Malcomson represented her home state of Pennsylvania in a swimsuit and fur-trimmed coat, and took home the coveted Golden Mermaid trophy that year.

Fay Lanphier from California, far right, was crowned Miss America in 1925. The beauty queen is seen here backstage with her fellow contestants.

Norma Smallwood from Oklahoma added some flair to her '20s-style gown with a velvet rose sash.

Lois Delander of Illinois looked glamorous in a silver beaded fringe dress for the 1927 Miss America competition.

Margarethe Ekdahl from Tampa, Florida wore a sequined unitard with her Miss America crown in 1930. She was decades ahead of her time, sporting the look way before bodysuits were in.

When Marion Bergeron from Connecticut won Miss America, she was wearing an outfit fit for a queen. The puff sleeves and Renaissance design gave off major Romeo and Juliet vibes.

Henrietta Leaver from Pittsburgh placed the ceremonial robe and crown over her gold lamé evening gown when she was crowned Miss America in 1935.

Rose Veronica Coyle from Philadelphia took home the title in 1936, wearing a black velvet gown for the occasion.

Black velvet was huge in the '30s. Bette Cooper's dress perfectly matched the robe she won when she went from Miss New Jersey to Miss America.

Marilyn Meseke proved that accessories are a girl's best friend when she paired her winning wand, crown, and robe with this smooth-as-silk look.

Miss America in 1939, Pat Donnelly, is seen here modeling a tulle black evening gown with a tiered skirt. Her perfectly curled up-do only adds to the polished look.

Rosemary LaPlanche from California wowed the crowd in a dark bathing suit and voluminous curls at the pageant in 1941.

Yolande Betbeze of Alabama looked perfect by the pool in a white, lace-trimmed swimsuit. She's hard to miss with that shiny trophy and matching sash.

Colleen Hutchins from Utah, center, is pictured next to the runners-up following her win. Her white off-the-shoulder gown is fit for a bride.

Evelyn Ay from Pennsylvania looked simply stunning in a full-length gown with embroidery details.

Lee Meriwether from California wore a regal evening gown to match her crown for her Miss America portrait. The pleated detailing and sweetheart neckline brought the perfect amount of glamour to the competition.

Marian McKnight was South Carolina's first Miss America winner. She donned a tulle-filled dress in front of the Empire State Building.

Lynda Mead from Mississippi smiles for the camera in her white strapless gown—a design that, for the time, was rather risqué.

Jacquelyn Mayer of Ohio, left, is the definition of pageant royalty in her floral embroidered gown. Everything about the outfit—from her satin sash to her elegant white gloves—looks straight out of a Disney movie.

Kathleen Knight of Colorado squeezes in one last fitting before the competition. This entire look is pure retro perfection.

Donna Axum of Arkansas, left, rocks a beaded gown, as she prepares to pass her title on to the following year's winner, Vonda Van Dyke.

Former Miss Americas, Vonda Kay Van Dyke (1965) and Bess Myerson (1945), strike a pose in embroidered evening gowns, while attending the 1966 Miss America pageant.

Jayne Anne Jayroe from Oklahoma wore a powder blue dress with a crystal bodice when she was crowned Miss America in 1967.

Moving into the late '60s, winner Debra Barnes made an impression on the runway in this short-sleeve lacy dress in 1968.

Nikki Peck, Miss Indiana, competed for the 1968 Miss America pageant wearing a white bateau beaded evening gown that is just as timeless now as it was back then.

An evening gown with a beaded bodice and pleated skirt cinched the crown for Pamela Eldred in 1970.

Kathy Huppe from Montana was barred from competing in the Miss America contest in 1970 due to her political views and opposition to the Vietnam War. Huppe's bravery makes her Miss Montana pageant evening gown all the more beautiful.

Laurie Lea Schaefer left the judges in awe with this sparkly pale blue gown.

Terry Meeuwsen from Wisconsin, pictured here being crowned, opted for a lace bell-sleeve dress for her evening gown. The flowing design perfectly embodied the style of the '70s.

Cheryl Prewitt looked lovely in this black and red beaded number. Everything came up roses for this beauty, who won the title in 1980.

With a form-fitting dress and coiffed '80s hair, Miss Arkansas, Elizabeth Ward, took home the 1982 title for Miss America. Her dress, which leaned on the subtle side, was a departure from the glitz and glam of previous winners.

Debra Maffett, 1983 Miss America, stood out in this lacy number. The puff sleeves added just the right amount of drama to the look.

A young Vanessa Williams not only looked flawless in this mermaid-style evening gown when she represented New York in 1984, but she also made history as the first African American woman to win the title.

With big hair and this beaded dress, Sharlene Wells from Utah was an '80s dream when she took her victory lap across the stage.

As the '80s went on, the glamour only intensified. Susan Akin from Mississippi did not hold back in this white, embroidered look with fur straps.

Leanza Cornett of Florida, left, sparkled as she passed on the title to the following year's winner, Kimberly Aiken. Her sequined halter gown was so gorgeous, it almost stole the show.

South Carolina's Kimberly Aiken looked sleek and chic in a black evening gown with sheer sleeves, as she waved to her fans as the newly-titled Miss America.

Heather Whitestone of Alabama made a statement with a classic white dress, large dangly earrings, and an up-do for her big moment.

In the mid-'90s, halter tops were one of the biggest trends out there. Shawntel Smith from Oklahoma chose the iconic style for the competition, and she took home the title in 1996.

Tara Holland from Kansas wore a unique two-piece gown complete with sheer sleeves (another huge trend of the '90s), a sweetheart neck, and bejeweled buttons.

The white beaded gown that Katherine Shindle wore when she was crowned was something out of a fairytale.

After years of glitter and beads, Virginia's Nicole Johnson won the crown in a simple black gown. The entire look—down to her crown and diamond earrings—drew inspiration from Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Heather French Henry showed off her fun side in this blue ombré gown. The unique color helped her stand out in a sea of other contestants.

Angela Perez Baraquoi from Hawaii made a statement in a fiery red halter gown in 2001.

Katie Harman's black halter dress from 2002 proved that simplicity can be just as beautiful as even the most sparkly or detailed dress.

Illinois's Erika Harold shined in this white and silver dress. The look only got better once she added her winning crown.

Ericka Dunlap brought a bit of her native Sunshine State with her to the pageant in the form of a canary yellow strapless evening gown.

Deidre Downs from Alabama added a little extra flair to her halter gown with a big bow.

Oklahoma's Jennifer Berry showed some skin at the competition when she wore a sheer bodice gown.

Miss Oklahoma was crowned Miss America two years in a row. In 2007, it was Lauren Nelson who wowed the judges in an elaborate beaded black evening gown.

They say purple is the color of royalty, and perhaps that's why 2008's Nicole Elizabeth Rash was the 1st runner-up in this glittery gown.

Michigan's Kirsten Haglund stepped out in an embellished evening gown, which perfectly matched the crown she won.

Ellen Carrington of Tennessee was beautiful in blue in this belted number.

Katie Stam's romantic lace evening gown was one to remember when she represented Indiana in 2009.

Caressa Cameron from Virginia wore a show-stopping yellow and crystal gown that she topped off with chandelier earrings.

Although Kristy Cavinder of California didn't take home the title in 2010, her ethereal white gown was absolutely stunning. The sweetheart neckline was popular for the time, but the sheer train is what really made it stand out.

Djuan Keila Trent of Kentucky opted for a one-shoulder sequined gown and statement earrings—a big accessory trend of the early 2010s.

In 2011, Teresa Scanlan chose the perfect white long-sleeve gown to compliment her winner's roses.

Miss Louisiana, Hope Anderson, spiced things up with a bare midriff and strategically-placed flowers in 2012.

Laura Kaeppeler from Wisconsin's dark eye makeup complimented her black gown when she was chosen as 2012's Miss America.

Megan Ervin's strapless gown's ruffled train went on for days. With the bright red color and intricate detailing, her memorable gown resembled the prettiest of roses.

The judges must have loved Mallory Hagan's classic white off-the-shoulder gown as much as the audience did, because they crowned her the winner.

One-shoulder dresses were huge back in 2013, and DaNae Couch of Texas makes this one look fabulous.

Former Miss New York, Nina Davuluri, opted for a low-cut neck and a bold color. Her chunky bracelet and statement earrings added a touch of extra glam to the look.

Kira Kazantsev was prepared with a white evening look that matched her Miss America sash. Fun fact: She was the third Miss New York in a row to be crowned winner.

A trendy Betty Cantrell from Georgia arrived on stage in a two-piece gown that exposed her midriff during the 2016 competition.

Miss Colorado Shannon Patilla wore a stunning white gown. The mermaid-style cut and shaped collar made the look extra unique.

Arkansas's Savvy Shields kept things simple in a black sweetheart neck gown and statement earrings to win the 2017 pageant.

Sparkles, cutouts, a train. North Dakota's Cara Mund had it all, and it paid off—she was crowned winner of the 2018 pageant.

Marisa Moorhouse of New Hampshire made sure she stole the show with this green gown. She sure knows how to work a train.

Penelope Ng Pack of Hawaii brought out her inner Elle Woods in this gorgeous head-to-toe pink look during the competition.

Nia Franklin from North Carolina looked radiant as she started her reign as Miss America in a white one-shoulder evening gown.

The one-shoulder dress is a style that will last forever. Miss America Camille Schrier sported a dark navy gown as she won the 2020 competition.