For as long as we can remember (back to the late 1980s, since you ask), every year or two has seen a new red carpet controversy. Never have more than a few Grammy ceremonies gone by without someone famous showing us her nipples, or wearing something extravagantly inappropriate for a black-tie event. And we love them for it: we can't imagine life without Lil' Kim's nipple pasty, Cher's sequinned crotch or Julia Roberts' abundant underarm hair.

And yet, time heals all scandals. These days, it's commonplace for starlets to wear dresses that our grandparents would regard as obscene – so much so that we now eye every red carpet ensemble with the jaded, unshockable gaze of people who've seen it all before. And in Rose McGowan's case, we really have seen it all.

Click through the gallery for a look at the most controversial outfits of yesteryear, and marvel at how very tame they are today (by Rihanna's standards, anyway).

 

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