She's the most celebrated actor in the history of the Academy Awards with 15 nominations and two wins. Her career has spanned over three decades and, despite being sixty-years-old in an industry full of twenty-somethings, the star of It's Complicated shows no signs of giving up her place as a Hollywood leading lady. If that isn't enough to make you slightly in awe of Mrs Streep, take a look at her personal life. In a field where divorce is nearly as common as changing your hair colour, Streep has been married for thirty-one years to sculptor Don Gummer and has four children (not a single one of whom has attempted to join the ranks of Tinseitown's misbehaved brood of kids born to stars).
From what we can see Meryl Streep's life is just about as close to perfect as humanly possible, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have any skeletons in her closets, style ones that is! From the naffest of '80s power suits to ill advised makeup choices and yes, some of the most beautiful gowns to ever grace the red carpet, check out the gallery below to see the star's fashion history.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
She described her role as Linda in The Deer Hunter to Ms. magazine in 1979 by saying "They needed a girl between the two guys, and I was it." But despite the macho nature of the film , Streep was powerful enough in her small part to earn an Oscar nomination (a sign of things to come perhaps?). On the arm of her husband Don Gummer, a 27-year-old Meryl Streep look radiant in a lace topped dress with her golden locks left loose when she attended the ceremony.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
Streep looked every bit the 70s icon in a tan tunic and long skirt when she arrived at the premiere with her costar Alan Alda. Today's overdone starlets could take a few hints from her glowing, nearly makeup-free face!
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
With her second nomination, Streep came out a winner picking up the Oscar for best supporting actress for her role in Kramer vs. Kramer. Again she kept her signature blonde hair down and her dress understated. Luckily for Streep, her clean cut blazer proved a timeless choice.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
Was Meryl Streep the original Hollywood yummy mummy? From the looks of this shot of her carrying her first child (son Henry) in a blue corduroy baby sling that perfectly complimented her chequed shirt which in turn was paired with a classic trench and oversized sunglasses, our bet is yes!
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
Pregnant with baby number two, Streep accepted Oscar number two in a gold sequined gown. Perhaps not surprisingly, nabbing best actress for her role in Sophie's Choice brought the expectant mother to tears.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
Even the great Meryl Streep couldn't escape the 80s without big hair and a power suit.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
When the actress stamped her mark on the Hollywood walk of fame, her trademark blonde hair was gone in favour of a darker 'do. She kept her fashion simple for the occasion using a sunflower to add a whimsical touch for the celebratory occasion.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
Unfortunately a heavy dose of powder gave Streep's face a ghostly hue which matched the flowing white shirt on her Oscars gown a little too well. Makeup mishap aside, her choice of a figure flattering, off the shoulder gown made the 1999 awards a fashion hit for Streep.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
Streep has frequently remarked that she spent her early career assuming it would all be over by age 38. But luckily for those of us who adore the actress, along with pals like 63-year-old Susan Sarandon, she's rewriting the Hollywood rules. One set of rules she can't rewrite however are fashion's. The multicolour metallic coat she wore to the hospital's opening wasn't on trend in 2002 and certainly hasn't been redeemed over the last eight years.
Style Evolution - Meryl Streep
More than perhaps any other actress of her age and calibre in Hollywood, Streep proven a tireless supporter of the women walking in her footsteps. Nicole Kidman's Yves Saint Laurent gown may have overshadowed Meryl Streep's odd pantsuit but, style aside, the pair were equally rewarded for their performances in The Hours. While Kidman's nomination led to a win, Streep defeated herself and took home the trophy for her performance in Adaptation.