17 of the biggest red carpet dresses ever: gowns that make a grand entrance

We bring you a throwback Thursday that's pure, glamorous escapism ...

LADY GAGA, MAY 2019: Gaga isn't known as the shy and retiring type when it comes to style choices, and this hot pink Brandon Maxwell has to be her biggest gown to date. Also oversized ... those eyelashes. EPA

SONAM KAPOOR, MAY 2016: is it a cape, is it a train? We don't care what it is, this ice-white Ralph & Russo dress is simply fabulous. EPA 

ZENDAYA, MAY 2019: While the skirt on this Cinderella gown isn't as bouffant as others in this list, the custom Tommy Hilfiger gets 'extra points' for the fact it actually lights up. Her stylist Law Roach folllowed her down the red carpet and waved a wand that wafted smoke over her as she made her way into the Met Gala. Fashion, or performance art? EPA

DEEPIKA PADUKONE, MAY 2019: We never thought we'd be prepared for such a large serving of lime green tulle, but this Giambattista Valli dress is deliciously fun. Padukone wore it in Cannes, which is our favourite red carpet collection every year.  EPA

CARDI B, MAY 2019: A gown that requires two personal assistants deserves some attention. This giant stylish sleeping bag is filled with down (comfy) and was designed by Thom Browne. EPA 

NICKI MINAJ, MAY 2018: Another look for the Met Gala, which really is the Super Bowl of dramatic dressing, this Oscar de la Renta is a red river of tulle. We love how it is ombre, from the oxblood shrug to the scarlet red train. EPA

SHAILENE WOODLEY, DECEMBER 2019: This won't be to everyone's taste, but there's no denying it's dramatic: the design is actually by skiwear label Moncler (and it shows). It's from the brand's fancy womenswear collection Moncler 1 Pierpaolo Piccioli. Wearable? No. Fun? Yes. EPA

LADY GAGA, AUGUST 2018: Another Gaga look that deserves attention, this study in feathers is by Valentino. It is remarkably elegant for something so frou-frou. It's probably our favourite Gaga fashion moment of all time. EPA 

PRIYANKA CHOPRA, MAY 2017: Ok, so this isn't strictly a gown, but it deserves a mention for the fact it dials the drama of a trenchcoat up to 100. It was custom made by Ralph Lauren for the Indian actress. Again, for the Met Gala. EPA

ZOE SALDANA, MAY 2016: The lake of a train on this Dolce & Gabbana gown mimics a peacock, which is a gloriously show-off move, and the perfect choice for the aesthetic smorgasbord that is the Met Gala. EPA 

BEBE REXHA, FEBRUARY 2019: Behold tiers and tiers of tulle - this dress is by Bahraini label Monsoori. EPA 

GEMMA CHAN, FEBRUARY 2019: This huge pink parachute is actually a designer Valentino gown, and we love it. She wore it to the Academy Awards, and we deem it entirely Oscar worthy. EPA 

ANGELA SARAFYAN, SEPTEMBER 2018: This Christian Siriano gown that glided down the 2018 Emmys red carpet may not be as ginormous as others on this list, but it's still a gown with a sizeable skirt. And the night-sky glitteriness adds just enough drama. EPA 

BLAKE LIVELY, MAY 2018: A dress that truly requires a grand staircase, this Versace gown reportedly took 600 man hours to make. That's extra. EPA

RIHANNA, MAY 2015: The dress that launched a thousand memes. Rihanna's bold choice for the Met Gala five years ago set the internet alight, and was turned into pizza, an omelette, Big Bird and the Yellow Brick Road in countless Photoshop jobs. The beautifully detailed canary-yellow gown is by Chinese couturier Guo Pei. EPA

AISHWARYA RAI, MAY 2017: This is a real Disney-princess-come-to-life moment. And the best bit? This volume-tastic powder blue dress is by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco. The man is the master of the go-big-or-go-home gown. She wore it to the 'Okja' premiere in Cannes (which is an amazing movie BTW). EPA

ARIANA GRANDE, JANUARY 2020: The singer sat in a pool of tulle on the Grammys red carpet this year. This Giambattista Valli gown merited a full satin glove accompaniment. EPA

We know there are far more important issues raging around us, but with Cannes and the Met Gala cancelled this year, we won't be getting the mad May red carpet rush full of beautiful gowns in 2020.

And, because it's been such a tough start to the year, we thought we'd revisit the most dramatic red carpet gowns of all time so that you can experience a few moments of pure escapism.

From Aishwarya Rai channelling an actual Disney princess in Michael Cinco to Rihanna's yellow dress that launched a thousand memes, scroll through the gallery above to behold 17 dresses that fall into the 'go huge or go home' category.

And when we say big, we mean not just big in terms of bucket loads of attitude, but literally large in size.

Enjoy. We'll leave you with this high-key moment from one Ms Ariana Grande – because this is a dress that deserves dramatics: